Cadets and staff from the Squadron took part in the ATC Sunday Parade on Sunday 05 Feb 2012. The Parade is held every year to celebrate the formation of the Air Training Corps on the 05 February 1941.
Each year the Parade is held in a different town hosted by an ATC Squadron. This year it was the turn of 171 Christchurch Squadron to host the event. Uniquely this year was the first year that cadets from both Dorset and Wiltshire have paraded together.
Starting at around 1:00pm cadets began to arrive at Peeks Car Park in Christchurch to form up for the parade. It was a very good turnout for the parade and the fact that there were 300 plus cadets meant that they had to form up around a corner to fit every one in.
After the official form up of the parade and the placing of the British Legion Band at the front the parade marched off through Christhurch to the Christchurch Priory. It was a long march although the Police did allow the Parade to take a short cut through the Bus Lane!
At the Church there was a service dedicated to the Air Training Corps conducted by the Wing Chaplain and attended by the Vice Lord Lieutenant . After the service the Parade was reformed outside the Priory and began it’s march back through Christchurch.
The Parade marched down Christchurch High Street past the saluting dias. The salute was taken by Wing Commander Vanessa Toth OC Dorset/Wiltshire Wing (formerly OC 2358 Squadron) and the HM Vice Lord Lieutenant for Dorset, James Gibson Fleming.
The Parade halted outside the British Legion in Christchurch. After the formal dismissal of the Parade, by the Parade Commander, cadets and staff retired to the legion for well earned refreshments.
I would like to thank personally all the cadets and staff who attended the Parade it was a good turnout from 2358.
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