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NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2011
Avonmouth show their true mettle
BRISTOL (Avonmouth) unit has held its RN Parade – and now members must hold their breath to see if they have regained a place amongst the elite. “It’s an extremely important event, every bit as rigorous as an OFSTED inspection for a school,” said Lt (SCC) Barbara Hillier RNR, the unit’s CO. “If we do really well, it’s a chance for the unit to re-obtain our 2008 burgee status, which is only held by the top ten per cent of Sea Cadet units.” The unit claimed a pennant in 2010, awarded to the top 50 per cent of units nationally. Cdr John Rees, the new South West Area Officer, inspected and spoke to the cadets, and enjoyed a simulated open-day event which allowed the youngsters to demonstrate their skills. The evening concluded with the blessing and commissioning of the unit’s new Trinity 500 pulling boat, named Puffing Billy. Lt Cdr (SCC) Alison Fowler RNR, the Avon District Officer, and her staff had already gone through the site with her staff, examining the facilities. The 30 or so members of the unit are looking forward to a busy summer, including summer camp at Pier Cellars in Cornwall, a swimming gala and their Trafalgar Night dinner in October. The youngsters will also be on duty at the Festival of Remembrance at Colston Hall.
Units fly the flag for Armed Forces Day
SEA and Marine Cadets the length and breadth of the country helped celebrate Armed Forces Day. Young and old in Sussex came together to celebrate the contribution of the nation’s forces on Littlehampton seafront, with serving members, veterans and cadets attending a drumhead parade and service on the promenade before enjoying a packed programme of events. The star of the show was a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter display by Lynx Mk 8, one of the fastest helicopters in the world and described by pilot Lt George Thompson, of 815 Naval Air Squadron, as “the sports car of the helicopter world.” Wartime re-enactments, vintage military vehicles and an assault
course all featured in the event. Cadets at Banbury took the opportunity to hold a first preparade meeting at their new unit, which is still being fitted out for their use. They formed up in the Market Place at 11:20 before parading around the town together with the local Territorial Army detachment and the other cadet forces. The parade was also joined by some serving members of the Armed Forces and a number of veterans. The town’s new Mayor, Cllr Alastair Milne Home, took the salute. Though the unit had no stall to man, before and after the parade cadets went around the town centre collecting for Help for Heroes.
A unit’s annual inspection includes checks that safety and environmental issues are properly addressed and that the unit is achieving all it can for its cadets. And the reward for a successful inspection is a prestigious burgee, handed out to the top 25 per cent of units in any area. PO (SCC) Chris Toner said: “This award reflects the hard work and commitment from all the team at the unit, from the cadets, the instructional team, the parents and
O Forest of Dean cadets at their annual inspection
Thorne join Legion party THORNE unit had a special role to play in the anniversary celebrations of their local Royal British Legion branch. TS Gambia is formally affiliated to the Legion’s Thorne and District branch, and received an invitation to attend a 90th birthday parade and service at Wakefield Cathedral, attended by Legion members from across South and West Yorkshire. Also in attendance were more than 30 standards, a number of mayors and the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe.
A group of 21 officers and cadets, led by Officer in Charge PO (SCC) David Redmile, attended from Thorne unit – by far the largest of any cadet force. After the parade and service, the Lord Lieutenant was invited to review the Sea cadets, under the direction of Lt (SCC) Norman Knowles-Forrest RNR. Dr Roscoe talked to each cadet about what they gained from being part of the Corps, with one member telling her that he eventually wanted to join the Royal Navy.
supporters club and not forgetting the management committee. “The unit is going from strength to strength, and if successful with our bid on the youth club building next door, we will soon be able to accept more young people to join.” Instructor Graeme Terrell said: “We are all really pleased with the award. It helped that we have two brand-new Trinity 500 boats in which the cadets were able to gain valuable experience, and work together as a team.” He added that female cadets from the unit won at the district pulling competition, and they are also representing the district in the regional canoeing event. The unit recently won the Robert Nairac Award for dedication and hard work in the community; the award is named after the Army officer murdered in Northern Ireland in 1977.
AMANDA Holden, Simon Le Bon, Ben Fogle, Helen Skelton (above) and Royal cake maker Fiona Cairns are just some of the celebrities who voiced their support for Sea Cadets with birthday messages as it celebrated its 155th anniversary on June 25. Cadets across the country baked a specially-designed cupcake recipe courtesy of Fiona Cairns – sticky toffee cupcakes with salted butter cream – and stars tweeted congratulations throughout the day. Said TV presenter Barney Harwood (below), “What a fantastic organisation – anyone helping young people build their confidence gets my support. And I love your hats! Happy Birthday Sea Cadets!” Presenter and world record kayaker Helen Skelton added: “Happy birthday to all of you! Delighted to be able to help you celebrate your anniversary. Keep up the good work. And adventurer and broadcaster Ben Fogle said: “Living life on the crest of a wave! Happy Birthday Sea Cadets!”
Canal is conquered
VOLUNTEERS from North West Area have paddled the length of the Caledonian Canal, raising more than £2,000 for charity. The team, including five from the RM Cadets, travelled from Corpach to Inverness in three
Canadian canoes to boost the coffers of the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children’s Fund and NW Area Sea Cadets. The weather was generally horrific – high winds, rain, sleet and hailstones with the odd splash of sunshine – and at times Loch
Falkland Islands fillip
THE Falkland Islands unit has been presented with a cheque for £1,750 by the Mount Pleasant Complex Thrift Shop – the result of hard work and dedication by the volunteers who run the shop, which has so far raised over £6,000 for various charities in the 12 months since its opening. Ken Newton, CO of TS Endurance, said the donation will be put towards a new minibus, giving cadets greater opportunities to travel around the islands. Ken is pictured standing next to shop volunteers, while cadets (with the sum donated written on their hands) kneel in front of the cake stall – from left, MC Codey Newman, L/Cpl Keelen Fiddes, MCs Meghan and Harrison Law and AC Michaela Clifford.
Forest of Dean cops a burgee
FOREST of Dean cadets are again on a high after their unit was judged one of the best in the country.
Cumbrian pair are recognised
AN OFFICER and a cadet from Cumbria have been presented with awards to mark their contribution to the Corps. Lt Cdr (SCC) Angela Menhams RNR received the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate from Col Sir James Cropper for her work with Maryport unit and as Cumbria’s District Training Officer. Lt Cdr Menhams’ citation noted that during her period of command TS Caesar became one of the most successful in the North West, twice winning the Stephenson Trophy, given to the top unit in each of the six areas of the UK. They were also the first to win the national drill award. POC Michael Lee, of Workington unit, received the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit. The top Sea Cadet in Cumbria, POC Lee’s citation described him as “an extremely reliable, mature and responsible young man” who has “excellent organisational and leadership skills.” POC Lee was a member of the Sea Cadet platoon for the Cadet 150 Royal Review last year and has been chosen to attend a leadership course at Dartmouth.
O Stonehaven unit’s senior cadet POC Michael Smith (left) and LC Michael Blacklaw unfurl an Armed Forces Day flag at the harbour
Celebs mark birthday
Lochy and Loch Ness resembled the open sea. The team – Sgt Ryan Horsfield, A/Sgt Victor Moran, Sgt Matt Dickson, Sgt Glenn Maclennan, Lt Karl Hanrahan, Sgt Andy Edgar, WO2 Pete Bolton and Sgt Phil Proctor – had to camp on the banks of the lochs for the duration. Brookbank Canoes of Stockport lent the intrepid paddlers canoes and safety equipment, while Ellesmere Port unit stumped up a minibus, trailer and fuel card.
VIP visitor
Picture: Cpl Grant
BURTON-on-Trent unit held their annual presentation under the watchful eye of Commanderin-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Trevor Soar – the highlight of a busy year. The Admiral and his wife were greeted by a Royal Marine Cadet guard, and during the evening Admiral Soar chatted to staff, cadets and family members. The evening was rounded off by the distribution of annual awards, including the presentation of the Lord Lieutenant’s Award to LC Priestland, who was offshore at the time of the official ceremony and thus unable to receive his award.
O Former First Sea Lord Admiral the Lord West of Spithead and cadets at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire
Tribute to the fallen
A MEMORIAL plaque dedicated to all former Sea Cadets “who served the Corps or their country and who paid the ultimate sacrifice” has been unveiled by a former First Sea Lord at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. A quiet service was led by the padre of the North-West Area Sea Cadets on behalf of the Corps chaplain. Members of the honour guard for the occasion were provided by the Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth and Lichfield branches. Cadets then went on to take part in the dedication of the anchor of the now-dismantled landing ship RFA Sir Percivale, which will form a central feature of the Merchant Navy Convoy. The Convoy is the largest
single site within the arboretum, consisting of 2,535 oak trees – one for each British merchant vessel lost during World War 2, though it also marks the sacrifices made by British mariners in other conflicts. Outside the two world wars the greatest loss of life in the Merchant Navy in any one conflict was in the Falklands, when 19 people died, which is why Sir Percivale’s anchor was chosen – she took part in the conflict, and later served in the Gulf War of 1991 and in the Balkans. The anchor, mounted on a plinth in the central glade, was dedicated during Seafarers Awareness Week, and took place on the anniversary of the bombing of Sir Percivale’s sister ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, at Bluff Cove in 1982.