Plans for 2001 

Beginning in February, Aston's members will resume participating in the Adventure Service Challenge or the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, depending on their age. Training on a Tuesday night will be alternated on a weekly basis with Drill (formerly known as Fire) until the beginning of May when we should see the first weekend away of the year.

Christmas Carol Service 2000

On the 10th December 2000 the West Midlands Fire Service held their annual Carol service at St Martins Church in the Bull Ring, Birmingham.

Attended by a number of Senior Officers & local dignitaries, firefighters and their families plus many of the normal church congregation, St Martins was bursting at the seams and A2 YFA's members welcomed the VIP's and guests before showing them to their seats.

Following the Nativity Scene performance by Mayfield Special School, two of our younger members, Gemma Kehoe and Kayleigh Vining, gave the first reading of the evening. Well done girls.

At the end of the service our members, together with children from Mayfield Special School, took up the collection before proceeding to the main hall for a selection refreshments and mince pies.

A big thank you goes to all members who attended, who must be complimented on their smart dress and professional appearance. Once again you have done us proud.

Darren has now completed his initial recruit training and has been posted at A1 Central for his probationary period.

Darren was a member at Aston between 1993 and 1997, successfully completing a whole range of awards including a residential project on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. (You can find out more on Darren & other former A2 members progress via our Network section).

ASC Kite Flying Pictures

For the big picture or to see more images from last year visit our new Photo Gallery

ASC Autumn Activity Weekend 2000

In Late October 2000 the Adventure Service Challenge (ASC) group, made up of the under 14's in the branch, accompanied by their instructors attended a converted barn in the Cotswold countryside for the annual ASC Autumn activity weekend. (Click here to find out more about the ASC Award.)

The weekend allows participants to complete sections of the Award, which can't be achieved at the weekly meeting, whilst having fun. Cookery is the main section which is completed. The residential setting gives the members a chance to gain an understanding of being self sufficient whilst being closely supervised - even if cheese on toast is top of the menu!

Saturday morning saw the written work being completed; members looked at the history of the national anthem and the union flag, learning how both were formed and the various parts that make them up.

Leaving the classroom far behind in the afternoon, members and instructors took to the high road ... on mountain bikes. With the cycle maintenance skill learned previously, I am pleased to report that all the bikes (and the accompanying riders) completed the 11 mile course.

Unfazed by the arduous journey the members wanted more activity in the evening. Greg Lampitt and David Smith designed a night line involving plenty of water, mud and noise. Thank you lads, you succeeded in wearing the members out in time for bed.

Sunday involved a early start. Overnight the surrounding Countryside had become 'hostile territory', and both skill and courage were needed to escape from it - or so the scenario went, anyway. Split in to two teams, the members competitive side came out. Combining both map reading skills and brain power, checkpoints had to be reached, without being captured by 'armed' guards, where questions on the highway code, general knowledge, the fire service and first aid had to be answered before safe passage could be guaranteed. I am pleased to say that both teams completed the event successfully.

Before returning to Aston the manual dexterity and imagination of members was put to the test, with a challenge combining garden cane and glue, plastic bags and sellotape, (not to mention what seemed like miles & miles of string) to produce a kite capable of flying. The results can be seen from the pictures. 

Once again we returned to Aston with cries of when can we do it again?? I think the answer can quiet safely be next year kids. Let us recover first.

(A big thank you goes to both Stephen Davies & Louise Pitts who were both instrumental in the success of the event.)