RECENTLY Air Cadets from 372 (Barry) Squadron travelled to the National Memorial Arboretum, the United Kingdom’s living centre of Remembrance and the Royal Air Force Museum at RAF Cosford.

The National Memorial Arboretum is set in 150 acres of land near Lichfield and is designed to honour people who have served and continue to serve our nation. There are more than 200 dedicated memorials on the site; the cadets in particular were keen to see the Armed Forces Memorial (in memory of those men and women of our armed and merchant services who lost their lives in conflict) and the numerous Royal Air Force memorials on the site. Several of the cadets also attended the daily Act of Remembrance in the Millennium Chapel.

Cadet Alex Spragg said: "The Arboretum was a lovely place to visit and look around the memorials. The guided tour also helped to explain the significance of the memorials; I never knew so many service personnel gave their lives over the years.”

In the afternoon the cadets travelled to the Royal Air Force Museum at RAF Cosford. This museum provided the cadets with a fantastic insight into the history of the RAF with over 70 aircraft on display, including the world’s oldest Spitfire and the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant aircraft of the nuclear deterrent V-Force. The range of aircraft on display was truly impressive reflecting the many developments throughout the history of the RAF.

For the older cadets, the museum was also a great opportunity to help prepare for their forthcoming propulsions and airframes exams; looking in more detail at the engineering side of the aircraft on display.

The cadets who experienced the trip were: Sean Hodges, Kieren Long, Rhys Williams, Rhys Horton, Pippa Cowles, Alex Spragg, Alex Cheeseley, Georgia James, Steph Jones, Ellie, Georgina and Zena Poulakis.

Cadet Pippa Cowles said: "The whole day was an amazing experience, we saw so many wonderful memorials at the National Memorial Arboretum and it was great to see at first hand Royal Air Force history at the RAF Museum.”

The cadets are now looking forward to an action packed programme of flying, gliding, shooting, sports, training camps, visits and expeditions.

If you have a spirit for adventure, 372 (Barry) Squadron have vacancies for boys and girls between 13-18 years old. The squadron parade on Mondays and Wednesdays 7-9.30pm behind Adams Funeral Parlour (by the Memorial Hall) or you can phone the squadron on 01446 747734, email oc.372@aircadets.org or visit www.372squadron.org for more information.