Air Cadets from 2203 (Hatfield and de Havilland) Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), met with His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.
The group of ten Air Cadets from Hatfield were invited to participate in an exhibition of skills and a celebration of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, hosted by the University of Hertfordshire.
As part of the exhibition, the Cadets were asked to showcase their participation in the award and decided to do this by showcasing photographs of them participating in all aspects of the award. They also prepared a drill routine to show off their skill!
The Squadrons display was attended by the Earl of Wessex, trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, who was impressed by the drill routine, before taking the time to talk with the Cadets about their experiences of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Following their talk with the Earl, the Cadets were visited by Mr Robert Voss CBE, Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.
Visits were also made to the display a number of other dignitaries including The Honourable Marquis of Salisbury, Chancellor of the University; Lieutenant Colonel Beazley, Deputy Lieutenant, Chair of the University Board; and Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Barbara Fitzsimon.
Cadet Flight Sergeant Alexander Atkin (17) and Cadet Sergeant Kirsty Hawkes (16) were chosen by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award representatives, to attend the VIP reception, where they were able to meet other participants of the award and share their experiences.
Squadron Leader A T Crichton RAFAC said: “It really goes without saying that the cadets were a great credit to themselves and the Air Training Corps”.