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Cadets assist the first-ever RAF parade in Hucknall!

Tuesday, 27 September 2011 11:36 F/S L Osbiston

A historic squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxF) that was established in Hucknall have been given ‘freedom of Ashfield’ in a special church ceremony!

The 504RAuxF (County Of Nottingham) Squadron was formed in March 1928 at Hucknall Airfield on the site which is now owned by Rolls-Royce, off Watnall Road.

Now, 83 years on, 504 squadron have taken centre stage in a celebration in the first-ever RAF parade through the town of Hucknall. The church service taken place at Hucknall Parish Church on Market Place, the ‘freedom’ status was bestowed by Ashfield District Council. After the service the squadron paraded through the town led by the RAF Waddington Voluntary Band of Pipes and Drums.

Air Cadets from 1803(Hucknall) Squadron, 504(West Nottingham) Squadron, 1360(Stapleford & Sandiacre) Squadron and 1359(Beeston) Squadron helped the parade by lining the route where the parade would pay compliments to the civic and military dignitaries on the dais (raised platform), the salute from the parade was taken by the vice Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.

At the conclusion of the parade, there was a private civic reception at the Linby Road leisure centre. This reception included refreshments, historical displays from the 504 Squadron Association with photographs, documents and artefacts, a show by 1940s tribute singer Marina Mae, also there was re-enactors dressed in uniforms dating from 1928 to the present day.

At the reception the cadets had a chance to look around and educate themselves, some cadets from 504(West Nottingham) Squadron even had the chance to handle the historic weapons dating from a 100 years ago onwards!

By Cadet Corporal Kane Hatfield

1360 (Stapleford & Sandiacre) Squadron.

5 Cadets Complete Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Wednesday, 03 August 2011 11:57 admin

(Left to right: Jess Kment, Matthew Carre, Liam Osbiston, Abigail Jones. Katie Elam not included in picture)

In July 2011 after months of hard work and preparation, Cadet Warrant Officer Jessica Kment (19) cadet Sergeant Liam Osbistion (17), Sergeant Abigail Jones (17) and Cadet Corporal Matthew Carre (17) (1360 Stapleford and Sandiacre squadron) were accompanied by Cadet Warrant Officer Katie Elam (19) (2195 Long Eaton Squadron) on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. The expedition was the final part of the award, which has taken them around a year to complete. The team decided to do their expedition in July in Derbyshire’s High Peak area and despite varying weather conditions they successfully completed their 4 day expedition, which is often described as the most difficult part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s awards. The focus of the expedition was to investigate aircraft wreckage that remained on the High Peaks, after crashing during WW2- there is a reported 60 crash sites in the peak district. The team managed to successfully find wreckages of larger aircraft that had crashed into the hillsides in low cloud, especially impressing their Duke of Edinburgh expedition assessor, who had never seen them before! Everyone was especially amazed when they found the wreckage of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress in Bleaklow. The aircraft had crashed in low cloud on the 3^rd November 1948 on a routine 25 minute flight, killing all 13 members on board. To say that it had been 63 years since the crash, the team couldn’t believe how much wreckage still survived, they found engines, wings, radiators and much more scattered over the site, which stretched over a quarter of a mile!

B29 The B29 Crash Site When asked how they found the expedition, CWO Jessica Kment had this to say, “None of the team expected the expedition to be easy, but we made sure we kept our morale up and tried to keep smiling the whole way! It was definitely worth it and we all felt a great sense of accomplishment when we finished the last day.” Although the expedition is often the first thing to come to mind when people talk of Duke of Edinburgh awards, the cadets also had to a lot more. They also had to successfully complete the other sections of the award- residential, physical, skills and volunteering- in which they found the Air Cadet Organisation to be a great help to completing these aspects of the award. Flying Officer Phil Prudham, 1360 Sqn’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Officer said: “The group worked extremely well together and were always in good spirits despite an extremely arduous route which involved a lot of climbing”.For these 5 cadets, the hard work is now over and they can all look forward to taking a trip to St James’s palace and receiving their Gold awards from the Duke of Edinburgh himself. CWO Jessica Kment1360 Stapleford and Sandiacre Squadron ATC

Flt Lt Munns Leaves 1360 Sqn - Celebratory Event Planned for 28 August

Wednesday, 03 August 2011 11:38 admin

After 50 years of association with 1360 Squadron, Flt Lt Allan Munns has left Stapleford for a post with South and East Midlands Wing HQ. Allan joined 1360 as a cadet in 1961 when he was 13 and then served in the Royal Air Force as a radio communications specialist reaching the rank of Chief Technician.

Whilst still in the RAF he helped out at 1360 Sqn as an instructor and he was promoted to ATC Warrant Officer in 1996 after he retired from full-time service. He took over command of 1360 in May 2000 having been commissioned into the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

He has handed over command to Fg Off Gareth Fowler who joins 1360 from 1359 (Beeston) Squadron.

In order to celebrate Allan's long service with 1360 Squadron the committee have organised a celebratory event on Sunday 28 August 2011 from 7pm - 11pm at Cleve Lodge, Elm Avenue, Long Eaton.

Tickets are priced at £10 which include a finger buffet and welcome drink. All former members of the Squadron are invited as well as Allan's friends and former colleagues in the RAF.

Any photos or memorabilia associated with Allan will be gratefully received by Mandy Seaton, Squadron Committee Chair, who is planning a display. Further details available from Mandy by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 August 2011 11:49 )

Stapleford Air Cadet Glides Solo

Thursday, 20 January 2011 15:20 admin

Stapleford Air Cadet Joe Garton (16) spent his Christmas break from his studies at Bilborough College to gain his Gliding Wings at the Air Cadet Gliding School at Royal Air Force Syerston.

Having to contend with sub zero temperatures and snow, Joe successfully completed both his theory and practical Gliding training culminating in a solo launch in one of the Air Training Corps’ Viking Gliders at the Corps’ 643 Volunteer Gliding School.(VGS), RAF Syerston.

Although not old enough to drive a car, Joe now has his Silver Gliding Wings that allows him pilot a Glider. The course is offered to any cadet over 16 with an aptitude for flying and is free. Joe has been Gliding several times with 1360 (Stapleford & Sandiacre) Squadron with which he has been a cadet since the age of thirteen. He is now looking forward to joining the VGS and taking his Gold Wing becoming an instructor.

“Being in the Air Cadets has given me fantastic opportunities and this has just put the icing on the cake. It was absolutely brilliant. To fly solo at the age of sixteen seems unreal” said Joe. Flight Lieutenant Allan Munns, Officer Commanding 1360 Squadron commented “This great organisation offers so much for teenagers and it was good to hear of Joe’s success over the Christmas period. Although it meant giving up most of his holiday, he considered it time well spent”

The Squadron is open to anyone between the ages of thirteen and seventeen who are willing to meet challenges, accept discipline and have fun. The Squadron is currently recruiting, just call 0115 949 1360 any Monday or Thursday evening between 7pm and 9pm or visit the Squadron Headquarter on Ilkeston Road, Stapleford between the same times.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 January 2011 15:33 )

Veterans recognised at Stapleford Air Cadet Dinner

Monday, 22 November 2010 11:01 admin

Stapleford Air Cadets recognised the .generosity and support of two World War II Veterans during their Annual Dinner held at Cleve Lodge, Long Eaton, before almost 100 invited guests.

Ninety One year old Fred Pepper and Eighty Nine year old Alf Cross have attended almost all the Cadet presentation evenings, Pass Out Parades and other functions over many years. They have also presented Trophies and made personal financial contributions to the Squadron.

Presenting them with certificates, Allan Munns, Officer Commanding 1360 (Stapleford & Sandiacre) Squadron, Air Training Corps, said: “we thank Fred and Alf for their continued support and it is always a great pleasure to have them grace our functions” The Veterans received a standing ovation as they returned to their seats.

There were other presentations during the evening. On behalf of Breaston Parish Council Gala Committee, Wing Commander Mike Clulow RAF Rtd, presented the squadron with a beautiful glass trophy to mark the Squadron’s work at the Breaston May Day Gala. The trophy is to be presented annually to the cadet considered to have been the best at serving the Local Community. The first recipient was Cadet Kane Hatfield (15) for his outstanding contribution to the Squadron’s community work during the Year.

Guest of Honour, The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Broxtowe, Councillor Pat Lally, Councillor Jackie Williams, leader of Stapleford Town Council and the Stapleford and Sandiacre Rotary Club also received certificates to mark their support for the squadron.

The squadron is open to all 13 to 17 year olds who have a would like a bit of adventure (flying, gliding, shooting, sport, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Camping, visits to RAF Stations, overseas trips, and much more) and gain additional qualifications, please come and see us on any Monday or Thursday evening between 7 and 9 pm or ring us on 0115 949 1360 at the above times.