Ian bags top qualification THIRTEEN-year-old Ian (pictured above), a member of Long Eaton unit, has achieved the challenging Advanced Seamanship qualification, which only 17 have accomplished this year out of 14,000 Sea Cadets. Ian’s huge achievement is part of a national partnership with Carnival and Sea Cadets. Carnival Corporation & plc, parent company of P&O Cruises and Cunard, is supporting the qualification, which will enable cadets aged between ten and 18 to broaden their career options in the maritime industry. The qualification tests cadets on knowledge of rope work, rigging, splicing and whipping, canvas work and decorative rope work. Practical tests include working in a team to rig equipment such as sheer legs, gyns and derricks. The inspiration for Ian to join Corps came from his greatgrandfather, who served in the destroyer HMS Firedrake, sunk by U-boat’s torpedo in World War 2 Ian said: “Since joining I have gained many qualifications including in rowing, sailing, kayaking, power boating and piping. “I represented my unit at the National Trafalgar Day Parade in London and achieved Cadet of the Year 2015, having joined in October 2014.”
TS Royalist delivers historical dimension
SEA Cadet flagship TS Royalist helped Royal Mail celebrate 500 years of service with a voyage from Greenock to Liverpool.
The tall ship left Scotland on August 14, carrying mail bound for Merseyside to reflect the golden age of the packet sailing ship – one of the most significant links in the postal system. The ship, which was partly crewed by Sea Cadets, arrived at Canning Half-Tide Dock four days later (pictured right). Relief CO Roy Taylor and Sea Cadets were met by Liverpool’s longest-serving and newest posties – Alex Morris, who has just turned 60, and who started work for Royal Mail delivering telegrams in 1972, and 19-yearold Leah Williams, who had been a postie for a matter of weeks. Royalist resembles the historic packet ships which operated in the 17th and 18th Centuries. She wore a speciallycommissioned sail showing Royal Mail’s 500th anniversary logo. Packet ships ran from Tudor times until 1823, supporting the colonies as well as serving ports around Great Britain and Ireland. They could cross the wide oceans as well as operate in estuaries and major rivers. As well as mail ‘packets’ they also regularly carried bullion, private goods and passengers.
In times of conflict, and in areas where pirates operated, packets were obvious targets. Alongside Royalist on the dock was a replica of the London to Holyhead coach circa 1785, another iconic form of transport which expanded the network from the late 18th Century onwards. The London to Holyhead journey at that time could be made in little over 24 hours. Royal Mail Operations Director Geoff Braden said, “Advancements in global travel make it very easy to forget the romance – and the very real danger – of delivering mail hundreds of years ago. “This voyage honours the dedication of all the individuals – from mail coach drivers, to pilots, to sailors – who have delivered letters and parcels over the centuries. “We are indebted to TS Royalist for their co-operation and thank the cadets on board for transporting the mail.” Martin Coles, CEO Sea Cadets, said: “We’re delighted to be helping Royal Mail. “The Sea Cadet movement is all about giving young people life-changing experiences and building opportunities for young people to learn new skills and forge friendships. “This is another great chance for cadets to be part of something special and put it on their CV.”
Torch handover
TWO adult volunteers were due to undertake a four-day 75-mile walk as Navy News went to press to raise desperately-needed funds for Long Eaton unit. The land-locked unit – it is part of East Midlands district – has seen its reserves drop in recent times. Now the volunteers, both of whom served as cadets at the unit, are spearheading a concerted effort to “get back in the black” by building up cash reserves. PO (SCC) Jessica Bradshaw, 21, a member of the unit since the age of ten, and 18-year-old adult instructor Roxie Phillips, who joined at 11, planned to visit a war memorial at 14 different locations along the way. At each they were due to pay their respects to the Service personnel commemorated, accompanied by the RBL. It is hoped the walk will raise £1,500 – it is already nearly a third of the way to that target – and the pair will be welcomed back to Long Eaton at a garden party. Further details of their walk, and a chance to donate, can be found on Roxie’s JustGiving page – see www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/roxannephillips
Place at Welbeck
College CCF provide guard MEMBERS of the Royal Navy section of Victoria College Combined Cadet Force (CCF) provided the Ceremonial Guard for the Sunset ceremonies at the Jersey Boat Show. Events began on the Friday evening with the RN Section forming a Halberdier Guard for the Beat Retreats by the Band of the Royal Marines, which was repeated on Saturday afternoon (pictured left). On Sunday morning a combined squad of cadets from all three sections took part in the annual Lieutenant Governor’s Parade, the final event in the Governor’s Cup. After the inspection and Sea Sunday Service the parade reformed for the presentation of trophies – the CCF came second in the Governor’s Cup. This year sees the 40th year of the RN Section at the college – see www.victoriacollege.je/ combined-cadet-force
THE most senior officer in the Services paid a surprise visit to Predannack Airfield on the Lizard Peninsula Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach was welcomed by the CO of Culdrose, Capt Dan Stembridge, as the Air Chief Marshall Peach received the RAF Cadets’ 75th Anniversary Torch relay. The torch, which passed through the hands of all 35 air cadet Wings across the country, was handed over by Plymouth and Cornwall Wing after it spent the night at RAF St Mawgan.
Building reserves
A CADET from St Austell unit has won a place at Welbeck Defence 6th Form College in Loughborough. LC Rowan took up his place after gaining the necessary GCSE results. Lt (SCC) Benjamin Nash RNR, CO of St Austell, said: “LC Rowan has worked exceptionally hard throughout the last 12 months in his studies and these excellent results do him credit. “He has been a model cadet and we’re very sorry to lose him, but also very proud of what he has achieved. “He leaves for Welbeck with a great future ahead.” Rowan thanked staff at St Austell and said their encouragement got him to where he is. Welbeck is a full boarding coeducational college, funded by the Ministry of Defence. It offers an A level education to young people who wish to follow a career as a technical or engineering officer within the Armed Forces or as a civilian with the MOD.
Gold stars on flying course Sea Scout stalwarts honoured
THE Sea Cadet aviation calendar closed at the end of July with the Advanced Flying Training course and the chance to gain the SCC’s coveted gold wings. For the first time Lee-on-theSolent was the venue this year, with facilities and support provided by Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club. The week involved plenty of revision, particularly on core subjects – principles of flight, meteorology, engineering, radio telephony and navigation. Using the Grob 109 motor glider the cadets were introduced to the aircraft and during the week gained confidence in using the aircraft’s radio to talk to the ground service and the air traffic controllers at Southampton whilst navigating. The team were also treated to an unusual visit as three Spitfires, used for the forthcoming film Dunkirk, arrived at the airfield with members of the aerial special effects team. The film crews and pilots found the original WW2 hangars and location ideal and decided to set up their operating base there. This also allowed Sea Cadet Aviation’s CO, Lt (SCC) Marc www.navynews.co.uk
Pether RNR, to fulfil a lifelong dream as he was allowed to climb into a cockpit and see what it must have been like for a wartime pilot flying into combat (above). Pilots Lt (SCC) John Reeve RNR and Senior Pilot CPO (SCC) Carl Mason flew 16 hours during the week, with few hours lost to weather. Top student was Cpl Smith from Worthing, and LC Jablonski and AC Maloney, who were both invited back to act as cadet instructors on the Bronze Wing ground school
course next year. All were presented with flight holdalls donated by Pooley’s Flight Equipment. Lt Pether said: “2016 has been the best year so far for the Sea Cadet Aviation programme. “A highlight was having a member of the team join the Royal Navy as an aircrew officer, and this shows the superb opportunities we offer and allows our cadets to broaden their horizons and open up doors for exciting careers.”
THE 1st Oulton Broad Sea Scouts have launched two new Heyland 15ft pulling boats, named in honour of the group’s former longserving leaders. The vessels were named after Group Scout Leaders David Harry and Syd Fowle at a ceremony attended by members of the respective families including Cdr Peter Harry RN (Rtd), the son of David Harry (pictured right). Group chairman Malcolm Howard reflected on “the importance of honouring those who had given such tremendous service, whilst demonstrating the Group’s ongoing commitment to the young Scouts of the future.” The group is one of 103 recognised by the Royal Navy, and Malcolm added that “the Royal Navy requires us to provide education in the principles of Seamanship, we can now do this in fit for purpose vessels.”
l Cdr Peter Harry meets Oulton Broad Sea Scouts using a boat named after his father OCTOBER 2016 : 37