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Home | Press Reports | Colin Arnold, March ATC

Mon Feb 14th 2011

 Introduced by Rotarian Peter Bennett, Flying Officer Colin Arnold, of the 1220 ( March ) Sqn. Air Training Corp was the Guest Speaker at Club on Monday 14th February. He spoke in an enthusiastic, informative, and entertaining way to the members gathered at the Conservative Club, Creek Road.

Firstly, he thanked the Club for the £150.00 they had donated towards the cost of the new banner, which was blessed at the Annual Sunday Parade held in March only a few days ago. He further explained that the A.T.C. is not a vehicle to promote recruitment into the Armed Services, but to enable youngsters to develop in many aspects of social and practical skills.

The March Squadron was formed on the 25th February 1941, but stood down in November 1945. It was not until late 1966 the Sqn. reformed, and had gone from strength to strength since then. It was with pride he said they were this year placed the No. 1 Squadron in area.

It was not just the leadership, but the quality of the Cadets, who may join from the age of 13 years 3 months, and could find themselves in an aircraft within weeks. Training takes place all over Great Britain, while 'camps' in Gibraltar and Cyprus are a bonus.

A vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Paul Garner, which was hastily endorsed by all, several who had been Air Cadets as teenagers.