Joint Squadron Christmas weekend.

As you are all aware the bad weather that we are experiencing at this time threatens whether we go ahead with our Joint Squadron Christmas weekend.  A lot of time and energy has gone into the planning of this event, so making the decision whether or not to go ahead is going to be very hard.  It is not my wish to put anyone at risk by travelling in these worsening conditions. However, having said that, knowing the British weather to be very changeable, I also will not rush into a hasty decision.

So as it stands at this time, we are still planning to go ahead with the weekend. The weather is supposed to be improving by Friday. If the roads are clear and safe to drive on by Friday evening then we will go ahead as planned. If there is still doubt on Friday evening, we will look at the situation again on Saturday mid morning.  This does means that cadets, staff and parents will need to be on standby up until Saturday mid morning.  Please keep an eye out on http://249sqn-atc.co.uk website for updates. In the mean time you can download the kit list and planned times here (see below).

All the best

Flt Lt Neil Banks

OC 249

PLAN A

Kit list and Joining Instructions for 249, 2530, 304 DF and 1218 Sqn’s Xmas

Weekend at Crowborough Camp 3-5 Dec 10

Cadets coming from 249 (Hailsham) Squadron will be picked up at the unit on Friday 3^rd December at 18:45. Other Squadrons are to arrive at Crowborough Guardroom between 1900 - 19:30 hrs. The MGS will inform you where to book in on the camp. 

The 4^th of December will consist of AT activities during the day and the formal Christmas dinner in the evening. The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex will be attending the formal Dinner and he will be arriving at 18:45. Can Squadron members and guest that are only attending the dinner, ensure that you arrive at the camp no later than 18:20 on Saturday evening. We are expecting to sit down at 18:30 and dine at 19:00 hrs.

Sunday 5^th December. We are expected to finish the weekend at 11:00, however 249 Squadron will need to leave slightly earlier because of the RAFA band concert, these cadets are to contact parents once we leave Crowborough Camp, the ETA back in Hailsham is 10:30. If parents are picking up children, can they please wait outside the camp gates?

Cadets are to bring with the following:

• Pillowcase, sleeping bag or duvet and bottom sheet.
• Wash kit/towel.
• Greens (DPM shirt, trousers, smock).
• Beret.
• Boots.
• Socks.
• Underwear.
• Warm Civvie cloths.
• Torch.
• Hat and gloves.
• Waterproofs Green / Civvie and Blue.
• Note book and pen.
• Water bottle (not glass).
• Knife, fork, spoon and mug.
• Sports kit including trainers.
• 3822, Parents Consent Form, asthma form (if applicable).

For the dinner:

• Officers and SNCO’s No5 dress, or Interim mess kit, or Black Tie, DJ, meddles.
• Girls – Dress, posh frock.
• Cadet boys No1’s (Light blue shirt and tie) + jumper + stable belt (if you have one) + shoes

This is very important:

It will be cold so bring lots of warm clothes to be worn under greens, remember the more layers you have the warmer you will be. We would rather you be nice and warm, than getting hyperthermia. It does not matter if they are not green! If there is still snow on the ground, there will be opportunities to do sledging, so if you can fit a sledge into your transport, bring it.