A Royal Date With The Golden Touch For Droitwich Cadets
Posted 23rd September 2013
Cadets from the award winning Droitwich Air Training Corps were among young achievers from across the UK who had a date in the prestigious setting of St. James’s Palace last week. The cadets, who have achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award travelled to London to receive their certificate from Trustee and Gold Award holder HRH The Earl of Wessex.
The Gold Award Presentation is a celebration and recognition of the cadets’ achievements in the Gold D of E programme; a unique event and a fitting culmination to mark the hard work, determination and perseverance required.
Rachel Handley, Victoria Lane, Hannah Watson and Gerallt Wheeler worked tirelessly through the five sections of their D of E programme over an eighteen month period to achieve their Gold Award. The diverse activities included an expedition to the Peak District, where the group sought and recorded aircraft wrecks, mainly from WW2, information on which they later used to give a presentation. Three of the four cadets have now had to leave the ranks as they have reached the upper age limit, but they have returned to the squadron as volunteers to help the present cadets. Former Cadet Warrant Officer Wheeler, now a civilian instructor said, “We all learnt so much through both the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and through being part of the Air Cadets, it prepares you for life and is a fantastic thing to have on your CV, employers know that you have learnt to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, skills which are valued.”
All cadets at the Droitwich Squadron are given the opportunity to take part in the scheme with many achieving highly; later this year two further Droitwich cadets will attend a presentation at St James’ Palace to receive their Gold Awards. The Duke of Edinburgh$rsquo;s scheme is just one of a wide range of activities enjoyed by members of the Droitwich Air Cadet Force, which earlier this year was judged to be the second best squadron in the country.
Anyone wishing to join the Air Cadets should contact Paul Wilde on 07912341757. The squadron is also looking for people to join its civilian committee which helps to raise money to provide equipment and activities for the cadets.