March to celebrate 25 years of group

Nearly 100 youngsters paraded through Whitchurch to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its air cadets group.

The Whitchurch Air Cadets were joined by the Army cadets, guides, brownies, beavers, cubs and squadrons from neighbouring towns and villages to mark their milestone anniversary.

About 80 to 90 youngsters, from age seven up to 18, marched through the town on Saturday, supported by crowds of shoppers.

Youngsters from across Shropshire attended including squadrons from Malpas, Oswestry, Market Drayton and Shawbury as well as the Whitchurch guides, beavers and cubs and the Sandbach Air Cadet Band.

They set off from Green End and headed up High Street where they were met by the High Sheriff of Shropshire and the regional commandant group captain Richard Allen who took the salute.

They then went on to St Alkmund's Church where the air cadets were presented with a new banner, followed by a church service.

Flight Lieutenant Chris Simmons, of Higher Heath, who runs the air cadets in Whitchurch, said: "There were in the region of 80 to 90 young people from the cadets right down to beaver age. It was quite an impressive parade. Generally it went very, very well. There were no problems with the road closures.

"The presentation of the new banner went extremely well and the service was superb."