As part of Newbury Squadron’s commitment to giving the cadets as much variety as possible, this year we are repeating our very successful Climbing Project.

Lead by Warrant Officer Ian Lowe, the Squadron’s qualified Mountain Leader & Single Pitch Award holder, the project aims to give cadets an introduction to climbing, initially on a local indoor climbing wall, but building towards several days climbing on real rock at Symond’s Yat in the Wye Valley.

The climbing equipment, supplied courtesy of a grant from British Airways in 2005 and Newbury Council in 2006, enables cadets to gain new experiences, learn new skills, and practice teamwork in an adventurous environment.

Other projects currently available to cadets include Survival, Drill & Leadership, Aeromodelling, Aircraft Recognition, Cookery & a Ghillie Suit Project.

Pilot Officer Chris Tocher, the Squadron’s Training Officer, said “The diversity of projects available to cadets due to the broad range of specialist skills from the Squadron’s staff members. In each case the cadets are taught a different set of skills from which they will benefit greatly, both in terms of their cadet life, but also their future life – be it in the Armed Forces or civilian life”