Issuu

NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2006

around SMARLOW Sea cadets were joined by other units from the district at the Trafalgar Day parade through the town. IS Apollo celebrated its 50th anniversary this year - and is making great strides after almost closing down 18 months ago. The unit has won "nearly everything" at district level, and among the highlights were becoming novice band champions for the year, having cadets representing the unit at national swimming, area pulling, drill and piping events, and two cadets were on board HMS Albion when the Queen helped the Corps celebrate its anniversary in the summer.

Youngsters learn about Corps values AROUND 350 Marine

cadets SSOUTHAMPTON hosted a visit by the Mayor of Southampton, Cur John Slade, to mark the award of the title Sea Cadet Mayor's Cadet to LC Marie Clouder. Marie, a unit member for five years, was chosen from the 50strong unit at Bitterne Manor. The unitCommanding Officer, SILt (SCC) Mark Lampert RNR, who nominated Marie, said: "We are all very proud of LC Clouder and I am sure that she will be an excellent ambassador for both the City of Southampton and the Sea Cadet Corps"

LEADING Cadet Emma Rooney, of Northampton unit,has been appointed Northamptonshire Lord Lieutenant's Cadet - the first female to hold the post for more than ten years. Emma (17) was part of an international Sea Cadet exchange to Russia earlier this year, and more recently was one of six cadets from NorthamptonandWellingborough to take part in the Trafalgar Day ceremonies in London.

. .;

Cadets and staff have been learning about life in the Corps during a packed week at the national MCD camp at Swynnerton in Staffordshire. The cadets were eager to put themselves through the most physically-demanding of challenges. A highlight for many was a threeday field exercise, which included training in bivvi-building, basic camouflage and concealment, field cooking, movement with and without a rifle, field hygiene, sentry duties, harbour drills, and an introduction to section battle drills and NATO orders. For many on the camp it was the first time they had learnt how to keep clean, fed and watered under field conditions. Weapons training featured prominently, with many cadets being awarded badges for the high standard of their shooting. In the dismounted close-combat trainer a variety of ambush and battle scenarios were simulated, allowing cadets to be assessed on their newlyacquired skills. " Specialist combat training for Marine Cadets at Swynnerton

CADETS from across the London Area took part in the Lord Mayor's Show in the City of London. Marine Cadets lined the steps of St Paul's Cathedral during the Show, and more than 100 cadets took part in the parade, marching, playing in bands or joining the floats.

CONGRATULATIONS to AC Vikki Lawson on achieving First Class Marine Engineering qualifications in both Mechanical and Electrical categories. Vikki, of the Torfaen unit, is the only female cadet in the South Wales District to achieve both qualifications - and had to travel to Scotland on both occasions to complete the courses. After attending college, Vikki has her eyes set on a career in the Senior Service. THREE Sea Cadet volunteers were rewarded for their selfless actions by gaining RYA Dinghy Instructor qualifications. TS/Lt Mick Williams (Redcar), SILtJohn Padbury(Barnstapte) and TI Robin Oakley (St Albans) gave up annual holiday from work and braved the Firth of Forth in typical autumn weather to gain their reward at SCTC Caledonia underthe guidance of Sea Cadets Afloat RYA Training Officer Lt Tye Shuttleworth.

O DEEP

in Portsmouth Naval Base there is a khaki enclave. 10 Platoon Hampshire and Isle ofWight Army Cadets meet inside the base, parading twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The platoon has I S cadets, aged 12 to 18, half from Naval families. Following difficult times, the unit is now stable and seeking to recruit - but because of the location there is the problem of raising awareness of the unit. If anyone is interested in seeing what life with the Pongoes has to offer, they should contact Sarah Davies on 07894 824814. 1THE CO of Clacton will be leaving her unit in great shape after a successful inspection. Three years ago there were more instructors than cadets, but the hard of work of staff and cadets put Clacton back on its feet, winning praise from Inspecting Officer Lt Col Andy Milne RM, and Lt Mahammed can head north confident of the unit's future - though she will be missed by her troops'.

And there was no respite on the obstacle course, where a serving Royal Marines PT Instructor had volunteered to take charge. The new SRMO, CISgt Ash Bourne, invited a team from the Commando Training Centre RM at Lympstone to join the camp and take senior cadets and junior staff through an intensive 20-hour training package, designed to teach how the Royals currently operate and thus what is expected of them. An exhilarating but exhausting week culminated in a visit from the Royal Marines Corps Colonel, the Commodore Sea Cadets and a smattering of Area Officers, some of whom even teamed up with the SR-MO to tackle the assault course - and lived to tell the tale (just).

Aussie cadets seek insignia

AN INDEPENDENT Cadet group in Australia is puffing together a display of military insignia, and is seeking donations of cap tallies from the Royal Navy and Sea Cadet units from around the UK. The address is: VCCA HO (TS Protector), 15 Martin Road, Elizabeth East 5112, South Australia, email vccaOl@hotmail.com

I..

/ct1

It C

THE CHRISTCHURCH unit has doubled its complement in the - but is now past couple of years looking to remedy a staffing crisis. There are around 50 in the unit - they believe it to be one of the largest in the area - but the Officer-in-Charge wants to reduce her commitment, as she also runs the local Rainbows and Guides. The staffing level of seven has almost been halved, with two going back to seas and a third taking on a different job. Alex Drummond said: 'We are at a critical level and desperately need more staff at all levels. "Ideally, candidates would live around the Bournemouth, Christchurch, New Milton area and have a Naval background or at least an understanding. "Training can be given and we can undertake the necessary CRB checks etc." The unit meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9pm. Those interested should contact Alex on 07720 418955 or email christchurch_sea.cadets@ hotrnail.co.uk

Putting the boot in...

ADOZENcadets from Hornchurch and Upminster made the journey to BBC Television Centre to appear on Blue Peter. The group, aged 10 to 12, helped launch the show's annual live Christmas appeal, which this year is raising money for orphans in Malawi by collecting footwear - the Shoebix Appeal. The theme was carried through by around 175 children who wore different types of footwear, from the cadets' boots to ballet shoes. Thechildren performed a conga into the studio, which was used at the start of the programme. CO (5CC) Lt Michael Chittock RNR said not only did the cadets have a whale of a time, but they also met the presenters and came away with Blue Peter badges. For more details see the tvebsite www.shoebizappeal.org.uk

Capital race

(-.

" Sea Cadets from the Richmond unit visit theirnamesake frigate in Portsmouth forher rededication service

" The Junior Sea Cadet programme has been launched - with its own cartoon character (above). Its purpose is to make life easier for anyone running a junior section by providing a framework for their programme, as well as suggesting a wide variety of activities and games suitable for 10 and The programme is designed to ensure the juniors enjoy a broad range of activities at the before becoming a fully-enrolled Cadet age of 12.

l1-year-olds.

Wbitehaven supports American connection

A RETIRED rear admiral in the US Navy Reserve has accepted an invitation to become the new president of the Whitehaven Sea Cadet unit TS Bee. Steve Morgan was formally welcomed aboard' as president at a ceremony attended by the Deputy Mayor of Whitehaven, ClIr Anne Faichney, members of the local Royal Naval Association, parents and other guests. Before watching a series of displays presented by cadets, Admiral Margin inspected the Guard and the rest of the ship's company. Steve said he had been delighted to have been invited to take on the role, and was looking forward to taking an active part in the unit. "These young people have a commitment and dedication to the Sea Cadet Corps that does them, and everyone involved with the Whitehaven unit, great credit," said the admiral. "I have been impressed by what I have seen and am eager to take an active part and get involved in any way I can."

Urgent appeal for staff

Steve's career, which spans over 30 years, includes being deck officer of a nuclear submarine deck officer, Deputy Commander of the Naval Inventory Control and Head of the Naval Reserves Logistics Program. He is currently British Nuclea, Group Sellafield's Commercial Director. TS Bee provided the Guard in Honour when the US Navy ~~ a, presented with the Freedom of the Port - and officially pardoned hit the infamous raid on the town 1,,, John Paul Jones in 1778. The weather was appropriately 'vet - torrential rain was a factor in Jones' failure to burn the ships in the harbour over 200 years ago. The cadets also attended the unveiling of a plaque by Capt David Dittmer USN in the grounds of St Nicholas' Church in the town, in memory of Mildred Warner Gale, grandmother of George Washington, who was born in Virginia but travelled back to the North West, where she died in 1701.

Cadets visit 'their' trigate

CADETS from the Richmond unit attended the rededication ceremony of frigate HMS Richmond in Portsmouth. The unit, which is affiliated to the ship, was there for her launch and regularly visits the ship at sea and in her visits to London.

They assisted with arrangements on the day and met members of the ship's company, including Commanding Officer Cdr Piers Hurrell. The unit has also been invited to the ship's Affiliates Day in April to witness sea trials.

SEVERAL Sea Cadet units took part in the Great River Race on the Thames, competing with almost 300 other crews. The 22-mile course, passing beneath 28 bridges, must be tackled by boats propelled solely by oars, on a course between Richmond and Greenwich. Among the units taking part were Southwark (who completed the course in a jolly boat in four hours 43 minutes, putting them fifth in the Under 16 Junior class), Hornchurch and Bexley.

" LT (5CC) Mark Unwin RNR, the Commanding Officer of Marlow Sea Cadets Unit, receives his Lord Lieutenant's Certificate of Meritorious Achievement from the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Sir HenryAubrey-Fletcher, at a ceremony in Milton Keynes. Mark, who has been involved with the Corps for more than 20 years as a cadet and adult instructor, was awarded the certificate in recognition of the hard work and effort he has devoted to the Marlow unit, andin particular resurrecting it from the brink of closure and turning it into a success