NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2007
43
Visitors finally see the sea
A PARTY of seven landlocked cadets visited Whitehaven during the town’s maritime festival – and for some it was their first glimpse of the sea.
The Whitehaven unit welcomed five sea cadets and two Marine cadets from the Stoke-on-Trent unit, and set out to make it a memorable occasion.
S/Lt (SCC) Harry Starkey RNR, TS Talent’s First Lieutenant and a former Whitehaven resident, contacted Whitehaven to ask if he and his Commanding Officer, CPO (SCC) Bev Bostock, could bring a group to the International Maritime Festival. “The response from Whitehaven was a very simple yes,” said S/Lt Starkey. “Basically, all they needed to know was how many cadets we would be bringing.” Whitehaven’s CO, S/Lt (SCC) Keith Crowe RNR, said it had been a pleasure to have the TS Talent crew on board. “We were told that several of the cadets had never even seen the sea before, and we were determined to make it a visit that they would enjoy and remember for a long time. I think we succeeded.” During the three days of the festival, the contingent from TS Talent took a cruise along the West Cumbrian coast on board the steamer MV Balmoral, courtesy of the festival’s Chief Executive, Gerard Richardson. “When our own cadet unit told us of the visit, it was our pleasure to welcome this group of young people to Whitehaven,” he said. “We felt that a cruise on board the Balmoral would be an appropriate gift from the Festival and I hope they enjoyed it.” The cadets also visited several of the tall ships, including Grand Turk, appeared on BBC TV’s Look North programme, and on BBC Radio Cumbria – several times. There were also VIP seats for the firework display. But there was also a serious side to the weekend. A guard of honour for a VIP event on board Grand Turk was provided jointly by two Whitehaven cadets and the two Marine cadets from Stoke. Sunday saw a harbourside service commemorating the anniversary of
the Falklands conflict. “It was a very moving service,” said CPO Bostock, “and we were privileged to have been a part of it.” At the end of the festival, S/Lt Crowe presented each of the Stoke cadets with ‘competent crew pulling’ and ‘basic water safety’ qualifications which they had earned during the weekend. Whitehaven unit chairman Chas Tinkler added: “It was a real pleasure meeting the staff and cadets from TS Talent. “They joined in enthusiastically and coped admirably with everything we threw at them. “They are a real credit to themselves, their parents and their unit, and excellent ambassadors for Stoke on Trent. “We wish them all well for the future and look forward to welcoming them back” The Whitehaven cadets made such an impression on the Master of the Grand Turk, Capt Ian Macdougal, that he invited six to spend a day at sea as the tall ship sailed from Whitehaven to Silloth. In addition, three of them were given the chance to spend a further three weeks on board, visiting Belfast, Chatham and Scarborough.
l Cadets from Stoke in the sea at Whitehaven after gaining their basic water safety qualification (above), while two Whitehaven sea cadets and two Stoke Marine cadets provide a Guard of Honour for a VIP function on board the tall ship Grand Turk (left)
Methil hosts cadets from across the Pond
Skipper on the river
METHIL and District unit had the privilege of hostying a visit by cadets from the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps. The American cadets were staying at HMS Caledonia in Scotland, along with two escorting officers. They had already enjoyed a varied programme, including a visit to Type 42 destroyer HMS Exeter when the warship visited Dundee, and a trip to see the Wallace Monument at Stirling. The orginal plan was for the cadets to also go kayaking under the care of the unit’s civilian instructor, Alan Innes. But with time running short, and the threat of lightning in
MEDWAY Towns cadets have just added a new 15ft Skipper motor launch to their fleet, thanks to a series of grants which will make it easier for members of the unit to undertake training. After laying up their last displacement craft in 2006, cadets had to travel to other units and to Southern Area courses to train. Awards for All provided £8,645, with £2,000 from the Rochester Bridge Trust, which when added to a previous grant from Medway Sports Trust allowed the unit to buy the launch and trailer. LEITH unit were honoured with a visit by the Cadets have already had a Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, the Duke look at the new arrival on the of York. River Medway, and although it Prince Andrew was visiting Edinburgh to will be known officially as MTC attend the General Assembly of the Church (Medway Training Craft) George of Scotland. Ward, after one of the founder But he managed to fit in a 40-minute members of the Medway Sports visit to TS Howe, allowing him the chance Trust, the youngsters have to meet committee members, staff and unit decided it will be known simply supporters, and he spoke to each cadet as he as George. toured the unit’s facilities. Before leaving, Prince Andrew presented the unit’s 2006 Efficiency Pennant to cadet Peyton Murdoch, the youngest member of TWO members of the East TS Howe. Kilbride unit won medals at the During his week in Scotland, the Duke of Scottish National RYA Honda York also visited the Lady Haig poppy factory Youth Challenge event. Cadet Alexander Wilson took in Edinburgh, and travelled to Inverness and Aberdeen. the gold medal, while Junior Cadet The Leith unit HQ is at the Prince of Wales Jack Cann won silver. Dock (beyond the security gate), Leith Docks, The unit’s Field Gun team has also been in action, racing against and the group meets Tuesdays and Fridays the rest of the Clyde North between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. district at St George’s Square in Glasgow, supporting a senior RN l The Duke of York presents the Leith race involving HMS Neptune and unit’s 2006 Efficiency Pennant to Cadet HMS Caledonia. Peyton Murdoch
Corps Admiral pays a visit to Leith unit
l Cadets line up along the route of the Duchess of Cornwall at the BAE Systems yard at Barrow-in-Furness
Royal welcome
SEA Cadets were out in force at the launch of the Royal Navy’s latest submarine, HMS Astute. Members of the Barrow-inFurness, Kendal, Maryport and Helensburgh units marched into position along with the RN Guard of Honour from HMS Astute. Cadets lined the route for the royal sponsor, the Duchess of Cornwall, and many of the 100 cadets and staff were lucky enough to get a handshake and chat with the Duchess. During the weekend of celebrations following the launch,
sea cadets, along with their Army and RAF colleagues, staged a series of displays, including a field gun run. They also took part in a Falklands memorial parade and watched a spectacular firework display, and with some 21,000 people visiting the yard during the weekend it meant valuable exposure for the units. Cadets managed to fit in some boatwork, and visited HMS Lancaster and HMS Exeter, both of which were at Barrow for the weekend.
Gold and silver
the vicinity, and alternative had to be found. The answer was a football (or soccer) and deck hockey tournament involving hosts and visitors. Not only did it help sharpen skill levels, but it meant the youngsters worked up a sweat as well. The evening culminated in the exchange of plaques, with an American escort officer handing over an engraved version as a token of gratitude, while Methil’s Officer in Charge, CPO Gordon Squires, presented a TS Ajax crest. The cadets also entered into the spirit, swapping gifts such as caps and pens as souvenirs of the visit.