858 (Rushden) Squadron, – Dining-In Night 2022 

858 Rushden Squadron Air Cadets held their annual dining in night for 2022 on Saturday 15th October at the Masonic Hall. Rushden

This annual event hasn’t been held for a few years due to the recent enforced pandemic closures, and this was all the more reason for the whole Squadron to come together and celebrate the evening with food and good company.

Our guests of honour were Padre Ian Fall and his wife Sandra. Ian and Sandra recently left Rushden and the squadron after over 15 years of service to the Squadron and Rushden Mission Church, and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome them back to the Squadron. We were also joined by the Mayor of Rushen, Councillor Adrian Winkle accompanied by Councillor Janet Pinnock.

The evening was celebrated in the form of a traditional dining-in night. This is the type of formal black-tie occasion many Air Cadets who go on to join the RAF will come across. A great learning experience for all of our Air Cadets.

We marked the passing of our late Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, with a toast to her Majesty. Padre Fall then led the Squadron as a whole with a rededication of the Cadet promise to His Majesty King Charles III.

The evening finished with 858 Rushden Squadron Air Cadets Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Colin Harmer saying, “I and all of the staff at 858 Squadron are immensely proud of our Cadets. They put in a tremendous amount of effort attending on Monday and Wednesday evenings as well as taking part in activities most weekends. We have thrived and grown since lockdown, and this is testament to the hard work of the squadron staff and NCO team. A number of cadets attended weeklong camps at RAF stations during the summer holidays. Amongst the hundreds of badges and qualifications earned this year, Two cadets qualified on Air Cadet pilot scheme. The whole Squadron were also very impressive on parade in Northampton at the Queens Platinum Jubilee Commemoration Parade.”

All the photos from this year’s dining in night can be found in the Squadron gallery here