211 (Newbury) Squadron is a thriving squadron in the heart of West Berkshire.
We are able to offer a broad and varied evening training programme, as well as many weekend activities. The Squadron has particular strengths in the fields of adventurous training, shooting, fieldcraft, drill & leadership training as well as Flying & Gliding. The cadets of 211 Squadron are proud to be one of the oldest squadrons in Thames Valley Wing, and can trace their history back to the formation of the Air Training Corps in 1941 and have always been at the forefront of success and achievement within the Wing and in the local community.
We run a quarterly intake system, recruiting every January, April, July & October and have a comprehensive induction package for new cadets covering everything they'll need to know to help them on their way to joining one of the air cadet squadrons of Thames Valley Wing
211 (Newbury) squadron were recently joined by cadets and staff from 2293 (Marlborough) and 1996 (Earley) squadrons to take part in Exercise Fallen Angel, a 3 night fieldcraft exercise at Bramley Training Area.
Starting on Friday evening, the cadets arrived at the training area with all their kit in tow and after a quick safety brief and deciding on flights, the two teams found their “bivvi” area where they would sleep for the night and began setting up. 24 hour ration packs were to be the food of choice for the weekend, and the cadets had to patrol tactically to their “drop-zone” and wait for the “helicopter” to insert them into their area. Continue reading →
With summer finally here, cadets & staff from Thames Valley Wing took to the water & climbing wall at Adventure Dolphin in Pangbourne for the Wing’s Multiactivity Adventure Training Day. 12 cadets and 4 staff members from across the Thames Valley attended the event, with all enjoying the warm weather and sunshine!
Following an introduction into what the day would involve, the cadets were split into two groups to tackle morning’s respective challenges. The first being a taxing “throw the shoe” warm up lead by CI Ollie Holman of 2402 squadron. Following this, the flights went their separate ways – an introduction to Paddlesport in open canoes or tackling 9 challenging climbing routes on the climbing wall. Continue reading →
On Saturday, 4th May 10 cadets from 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron had an early start to travel to Bramley Training Area to take part in outdoor climbing organised by the staff from 211 (Newbury) Squadron. The cadets arrived and were briefed by CI Amin and CI Fitt who explained about the Leadership Area they would be working in and the importance of been safe not only while climbing but been around the wall. Once this had been completed the cadets all put on their harness and helmets and then headed over to the wall to begin their climbs and from the top the abseil down the other side. WO (ATC) Lowe was at the top of the climbing wall to help those that managed to reach the top and go through how to correctly abseil back down to earth. Continue reading →
Flt Lt Mary Houghton, Squadron Commander of 2211 (Bracknell) Squadron, received a commendation during surprise visit as the Squadron was preparing to move to Longmoor Training Camp for a weekend exercise.
Flt Lt Houghton was awarded a Regional Commandants Commendation for her work at various Squadrons within Thames Valley Wing as well as her support to the Wing’s successful RAF Camp programme. Continue reading →
The cadets and staff from 211 (Newbury) Squadron have narrowly beaten rivals 2507 (Bicester) Squadron in the Marshall Trophy – a competition to find the best Squadron in the Thames Valley. The trophy was collected by Commanding Officer Flt Lt Simon Cragg in his last duty as Squadron boss before moving to become Wing Staff Officer.
Sector Commander, Squadron Leader Mark Trevena, was pleased to see the trophy returning to West Berkshire “Newbury have always performed really well in the Marshal Trophy and I am really pleased they have won the silverware against some really strong competition with Bicester just a single point behind them”. Continue reading →
Fifteen cadets and staff from Thames Valley Wing have just returned from the 2013 Alpine Adventure ski trip in Bavaria, Germany. Alpine Adventure is a well established ATC activity that has been running for nearly 20 years and provides the opportunity for up to 80 cadets to either learn to ski, or to improve their skiing techniques.
The Thames Valley Wing cadets formed part of the South West Region contingent, staying at a 14th Century Mill in Wertach, along with cadets from Region, as well as others from Manchester, Middlesex and Kent. Continue reading →
Cadets throughout Oxford, Berkshire and Hampshire will now be experiencing the fun and thrills of Archery following 11 staff and cadets completing ArcheryUK’s Leader Award.
Hosted by 211 (Newbury) Squadron, the 4 day course allowed staff from various Air Cadet Squadrons from Thames Valley Wing and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wing to learn about delivering safe and enjoyable archery sessions to their cadets. Continue reading →
Tom Small, a former Air Cadet of 211 (Newbury) Squadron, Air Training Corps, recently undertook an amazing TV Challenge. Working alongside James May and a BBC Production team, Tom, along with his colleagues from Brunel University, was involved in a “James May’s Toy Stories: Flight Club” being aired over the festive period.
In early 2012, Brunel University’s Aerospace Engineering department was approached by the production company to look into the feasibility of flying a model balsa wood glider from the UK to France. Whilst the plan was feasible, the French proved slight hostile towards the idea, and soon the project was downgraded – flying from the British mainland (Ilfracombe) to the small island of Lundy – but still breaking records as it did it! Continue reading →
The best of the best from the Thames Valley area have come up trumps in the annual South West Region activities held this year at MOD Boscombe Down.
With activities ranging from Drill and presentational skills through to aero modelling and media communications, the battle was on to see which of the 6 Wings that form South West Region could come away with the silverware. It is fair to say that the competition was fierce but friendly throughout the whole days activities whilst the support provided by the staff, either directly to their own teams or in running the day as a whole was truly amazing. Continue reading →
In a surprise result, the cadets of 2211 (Bracknell) Squadron have won the Thames Valley Wing Activity Day held at Edward Brooks Barrack from a strong field of 287 cadets from right across the Thames Valley.
Bracknell secured the win by a strong performance across all the categories – Foot Drill, Banner Drill, Aviation Art, Aeromodelling, Photography, Media Skills, Aircraft Recognition, Flights of Fancy and Map Making. Runners up were 1996 (Earley) Squadron followed by 211 (Newbury) Squadron and 381 (Reading) Squadron. The overall drill winners were favourites 1116 (Wodley) Squadron who now go forward to the Regional Activity Day. Continue reading →
211 (Newbury) Squadron is a thriving squadron in the heart of West Berkshire.
