1248 (Prudhoe) Squadron

At 7 o’clock on a Monday morning in August, everyone assembled at the squadron HQ for their trip away to the Yorkshire Dales.  With bags, cars and minibuses packed the staff and cadets of 1248 squadron set off down to Lightwater Valley for the first day of the squadron camp.

Once they had arrived, they split up into groups to head off around the park.  Some people went for the more adventurous rides, with others opting for the more relaxed approach.  With the sun shining everyone was in a great mood by the time we had to leave.  However, we did have to leave in order to make it to the bunk house in time for the C.O. to prepare tea for 18 hungry people.  Once everyone was settled the brief for the week was detailed, so everyone knew what they were expecting for the following days.

After a good night sleep, it was up at 7 for breakfast, and preparation for the days walk.  The walk was a 15km stroll through the Yorkshire dales.  It started with a climb up the hill, but soon levelled off.  This provided a great opportunity for the cadets and staff to have a casual chat whilst taking in the outstanding views that the dales have to offer.   In the evening it was time for a bit of relaxation and healthy competition in the form of a quiz provided by Sgt Levee.

Wednesday morning, and another early start.  Everyone was up and out of the accommodation for a full day activities at Low Mill.  The squadron was split into their two flights and went their separate ways.  One group went canoeing, whilst the other took part in the high ropes course.  The canoeing started with some tuition on the canoes, followed by a paddle down a small river, whilst negotiating round trees and bushes.  Or in some cases trying to go through them.  The high ropes course involved summing p the courage to cross the rope bridge and suspended cables.

After a spot of lunch the activities changed, the canoeists got wet again with gorge scrambling, whilst the remaining flight went caving.  The gorge scrambling was another test of courage with a jump into a deep plunge pool.  The cavers on the other hand had to negotiate tunnels and caverns, and then had the option of squeezing through the cheese press.  Most people achieved this, but it proved a bit too tight for some, so they took the less demanding route, and walked around.

For another evening of relaxation and gentle competition the squadron went to the local bowling alley.  The staff tried to show off their experience, but were outclassed by the cadets.

Thursday’s activity was a day climbing.  Some staff set off early as an advance party to get routes in place for the arrival of the cadets.  With the routes in place, the cadets arrived and got kitted up.  After a nervous start by some, they soon showed what they were made of, and made easy work the climbs.  For the more adventurous ones an abseil was also available, which again the cadets excelled at.

Thursday evening involved the tradition of going out for a pub meal.  This, as usual, provided a chance to relax whilst enjoying some excellent food and company.

Friday finally arrived, nearly the end of the camp, but not quite.  Still time to head back to Low Mill and swap activities from Wednesday.  Due to changes in weather, the activities were altered to suit.  A different gorge, and cave were used.  However, these still proved challenging and enjoyable.  Once finished, and with a tired out squadron, it was time to head home.  As expected it was an enjoyable week away, with everyone pushing themselves to try the activities on offer.

It seems that the sun always shines whenever 1248 cadets go walking, and on Saturday 27^th June was no different.

An early start and our troop of 10 cadets leave the “ye old cross” pub on a 10 mile sponsored walk for Help for Heroes Charity.

Cadet Walker organised the squadron’s involvement by being on the panel that put this little stroll together. The walk was to take us along the river Tyne starting in Ryton, over the river by Newburn, passed Wylam and on to Prudhoe. Oh and then back to Ryton.

We walked at quite a quick pace for the weather conditions as there was small football match being played later that day (England v Germany). The navigation was never going to be a problem for the cadets taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh so it was a good opportunity for all to socialise for a fantastic cause.

Prudhoe Country Park meant halfway and another chance to take on water and a weird and varied dinner concoctions. Once fed and watered, out into the sun again for the final push on the other side of the river, this time past the golf course and on to Ryton.

Roads and people seem to be getting less, must be nearing kick off time.  So the last spurt was on, the cadets arrive at the finish tired, hot but very proud of what they had done.

Many thanks to all those in the organising team!

So far £250 has been raised by the squadron.

On 17th June 2010, 10 cadets from 1248 Squadron went Scuba Diving in Sunderland.

When we arrived, we met the instructors who gave us training on how to use the eqiptment.  We then jumped into the pool, put on our diving gear, and after a bit of practise, we were off swimming. 

After everyone got the hang of it in the shallow end, we dived deeper, where the water was 3 metres deep.

 “It was nerve wracking but really good, and I want to do it again” said Cdt Whitehead.

“Scuba diving was a really great experience, because I have never done anything like this before” said another cdt.

Cdt Roberts

After 25 years at 1248 squadron Hank the Bear is retiring. The beloved mascot has reached such an age where he has decided to retire. Hank has only left the squadron walls once for a camp. When he came back the squadron had been burnt down. 

The new mascot has arrived courtesy of the Harm family, but has no name yet.  He will be taking over as mascot for 1248 squadron in time for this years summer camp. He has yet to be named, because there is a competition to decide it. If you are part of 1248 squadron you can enter, the closing date will be 1^st July. All nominations to the staff, and good luck.

By Cdt Roberts

Durham and Northumberland Wing certainly showed their spirit on the 31^st of January.

Two female cadets from 1248 (Whitehead and Allsop) went with other cadets from Durham & Northumberland Wing to play some netball against other wings. “Although we didn’t win- or come second, or third, we still showed out spirit by giving the loudest cheer of all when our position (last…) was read out.” Say the girls.

Even being last, and suffering an injury in the team, did not dampen the girls’ mood as they travelled back chatting.

Many cadets went on a trip at the start of the Easter holidays that they described as a fun learning curve.

They went to a place in the North Northumberland called Barrowburn, and there they learnt and recapped on basic navigation and first aid. They also took the first part of their first aid test.

 Back at the hut, they had what was described as an ‘interesting camp fire’, and on this they roasted marshmallows- a tradition that must be followed by all ages of campers!

A week later, they finished their first aid test by completing a CPR assessment. All of them are proud to say that they passed- and will soon be getting their red first aid badges for their brassards. Congratulations!

Cadets Goodrick, Legge, Allsop and Whitehead went flying for the first time ever in the Easter holidays. They admit that their nerves hit a peak as they waited to get into the planes.

 “Learning how to deploy our parachute in the event of an emergency didn’t help our nerves!” said Whitehead, one of the four cadets. But all of a sudden, they were up and enjoying themselves, by the sound of things,

“I still can’t believe I flew a plane! It was surreal and fun too.” said another of the first timers.

Now that they are safely back on the ground, they can’t wait to get back up again- and maybe even experience some aerobatics!

6 hours bag packing is hard work- but £1200 for the squadron makes it well worth it. On the 23^rd of December last year, a good amount of cadets from our squadron, Consett and Wickham squadrons took part in a long six hour bag pack at ASDA, helping to pack the public’s Christmas shopping. They found it rewarding- if very hard;

“It was really tiring- and by the end we were all worn out, but it was for a good cause- us!” Says one of the hard working cadets that took part.

The money will go towards subsidising the next squadron camp, which takes place from the 2^nd to the 6th  of August.

Wandering through a small village wearing water proofs and a pair of washing up gloves was not the way we planned on spending our Saturday, but mining is a strange experience.

 “When we entered the mine, we were surprised how warm it was- and how dark without our torches.” We all agreed that although it was wet, dark and small- it was weirdly beautiful. Small stalactites littered the ceiling, and we learnt lots about the mine. It used to be mined for iron, but now has barely any iron left. As we walked/ crawled through, we saw all the rocks thrown aside by miners, also called ‘deads’. But it was right at the end that we got a bit of a shock with the water rising up past our boots! We managed to get muddy, wet and tired- but learnt a lot and had a fun morning exploring a mine.

By Cdt Whitehead

The cadets from 1248 squadron arrived in Prudhoe early on Sunday the 8^th November to pay their respects to the fallen.  The long parade in Prudhoe marched through the streets respectfully, and the two minutes silence along with lowering of the flags, happened at 11.00.

After the silence, the cadets went into the church and remembered the heroes.  Other organisations that were participating in the service were the local scouts and guiding associations, and Army cadets. The national anthem was sung inside the church, along with traditional hymns.  Also, there were several extracts from the bible read out by various people, including a sea cadet and an army cadet.

Once the church service was over, thecadets moved on to Stargate where they held a second minute’s silence with the locals. Poppies were laid in each location.

It was a sombre occasion, but remembrance has been heartfelt in two areas nearby to the squadron, and that is what it is all about.