Dunmow & District Air Cadets are holding their second open evening of the year to showcase their activities to the public.

The open evening will take place on Monday, September 30 from 7.45pm at the Drill Hall in High Street, Dunmow.

Over the past year there have been a number of changes in the squadron, almost doubling the number of cadets that parade on a regular basis.

Flight Lieutenant April Dutton has overseen a big increase of attendees, along with a growth in staff and awareness within the community.

She said: "I took command of this squadron in December last year and it was in a healthy position but I knew it could still be improved on and grow.

"We used to have on average around 12 cadets parading on a Monday or Thursday and now we’re usually having 20 young people coming each week and that number is continually growing.

"We knew we had to grow our awareness in the community and our attendance at things like the civic ceremony, Flitch Trials and of course the carnival alongside a huge amount of work to grow our online presence too.

"The team we have running the squadron, both on parade nights and in the background on our Civilian Welfare Committee have done a great job in bringing the plans and ideas together to help the young people of this area."

The squadron is keen to emphasise that the Air Training Corps are not simply about gliding, flying and preparing for military life.

This year the squadron has had visits from lifestyle and mindset coach Will Polston, and has taken part in activities such as swimming, biking and trips to the largest air show in Europe.

Other activities the cadets have taken part in include a Masterchef-style evening using camping stoves, making gliders out of old boxes and using their flight simulator purchased with donations from Great Dunmow Round Table. 

The Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme is also one of the fundamental elements of the Air Cadets curriculum, as well as learning about cyber, aerospace, STEM, first aid, shooting and archery.

Flight Lieutenant Dutton added: "We greatly encourage individuality and young people to be themselves, but within a structured environment."

The Air Cadets accept anyone age 12-17 and in Year 8 or above in school. They are now seeking more adult staff to help run the squadron.

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Jon Worby, chair of the squadron’s Civilian Welfare Committee, said: "My children have had so many great experiences from their time in the cadets and my wife and I joined the committee to ensure other young people could be afforded the same opportunities as our children.

"I cannot express enough what a great bunch of young people they are here and the grounding and experiences they’ve gained will stand them in very good stead for when they leave school and go out into the wider world."

For more information follow 999 Dunmow & District Air Cadets on social media or visit their stall at Dunmow Carnival.