Squadron Dinner to end the 75th Anniversary Year of the ATC
What a Night we had filled with laughter and glamour, Promotions, Grand Draw and Sports Funding...
For months CI Chloe Smithson has been tirelessly working towards this one night along with Flying Officer Martin Dobson...
And what a night it was!
All day some of the Squadron staff spent at Carlton Manor helping set up for our first Dinner for 8 years. Most Squadrons have one every year, but after the Kings Head (now Wetherspoons) closed we've been struggling with a venue to hold one. But this year, as a Squadron we decided to hold one to celebrate the end of the 75th Anniversary year of the Air Training Corps.
The staff at Carlton Manor were so helpful and understand with how Annual Dinners work and run. All night they worked tirelessly to ensure everything went to plan and the food was of a high standard.
As people trickled in the staff, cadets and distinguished guests found there seats and awaited the first course. As the night went on the food was delicious, the atmosphere was full of conversation, laughter and enjoyment. Nearing the end of the meal, speeches were eagerly awaited. First Flying Officer Marin Dobson got up to speak, saying what a fantastic year it had been and all the ways we have both celebrated the 75th Anniversary Year and all that the cadets and Squadron had achieved. He showed his pride for the cadets at Beccles and all they do for themselves, the Squadron and the Wing. Next was the speech from Wing Commander David Miller MBE, reiterating what Flg Off Dobson had already said about the year and what was to come soon.
In the speeches it was mentioned that we were able to get all the surviving Officers in charge of 759 (Beccles) Squadron to the dinner. David Miller, Chris Wheldon, Darren Flitton, Jo Gruchey and the current Commanding Officer Martin Dobson. This was fantastic for the five of them to share on memories and get even a little bit emotional and nostalgic over the thought. On top of this we had our new and current Wing Staff Officer there, Squadron Leader Jason Allen, as well as the last two the Squadron has had: Squadron Leader Neil Ovenden (now Regional Staff) and ex Squadron Leader Ian Ward. Another fantastic sight to see.
From here, the Mayor of Beccles, Graham Catchpole stood up to speak. Firstly he thanked his Mayors Cadet for the year, Cadet Warrant Officer Hannah Roberts for all her support for the year and then he thanked the Squadron for helping the both of them reach their goals of the year and achieve great things from this experience. From here, the Squadron was presented a cheque from Beccles Town Council for this years Mayors Sports Appeal. We have been given money to support us in buying tracksuits for the Squadron to wear at porting events.
Onward through the evening and we came to the eagerly awaited promotions that all the cadets had been enthusiastic to know about. For these promotions it had been a tough decision to know who to promote, eagerly contested and the quality of each cadet was second to none. But decisions had to be made. The promotions on the night were:
From Cadet Flight Sergeant to Cadet Warrant Officer: CWO Hannah Stokes
From Cadet Sergeant to Cadet Flight Sergeant: Flt Sgt Lawrence Aldren
From Cadet Corporal to Cadet Sergeant: Sgt Xavier Clarke, Sgt Nicky Sparkes and Sgt Jessica Sparkes
From Cadet to Cadet Corporal: Cpl Lewis Mathews, Cpl Alfie Goldspink, Cpl Tierney Bedwell and Cpl Shannon Pull
A huge congratulations to all those cadets promoted, you have all worked exceptional hard and achieved highly and are all deserving of the ranks you have received.
From the meal and the speeches we moved on to the disco of the night. The lights went down and the cadets hit the dance floor and the party of the night had started.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable night for everyone who attended.
