Local Air Training Corps gets the Freedom of the Town

You will find on the pages here around 70 photographs of the recent presentation of the Freedom of the Town of St. Ives to the local Air Training Corps.

Flypast marks Freedom Parade

St Ives Town Council granted Honorary Freedom of the Town to 2331 (St Ives) Sqn, Air Training Corps recently. The parade and ceremony in the town centre on 28 April brought more blue uniforms to the town than has been seen for some considerable time. Some 150 cadets and staff assembled in Station Road and, led by the Wyton Area Voluntary Band, marched into position in front of the Town Hall. Group Captain Doel, Station Commander of RAF Wyton/Brampton, took the salute alongside the Town Mayor, Councillor Doug Dew, as a Grob Tutor of 5AEF flew low overhead. Nine other units supported St Ives by sending contingents, including one from as far away as Leighton Buzzard.

Councillor Dew read from a scroll declaring the Squadron's freedom "on ceremonial occasions, to enter the Town with bands playing, drums beating and banners flying". He then presented the scroll, together with a bugle adorned with cord and tassels in RAF colours, to the Squadron Commander, Flt Lt John Bell. In reply, Flt Lt Bell referred to the strong links that the Squadron has forged with the town, whose name it bears, in the 43 years since it was established. The Squadron presented the Town Council with a specially commissioned painting entitled "Air Experience Flying" by local artist Peter Nelson. The picture depicts cadets on the Grob flight-line at Wyton, where the Squadron is based, and now hangs in the Council chamber.

Air Experience Flying by Peter Nelson

The parade retired to the Free Church where the Squadron Padre, Rev Roy Muttram, addressed the assembly. In his sermon, Rev Muttram pointed out that achievements such as that being celebrated are based on mutual trust and respect. It marks a responsibility which is shared by all parties, the Town, the community, the Squadron and the individuals in each..

Finally, St Ives Squadron exercised its new Freedom by marching through the town, (band playing, drum beating and banner flying), and led the parade in a march-past with Group Captain Doel once again taking the salute.

The Air Training Corps is open to boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 20. Squadrons may be found in most towns in the county.

For further information, leave a message on 01480 52451 ext 7096.