Those unfamiliar with how the ATC is funded may not know that we are a non-profit making, registered charity so fundraising plays a huge part in Squadron Activities.

Thanks to the much appreciated dedication of Mrs Furley and a selection of enthusiastic Cadets who have given a few hours of their weekend since December 2007, we have been successfully running a fundraising car boot sale in Fairwater High School car park every Saturday morning for almost a year.

As well as being a great fundraising initative, it is also excellent for recruitment purposes.

As of 1st March 2009, we will now run car boot sales on a Sunday morning, starting at 8.30am.
Sellers are charged per vehicle with Cars and Vans being charged £2.50 and £4.00 respectively.

The map below shows the location of Fairwater High School, Cwmbran.

After reviewing all of the Applications for JNCO we recieved back in November, we have sent invitations to those applicants we would like to attend our selections process day on Sunday 8th March. The day will consist of an inspections, a drill demonstration, a lecture on a subject of our choice, participation in an initative exercise, rounding off with an interview infront of a selection panel.

Below are the lecture subjects for each Cadet invloved in the selection process.

Cadet Furley: Nothing
Cadet Silcox: Golf Balls
Cadet North: Cotton Wool
Cadet Hewson: Why Does Water Drain In Different Directions In The Northern/Southern Hemisphere?
Cadet Mably: Why Is Orange Jam Called Marmalade?
Cadet Wheeler: Why Do Dogs Chase Their Own Tail?

Five Cadets recieved 'Wing Blues' for their efforts whilst representing No. 1 Welsh Wing at Regional level at DCAE Cosford in 2008. Unfortunately, we didn't win at the Regional finals but it's not the winning, it's the taking part . . . apparently!

The five recipients at Cwmbran Squadron were (left to right) Cadet Nathan Williams, Cadet Charlotte Furley, Cadet Ellie Silcox, Cadet Joe Chesterman and Cadet Warrant Officer Morgan (not shown). Click on the thumbnail below for more pictures!

Air Commodore Stewart speaks on behalf of the organisation regarding the recent loss of two air cadets, taken from ACO website, www.aircadets.org.

It is with great sadness that I write to express my grief at the loss of two young Air Cadets and their Royal Air Force instructors. The immediate families have lost their loved ones and the Air Cadet Organisation, as a member of the Royal Air Force family, mourns the loss of its friends.

The pilots and cadets were linked by a love of flying that transcends age and experience, bringing them all into a wider family that extends across the globe.

On behalf of the entire Air Cadet Organisation throughout the country, I offer my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.

I have received numerous messages of support from many corners of the world and I pass this support on to No.1 Welsh Wing, 1004 (Pontypridd) Squadron, Tonyrefail Comprehensive School and the families of those involved.

The lives of Hylton, Andrew, Nikkita and Katie-Jo will never be forgotten – we will always remember them.

Ian R W Stewart
I R W STEWART
Air Commodore
Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation

Taken from http://www.aircadets.org/news_messagefromthecomdt-wales.html

Below we have listed the arrangements for the Christmas and New Year Holiday.

Last Parade Night of 2008 and Christmas Party
Wednesday 17th December 2008 (all Subs should be paid in full by this date. If you have any difficulty in doing this, please contact the Commanding Officer, Flt/Lt S Furley).

First Parade Night of 2009
Monday 5th January 2009 (normal service will resume after this date).

All that is left to say is have Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you don't know what to spend any money you might get for Christmas on, Cadet Direct are running a Blue Cross Sale with 10% off everything. And remember, If you do order anything, don't forget to add a FREE 2009 wall calendar to your basket!

See you all in January 2009!

Assemble at St. Gabriels Church (offve Commercial Street, Old Cwmbran) by 9.45am (or 9.30am if you are a member of the banner party) on Sunday 9th November 2008. All Cadets must attend in Wedgewood Blue uniform with Tie, Jumper and Geltex Jacket (with name written inside!).

This event attracts large public attendance and therefore your uniform must be to the highest standard. Poppies will be provided for all Cadets on the morning.

The Parade starts where the marker is on the map above, heading East down Commercial Street, bearing right along Victoria Street. It then takes another right at Oldbury Road, then West onto Henllys Way. The Parade is lead over the roundabout just after the old speed camera location on Henllys Way and is brought to a halt just before the cross-roads with Cocker Avenue - the location of Cwmbran Cenotaph where the wreath is layed. Once re-formed, the Parade continues North up Cocker Avenue leading to Wesley Steet where the Parade disbands.

The next Classification Examinations will be on Monday 3rd November 2008. More information about the Classification Exams can be found on our Downloads page.

We have uploaded all of the subjects you will require for your Exams which can be downloaded by clicking on the subject names below.

Cadets who have only passed their First Class Exam will be sitting Principles of Flight in order to gain their Leading Classification.

The subject being tested in November for Senior is Aircraft Handling.

Those Cadets sitting exams to gain their Staff Classification will be tested on their knowledge of the Operational Flying syllabus.

If you have a slow internet connection, you can download the files direct from this site by clicking on the links below -

Leading Download - Principles of Flight
Senior Download - Aircraft Handling

In addition to our two exisiting Corporals, the CO has now appointed three Acting Corporals whose positions will be reviewed in the New Year.

Congratulations to recently appointed Corporal Hewitt, Corporal Hewson and Corporal North.

Applications are still required should you want to be considered for the two JNCO and two SNCO positions available on Squadron.

September saw 8 Cadets from Cwmbran Squadron, along with a number of other Cadets within the Wing gain their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The team would like to say thank you to Flying Officer Davies, the Squadron D of E Coordinating Officer who helped make the expedition possible.

Extract taken from No. 1 Welsh Wing Website -

Cadets and staff worked hard during the training weekend at Miskin making sure they were fully prepared for this weeks final expedition, the goal was to complete the expedition and the bonus was to take in the views from the top of the Sugar Loaf.

With the weather on our side it was warm and sunny whilst this was a bonus it did make it a slightly harder challenge, day one was the hardest with the long slog up the steep slopes to the top of the Sugar Loaf, not only for the cadets but for the staff too. When they arrived at the top they had a well earned rest whilst taking in the sights, they could see for miles they even had a helicopter fly close by with the pilot giving them a wave.

The overnight camp went well and with everyone up bright and early they were ready for the off on the second part of the expedition, all of the cadets successfully completed the walk and had conquered the hills once again. At the end of the exercise all cadets were given the good news by the staff who had been assessing them that the they had passed their Bronze expedition.

With 57 cadets completing their Bronze D of E expedition and the help of a large number of hardworking staff a great time was had by all.

A special thanks must go to all of the staff who gave up their time and worked hard to make sure the cadets enjoyed themselves, a big thank you to Squadron Leader Andy Organ, (Wing Training Officer) who ensured everyone was well informed also giving loads of encouragement throughout.

You can read more News from within No. 1 Welsh Wing by visiting the Wing Website and clicking on News under 'About The Wing'.

More information about the D of E Award can be found on the Scheme Website.

This years Summer Camp for No. 1 Welsh Wing will be held at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, 30 miles northwest of London. We will share our week of Camp with 40 other Cadets, made up from 6 different Squadrons.

The role of RAF Halton is to train personnel for the Air Force of tommorrow. This includes Recruit Training and Basic Trade training for suppliers, caterers and administrators.

As might be expected of a large and vital training unit, there are many excellent opportunities for sport and recreation at RAF Halton. A wide range of activities are catered for, including gliding, horse-riding, hockey, tennis, athletics, cycling, orienteering, canoeing, rugby, football, golf, swimming and cross-country along with opportunities for Adventurous Training. RAF Halton is the RAF’s Home for Sport for 14 sports.

Those Cadets who have been selected for Camp are; CWO Morgan, Sgt Chesterman, Cdt Hewson, Cdt North, Cdt Furley, Cdt Mably (B), Cdt Wheeler, Cdt Blackwell (A) and Cdt Blackwell (J).

The Camp will cost £40, or £30 if you in reciept of Income Support, Contribution-based Job Seekers Allowance or Family Credit, as you do not have to pay the food charge at Annual Camp.

The deadline for camp fees to be paid is August 6th. Please ensure that you have filled in your benefit number at the bottom of the Camp form to take advantage of the reduced fee.