Armed Forces Minister and Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, recently attended the Essex Wing Air Training Corps annual awards ceremony and, as part of the celebration, Mark presented the cadet of the year award to Flight Sergeant Tim Reynolds.
The Air Training Corps, which provides military and flying experience to young people from the ages of 13 – 18 across the county of Essex, holds an annual awards ceremony in Chelmsford to reward cadets and squadrons who made a particular contribution to the work of the Corps. Mark has two Air Training Corps squadrons in his own constituency which are 1474 (Wickford) and 1476 (Rayleigh) and he has also been a keen sponsor the Cadet movement while working in the Ministry of Defence.
Mark was joined at the ceremony by a number of other dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, the High Sherriff, Mrs Julia Abel Smith and the Chairman of Essex County Council, Cllr Kay Twitchen.
Speaking about the award presentation, Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Francois said:
“I was pleased to wear two hats on the night, one as an Essex MP and one as Minister of State for the Armed Forces and I was doubly proud of what the air cadets have achieved. There are over 1000 air cadets in Essex and they provide a marvelous opportunity for young people to learn qualities such as team work, disciple and endeavor whilst also giving them an opportunity to fly solo - sometimes before they have even passed their driving test. I am very pro the cadet movement so I was really pleased to give up an evening to support what the ATC Essex Wing, who are in very good order, do.”