Air Cadets and volunteers from across the Thames Valley Wing have been celebrating as they received as part of a national relay the 75th anniversary torch at a ceremony in Windsor on Sunday (21st August).
The 75th anniversary torch arrived from London and South East Region as part of its six-week tour through the country, with cadets, adult volunteers and veterans finding unique and adventurous ways to celebrate its journey.
With the torch only been in the Wing for 24 hours it was a carefully planned route to reach the Families Day, held at 612 Volunteer Gliding School (VGS). Cadets from around Windsor completed the handover and passed it onto the cycle team who headed for Henley-on-Thames.
On arrival at Henley the torch took to the water as a team of canoeists headed downstream, passing crowds of spectators as they made their way to Abingdon, home to the Wings Headquarters and 612 VGS. In a carefully executed operation the torch was handed over to the Wings road marching team, recently returned from the Nijmegen marches, to get the torch on time to the Families Day.
As the team marched onto the airfield at the gliding school they were met by the banners of the Squadrons from within the Wing and the sounds of the wing band. Under a full escort the torch was presented to Officer Commanding Thames Valley Wing, Wg Cdr Chris Fisher OBE and the wing chaplain, Charles Lewis.
“For those cadets and volunteers who support the Wing in various ways today will be an occasion that they will remember and shows the incredible history of the organisation and the dedication everyone gives” comments Wg Cdr Fisher. “It’s been amazing to see the torch travel by foot, bicycle and canoe to reach the celebrations and see everyone come together”.
The celebrations carried on into the early evening with entertainment ranging from bouncy castles and a fun photo booth through to flight simulators and free ice cream courtesy of BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service).
The torch will now be handed over to Hants and Isle of Wight on Monday and you can follow its journey across the South West Region at http://atc75.mapyx.com
