In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Air Cadet Organisation, Trent Wing Air Cadet units are hosting the ‘TORCH’. An impressive Olympic style torch on its journey from John O’Groats to Lands End, known as the ACO TORCH RELAY.
Trent Wing will be handed the ‘TORCH’ at Sutton Bridge, taking custody from Norfolk and Suffolk Wing. It will then be transported in style in an open top Mercedes, kindly sponsored by Listers Mercedes of Boston to Royal Air Force Digby, where it will be greeted by 150 cadets and staff of the wing, to be filmed processing through 21 stands of Air Cadet activities, prior to being photographed in front of the famous spitfire.
Banners of the 31 Trent wing units, will then provide a guard of honour, as the torch, accompanied by music from the bands of 2222 Brigg and 119 Scunthorpe squadrons, is received by the station commander, Wing Commander Tom Ashbridge. VIPs and honoured guests will have the chance to admire the torch over luncheon in the officer’s mess.
The ‘torch’ relay then begins in earnest for the wing, as the convoy of 8 vehicles, full of excited cadets and staff, starts its tour. First stop, RAF Waddington to have a historic photo under the wings of the Vulcan aircraft. Then, it’s onward to RAF Scampton to visit the home of the famous Red Arrows. A privileged visit to the ’ International Bomber Command Memorial’ is its next port of call with Lincoln castle its penultimate stop, to have a photo opportunity in front of the ‘wall of poppies’. The ‘torch’ will then be met by the clergy at Lincoln Cathedral and laid to rest overnight on the alter in the Airman’s chapel.
Cadets will then have chance to relax and mingle with friends at a bbq hosted by 204 Lincoln sqn and stay in the tented village at their HQ.
Saturday morning, the convoy will return to collect the ‘torch’ after it has been blessed in the cathedral, for its onward journey, to its first engagement of the day with the stunning Dakota aircraft at ex ww2 airfield RAF Metheringham. Pausing only to visit Scopwick Church to honour the grave of John Gillespie Magee poet of “High Flight”, after leaving the Dakota, it will head for a photograph under the mighty wings of ‘Just Jane’ the iconic Lancaster at East Kirkby Airfield and travel on to RAF Conningsby for more photos and a visit to the distinguished Battle of Britain Memorial flight.
After this fantastic tour, the torch will travel on to rendezvous at RAF Cranwell, where it will arrive in great style to be met by dignitaries at the Anniversary extravaganza and concert being held to celebrate the anniversary of the Air cadet organisation. The torch will then continue its journey after being handed to London and South East Region.
