 On Sunday 7th March 20 cadets from 2450 (Dudhope) Squadron attended the tree planting event at Middleton Wood. The event is open to the public and organised by Dundee City Council Ranger Services to encourage local communities to get involved in their local green spaces. This is the fourth or fifth time that Dudhope cadets have helped out at Middleton. The cadets joined a small but enthusiastic group of members of the public to clear weeds and undergrowth from around existing saplings to allow in light and invigorate growth. Cadets also helped plant a number of trees to fill in some of the gaps in the rows of trees. Most of the tree species' were Scots Pine but some Holly and Willow trees were to be found in between. The cadets were split up into teams of 4 with some clearing weeds while others planted. Following a busy couple of hours work all there was a feeling of real satisfaction, having done a good job in helping the environment. Sgt Thornton commented, "it is good to see so many cadets' get involved in a muddy job and at the same time enjoy themselves - it's what being a cadet is all about". There was juice, crisps and chocolate as well as some recycled pencils and notebooks for all, courtesy of the Ranger Service. The picture shows cadets with a couple of friendly dogs belonging to some of the regular helpers at MIddleton Woods.
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 On Sunday 28th February around 180 Cadets and Staff from all of Dundee & Central Scotland Wing ATC gathered together at St. Luke's Church in Broughty Ferry for the Wing church parade. It is worth noting that this is only the third time in 30 years that such a parade has taken place in DCSW. On this occasion it also marked one of the last parades' for the Corps Chaplain the Reverend Tom Tait he is due to retire from his ATC duties in July this year. Today he was hosted by the DCSW Chaplain the Reverend Graham Taylor, Minister of St Luke's Church. The photograph shows Rev Tait and Rev Taylor together with the colour party including several cadets from 2450 (Dudhope) Squadron outside the church.
During the service Rev Taylor talked about the 'leap of faith' undertaken by aircraft passenger's at take-off, putting their life in the hands of the pilot and the importance of concern for others' over ones' self; adding that those who think first of their own safety – are lost.
Reverend Tait continued the theme of self-less acts in particular regarding the motto of the ATC, 'Venture Adventure' and told the story of the 'Quinton Memorial Trophy' which commemorates an act of extreme gallantry by Flt Lt John Quinton who saved the life of a cadet during a flight in 1951 while both he and the rest of the crew died following a mid-air collision.
There were some particularly uplifting hymns during the service including; 'Shine Jesus Shine', 'One More Step Along the World I Go' and 'Lord of the Dance'.
Following the service there was the opportunity to sample 'tea and cakes' courtesy of the Ladies' of St Luke's Church and judging by the speed cadets' cleared the tables they were very tasty.
Photograph courtesy and (c) D.C.Thomson&Co.,Ltd
See the gallery picture here
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  On Friday, 17 cadets and 7 staff from the Squadron headed north to the Cairngorms on the Squadron's first ever ski trip. The cadets, almost all beginners, received expert tuition from the Squadron's Commanding Officer, Flt Lt Graeme Wallace and the Wing's newly appointed Adventure Training Officer, Fg Off Leanne Campbell. Over the course of the weekend, the cadets progressed from complete non-skiers to being able to perform proficient turns that enabled them to ski the entire length of the Cairngorm ski area. We are happy to report all cadets returned home in one piece!
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 Seven cadets had the opportunity to undertake marksmanship training on the No.8 rifle at the .22 indoor range in Dundee this evening. This was the first time for a number of years that the squadron has made use of this range on a parade evening, however it will be a regular event from now on.
For three of the cadets it was the first time they had ever fired at all and they all showed definite improvements throughout the evening and in fact, did extremely well considering it was the first time they had fired. For the four NCO's present they had the opportunity to undertake some .22 competition style shooting practice for the first time. Also, the NCO's helped coach the younger cadets in the marksmanship principles something they particularly enjoyed.
Cpl Brown commented, "it was really good to get involved with coaching and pass on the skills we have learned to others." All the cadets thoroughly enjoyed the evening and were definitely looking forward to next month's range evening. Cadets who took part were; Cpl Brown, Cpl Moodie, Cpl Neill, Cpl Strachan, Cdt Duncan, Cdt Malcolm and Cdt Whyman.
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Five cadets from 2450 Dudhope squadron took part in the wing cross country competition at the weekend. After a brief warm up, in the cold weather, Cpl nick Neill and Cdt Tonia Di Ponio took part in the first of the day’s races. Shortly after that race finished Cdt Michael Niven, Jamie Scott and Jamie Whyman all got their chance to run the three mile course. The day was a good success and we even managed to pick up a medal courtesy of Cpl Neill who will now go on to represent Dundee wing in their competition later in the year.
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Saturday was an excellent day on the range at Barry Buddon. Cadets from the squadron fired at 200 and 300 metres in very good conditions for this time of year. The standard of shooting was high from both the cadets who had never fired this weapon before and the more experienced shots. I look forward the next day at Barry Buddon to allow people improve their scores and work towards a squadron shooting team qualifying for Bisley this summer.
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Cadets from all over Angus travelled to 2450 Dudhope squadron headquarters to participate in an L81 Weapon Training day. The morning started off with a lesson on marksmanship technique by Plt Off Brown. Then the cadets were split into groups and participated in several hours of lessons and training. The day then finished with every cadet who attended passing a weapons handling test on the l81. The cadets will now go on to a range day on the 30/1/2010
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On Saturday 21st of November five cadets from Dudhope Sqn achieved the highest marksmanship award available to them, the Corps Marksman.
This was especially hard to do because of the weather conditions at Leuchars that day, being far from ideal for accurate shooting.
All the cadets involved did very well and the day was a good end to a good years shooting. I am looking forward to what we can do in the new year.
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Photographs from Windermere and other 2009 events are now available on in the Gallery
Click here to see the 2009 gallery so far
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  Go Ape Day! The day got off to a slow start with an accident blocking the main road to Grizedale Forest where the Go Ape High Ropes course is located. However, after some re-routing we eventually made it to the course an hour and a half late. The Go Ape staff were excellent, and managed to fit in all 34 cadets and staff into their programme. All 'enjoyed' a testing course of obstacles, rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides, some as high as 20m from the ground...
Click here to see all the pictures from Windermere
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