Well it's Spring so obviously it is time for the SPRING BALL.

This is a new event to the Gosport Squadron calendar but a welcome one for all.

This year's event was run by the newly appointed Social Committee and helped by the organisational skills of Sergeant's Brown and Bowdidge.

The location was the Main Hall, with tables laid out in the official mess dining style and a spread of food anyone would be proud of.

For the cadets, it was an opportunity to dress up in Evening wear. All the male cadets looked very smart and the females very pretty in their long dresses.

After the food, the Toast to Her Majesty the Queen and the usual speeches the cadets took part in a little Kareoke which seemed to be very enjoyable whilst the staff and guests moved upstairs to the office for coffee and some chat.

What a day! This is the day we attended the Wing 5-a-side football competition in Aldershot (The Home of the British Army) and saw the first outing of the new squadron t-shirts. The Flight Sergeant's lead the male team (The Eagles) whilst the Sergeants Brown lead the female team (The Roses), and of course, lets not forget out support crew lead by the squadron's newest Corporal!

The Roses

The girls, who were mostly new to the game, put their best foot forward an tried hard. With all credit to the captain, the girls fought hard but alas won no games and so bowed out gracefully. Some practice needed for next year I think.

WELL DONE GIRLS.

The Eagles

The Flight Sergeants lead their team in having won this event 2 years ago with a great plan, to push through the defences of the other squadrons and score lots of points on the leader board.

They sailed through the initial stages, starting in the first game with a 6:0 win!

They came out on top of their groups easily and then ploughed through the semi-final with ease. However Petersfield squadron had also done well and as we faced them in the final it looked like we had a fight on our hands.

Petersfield were excellent tactical players and in the end were too much for us winning by an 8 goal difference.

Supporters

The boys and girls were not alone in their task supported all the time by the Corporal and his cheering crowd. Always drowning out the rest of the room, although they were making enough noise supporting their own teams.

Wing Athletics was held at Tidworth Oval this year. Cadets from all over the Wing come together to do all kinds of activities similar to a School Sports Day.

Some of the activities include: High and long jumps, Discus, javelin and shot as well as various running and relay events.

The top 2 competitors in each event and each age group go forward to compete for places in the Regional team and the whole process repeats itself.

Its time to brush off your combat boots and dig out your rucksack. We're off to Ockley Common.

Ockley which is near Farnham in Surrey has long been a favourite green weekend site for some of the northern squadrons and this time they invited us along. Thanks to 413 Aldershot squadron we ventured into the woods of Ockley and spent the night camping and the day learning new fieldcraft skills.

What with the famil ex, the night ex and casivac exercise the cadets put their newly learnt skills to the test and all agreed that the weekend was a success. Therefore, it has now been decreed that there shall be a bigger weekend exercise to a similar area just down the road, keep an eye on the notice board for more information.

The annual visit from the Officer Commanding of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wing took place recently. A formal inspection of each unit within Hampshire is a requirement each year and the Wing Commander not only looks to ensure the paperwork is completed correctly and the staff are working for the best interests of the cadets, he also enjoys meeting the cadets and inspecting the squadron buildings on each unit.

When he arrived, Wing Commander Clavell was invited to inspect the cadets and spoke a few encouraging words.

Just before departure the Wing Commander gave out some certificates to the cadets as well as to Sgt Thompson who has now been officially confirmed in post.

Its time to pack your rucksack, Summer Camp is at Fort Blockhouse again.

Cadets from 1098 (Gosport) Squadron, 1391 (Romsey) Squadron and 424 (City of Southampton) Squadron all attended summer camp this year and the program was as packed as usual with trips to Portsmouth Dockyard, Fort Nelson and Boscombe Down.

On the first day (Sunday) the cadet all went out into the New Forest for navigation practice and basic field training. Monday was flying day and the cadets were split into 2 flights of 12 cadets to Boscombe Down and as well as flying have some great visits to different sections.

Tuesday was the visit to the Isle of Wight. What a day. The weather was great, the view was excellent and the Fish and Chips were even better. CHIP AHOY!

On Wednesday we took a trip to Browndown training camp to use the range facilities and get all of the cadets up to date on their weapons training. While they were waiting to get on the firing point the cadets took part in Initiative exercises which included putting up a radio mast and making their way across 'Shark Infested Custard'. A good day was had by all until the rain came down and stopped play. This didn't stop the shooters however who worked on through the downpour. The rest of us either hid in one of the minibuses or within one of the sheds located on the field. In the evening we all went to Pandora Lecture Theatre to watch Dad's Army when the cadets learnt the story behind the phrase 'Your name vill also go on zee list' and 'I don't vont any soggy chips, i vont zem crisp and light brown!. Don't ask!!!

Thursday saw us heading up Portsdown Hill to visit Fort Nelson, one of the many sea defence forts built to defend England from the French. Cadets enjoyed exploring the tunnels and the fort area itself as well as playing with the weapons simulators. In the afternoon saw the Submarine Museum visit with a tour of HMS Alliance which saw service in World War 2 as well as some interesting information about the history of submarine life and all enjoyed the interactive games in John Fieldhouse Building which is new since our last visit. Thursday evening was fun and games with the cadets completing different tasks to be awarded points towards the inter-flight competition.

Friday is here and we all got on a boat heading for HM Dockyard Portsmouth with a tour of the vessels currently berthed. We were dropped at Fleet Landing and taken to visit HMS Victory, the oldest commissioned ship in the fleet. Six cadets and 1 staff member were given a special behind the scenes tour of The Royal Naval Museum including the opportunity to handle some very old very valuable items held by the museum. The rest of the cadets toured the main parts of the museum and then after a short lunch stop we all moved down the road to 'Action Stations'. Well worth a visit, this interactive exhibition includes a film about The Royal Navy as well as games and simulators.

Having been dropped back at Fort Blockhouse by the Service Water Taxi the cadet had a quick break and then THE DRILL COMPETITION. 'They did very well' said the Warrant Officer, 'A very close run thing'. No camp is complete without the last night disco and this one is no exception. As well as the cadets already on camp some of Gosport squadron's cadets also turned up to dance the night away with the campers.

Saturday morning was clear up with the final parade and presentations for Best Cadet and Best Flight. ____ Flight came out on top the race to the end being very close.