Over 300 Cadets and Staff to Parade through Christchurch This Sunday

Christchurch residents are encouraged to turnout and witness the spectacle of over 300 cadets and staff from Dorset & Wiltshire parading through Christchurch on Sunday 5th February, to mark the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Air Training Corps.

Each year, the parade is hosted by one of the Squadrons in Dorset/Wiltshire Wing, and this year it is the turn of 171 (Christchurch) Squadron.  The Squadron was amongst the first Air Training Corps Squadrons formed in 1941, but can trace its origins even further back to 1939, when it was formed as an Air Defence Cadet Corps unit, along with the Bournemouth and Poole units.

Cadets will be travelling to Christchurch from over 30 squadrons in Dorset and Wiltshire for this very important occasion, Squadron banners will also be paraded.

The parade will be led by the Christchurch Band of the Royal British Legion. Bandmaster Dave Morgan said "It's a great privilege for the band to have been asked to lead this important parade and support not only our local Air Cadet Corps in Christchurch but the whole of the Wilts and Dorset Squadrons".

The parade will leave Peaks Party Store Car Park at 1.30 and travel down Bargates, the High Street and into the Priory Church for a Special Service at 2pm.

The parade will then reform at 3pm in the grounds of the Priory Church and return along the High Street, where the salute will be taken, outside the Mayors Parlour, by HM Vice Lord Lieutenant for Dorset, Mr James Gibson Fleming.  He will be escorted by the Deputy Mayor of Christchurch and Wing Commander Vanessa Toth, Officer Commanding Dorset Wiltshire Wing Air Training Corps.

The parade will end at the Christchurch Branch of the Royal British Legion.