Reach for the skies in Keighley

2431 (Keighley) RAF Squadron, based in the drill hall in Lawkholme Lane, is staging an open evening at this property on Monday October 1.

Officer in charge of the unit, Tracey King, said the branch has a “fantastic” array of heavily subsidised training and trips available for its cadets.

“The opportunities open to young people in Keighley through the Royal Air Force are immense,” she added.

“My own daughter is a flight sergeant in the cadets, and both she and myself have got so much out of it.

“I’m currently a civilian instructor and have been involved with the cadets for nearly five years. It’s amazing to see just how much the young people can achieve here.

“At the moment we have 23 cadets though in the last few years our numbers have reached over 40.

“We make our sessions as fun and varied as possible, and the cadets really enjoy it.”

The Keighley air cadet unit was originally formed in February 1942, then resurrected in December 1965 as a detached ‘flight’ from Yeadon Squadron.

The group now meets on Monday and Wednesday evenings throughout most of the year.

Youngsters who join up can learn about different kinds of RAF aircraft, undergo training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in Grob Tutor planes and take part in air force camps elsewhere in the UK and overseas.

They are also offered pursuits such as mountain biking, a variety of other sports, music, First Aid training, along with leadership and team building exercises.

Mrs King, who lives in Haworth, said: “We teach them discipline and respect and and our cadets are complimented every time they go out into the streets for events such as parades or Poppy Appeal collecting.

“We’re regularly visited by RAF careers advisors from Leeds and we would welcome any new volunteers who want to help us run the cadets.”

The unit’s open evening will be at 7pm on October 1 at Keighley Drill Hall.

Keighley Air Cadets are open to youngsters and young people between 13, (or aged 12 when beginning school year eight) and 17 years of age.