Rock Climbing
| Cadets from 1743 (Crieff) Squadron took advantage of the summer evening by rock climbing at their local crag. Benny Begg is an outdoor sporting climbing venue, where bolts have been placed for climbers protection. The Crag, which has recently been approved by Army Headquarters for block land clearance can now be used by any outdoor qualified climbing instructor in the Air Cadets. The clearance and the evening was organised by Sqn Ldr Barry Mcadam where the cadets took part in climbing games, top roping, abseiling and bouldering. Published on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:12:21 GMT By OCdt Daniel Holden |  |
RAFA Collection
| Six cadets and two staff from 1743 (Crieff) Squadron were visited on the evening of the 4th May to be presented with a trophy in recognition for their fundraising efforts in 2010 for the RAFA collection. The squadron managed to raise £347.46 and was the highest collection in the Perthshire region. The cadets that managed to raise the most between the pairs was Cdt C Taylor and Cdt D Donaldson who raised £157.37 with the one tin in the town of Crieff. Other cadets on the day were Cpl Smith, Sgt Coutts, Cdt Foster & Cdt McMillan along with FSgt (ATC) Taylor and FSgt (ATC) MacGregor. Overall for the unit which had just gained its full squadron status at the end of 2010 this is a great achievement and highlights the commitment the unit has to the town of Crieff. The squadron is looking forward to the summer of 2011 to help other causes and already has a number of events that they will be attending to support worthy causes. Published on Wed, 04 May 2011 19:07:25 GMT By OCdt Daniel Holden |  |
Squadron Status
| 38(Crieff)DF was recently granted squadron status in recognition of the amount of work and dedication that has been put in by cadets and staff members.
It is now 1743 Squadron, which was in fact the number of the original squadron formed here in the Second World War. The Unit hopes that it will be able to continue this success for many years to come, helping young people develop a sense of adventure and leadership amongst many other qualities.
The Unit was praised by Squadron Leader Roberts for its success and he wishes it all the best for the future. The Unit would also like to express its thanks for all of his hard work in helping us to achieve this status.
Published on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:42:05 GMT By Cdt Flt Sgt Alasdair Bendall |  |
1743 Gets Facebook
| 1743 Squadron has moved into the Web 2.0 era and signed up for Facebook! You can view the page and 'Like' here >> All news from the squadron website will be simulcast on Facebook making it easier than ever to find out what we're doing. Published on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:01:26 GMT By Mr David Bendall |  |
Guest Dinner Night Successful
| 38 (Crieff) DF held a successful Guest Dinner Night at Crieff Hydro Hotel on Friday 11th December. The event was held to introduce cadets to dining in a military mess environment and to thank those who have helped and assisted the unit over the past year. Rev Bill Ross was invited to be the Guest of Honour by the President of the Mess Committee, OCdt Bendall, an ex-cadet of the flight. Wg Cdr McCrae, CO Dundee & Central Scotland Wing and Flt Lt Henderson, CO 38F Perth Squadron were also in attendance. The night started with cadets and guests assembling in the Highlandman room for pre-dinner drinks proceeding into the Drummond room for a three course meal. In accordance with military tradition the Loyal Toast followed with Rev Ross and Wg Cdr McCrae giving short speeches. The event was greatly received by cadets and staff and hopefully the event should become an annual event. The unit would like to thank all those who made the night possible. Published on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:44:11 GMT By David Bendall | .jpg) |
Open Morning and Fundraiser
| On Saturday 26th September, 38 (Crieff) Detached Flight will be having an open morning at the Royal British Legion Clubrooms on Perth Road. The event running from 10 AM will showcase some of the activities that the cadets undertake in order to raise much needed funds for the unit. There will be a raffle for a pair of tickets to go Quad Biking at the Crieff Hydro Hotel as well as many other exciting stalls and activities to take part in. A minimum donation will be required to gain access and tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. So please take time out of your day to come and visit us on the Saturday and support your local Air Cadet unit! Published on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:34:08 GMT By David Bendall |  |
RAF Leuchars Airshow
| On Saturday eight cadets from 38 (Crieff) Detached Flight joined cadets from across the country at RAF Leuchars' annual airshow. With blue skies flying conditions were perfect and all of the aircraft managed to get airborne putting on impressive displays and wowing the 70,000 people who turned up to watch. The cadets perform essential jobs at the airshow each year providing organisers with much needed helpers to sell programmes, raffle tickets and escort VIPs around the exhibits. Even the staff get in on the act manning the Air Training Corps' recruiting stands around the area. This years' stands included a portable rock climbing wall, a Grob Viking glider and flight simulators. Organisers would like to thank all the cadets and staff who volunteered for what turned out to be a fantastic and worthy experience. Published on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:22:57 GMT By David Bendall |  |
Welbeck Graduation for Ex Cadet
| Ex Cadet Sergeant David Bendall has recently passed out of Welbeck - The Defence Sixth Form College after an intensive two years training. The success of the 350 strong parade was testament to the hard work and effort that the students demonstrated during their final weeks. The college offers the potential military engineers a taste of future life whilst studying for A-levels. Students take part in a great number of activities and sports whilst maintaining strong military connections. David was awarded the Old Welbexian Association Prize for contributions to the college after organising a variety of events and projects. He also took on the role of Band Major leading the display teams on the afternoon of the Annual General Inspection of the college. David will now join one of the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme squadrons as he continues his studies at Newcastle University after which he will join the Royal Air Force as an Engineer Officer. Published on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:12:31 GMT By Graham Taylor |  |
Strathallan Horse Trials
| A small group of Cadets from Crieff helped out over the weekend at the Strathallan Horse Trials. They carried out their important jobs well which ensured that the weekend ran as smoothly as possible and in the process gathered praise from the organisers for their professionalism and commitment to the task. The DF staff pass on their thanks to all the Cadets involved. Published on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:03:39 GMT By Alasdair Bendall | |
Annual Formal Inspection
| Crieff Air Cadets had its Annual Formal Inspection on Wednesday 13th. The evening went well with awards and promotions being presented at the end. The DF's performance, numbers and turnout was praised by the inspecting officers who were pleased with the number of cadets present saying that we often had more than some mainstream squadrons. The end of the evening saw various awards being given out and of course promotions. Awards were given to Cadet Christopher Bendall for his participation in the Cadets massed Pipe band and to Cadet Kevin Philp for completing the Gliding Induction Course 3 and for completing his full VHF/UHF radio course. Honourable mentions being made of Cadet Christoper Bendall who passed his Leading Cadet exam and to Corporal Bendall who passed his Staff part 1 exam. Promotions were the highlight of the evening with Cadets Stephen Coutts, George Lauder, Kevin Philp and Gemma Taylor promoted to Corporal. Corporal Bendall was promoted to Sergeant. Congratulations from all the DF staff for excellent turn out and behaviour. Published on Sun, 17 May 2009 15:28:12 GMT By Alasdair Bendall |  |
Crieff Cadet Beating Retreat in Edinburgh
| On Saturday Cadet Chris Bendall joined the Massed Pipes and Drums of the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps at Redford Barracks outside of Edinburgh. Cdt Bendall was joined by other members of Scotland and Northern Ireland Region as well as a few cadets from London and South East Region. The display started with the March On to the tune of 'The Steam Boat', 'The Bugle Horn' and 'Bonnie Dundee'. The General Salute was then performed with Colonel R D Gibson, MBE taking the salute. Colonel Gibson is the Chief Executive of Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA). The high standard of all those taking part shone through when the bands displayed their excellent drill and deportement finally ending with 'Scotland the Brave'. The weekend was the first event succeeding the 8 day residential Pipes and Drums Course at Cameron Barracks which Cdt Bendall previously attended. Published on Sun, 03 May 2009 14:30:58 GMT By David Bendall |  |
Standard Bearers set Standard
| A new event made its debut in the RBLS Crieff Clubrooms on Saturday when Strathearn cadets took part in a Colour Bearing competition. Youngsters from ACF 'The Black Watch' Crieff, 38 (Crieff) Detached Flight ATC Crieff and Glenalmond CCF paraded the Legion's ceremonial colours before adjudicators. And in a closely contended head-to-head were judged on their handling and control of the standard. The smartly dressed lads were also judged on their appearance and general deportment. RBLS Crieff Branch Chairman and drill instructor, Alastair McLean, has been putting the boys through their paces over the last few weeks to prepare them for the event which is set to become an annual fixture in Crieff. Afterwards, Mr McLean said: 'This is the first time that the RBLS Crieff Branch has held a competition for the Cadets Colour Bearing. 'I was delighted with the amount of work they all put in and am immensely proud of them. They were each a credit to themselves, their families and their units, and it was not easy for the judges to pick winners. I hope that they will all continue with colour bearing and take part in future events. 'I'd like to extend many thanks to all competitors, judges, scorers, those who attended and Mr and Mrs Flynn of Crieff Taxi's for sponsoring and donating the shields.' 'We organised the event as we felt that the local cadet units support the RBLS very well and we wanted to give something back to them. Aside from the competitions, this training will help prepare them for bearing colours at official events such as the Remembrance Day Parade.' The winners will now go forward to the Angus and Perthshire Area competition on April 4, with the winners of that event going on to compete at the national finals in Perth in June. Results: 1st in turnout, 1st in drill and overall winner - Cdt Sgt Hamilton (Crieff ACF) 2nd in turnout - Cdt Heyes (Glenalmond CCF) 2nd in drill - Cdt Philp (38 (Crieff) DF ATC). Published on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:20:21 GMT By David Bendall | |
Easter Volunteers for Macrosty Park Weekend
| A big thank you goes to all those who helped out at Macrosty park over the weekend. It was a big success with the cadets helping out in a number of activities ranging from handing out leaflets to supervising a toy stall. All cadets put their full effort into the event behaving responsibly and giving the DF a good name. The organiser of the event was very thankful that we were able to help out as the hot days brought a lot of people out to the park resulting in some busy actvity! Published on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:25:31 GMT By David Bendall |  |
Drumming Success for Crieff Cadet
| Cdt Christopher Bendall recently attended Piping and Drumming Cadre at Cameron Barracks, Inverness. The week long course, comprising of cadets from the Air Training Corps, Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force, was designed to give cadets a taste of life in a military pipe band.
On arrival the cadets were assigned groups according to skill level. Cdt Bendall was placed in the intermediate group having had previous experience with the Comrie pipe band. After a few days of playing as a group, it became evident that Cdt Bendall was of a high enough skill level to play in the mass band, a selection of cadets who would represent the course at Dingwell and Inverness.
The Beating the Retreat took place near the East Gate Centre in Inverness. The mayor and hundreds of people were in attendance to watch the mass band play their final display. The event was a big success before marching off to Scotland the Brave. Published on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:17:40 GMT By David Bendall |  |
Fieldcraft Evening
| Even though Air Cadets are seen to be a 'blue' organisation, we also engage in fieldcraft activities. Last night cadets took part in a fieldcraft training evening with activities including patrolling, shelter building, camoflauge and concealment and finally field cooking. The activities, taught by OCdt Bendall, turned out to be a complete success despite the weather. Photos of the evening are available in the graphics gallery. Published on Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT By David Bendall |  |
New Commandant Air Cadets
| Air Commodore Ian Stewart has flown into Headquarters Air Cadets, as the new Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation. Air Commodore Gordon Moulds handed over the baton of command to Air Commodore Stewart at a presentation attended by headquarters staff. Following the handover the new Commandant said: 'I am immensely proud to be joining the Air Cadet Organisation at a time when it is doing an enormous amount of good for the youth of today. The number of high quality individuals being produced is superb and we must now look to push on from here.' Published on Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT By David Bendall |  |
38 (Crieff) DF Awards Evening
| The Crieff DF awards evening was very well received on Wednesday night with Sqn Ldr Melrose turning up to present awards and promotion. Many parents and relatives came along to see exactly what the Air Training Corps do every week. Main attractions included flight sims, Comms, Aircraft Modelling and the official launching od the DF website. Cdts Bendall and Hughes were both promoted to Cadet Corporal and Cdt Philp was presented with his First Class award. Sgt Bendall and Cdt Philp were presented with a Regional Commandants Certificate of Merit in connection with their actions at the Balado Wind Festival. Altogether the event was a huge success and no doubt both the cadets and relatives enjoyed the evening. Published on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT By David Bendall | |
