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Yobs and vandals target Squadron
AIR cadets are appealing to the public to be on the look-out for troublemakers after their Barry base was firebombed recently.
The youngsters and their Squadron leaders have made public their plea after the Barry Air Training Corps 372 headquarters, behind the Memorial Hall on College Road, was targeted by yobs who hurled the missile at the well-used building.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks, which have happened every couple of months over the last few years.
Other problems faced by the youth organisation include stone throwing and vandalism.
One car was broken into and had the steering wheel cut off while it was parked in the rear car park at the Memorial Theatre and Hall.
Flight Lieutenant Dave Crandon said: "There have been fireworks around November, eggs, kids shouting at cadets.
"When practising drill or when we are in the car park, we usually get stones thrown as well as shouting.
"Band practice has to be done indoors because of the fear of attack from local youths.
"We've only seen people running away after the event, but there are regular reports made to the police."
In the most recent incident, which police are treating as suspicious, the front of the building was scorched by a firebomb made using a marmalade jar.
Plastic fascia was ripped from the wall in what appeared to be a well thought-out attack.
The squadron, who have been based in College Road since 1993, are one of Wales' premier bands and accommodate 30 disciplined youngsters.
But leaders fear new recruits will be deterred due to the actions of a mindless minority.
The squadron parades at 7pm every Monday and Wednesday, but staff need to be vigilant for any signs of trouble at all times.
Dave said: "We are on tenterhooks now.
"The cadets now feel intimidated if they are seen in uniform in Barry, especially those who walk to and from the squadron on parade nights.
"We had to hold all cadets back one night and make them stay in the squadron while the surrounding area was checked for yobs," he said.
"Cadets are urged to arrange to be picked up from the squadron rather than walk home."
He added: "They have pride in Barry.
"They are the future of Barry - but ultimately we fear a cadet or member of staff being injured."
Police are appealing for witnesses to the arson attack that occurred between 11pm and midnight on Sunday, March 16.
Anyone with information should call Acting Inspector Steve Trigg at Barry Police Station on 01446 731689 or Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555111.
7:17am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mike Piper, Barry on 11:32am Thu 27 Mar 08
Although in no way condoning the stupid attack, the ATC have been nothing but a public nuisance since they moved into the hut with the unacceptable high level of noise whenever the 'band' practise takes place. Also, why on earth do the people in charge have to shout?
If anyone played their radio or electronic music that loud, the polic would be round, especially when the noise is coming from the Memorial Hall car park.
Local residents are fed up with having to close all windows in order to be able to hear normal levels of conversation and say, television, indoors.
Thank goodness the weekend and sometimes in the past, two,three or even more evening 'rehearsal' sessions have stopped.
The sooner the ATC realise that this is a relatively peaceful, quiet residential area and move away, the better.
Although in no way condoning the stupid attack, the ATC have been nothing but a public nuisance since they moved into the hut with the unacceptable high level of noise whenever the 'band' practise takes place. Also, why on earth do the people in charge have to shout?
If anyone played their radio or electronic music that loud, the polic would be round, especially when the noise is coming from the Memorial Hall car park.
Local residents are fed up with having to close all windows in order to be able to hear normal levels of conversation and say, television, indoors.
Thank goodness the weekend and sometimes in the past, two,three or even more evening 'rehearsal' sessions have stopped.
The sooner the ATC realise that this is a relatively peaceful, quiet residential area and move away, the better.
Posted by: Trina, Llantwit Major on 11:36pm Sat 29 Mar 08
I quote if 'the ATC have been nothing but a public nuisance since they moved there' - why didn't the surrounding neighbourhood and yourself complain back then in 1993?
Where in Barry do the kids of today go to be disciplined, if not to a well oiled machine such as the ATC?
They need Band Practice so they can get it right, when marching through the town for Remembrance Sunday and also for Band Comps throughout the region, practice makes perfect!
They shout to be heard by everyone on parade.
Ex- Corporal of this Squadron and proud that I was once a member!!
I quote if 'the ATC have been nothing but a public nuisance since they moved there' - why didn't the surrounding neighbourhood and yourself complain back then in 1993?
Where in Barry do the kids of today go to be disciplined, if not to a well oiled machine such as the ATC?
They need Band Practice so they can get it right, when marching through the town for Remembrance Sunday and also for Band Comps throughout the region, practice makes perfect!
They shout to be heard by everyone on parade.
Ex- Corporal of this Squadron and proud that I was once a member!!
Posted by: Steven Walker, Barry on 12:18pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Many years ago, I told my son to shape up and to join a youth club or Scouts, Army Cadets or the ATC. He chose the ATC Barry Squadron, after a couple of meetings he said 'yes, this is for me'. My son Simon moved through the ranks to a position now of Pilot Officer VTR, where he gives considerable time with others to help train and advise youngsters in this organisation. Through the ATC, school and university, all brought about by his membership of the ATC he has achieved one of his goals in life and that is as an Qualified Aeronautical Engineer B.SC(Hons)Aeronautic
al Engineering, now working in South Wales with one of the leading companies in this field. This would not have come about unless he joined the ATC. I would urge all boys and girls and their parents to have a look at these organisations, they are brilliant, they help with bringing the foundations adulthood to them. Some of the letters that appear in the BND is giving youngsters and adults the wrong impression, we need to encourage and praise our youngsters as well as giving them the facilities. I urge all parents to think about suggesting to their children about joining the Scouts, Guides, Army Cadets, Sea Cadets ATC, Youth Clubs - from a very proud parent
Many years ago, I told my son to shape up and to join a youth club or Scouts, Army Cadets or the ATC. He chose the ATC Barry Squadron, after a couple of meetings he said 'yes, this is for me'. My son Simon moved through the ranks to a position now of Pilot Officer VTR, where he gives considerable time with others to help train and advise youngsters in this organisation. Through the ATC, school and university, all brought about by his membership of the ATC he has achieved one of his goals in life and that is as an Qualified Aeronautical Engineer B.SC(Hons)Aeronautic
al Engineering, now working in South Wales with one of the leading companies in this field. This would not have come about unless he joined the ATC. I would urge all boys and girls and their parents to have a look at these organisations, they are brilliant, they help with bringing the foundations adulthood to them. Some of the letters that appear in the BND is giving youngsters and adults the wrong impression, we need to encourage and praise our youngsters as well as giving them the facilities. I urge all parents to think about suggesting to their children about joining the Scouts, Guides, Army Cadets, Sea Cadets ATC, Youth Clubs - from a very proud parent
Posted by: Tina, Peterborough on 7:59pm Mon 31 Mar 08
I feel the need to respond to the idotic comments from Mike Piper. I am an ex member of Barry Squadron (many moons ago!)(once one of those public nuisances!!! and ex-RAF) we moved from Winstone Road due to the terror caused regularly and the beatings up of cadets! Had it not have been for cadets - god knows how we all would have turned out - as Barry really does not have a lot going for it - Hence the yobs that taunt the squadron to this day!
So how about we pull the cadets squadron down and leave the area go to ruin - I'm sure then you will complain when those yobs are all hanging around in your back garden taking drugs, playing music, and shouting and screaming and god knows what else until the early hours of the morning like many other neighbourhoods!
Get pride Mike!!! however old you are - I'm guess you could be a young ex yob yourself or someone with pure ignorance!? otherwise you would have pride in the 13 year olds that put that uniform on despite the potential targeting they may get! and think - in 10 years time these "public nuisances" will be fighting and getting killed serving in our foces! yes - cadets do encourage young people to join the forces. Or basically teaching young people how to become a decent human being!!!!
[italic][bold]What a bitter, bitter man!!!!!![/bold] [/italic]
I feel the need to respond to the idotic comments from Mike Piper. I am an ex member of Barry Squadron (many moons ago!)(once one of those public nuisances!!! and ex-RAF) we moved from Winstone Road due to the terror caused regularly and the beatings up of cadets! Had it not have been for cadets - god knows how we all would have turned out - as Barry really does not have a lot going for it - Hence the yobs that taunt the squadron to this day!
So how about we pull the cadets squadron down and leave the area go to ruin - I'm sure then you will complain when those yobs are all hanging around in your back garden taking drugs, playing music, and shouting and screaming and god knows what else until the early hours of the morning like many other neighbourhoods!
Get pride Mike!!! however old you are - I'm guess you could be a young ex yob yourself or someone with pure ignorance!? otherwise you would have pride in the 13 year olds that put that uniform on despite the potential targeting they may get! and think - in 10 years time these "public nuisances" will be fighting and getting killed serving in our foces! yes - cadets do encourage young people to join the forces. Or basically teaching young people how to become a decent human being!!!!
What a bitter, bitter man!!!!!! Posted by: clive, Iraq on 3:28am Thu 3 Apr 08
I have to respond to the comments made by Mr Mike Piper AKA menatlly detached. What world are you living in, I am an ex cadet and very proud of it. I use to run the gauntlet to get to the old hut at Winstone Square a few times I was even caught by the local yobs and given a right hiding, but i have pride man and kept going. I am now serving my 4th tour of Iraq and am proud of any one who wants to be a better citizen, because beleive me bukko there aint many good uns left so embrace those that are. Those young kids getting abused for trying are the towns future best and they are the reason some of us have a bit of hope in this world. Trust me a few band practises and a bit of shouting if that produces even 5 good Barrians of the future then shut your window turn up your telly and suck it up. Also Mike Piper remember if that was your house that got attacked chances are the highly disciplined policeman at your door is and ex cadet or scout, or are you unaware of the ammount of ex-cadets who are policeman in your area. Seriously get a life and get off the backs of those trying to make a difference you bitter grumpy over the hill degenarate
[bold]Seriously angry serving in desert and you have anoyed me more than any Iraqi who has tried to kill me so far.
I have to respond to the comments made by Mr Mike Piper AKA menatlly detached. What world are you living in, I am an ex cadet and very proud of it. I use to run the gauntlet to get to the old hut at Winstone Square a few times I was even caught by the local yobs and given a right hiding, but i have pride man and kept going. I am now serving my 4th tour of Iraq and am proud of any one who wants to be a better citizen, because beleive me bukko there aint many good uns left so embrace those that are. Those young kids getting abused for trying are the towns future best and they are the reason some of us have a bit of hope in this world. Trust me a few band practises and a bit of shouting if that produces even 5 good Barrians of the future then shut your window turn up your telly and suck it up. Also Mike Piper remember if that was your house that got attacked chances are the highly disciplined policeman at your door is and ex cadet or scout, or are you unaware of the ammount of ex-cadets who are policeman in your area. Seriously get a life and get off the backs of those trying to make a difference you bitter grumpy over the hill degenarate
Seriously angry serving in desert and you have anoyed me more than any Iraqi who has tried to kill me so far.
Posted by: Michael Hatter on 11:43am Sat 12 Apr 08
I too would like to add to the list of comments made by people with a similar opinion to myself. I like Clive am a serving NCO of HM Forces and I like Clive am due to start my 4th operational tour in Iraq. I like Clive hope that after surviving number one, number two and number three I will be as lucky on tour number four. I do this by choice and because of the life changing experiences that the ATC gave me. I walk the streets of Barry on weekend leave and I see tracksuit wearing, hoody donning yobs, loitering the streets, intimidating the old and young. I walk past the job centre and wander why young men and women see it as there given right to not work and bleed the country dry. They have that right because of the people that fight and die for that right even if in my opinion it’s wrong. It is a dead certainty that the majority of people that are serving members of the forces, police, fire brigade or any other public duty are the product of youth organisations that aim to produce healthy, disciplined, hardworking and respectful people. The youth need to be given direction to develop them into decent members of society.
I was a member of that band I was one of those people that was shouted at and shouted out orders on that car park. I am sorry for the noise of band practices but I am not sorry for the person that it helped me become and countless thousands throughout the country over the past 60 years.
To Mike Piper, ignorance is one of the poisons of the world, the comment you made was a just plain ignorant and I think you need to look beyond your own nose and see the good that these people do and support the future of the community that you live in.
I too would like to add to the list of comments made by people with a similar opinion to myself. I like Clive am a serving NCO of HM Forces and I like Clive am due to start my 4th operational tour in Iraq. I like Clive hope that after surviving number one, number two and number three I will be as lucky on tour number four. I do this by choice and because of the life changing experiences that the ATC gave me. I walk the streets of Barry on weekend leave and I see tracksuit wearing, hoody donning yobs, loitering the streets, intimidating the old and young. I walk past the job centre and wander why young men and women see it as there given right to not work and bleed the country dry. They have that right because of the people that fight and die for that right even if in my opinion it’s wrong. It is a dead certainty that the majority of people that are serving members of the forces, police, fire brigade or any other public duty are the product of youth organisations that aim to produce healthy, disciplined, hardworking and respectful people. The youth need to be given direction to develop them into decent members of society.
I was a member of that band I was one of those people that was shouted at and shouted out orders on that car park. I am sorry for the noise of band practices but I am not sorry for the person that it helped me become and countless thousands throughout the country over the past 60 years.
To Mike Piper, ignorance is one of the poisons of the world, the comment you made was a just plain ignorant and I think you need to look beyond your own nose and see the good that these people do and support the future of the community that you live in.
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