ATC Sunday Parade
On Sunday 2nd February, cadets from 1582 and 106 paraded in St. Margaret's Church for ATC Sunday. This is the first collaborative ATC Sunday parade between the squadrons. Also, cadets from both squadrons formed part of Essex Wing's contingent at LASER's ATC Sunday parade at St Clement Danes (the RAF's Church) in the Aldwych, London. Each year each Wing in LASER is required to send a contingent and each squadron normally gets asked to send cadets every 2 or 3 years. (See below)
The cadets from both squadron's were given responsibilities from welcoming the congregation, preparing and saying prayers, a play based on a passage from the Bible and taking the collection. Guests included members of the British Legion and Thurrock branch RAFA. In the latter part of the service, the CO presented cadets with their First Class Cadet badges and certificates. Being presented with these in church added that little bit more importance to the passing of the first class cadet exam. It was the CO's 40th birthday and despite his best efforts to keep it quiet, it didn't go unmarked and "Happy Birthday" was sung by the congregation. Much to his pride and slight embarrassment.
A buffet was served in the Church Hall afterwards for the squadron's and members of the congregation. The CO was presented with a birthday cake in the shape of Thunderbird 2, his favourite! As mentioned this was the first joint ATC Sunday parade by the two squadrons in Thurrock and hailed a success. The intention is for these parades to reciprocate between the squadron's respective parish churches, with the respective Squadron Chaplain's taking responsibility for proceedings. This is so that ATC Sunday and the celebration of the formation of the Air Training Corps does not go unmarked in the Borough.
Cadet Foy said this about the day...
"On Sunday 2nd of February, 1582 (Stanford Le Hope) Squadron & 106 (Orsett Hundred) Squadron were present in St. Margaret’s church. Some cadets, including myself, had to say prayers.
Cadet Chakli said a prayer first; cadet Meacham then said a prayer about the war of Iraq, America & Britain. I then said my prayer about God and cadet Mair said a prayer about forgiveness and poverty.
After the prayers, we all said the Lord’s Prayer, and then some cadets went to the front and received their First Class badges and certificates. Then we all sang Happy Birthday to our Commanding Officer!
All together, it was a good day and when we received our First Class badges and certificates we were very chuffed with ourselves!"
ATC Sunday at St Clement Danes Church
On Sunday 2nd of Feb 2003, myself and Cadets Iain Gillan and Nic Kirk went to London with the rest of London and South East Region (L&SER) to take part in the annual formalities of ATC Sunday, while the rest of the squadron paraded at St Margaret's. Early that Sunday, we were told to meet at Basildon Sqn HQ at 8 o'clock. When we arrived it was empty - hardly anybody there. By 5 past Basildon cadets had shown themselves and the coach had arrived. Everybody piled on and then it was off to the next pickup point. It took about another hour to get to London. When we got there the coaches parked up and let us off. We were given an inspection by a CWO and then were formed up. Once all the wings were formed up the Regional Warrant Officer called us to attention and marched us off. The parade route was basically marching round in a circle, Group Captain Hakin taking the salute. We then went on past Broadcasting house and halted outside the church. Once we got into the church we were instructed were to sit, and then were enthralled by what seemed to be hours of stories and sermons. The first of which was told by Kent Wing's Chaplain. Then after a few hymns the Best cadet of the Corps 2002, CWO Tom Cousins of 414 Epping SQN gave a reading. After all of the formal activities, the whole region went on to the Imperial War Museum.
It was all great fun and when 1582 get the chance to go again cadets should put their names forward and make our Squadron the Best in the Corps!
Cpl. Greg Bagshaw