Each year, 2187 Squadron holds a Mess Night & Awards Evening.

A Mess Night is based on the tradition of an RAF-style dinner & dance, where all cadets and staff dress in their best uniforms. This fun night is held annually (normally about October) at the Oysterfleet Hotel, and involves a three course dinner, presentation of awards (such as Best Cadet NCO, Best Junior Cadet, etc). Mess Nights are considered a squadron parade, and everyone is expected to attend, and we normally have between 120-140 guests.

The Commanding Officer gives a short speech about some of the highlights of the Squadron's year, which is then is followed by a DJ and dancing until 1am. The excellent DJ is our very own Civilian Instructor Mr Parsons, and you can see his DJ website here.

Cadets are encouraged to invite friends and family, and there are usually guests from other ATC squadrons, as well as ex-cadets from the squadron whom have gone on to to serve with the RAF (as shown above with the Commanding Officer).

MESS NIGHT 2007

The principle guests were Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lowton of Essex Police, and Officer Commanding Essex Wing ATC, Wing Commander Mayes. 

The guests kindly assisted the Commanding Officer in presenting the awards, and they were as follows:

:

• Best Cadet - Cdt Worrall
• Best NCO - Cpl Lawes
• Best Sports Cadet - Cdt Swan
• Most Improved Cadet - Cdt Longcroft
• Best Recruit - Cdt Parker

There were also a number of promotions to Corporal:

• Cdt Worrall
• Cdt Parker
• Cdt Vincent
• Cdt Yarmouth
• Cdt Green-Muid
• Cdt Knightly

And promotions to Sergeant:

• Cpl Evans
• Cpl Lawes