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1104 Pendle Air Cadets

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The Royal Air Force Air Cadets provides amazing opportunities for young people between the ages of 12-19.

01/11/2026

This weekend, cadets from 1104 (Pendle) Squadron proudly supported the , selling poppies in Asda, Colne.

Both Saturday and Sunday saw a busy day, with lots of donations made to an amazing cause.

A big thank you to all the cadets and staff who gave up their weekend to help!

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

08/10/2026

Today's theme for is "Cadets Saving Lives".

As part of tonight's Annual Awards Evening (more to come on that in the coming days 🤫), Cadet Corporal Murphy and Cadet's Islam and Northage spoke about real stories from the news where an RAF Air Cadet has saved somebody's life.

It was inspiring to hear of some incredible cadets who have used the First Aid training they have learned through cadets to make a real impact to the community and save somebody from serious harm. While we hope to never have to use our training, it is better to have it for the worst case scenario.

First Aid training is a core part of our training syllabus and at the heart of Pendle Squadron. Our Wing Competitions Day team came 1st in the First Aid Competition last year and narrowly missed out on the top spot this year, coming in second place 👏.

Well done to those who spoke this evening and to those cadets in all of the cadet forces who have used your training to save somebodies life. You are inspirational young people.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - RAF Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Last, but not least, in our Volunteer Celebration is our newest member of staff, CI Emily Kendall.

What is your length of service?
3 weeks as a CFAV, but with 7 years previous history as a cadet.

What is your current civilian job?
I am a Product Development Manager in an industrial chemical factory.

Why did you become a CFAV?
I became a member of staff as I wanted to give back what I had as a cadet and help give others the same opportunities.

What skills have you gained?
I've gained confidence, leadership, teamwork, plus lots of others as a cadet, which helped me through my degree and now my job.

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
I don't have any as a CFAV yet, but as a cadet it was getting to go to France and Belgium to see the battlefields of World War One, as well as going flying.

Would you recommend becoming a CFAV and why?
I don't think I'm quite qualified to answer this yet, but can't wait to get properly stuck in and find out why.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Next in our Volunteer Celebration is CI Victoria Barton

What is your length of service?
3 and a half years (3 years as a cadet and 5 months as a CFAV)

What is your current civilian job?
In my day job I'm a support worker, supporting a number of sites in the local area.

Why did you become a CFAV?
I rejoined the organisation to give back, inspire and watch cadets grow, like I got the opportunity to as a cadet.

What skills have you gained?
In a short space of time as a CFAV, I've developed confidence, resilience and the ability to inspire others.

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
My best memory is watching the cadets progressing and growing in confidence, watching them give it their all at Wing Competitions Day.

Would you recommend becoming a CFAV and why?
Yes! It's deeply rewarding, builds amazing skills and lets you give back to your community.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Next in our Volunteer Celebration is another Andy on the team, CI Andy Wilson

What is your length of service?
18 years (1991-2001 cadet/CFAV and then re-joined when my children joined the organisation as cadets)

What is your current civilian job?
I'm a paramedic for the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, currently working in telephone triage after a number of years on frontline ambulances.

Why did you become a CFAV?
I'm a CFAV to do what I can to support cadets to grow in skills, confidence and experience; have the best possible time while doing so and then take that out into the world with them.

What skills have you gained?
Early in my CFAV career I was a Civilian Gliding Instructor, flying the Grob Vigilant. Being able to spend my weekends in the air was an amazing feeling.

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
My best memory has to be sending cadets for their first solo flight after instructing them. The combination of nerves and subsequent sense of accomplishment and the massive grin on their face when they climb out of the aircraft is second to none.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Next in our Volunteer Celebration is yet another Tom on the team, CI Tom Seddon

What is your length of service?
3 years

What is your current civilian job?
I am a Special Educational Needs Outdoor Lead and also spend a lot of time running my family's farm.

Why did you become a CFAV?
I wanted to give back to the community and deliver DofE & Adventure Training.

What skills have you gained?
I've gained skills in First Aid, teaching navigation, behaviour management and gained my Mountain Leader and Rock-Climbing Instructor qualifications

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
My best memory is getting cadets to achieve what they thought was impossible and reaching the top of their first mountains!

Would you recommend becoming a CFAV and why?
Absolutely! It's a brilliant way to give back and there's lots of opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for no cost!

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadetsh
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Next in our Volunteer Celebration is the first of our incredible team of Civilian Instructors (CIs), CI Andy Malone

What is your length of service?
18 months

What is your current civilian job?
I'm a retired Aerospace Engineer with BAE Systems. Prior to that I was a Chief Technician in the Royal Air Force as an Armourer.

Why did you become a CFAV?
I joined RAFAC as, through my previous experience with the Cadet Forces, I appreciate what the organisation does for the country's youth. The opportunities that are available for cadets to experience new things and help them develop new skills that will assist them in their lives and future careers.

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
I love attending camps and residential where the cadets arrive, burdened down with kit and looking nervous and apprehensive, but when they leave a week later, they are all absolutely exhausted but are all 6 feet tall. It shows how they have grown and developed. Another highlight for me is seeing a Cadet's face as they climb out of an aircraft after their first Air Experience Flight.

Would you recommend becoming a CFAV and why?
I would definitely recommend volunteering as a CFAV, just to see how the cadets grow as individuals and then work together as a team is worth every hour of effort.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Next in our Volunteer Celebration, we have our Squadron Training Officer and the Squadron Senior Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer Pete Sunter.

What is your length of service?
20 years

What is your current civilian job?
I was a joiner professionally, but I am now happily retired.

Why did you become a CFAV?
My son was a cadet and I was asked if I wanted to join the Civilian Welfare Committee. After a couple of years, I committed more of my time and because a uniformed CFAV.

What skills have you gained?
I've gained several exciting and varied qualifications such as becoming a Weapons Instructor on Air Ri**es, First Aid and becoming a Basic Expedition Leader.

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
My best memory from the last 20 years was going to a camp in Llanbedr; it was great fun, although tiring, but great to camp in the outdoors teaching fieldcraft and spending the entire time outdoors.

Would you recommend becoming a CFAV and why?
Yes! You don't get anything in life if you don't put anything out. It's well worth giving your time for the rewarding feeling you get from seeing these young people develop.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Continuing with today's theme for of "Volunteer Celebration", we have our Squadron Adjutant, Sergeant Tilly Hird

What is your length of service?
2 months, but with 7 years as a cadet prior.

What is your current civilian job?
I am an axe throwing & crossbow instructor.

Why did you become a CFAV?
I became a CFAV after being a cadet for 7 years where I had some fantastic opportunities which wouldn't have been possible without the support of my staff. So, I decided to come back as a CFAV to give back and provide opportunities for young cadets like I had.

What skills have you gained?
Being a CFAV helps to develop my leadership and teamworking skills. I've already gained lots of qualifications as a cadet and I'm currently working towards even more instructional qualifications in areas I'm passionate about.

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
I've not had many chances as a CFAV yet, but as a cadet I got to participate in the International Air Cadet Exchange, going to Sweden. I've met some amazing people from other countries and got to experience life in the Swedish Air Force including flights on a Hercules and a Black Hawk.

Would you recommend becoming a CFAV and why?
I would recommend becoming a CFAV as there is something really special about helping and developing young cadets grow into confident and capable young adults, helping to provide opportunities for them to excel.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets

07/10/2026

Today's theme for is "Volunteer Celebration". We'll post throughout the day our fantastic Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) and a little bit about themselves.

Leading by example is Officer Commanding 1104 (Pendle) Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Tom Birchall.

What is your length of service?
12 years (5 as a CFAV, 7 as a cadet)

What is your current civilian job?
I am a Production Controller at Fort Vale Engineering LTD, a local manufacturing company in East Lancashire.

Why did you become a CFAV?
I became a CFAV to give back to the amazing organisation that made me into the person I am today. I got to experience so many opportunities that would never have been available to me without the adult staff at my Squadron.

What skills have you gained?
I've gained a number of skills and qualifications over the years, too many to list them all. Most notable are instructional and teaching skills, first aid, IOSH Managing Safely (a professional qualification fully funded through RAFAC) and I am currently looking at working towards an ILM Level 3 in Leadership and Management.

What is your best memory as a CFAV?
My best memory is at our annual Wing Competitions Day last year. Hearing our Squadron coming first in a number of categories, including Overall Most Improved, I could see the pride and sense of achievement in all of our cadets faces, that is definitely one of the proudest moments of my life.

Would you recommend becoming a CFAV and why?
I would absolutely recommend becoming a CFAV, no matter what position in this organisation. You are making a real difference to the lives of young people, gaining qualifications and memories of your own and can create friends for life even as a volunteer yourself!

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets

Address

Nelson
BB97ES

Opening Hours

Tuesday	7pm - 9:30pm
Thursday	7pm - 9:30pm

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01282615715

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