AIR Cadets celebrated an annual dinner and presentation afternoon, 74 years and a day since their squadron’s first ever parade.

The 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron held the event at the King’s Hall, in Ilkley, on Sunday, March 15, in the company of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, Former Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Ian and Mrs Rosemary Stewart, and Officer Commanding Central and East Yorkshire, Wing Commander Steve Wiggins.

The afternoon started rather alarmingly – as the hall had to be evacuated due to a fire alarm.

Grace was said by the recently appointed chaplain to the squadron, the Rev Steve Proudlove, this was followed by lunch.

The first presentations of the night were the certificates earned by the cadets over the past year, these included Classification Certificates, First Aid Certificates and Health and Safety Entry Level Awards, amongst others.

After the certificates were presented it was time for the awards.

The winners were as follows: Attendance Trophy – Sergeant Bailey Ryan; The Warrant Officers Trophy and the Warrant Officers Cup for the cadet and NCO each earning the highest points for consistently having best turnout over the last year – Cadet Ryan Griffin and Sergeant Omar Shah; The White Rose Trophy for most promising new marksman – Cadet Alix Tennant; West Riding Wing Cup for Sport – Corporal Max Franks; The Inter-Flight Competition Trophy (first awarded in 1941) was collected by Flight Sergeant Jørgen Moore on behalf of A Flight; The Ian (Charlie) Clarke Memorial Trophy for Community Service, named in memory of a young Airman who was killed in a road accident in Addingham in 1991 – Cadet Aiden Holmes.

Percussionist of the Year – Cadet Mike Palmer; Musician of the Year – Flight Sergeant Jørgen Moore; Best New Cadet – Cadet Ellie Cooper; Tesco Trophy for Best Intermediate Cadet – Cadet Mike Palmer; Millennium Trophy for Best Senior Cadet – Corporal Tom Kraft; The David Stead Memorial Trophy for Cadet Of The Year, presented in memory of Flight Lieutenant David Stead, a former cadet of 1224, who was sadly killed when the C-130 Hercules he was piloting was shot down over Iraq in January 2005 – won by Sergeant Bailey Ryan. Corporal Joe Martin won the Commanding Officers Cup for his dedication and leadership and for his own personal development over the last year.

Cadet Pearce Todd won the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Airedale & Wharfedale Salver, awarded to the cadet who collects the highest amount for RAFA over the year. The squadron was also presented with awards for being the highest collecting ATC unit in both the Yorkshire and Northern areas. Warrant Officer (ATC) David Wood was also presented with an award for being the highest collecting Adult volunteer in the area.

There were also promotions made to: Corporal – Ellie Cooper, Charlie Franks, Ryan Griffin and Mike Palmer; Sergeant – Max Franks and Joe Martin; Flight Sergeant – Tom Hepworth.