The Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall, Councillors Paul Bott and Chris Bott, invited the young people of 196 (Walsall) Squadron RAF Air Cadets (pictured courtesy of Narbett Photography) to a special audience in the Mayor`s Parlour and a guided tour of Walsall Town Hall.  

"I am pleased that Walsall Air Cadets wanted to come to the Town Hall" Councillor Paul Bott said "and meet with the Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall in the Mayor`s Parlour.  It is good that young people from Walsall want to find out about the role of the Mayor and how local councils work - the political structures of the Council and how important it is to vote".     Councillor Paul Bott was born in Walsall to a family who had lived in Walsall for generations.  He served Darlaston South as a councillor continuously for a total of 20 years.   

"The role of the Mayor is to lead the Council" explained Councillor Bott "and to represent the town as the first citizen.  It gives me an opportunity to raise funds for charities in Walsall".    

Councillor Paul Bott, during his time as Mayor, estimates that he has probably invited over 2,000 people to date to the Mayor`s Parlour.  "There have been a lot of working class people from Walsall who have never been to the Mayor`s Parlour" he said "and I have met some wonderful people of all faiths".    

Councillor Bott explained to the young people of 196 (Walsall) Squadron RAF Air Cadets how he has championed diversity and inclusivity during his time as Mayor of Walsall.  

"I was the first Mayor of Walsall" he said "to introduce a loop system for those withy hearing disabilities.  I believe in diversity and inclusivity.  I have also invited the Blind Institution in Walsall to come to the Parlour with their guide dogs and from that first visit we now have an audio recording for visually impaired visitors to the Mayor`s Parlour."    

The RAF Air Cadets offers young people from all walks of life a chance to get active, learn new skills and make new friends in an inspirational and safe environment.  The Walsall Squadron is just one of over 1,000 squadrons across the UK run by volunteer staff who want to make a positive difference to their communities by providing a modern, dynamic, sustainable air-minded youth organisation of choice which offers fun and challenging opportunities for both young people and volunteers.    

"Walsall is our home town" Flight Lieutenant Richard Hartland said "and our Squadron is named after Walsall.  We are grateful to the Mayor and Mayoress for showing us around Walsall Town Hall.  The Mayor is absolutely correct - it is important to vote.  Our young people are the next generation.  If they want to see some positive change in Walsall Council then they must use their vote and get involved in what goes on at the Town Hall in Walsall.  They are the next generation".    

The Air Cadets is parented by the Royal Air Force and exists to provide adventurous opportunities and good citizenship to young people in their communities.  The volunteers who give up 2 nights a week and their weekends for young people are not interested in anything but young people`s potential.  Equality, diversity and inclusivity are a central part of the Air Cadet`s ethic.  

"I have only been Commanding Officer of Walsall Air Cadets for 4 months" said Flight Lieutenant Richard Hartland "but it is important for our young people to understand the history of their town. Our Squadron bears the badge of the bear and ragged staff which is part of the Walsall coat of arms.  We are Walsall and Walsall is our home town".    

There were also two special events by the Air Cadets at the Walsall Town Hall.  The Mayor and Mayoress were invited to observe the enrolment into the Walsall squadron of the following new cadets:  

Cadet Eyre

Cadet Philip

Cadet Griffiths

Cadet Gudipati

Cadet Khan

Cadet Tamber  

These new cadets made the RAF Air Cadet oath to the Commanding Officer in front of the rest of the Squadron and the Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall.  There was one final ceremony at the Town Hall and it was the presentation to Corporal Narbett who had been with the Squadron for 5 years and had now turned 18 years of age.  Flight Lieutenant Richard Hartland presented Corporal Narbett with a special trophy with the Squadron badge bearing the bear with the ragged staff from the Walsall coat of arms in front of the Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall.  

"I have never met the Air Cadets before" said Councillor Bott "but I have met lots of other uniformed youth organisations before in Walsall like the Sea Cadets.  I am impressed with what I have seen tonight at the Town Hall.  The Walsall squadron is organised and I am impressed with the young people and the adult volunteers.  I am happy to support Walsall squadron anyway I can in the future".  

For further information: www.196walsallsquadron.btck.co.uk