FIGHT THE CLOSURE OF 2272 (CHEPSTOW) SQN ATC
Published July 28, 2010
Addressing the Proposed Closure of 2272 (Chepstow) Squadron Air Training Corps
Air Commodore B. Cooper AOC Air Cadets:
We the undersigned would ask that you reconsider the notice of closure that has been served to 2272 (Chepstow) Squadron Air Training Corps to be enforced on the 1st.September 2010. The Squadron has seen many successes since its formation in the 1940’s and is considered a very valuable asset to Chepstow and the surrounding area as may be seen from the signatures supporting this petition.
Whilst we recognise that the Government is faced with many difficult decisions in these challenging times, the decision to remove support from a thriving youth organisation, which has developed a significant number of Service men and women and other successful members of society, seems to run counter to the Governments aims for developing a Big Society with a sense of duty and sacrifice. What other Squadrons are next to be closed? Is this not a situation where the Air Training Corps are penalising the very people it was set up to serve, namely the youth of the Country.
As a result of a building inspection by Reserve Forces Cadet Association (RFCA) in August 2009, the Squadron Headquarters in Lower Church Street was condemned with immediate effect due to a long existing “sag” in the roof. At this point in time it was a thriving Squadron regularly parading 15 cadets with 30 on the books and had held this general level of attendance for quite a considerable time prior to this.
Despite no formal advice/ guidance from either Wing or Regional HQ, the Squadron Commander with the help of his supporting staff managed to keep the Squadron alive and continued to parade twice weekly at a local school, even managing, despite the resulting reduction in cadet numbers, to achieve some successes in that period of time, such as attaining 1st position in the recent Wing Area 2 Training competition. The Squadron has now managed to find a more suitable HQ by kind permission of the Senior Citizens Club in Bulwark. This has been financially supported by a very generous donation of a years rent from Chepstow Town Council allowing the cadets to continue to parade on Tuesday and Friday evenings in more permanent surroundings.
It is vitally important in this day and age that youth organisations such as the Air Training Corps continue to survive in places like Chepstow to give the youth of the town stimulation and a sense of purpose. Not only does the ATC prepare boys and girls for the Armed Forces, and 2272 Squadron has done its fair share of that, it also gives youngsters a head start in life that they may not be able to get elsewhere. This is a very valuable facility in Chepstow and the cadets strongly identify themselves with the town. Proposing that they travel some distance to attend parade nights with 2012 (Caldicot) Squadron is unlikely to succeed, given the long standing rivalry between the two Squadrons. Whilst the closure of 2272 Squadron may save a few £1000s in building repairs, the loss to the future of our society is likely to be significantly greater.
To further support this petition the Squadron believes it can and is prepared to try to, given enough time by yourselves, raise enough funding to make the existing Headquarters habitable again, providing it can use locally sourced (but approved by yourselves) skills. Due to the very short notice of closure the Squadron is unable at this point in time to produce a costed proposal to this effect but is hoping to obtain such a breakdown in the next few weeks. Is it not therefore reasonable that, even if you are not, despite the obvious support for the Squadron, willing to allow the Squadron to continue to operate as requested in this petition, that you do at least give it a stay of execution to give it time to prepare its own case for survival.
Whilst we recognise that efficiencies must be sought across all of the public sector, we contend that the likely saving associated with the closure of 2272 Squadron will be disproportionate when set against the loss to the community. Also, we believe that the closure of a successful youth organisation runs counter to the Governments wider strategies.
In the spirit of the Big Society, we ask that Chepstow be given the chance to support its own ATC Squadron. As may be seen from this petition, the Squadron has the necessary support from the community, now it needs the support from you to be able to flourish again.
Regards,
The Undersigned.
Air Commodore B. Cooper AOC Air Cadets:
We the undersigned would ask that you reconsider the notice of closure that has been served to 2272 (Chepstow) Squadron Air Training Corps to be enforced on the 1st.September 2010. The Squadron has seen many successes since its formation in the 1940’s and is considered a very valuable asset to Chepstow and the surrounding area as may be seen from the signatures supporting this petition.
Whilst we recognise that the Government is faced with many difficult decisions in these challenging times, the decision to remove support from a thriving youth organisation, which has developed a significant number of Service men and women and other successful members of society, seems to run counter to the Governments aims for developing a Big Society with a sense of duty and sacrifice. What other Squadrons are next to be closed? Is this not a situation where the Air Training Corps are penalising the very people it was set up to serve, namely the youth of the Country.
As a result of a building inspection by Reserve Forces Cadet Association (RFCA) in August 2009, the Squadron Headquarters in Lower Church Street was condemned with immediate effect due to a long existing “sag” in the roof. At this point in time it was a thriving Squadron regularly parading 15 cadets with 30 on the books and had held this general level of attendance for quite a considerable time prior to this.
Despite no formal advice/ guidance from either Wing or Regional HQ, the Squadron Commander with the help of his supporting staff managed to keep the Squadron alive and continued to parade twice weekly at a local school, even managing, despite the resulting reduction in cadet numbers, to achieve some successes in that period of time, such as attaining 1st position in the recent Wing Area 2 Training competition. The Squadron has now managed to find a more suitable HQ by kind permission of the Senior Citizens Club in Bulwark. This has been financially supported by a very generous donation of a years rent from Chepstow Town Council allowing the cadets to continue to parade on Tuesday and Friday evenings in more permanent surroundings.
It is vitally important in this day and age that youth organisations such as the Air Training Corps continue to survive in places like Chepstow to give the youth of the town stimulation and a sense of purpose. Not only does the ATC prepare boys and girls for the Armed Forces, and 2272 Squadron has done its fair share of that, it also gives youngsters a head start in life that they may not be able to get elsewhere. This is a very valuable facility in Chepstow and the cadets strongly identify themselves with the town. Proposing that they travel some distance to attend parade nights with 2012 (Caldicot) Squadron is unlikely to succeed, given the long standing rivalry between the two Squadrons. Whilst the closure of 2272 Squadron may save a few £1000s in building repairs, the loss to the future of our society is likely to be significantly greater.
To further support this petition the Squadron believes it can and is prepared to try to, given enough time by yourselves, raise enough funding to make the existing Headquarters habitable again, providing it can use locally sourced (but approved by yourselves) skills. Due to the very short notice of closure the Squadron is unable at this point in time to produce a costed proposal to this effect but is hoping to obtain such a breakdown in the next few weeks. Is it not therefore reasonable that, even if you are not, despite the obvious support for the Squadron, willing to allow the Squadron to continue to operate as requested in this petition, that you do at least give it a stay of execution to give it time to prepare its own case for survival.
Whilst we recognise that efficiencies must be sought across all of the public sector, we contend that the likely saving associated with the closure of 2272 Squadron will be disproportionate when set against the loss to the community. Also, we believe that the closure of a successful youth organisation runs counter to the Governments wider strategies.
In the spirit of the Big Society, we ask that Chepstow be given the chance to support its own ATC Squadron. As may be seen from this petition, the Squadron has the necessary support from the community, now it needs the support from you to be able to flourish again.
Regards,
The Undersigned.
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