An Instructor Cadet Warrant Officer from 1310 (Eryri) Sqn, Caernarfon has won a prestigious award from RAF Valley just one month before reaching her 20th birthday!

19 year-old Instructor Cadet Warrant Officer Enfys Griffith has been awarded the coveted Stan Charlton Cup at RAF Valley. The Award, which dates back to 1991, was presented to Enfys by 90 year-old Mr. Stan Charlton, who has a long association with RAF Valley, being the first RAF airman to set foot on the new airfield, then known as RAF Rhosneigr, back in February 1941.
In 1991, Mr. Charlton contacted the Station Commander, at that time Group Captain Andy Griffin requesting a visit to see how much had changed since his days based at the RAF base since the Second World War. At the end of an enjoyable and memorable visit, Mr. Charlton expressed his wish to present a cup to the station, to be awarded annually to a person or team as a prize, and asked the Station Commander to nominate a worthy recipient. This resulted in the awarding of the Stan Charlton Cup to the best cadet from one of the twelve Air Cadet squadrons in North Wales parented by RAF Valley. Group Captain (now Air Commodore) Griffin saw this as an excellent opportunity to share the successes of the Air Cadets parented by RAF Valley, and contributed the Griffin Shield, which is awarded to the Squadron that produces the winning cadet.

The 2009 winner was decided upon by RAF Valley’s Station Commander, Group Captain Bruce Hedley who said “The nominations were once again of a very high standard, but one in particular really stood out. Enfys has certainly achieved much during her cadet career; completed her Duke of Edinburgh Award, gained a Community Sports Leader Award, flown in a number of aircraft, travelled overseas and has been the first female cadet at Caernarfon to successfully complete a Gliding Scholarship, a paragliding course and a parachuting course, along with being a qualified First Aider.
“However, one thing that kept appearing was the theme of giving something back. Using her Air Cadet parachuting course she raised sponsorship money for a school project and the Air Ambulance. Having completed the Sports Leader Award she now arranges sports and fitness evenings for Caernarfon’s cadets. And more than this, when the squadron’s numbers were dwindling last year, she got up and did something about it, attracting over twenty new cadets to the squadron. I’m very pleased that Enfys has won this award, and hope that she will accept my offer of a flight in one of our Hawk aircraft as a token of my appreciation, and of the Station's support for the achievements of the young people who make up the Air Cadets.”

To round off proceedings, Air Commodore Andy Griffin presented the Charlton Griffin Shield to 1310 Sqn’s Commanding Officer, Flt Lt Bob Vint. “This is only the second time we have won these awards in eighteen years, and I'm very proud to bring them back to Caernarfon” he said. “Enfys is a worthy recipient and it’s very fitting that as she will have to leave us on reaching 20 years of age next month, this is a crowning achievement of her cadet career.”

“I can’t believe I’ve won this award” said Enfys. “I had no idea that I’d been nominated, and I’m very proud that the whole squadron has been recognised for the hard work that everyone puts in. The offer of a Hawk flight is something I’m really looking forward to!”