The Royal Air Force100 Rugby Ball Tour - one of the first events in Wales to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the RAF in 2018 - took in several aviation sites in west Wales and the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre located in the former RAF flying boat station.

Cadets from No 3 Welsh Wing, Air Training Corps, visited present day and former RAF stations in their area with the special rugby ball which went on to be displayed, along with films taken on the route, at Saturday’s rugby international between Wales and New Zealand.

The Officer Commanding No 3 Welsh Wing, Wing Commander Mike Stones, and Squadron Leader Lynn Jerimiah started the journey at Aberporth, moving on to Fishguard, Talbenny and Withybush Airport. The ‘Southside’ tour began at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, before travelling to a muddy RAF Angle, then to a very wet RAF Manorbier, the restored RAF Carew Cheriton Control Tower and ending at a very misty RAF Templeton.

The ‘Southside’ Cadets were from Nos 2420 Whitland and 1574 Pembroke Squadrons, accompanied by Sergeant Rachel Wilton, Sergeant Kris Butler and 1574 Squadron Padre Pam Passmore

The rugby ball was then taken to the Pembrey Sands range before travelling eastwards with other ATC cadets to Fairwood Common, Swansea, and to ex RAF Stormy Down near Pyle.

At the Heritage Centre, the cadets were given a guided tour and heard about the RAF’s long connections with the town and the Haven Waterway. They also viewed the replica cockpit of a Sunderland, the most famous of all British flying boats.