59 Squadron, Huddersfield

Earlier this year, cadets and staff from the squadron spent a week on the Isle of Mull. Download a presentation of the trip (44Mb) and read their story…

“One cold morning in August, fourteen air cadets, (plus two adults) embarked on a journey full of mystery and wonder to the wild and ravenous island of Mull. These fourteen cadets, (plus two adults) had no idea what they had let themselves in for. Once safely strapped in to their noble steed, Bessie, (the minibus) the far corners of Mull were soon reached, soon being of course a relative term. The eager adventurers were greeted by three strangers and “The Beast” (formally known as Hamish the cocker spaniel). These friendly natives were to be our guides for the week.

“The first epic challenge was to defeat the monstrous gorge with only holey wetsuits to protect our frail bodies. As the sun went down and the moon came up, the voyagers were called by the Night-Line. Without the aid of sight, they had to return to the house following the rope. Thereafter, the courageous ones had to conquer their fears and climb the evil slab of doooooommmmm surrounded by seal infested waters. Beyond the horizon, there lay a breath-taking beach. As a reward, the foreigners allowed the exhausted cadets to act like lunatics in the sand. The hardest challenge of all was yet to come. Soon news arrived of a demon midge invasion on the edge of Gometra. Being adventurous, the cadets set out to slay the many midges. It was a hard and perilous expedition that took them over hills of heather and bracken. After six miles on foot, Gometra loomed. The now famished cadets ate the demon midges with their beans and spam, saving the Gometrian villagers forever. To refresh themselves after perspiring a lot, the team threw themselves into the Plunge Pools… of Death! The survivors were then volunteered to scramble along the rocks on the vicious sea’s edge. The waters were cold but spirits were high, nonetheless a break was needed. Soon their pleads were answered - a cave was found. Before they could get cosy, the torches went off and the cadets had to scurry out and back to the house as fast as they could.

Judgement day soon came when the Tavool Challenge came. To prove themselves worthy of being Knights of Tavool, the candidates had to search for the egg and necessary tools to cook the egg to the stranger’s high standards. The Team described as a rock because of their strength and togetherness, won the challenge thus were able to take home the mighty Tavool Cup. Departing from the Isle of Mull and saying goodbye to the strangers was an upsetting task for the cadets. As they got back on their noble steed, the now exhausted adventurers said a final farewell to Andy, Nick, Liam, (the strangers) and Hamish. Bessie rode off as the three strangers disappeared into the distance.

“The trip to the Isle of Mull was a brilliant experience and not one person didn’t feel proud of their achievements. It was fun yet challenging, hard work but worth it and without a doubt, we would do it again.”

This year’s trip was made possible thanks to a £5,000 grant from Awards for All, and the Squadron is already booked to return in 2009.