Abingdonian 2018

33 www.abingdon.org.uk Lent Term As well as the flight simulator, the cadets have also been able to procure a small fleet of training drones and these will put them through their paces when we are next on a military training establishment, probably in September. As mentioned before, there was also the annual Easter Camp where over 100 willing cadets travelled to Longmoor Training Centre and put themselves through a week of intensive soldiering tasks. The weather was very challenging as it rained for seven out of the eight days whilst we were there. This was followed by typically English glorious sunshine on the trip back north to school. This year the CCF were able to welcome back OAs, Tom Farish, Michael Mann and Henry Waterson who ably assisted the week bringing with them some of the experiences they have encountered whilst serving with their respective Officer Training Corps within their universities. They were extremely hard working during the week and we are grateful for all of their support. The cadets had a massively busy year. A highlight was when they undertook a sponsored event in which they collectively ran, cycled and rowed the 874 miles from John O’Groats to Lands’ End, raising over £1200 for the Jon Egging Trust. They have also taken part in the RAF 100 Muster Day Competition, consisting of visits to 17 Port & Maritime, the RMP HQ re-opening, and HMS Bristol, flying at RAF Benson, and a very poignant visit to the National Arboretum, paying respects to our fallen men and women. There was an adventurous training boot camp in North Yorkshire and paintballing in Reading, to name a few things we’ve gotten up to this calendar year. As yet another sun sets on a very enjoyable year’s activities at CCF and we look forward to next year’s challenges, we hope to ensure the boys put their all into everything they undertake. All aboard, to be continued… Captain Lee Edwards