Hawarden Air Cadets see largest intake of new recruits in over a decade.

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High-flying Hawarden Air cadets are celebrating a bumper intake of new recruits this month.

Interest in the Manor Lane based cadets has soared following a successful recruitment drive in September which saw presentations at Hawarden High School and St David’s High School in Saltney.

As well as school visits the cadets laid on open evenings for parents and potential future cadets to get a flavour of what to expect from the uniform wearing ‘military’ youth organisation which prides its self on high standards.”

Sergeant (ATC) Liam Ellis said interest in joining the cadets was a little unexpected;

“We generally take on anywhere between 8-12 new cadets at a time however, the number of youngsters wanting join us so far this has been far higher than in previous years .

Following presentations at Hawarden High and St David’s High School last month interest in the cadets has been boosted to the levels we have seen over the last few weeks.

We also held a couple of information evenings last week for parents and gave youngsters a chance to ask questions of our older cadets and take part in some exercises.”

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After our biggest intake of new cadets in more than a decade, last night saw 65 cadets on parade! #recruitment #whatwedo pic.twitter.com/tyLo6FZLvp

— Hawarden Air Cadets (@2247Hawarden) October 4, 2016

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Age Range Lowered.

“A few years ago the age range was lowered said Sgt Ellis said, from 13 to 12 years old (year 8) which has really enabled us to bring in groups of friends within the same year group, rather than the younger ones having to wait until their 13th birthday.

Aside from flying, sports, target shooting, adventure training and of course great fun? Recruits get the opportunity to earn BTECs and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

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The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is a national cadet force with more than 45,000 members aged 12-19.

Hawarden Air Cadets was established in 1950 as 2247 (County of Flint) Squadron, it originally provided training for young men aspiring to join the RAF – at a time when female cadets were not permitted.

The Squadron has always been a relatively large unit, reaching a peak of more than 120 cadets in the 1980s – a decade in which it was also named the ‘Best Squadron in the Country’ as winners of the Sir Allan Lees Trophy.

With a cadet strength now at more than 65, it is supported by a devoted team of nine cadet forces adult volunteers led by Commanding Officer – Flight Lieutenant Dave Horabin.

Having won the No 2 Welsh Wing Drill and Banner competitions in recent years, the Squadron most recently found success by winning overall at the annual Wing Training Day – beating the 20 other Squadrons in the North and Mid Wales area.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]