News
578 Squadron RAF Reunion
Saturday 15th May 2010
Six cadets from the squadron made the journey to York during May to join wartime veterans of 578 Sqn RAF for their annual reunion. During the visit Sgt Walters, Cpls Formon, Latham, Woolloff, Gill and King took part in a service at Selby Abbey in remembrance of the 219 aircrew from the squadron who did not return to the home base at Burn, south of York, where the unit was based throughout its short existence in 1944-45. Three of those remembered were Flight Sergeants Harry Hill and William Ballard and Sergeant Thomas Robinson whose Halifax bomber crashed near Biggin Hill returning from Germany in 1944.
After the service Cpl Woolloff placed a wreath on the grave of 578’s leader Wing Commander David Wilkerson.
The cadets were also invited to the squadron’s reunion dinner where each was presented with a badge depicting the squadron’s crest by one of the veterans. After dinner the cadets took part in the entertainments armed with tambourines and maracas.
The next day saw another service of remembrance in Burn village where Cpl King laid a wreath at the memorial stone to the squadron before venturing onto the airfield, now home of the Burn Gliding Club.
Kent Wing Athletics Competition
Sunday 9th May 2010
On Sunday May 9th, a group of our cadets partook in the annual Kent Wing Athletics Competition in Hoo. Events included 100 meters, long jump, shot put and javelin, among others. Cdt Jones brought home two medals for 400 meters and javelin. Cadets taking part were:
Cpl Formon
Cpl Latham
Cdt Lisle
Cdt George
Cdt Philips
Cdt Jones
And a good day was had by all.
Cadets return from Sun 'n Fun
Monday 26th April 2010
This week we welcome back Cdt Lisle, Cpl Bargeron, Cdt King and Flying Officer Lee RAFVR(T) from their Kent Wing trip to Florida.
They were out their for two weeks, for the first week they were volunteering round the airshow, marshalling aircraft, controlling crowds and generally helping out at the airshow, oh and of course getting to drive golf buggies!
Second week was fun week, going to Busch Gardens, Universal and MacDill airforce base (which is the size of a small city) and its own private beach
All cadets have returned safe and sound, a bit bitten, sunburnt and jet lagged and with Cpl Bargeron suffering from illness but we were all ok. Cadet King returned with turkey legs his sun burn was so bad!
They all are hoping to return next year!
Inter Wing Senior Girls Hockey & Boys Football competition
Sunday 28th March 2010
Both Sgt Whitley Walters (Hockey) and Cpl Rian Formon (football) were selected for the Kent wing teams taking part in the inter-wing competition on the 28th. Both Kent wing teams took first place, and Sgt Walters has now been selected for the Regional Hockey team, and will take part in the next competition later this year.Inter squadron football & Netball competition
Sunday 21st March 2010
Well done to the following cadets who achieved second place in this year inter-sqn netball competition. The team was also successful in scoring the most amount of goals in one game (7) in this year competition.Sgt Walters
Cpl D Woolloff
Cpl Gill
Cpl Latham
Cpl Scott
Cpl Formon
Cdt C Woolloff
Cdt George
Battle of Britain Heritage Walk
Saturday 31st October 2009
RTC Demo
Wednesday 8th July 2009
An educational evening was had by all.
Quiz Night success
Friday 29th May 2009
The fund rasing quiz night was an outstanding success. Over £400 was raised smashing the £200 target. We look forward to running more fundraising events in the near future and hope to see you all at future social events.Cadets make region rugby team
Sunday 8th March 2009
On this day, 3 of our cadets went to region rugby trials.
After a good day of training, the trials began in the form of match play. All of our cadets played well and managed to get into the team.
Our cadets and their positions are:
Cdt Lisle – Substitute (2nd row)
Cdt Saunders – Hooker
Cdt Scott – centre
A great day was had by all, despite the rainy conditions towards the end. Wing rugby and hockey was also played at the same venue, we are still awaiting the results from that.
Cadets enjoy adventure training weekend
Sunday 1st March 2009
This weekend saw Cadets from 578 (Langley Park) join with cadets from 1903 (Penge), and 1227 (Sidcup) for a weekend of adventure training. The cadets impressed the staff with their field craft skills. One of the cadets managed to camaflage himself so well he didn't even get noticed when a second cadet walked over him.
It was a tiring, but most enjoyable weekend for all who went, a futher weekend for those who went is to be arrange to help develop the skills learnt further.
Kent Wing is victorious at junior rugby and netball
Sunday 22nd February 2009
Our cadets return with gold medals after bringing Kent Wing to victory at junior rugby (rugby sevens) and netball. The cadets that represent wing from our squadron were: Cdt Lisle and Cdt Saunders for rugby and Cpl Walters for netball. Other cadets were selected for the team but for various reasons, they could not attend.
Kent Wing rugby completely blew away the opposition, winning all of their games and dominating them with only a couple of trys scored against them. The team showed great sportsmanship throughout and worked hard for this achievement. Both players are due to attend region trials in March.
Kent Wing netball was also played to great standards with all games being won as well. The team conceded very few baskets and played very well. Cpl Walters will be represent us for region after passing region trials.
Ex 578 Cadet becomes Hawk Display Pilot
Thursday 12th February 2009
Flight Lieutenant Matt Barker an ex 578 (Langley Park) Squadron cadet, has become the Solo Hawk display pilot for the 2009 display season.We wish Matt every success in his role, and look forward to seeing him in action.
RAF Valley article
Cadets enter wing sports team
Sunday 25th January 2009
On this day, seven cadets attended Kent wing sports trials for Rugby, Football, Hockey and Netball.The weather was far from good. It was pouring it down with rain and there was heavy wind making that cadets feel cold. But this didn’t stop them. All cadets continued on to complete the trials.
Out of the seven that went, six made it into at least one of the Wing Sports team with one cadet getting into two. All four of the male cadets that trialled for rugby made into the rugby team.
A good day was had by all, despite the bad weather and the freezing cold. All rugby players returned intact, carrying half of the pitches’ mud with them!
Pentathlon
Friday 17th October 2008
Eight Cadets spent the weekend taking part in the Kent Wing Pentahlon.The events were:
First Aid
Initiative Exercise
Shooting
Obstacle Course
Navigation
A good weekend was had by all who went.
Maggie's London Night Hike
Friday 19th September 2008
On the 19th of September Flying Officer Lee, and Civilian Instructor Mussard will be taking part in the Maggie's London Night Hike to raise money for Maggie's Cancer centres.This involves walking 20 miles around London on the Friday Night and Saturday morning.
Should you wish to sponsor them in this ventre please see:
Sponsor Flying Officer Lee
Sponsor Civilian Instructor Mussard
Summer Camp
Saturday 12th July 2008
Cadets enjoy week at RAF Leuchars!
Bleary-eyed mornings wasn’t exactly what 6 cadets had in mind when they were told of the opportunity to go on annual camp but that’s how it was right from the initial journey to RAF Leuchars in Scotland.
Having endured their first taste of camp food and the settling in period, the cadets started a week full of activities with a Fam-Ex and initiative exercises followed up by sports on the first day. This gave them an insight into how busy they would be...
The rest of the week was just as jam packed with the activities consisting of Gazelle flights, tutor flight and section visits to the RAF police any many more.
From all these opportunities the cadet’s highlight of the week was the Night-Ex; where they got ‘geared up’ in camo paint. The forfeits of being caught on the night-ex were as amusing to watch as participating. Public humiliation was inevitable.
Throughout the week, fun was thoroughly had by all and the cadets would like to thank all the staff, particularly Flying Officer Lee and ACLO team for making this entire experience possible
Squadron Drill Test
Sunday 29th June 2008
Cadets Pass Drill Test in Blistering SunThe Annual Drill test came round for another year, and after weeks of preparation on parade evenings and a last minute hour of practice at Sqn HQ, we made our way to Erith Squadron where we conducted our drill test sequence and inspection.
The inspection went well with cadets achieving all round high scores, despite one cadet having a bit of an incident in the heat. The drill sequence went very well with no obvious mistakes being made and the atmosphere remaining positive.
However, our hard work paid off as we passed and came a respectable position within the area; a great improvement upon last year.
Biggin Hill 2008
Saturday 7th June 2008
Staff and Cadets Enjoy Hot Weekend at Air Fair
The weekend of the 7th and 8th of June brought the air fair back to Biggin Hill for another year. As always our squadron was there in force to fundraise. In between all the hard work, the cadets were given a tour of a Hawk T1 basic fast jet trainer which had flown down to the air show from 19 Squadron, which is stationed at RAF Valley, by Flt Lt Matt Barker who in his youth was a cadet of 578. Flt Lt Barker has flown Tornados in Iraq and has now returned to RAF Valley as an instructor on the Hawk. He gave the cadets an insight into the equipment used on the Hawk and its capabilities. The cadets were allowed to sit in the cockpit, after a quick walk/talk around of the outside.
The media also realised our hard work and the cadets were photographed by the NewsShopper and placed on their website (www.newsshopper.co.uk) as well as being mentioned on LBC radio.
The cadets are eager for next year to arrive so it can all start again....