"It has been a real honour and privilege to lead the staff and cadets at Tynemouth and to serve the local community." Will, who is a teacher at Bedlington High School told us.

The new boss at Tynemouth, Flight Lieutenant Phil Kent praised Will and the work he'd done at the Squadron. "Through Will's efforts and leadership, Tynemouth has risen to become a highly successful Squadron, it is one of the best Squadron in the Air Training Corps and I am delighted to be taking it on."

Will, who took command of Tynemouth Squadron in 2000, remembers some of the challenges. "We only had a handful of cadets, but our staff were committed and dedicated to building the Squadron and making it a focal point for community work. Over the past ten years, hundreds of cadets have passed through the Squadron, gaining awards, qualifications, leadership skills and life experiences. Some of the highlights for me have been seeing the community work that our cadets have been involved; over the past 10 years we've raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities."

The Tynemouth band has given the cadets a chance to play in their local community.  Will told us, "Tynemouth has always had a successful Squadron band and over the past 10 years, our band has played at some very high profile local and regional events. Among the most important of these have been the annual Battle of Britain celebrations in Newcastle and the chance to play for his Royal highness, the Duke of Edinburgh when he visited Newcastle in October 2007. Seeing our young people putting something back into the community is an inspiring sight."

Life Saving Cadets

"I think the highlight over the past ten years was seeing a team of cadets and staff from the Squadron save the lives of seven stranded climbers in the French Pyrenees in May 2008. That highlighted the importance of the training we provided and showed just how talented and capable our young people really are." Whilst on a Squadron expedition, the team of 6 cadets under the leadership of Will and Flying Officer Emma Stewart came across 7 stranded walkers on an icy peak. Two of the men had fallen over 200m and were badly injured. The team used their skills to stabilise the men and bring in the French mountain rescue, all of the walkers survived.  For their efforts, both the cadets and Will and Emma received bravery awards from the Order of St John.

Will does not leave the air training corps altogether, but moves onto a staff development post at his local Wing Headquarters. Chairman of the Squadron committee, Wing Commander John Knowles AE   thanked Will for his work at Tynemouth, "We will be sad to see Will leave the Squadron, but we are sure that he will enjoy his new role and we thank him for everything that he has done for the staff, cadets and community during his time with us."

Luke, an ex-student from Marden High School was delighted to be accepted. "I've always wanted to be a pilot and to be accepted in the RAF was like a dream come to true." Luke completed his training course at RAF Cranwell and passed out as a pilot officer recently.

His family were present at his graduation. Luke's friends at 346 (Tynemouth) Squadron were also pleased with the news. Luke's mentor, Squadron Leader Jack Kennedy _MBE was particularly pleased, he told us "Luke worked incredibly hard as a cadet on the squadron and I sure he will rise quickly in the RAF." Luke is waiting to start his flying training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

The Tynemouth cadets have been out in force, selling poppies to shoppers in Tynemouth Station and North Shields Shopping Centre. For 16 year old cadet Robert Erskine, giving up his weekend to support the poppy appeal was the least he could do. "I feel like I'm making a worthwhile contribution" he told us. Robert, from Tynemouth, will also be taking part in the annual remembrance service at Hawkeys Lane in North Shields on Sunday.

Thousands of serving and ex-service personnel will join in acts of remembrance all over the Region. Please support this year's appeal by making a donation and wearing your poppy with pride. Street collectors will be out in Tynemouth, North Shields and Wallsend. Watch out for Robert and his fellow air cadets who will be shaking their tins in Tynemouth on Saturday.

Bradley McVay 14, told us about the trek, "It was the toughest thing I've done. The weather didn't help and it would have been nice to see the view from the top. However, getting to the top was the best bit, I was really pleased with myself."

The trip marked the 10th consecutive trip to Ben Nevis for the Tynemouth Squadron. "Every year, we give our cadets to chance to climb the highest mountain in the UK and they never let us down. It is a fantastic achievment." Squadron Commander, Will Close-Ash said.

If you would like to opportunity to climb Ben Nevis or take part in any of the activities on the website, why not visit the Squadron on any Tuesday or Friday night.

For Cadet Warrant Officer James Smith from Monkseaton, this was to be his last trip with Tynemouth Squadron. "In September I'm off to University in London and will have to say goodbye to the Squadron. I've had a great 5 years with the air cadets and I've learned a lot. However, this trip has been the highlight of my time with the ATC."

The cadets crossed a region of the Swiss Alps, known as the Vallais, a region famous for high mountains and striking scenery. Over 70% of the region is covered in Glaciers and it has a vast collection of alpine flora and fauna.

The trip is the 9^th consecutive overseas expedition that cadets from Tynemouth Squadron have taken part in. This trip, sponsored by the Timberland Scholarship, was by far the most demanding.

Over the past 7 years, over 40 cadets have taken part in overseas expeditions with Tynemouth Squadron to the White Mountains on Crete, the French Pyrenees and the Swiss Alps.

"Our first overseas expedition took place in 2003 when we visited the home of ex-ATC Warrant Officer Ian Jackson." Flight Lieutenant Will Close-Ash, expedition leader remembers. "At that time, we were the first cadets to climb Mount Ginglos, at over 2000m, it was quite an achievement."

"We wanted to give every cadet a chance to take part in an overseas expedition, so each year, we run training weekends in the UK and cadets can build up the experience they need to go overseas, but we just didn't stop! Once we'd run one overseas trip, we knew we had to keep going."

Over the years, the young people from Tynemouth have been very lucky to be sponsored by a range of organisations including the Sir James Knott Trust, the RW Mann Trustees, RAFA and of course, Timberland UK. "Winning the Timberland Scholarship was an amazing opportunity for us. Timberland have given us the opportunity to step-up our trips and branch out. Each cadet also received Timberland Equipment which they were extremely pleased with."

After 4 trips to Crete, the Squadron decided to branch out and travel to the French Pyrenees. The challenge there was to climb the formidable Pic Du Canigou (2784m). "It was a new challenge for the cadets and we knew we could do it." Squadron Officer, Phil Kent told us. The team succeed in climbing the Pic on their first trip, but it was to be their second, failed attempt that would mark their finest hour.

Whilst approaching the mountain, on their second visit, they came across a group of stranded Belgian mountaineers. Two of the Belgians had fallen some 300 feet from the mountain and lay severely injured whilst a further 5 were stranded on a ridge several hundred feet up. James Smith was part of the team, "We spotted them two men lying in the snow and Flying Officer Emma Stewart and two cadets get to work on those guys, they were in a really bad way. The CO (Will) climbed onto the ridge and brought the remaining six men down to safety. It was an amazingly complex operation to watch, the Belgians were very lucky."

For their swift life saving actions, everyone involved received awards from the Order of St John.

In 2008, a team of cadets took part in the Squadron's first expedition to the Swiss Alps. The team trekked along the famous high level or Haute route. For Squadron Officer, Emma Stewart, from Wallsend, this was a great experience. "I'd always wanted to visit the Alps and after the rescue in the Pyrenees, I was hoping for something a little quieter."

The team completed the trek and paved the way for other teams from the Squadron to follow.

In 2009, the squadron put on two overseas expeditions, to the Pyrenees and the Swiss Alps. "We have a tried and tested formula which the cadets enjoy." Will told us. "These trips are affordable and within the reach of every cadet on the Squadron, irrespective of their background or experience. When times are times are difficult financially, I think it's important that our cadets have the chance to do something a bit different, but that won't break the bank."

"There are lots of exciting overseas expeditions all over the world to places like South America or New Zealand and although these are amazing trips, I'm afraid they are a bit costly. We'll continue to run trips that everyone can afford and which will give the young people from the Tynemouth area an experience to remember."

With twenty cadets having already completed the training, the remaining ten were put through their paces. They had a range of accidents to deal with; from common household injuries to traffic accidents.

Cadet Kay McBride (14) from Tynemouth enjoyed the training and assessment. "We've spent weeks preparing and training. Having the blood and stuff was a bit off-putting, but you just get on with it. It was quite challenging, not what ordinary teenagers get up to in their summer holidays!"

Taking his turn as one of the causalities was squadron Padre, Captain Steve Dixon. He told us about the experience. "I think it's important that these young people have the skills to deal with emergency situations, you never know when they may need to put them into practice. The certainly reassured me, although I was acting up a bit!"

He received the highest award for a Polish pilot, the Polish Air Force Cross, not once, but on three occasions during his fight to defend the UK. In addition to this, he was also awarded the Polish Air Force Medal for sinking a German U-boat.

Within a week, a team of thirty cadets from Tynemouth was also picked as the best band in the area. Anetta Korobczuk (15) from Tynemouth was part of the band and the drill team and was delighted with the win. "We didn't expect to win both trophies! Our band has worked hard all year and we've played at lots of events."

The band were out entertaining guests again last weekend as they led the Shiremoor Treat and the Newbiggin Armed Forces Day Parade. Event organiser, Keith Laws from the Royal British Legion praised the local cadets. "The Newbiggin Parade is growing in size and once again, the Tynemouth band put on a excellent performance."