In Memoriam - Cadet Squadrons Lost, Closed, Merged & Disbanded

They labelled it as promoting unacceptable behaviours, and an integrity issue.

When what it really was, was the staff continuing to support a local activity that relied upon now withdrawn ATC support, and feeling that they couldn’t let the activity fail.

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Which you could argue is a strong demonstration of integrity…

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‘Little’ people within the organisation who believe that a uniform gives them power over people doing things outside of organisations activities. It says more about them than the Squadron members and the only people who suffer are the cadets.

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I’d argue, it is not just the cadets but our (and by extension) the RAF’s relationship with the wider community.

We recently had to tell a local event we were unable to support due to not being able to get the approvals in time.

It’s not the same as being subject to a ‘pause’ and the notice given to us was short, but it doesn’t give the impression in either case that we are a ‘can do’ organisation.

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The question has to be a) did the organisers go to other cadet forces or youth organisations for support, and b) will you be asked next time?

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I think the Scouts and probably not

That said it was sent to someone who is no longer on the Sqn, the downside of using pers accounts not roles!

Such things just degrade visibility with the local population and develops a reputation for not being reliable in the future. Both sides lose out.

ETA, No visibility of cadets at events means that other organisations can capitalise on the opportunity to recruit from a small pool of people, both cadets and staff.

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So not a closure but March Sqns old HQ being demolished (they’ve moved into the army cadets building)

I hear that many squadron building in the same site as ACF are going into JCC. From what I have seen to the benefit of both units :+1:

Well that’ll provide a nice physical break in the unit history between them and their naughty former OC.

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641 Sqn Wycliffe College closed at the end of 1972 and became a CCF Unit to appeal to both Army and Air cadets as more money reputedly available.

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1308 (New Forest) Sqn is now officially closed.

No staff post covid and no new volunteers coming through the door despite advertising the need for help

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How long had they been going as a Sqn?

Decades i think.

Was a sqn, with DFs, then a DF, then granted sqn status…. Now defunct.

Shame.

I’d love to move there (in an ideal world, bank would say no)

Yeah is nice, although boss lady and I would need to leave the area to afford a flat let alone a house

That’s the thing. It’s not sufficiently cheaper than where we are to offset the higher travel costs to London, plus it’s at least an extra hour for the missus to get it her head office.

Near Boldre, there’s a very nice pub called the Fleur de Lys.

On the wall, there is a list of landlords - 2 are my direct ancestors - Jenveys that did a useful job! :wink:

Showed some ID when I first visited - got a free :beer_mug: !

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