|
|
Help the Heros Marathon
Staff and Cadets from the unit helped to provide the finishing line for the former Marine brothers Peter and Paul Morrison on 21st December 2009. The brothers ran a 30-mile marathon along the Gritstone Trail from Disley to Macclesfield to raise money for Help the Heros.
Our Unit Staff, Cadets and a former Cadet! Sacha Bamford who returned from her Royal Navy basic training for winter leave was reunited with her cadet friends, also helped raise money for the cause, by collecting in the town centre.
In the photo AC Slade, AC Turner, WS (MW) AB Bamford & LC Errington
|
Mast Dedication & Medal Presentation
TS Ardent's new mast was dedicated to the memory of CPO Carl Blacoe, former Commanding Officer on Monday 9th November 2009. Margaret Blacoe, Carl’s wife and former stores officer to the unit, unveiled the plaque at the base of the mast. The mast was paid for from the donations made at Carl’s funeral on the 3rd April 2009, we the staff from the Unit and from the North West Area lined the entrance to the church.
Commander (SCC) Janet Evans RNR, Senior Staff Officer also came to the unit for the evening and presented Margaret with Carl’s Cadet Forces Medal, which he unfortunately never received. CPO C Blacoe joined the Sea Cadets as a Civilian Instructor in 1994 and after standing down as CO in 2001, he became Area Staff Officer Public Relations for the North West Area.
In the photo SLt Black, Danielle Blacoe, Cdr Evans, Mrs B, CPO Michelle Blacoe & Lt Thickett
|
AGM & Presentation Evening
T.S. Ardent held its annual AGM & Presentation evening on Monday 5th October. The AGM was chaired by the District Officer for Manchester – LtCdr (SCC) J Garner RNR.
After the AGM we had some badge presentations for the recent junior camping weekend, some good conduct badges for the senior cadets and advancements for the junior cadets.
Winners of the Annual Cadet Awards were:
Royal Oak Award for Best Junior - LJC Jacob Brooks
Anne Bell Award for Special Deed or Achievement – LC Rebecca Errington
Sylvia Roberts Award for Most Improved Cadet – Cdt Matthew Sharrocks
Jack Collins Award for Training (Practical) – AC Keri Slade
Russell Cutler for Training (Theory) – AC Russell Turner
Captain Franklin Award for Smartest Cadet - Cdt Edward Cox
CO’s Special Award - LC Sacha Bamford
LC S Bamford has also been awarded the best cadet for Manchester District for 2008 and the trophy was presented to her by the District Officer.
The Chairman & Commanding Officer had one more presentation to make; the unit has made Mr. Harry Gaskell , an honorary Vice-President of Bollington & Macclesfield Sea Cadets.
Pictures to follow soon.
|
Official Opening Night of the New Unit
On Monday 21st September, T.S. Ardent - Bollington & Macclesfield Sea Cadets new home at St John's C of E Primary School, Bollington was officially opened by Mr Harry Gaskell. Harry has been associated with the unit for a number of years now and the cadets & staff were very pleased when Harry agreed to open the unit.
We also welcomed Sir Nicholas Winterton - MP for Macclesfield, the First Mayor of Cheshire East - Councilor Margaret Simon, The head governor for St John's School and local Councilors for the Macclesfield area.
The senior and junior cadets put on displays for the parents and guests, utilising the new space we have at the school.
The committee and staff have worked very hard this year to ensure that the transition from the old unit to the new ran smoothly. The committee has adapted one of the classrooms at the school into a ships office, wardroom and CO’s cabin. We have also maintained the old unit for storage, for our canoes, tents and uniform.
Pictures from the Open Night to come soon!
|
Plymouth Navy Days
We were invited onboard HMS Mersey for the first weekend in September to assist with the Navy Day open day in Plymouth, to assist with ships open to visitors. Our five cadets were accommodated onboard HMS Mersey for the weekend and gave the cadets the chance to see what it is like living onboard a ship.
The cadets also had the opportunity to have a look round some of the over ships, which were also open to visitors and the first one on their list was HMS Daring, one of the Royal Navy’s newest destroyers. Other ships included HMS Ocean, HMS Bulwark, HMS Trafalgar and RFA Mounts Bay, which had 200 cadets staying onboard for navy days.
|
HMS Bristol - Aug 2009 !
Bollington had four cadets and staff attend a boat work week with Midd & Chad and Stretford & Urmston Units.
Activities including Powerboating, Pulling, Swimming, a Harbour boat tour and ofcourse a visit to Southsea Fair on the last night. Some of the cadets doing pulling also got to have a go in the sea cadet Yoles. The Yoles can be rigged for one or two people and the cadets had great fun racing and capsizing them!
We had 27 cadets attend the camp from two districts Manchester and Northeast Lancs (Bollington & Macclesfield, Manchester Trafalgar, Oldham, Middleton & Chadderton and Stretford & Urmston). A massive amount of 60 qualifications were gained by the cadets!
Qualifications for our unit were:
AC K Slade - RYA Power Level 2
AC R Turner - RYA Power Level 1 & SCC Pulling CC
OC A Brooks - SCC Pulling SC & RYA Power Level 1
OC W Broadbent - RYA Power Level 1 & SCC Pulling CC
CPO M Blacoe - Requalified as SCC Pulling Instructor
Some of the photo's from the camp can be seen in the picture gallery.
|
2 New Area Staff Officers!
A congratulations is in order for the appointment of 2 Staff from Ts Ardent to Area Staff Officers.
CPO Blacoe has taken up the postition of ASO Cook/Steward. This means Chief know overseas and organises all cook/steward activity in the North West Area.
PO Bamford has taken up the postition of ASO Diving and is responsable for all the diving that takes place within the area.
|
Beating Retreat
Thank you to all the cadets and staff who turned out for the Beating Retreat Parade in Macclesield in July.
This year we was joined for the first time by the Macclesfiled Army Cadet Force (ACF).
|
TS Ardent's 2009 Burgee !
Our 2nd Burgee, which makes two in a row!
After another successful inspection for Bollington and Macclesfield sea cadets, the unit has been awarded its second burgee. This goes to show how well the cadets, committee and staff work together to achieve the top efficiency award the Sea Cadets has to offer.
|
The Unit Move !!!
From Monday 22nd June 2009, we will be moving to new accomodation, shared with St. John's CofE (Aided) Primary School here in Bollington. We have been associated with the school for some years now as they have kindly allowed us access to their grounds, for outdoor activities. We are now taking up residence with the school and will be leasing from them facilities for training the cadets, as well as offices and ward room facilities.
We look forward to the advantages that the school accomodation can offer and hope to be able to put back something into the life and running of the school.
Our telephone, e-mail and web site address will remain unchanged, although there may be some issues in contacting us during the first few days, until BT get things sorted. If you experience any difficulties, please phone me on 07777 666366.
Our unit nights will continue as Monday and Thursday, but Junior Cadets should note, their night will now be Monday and they will return to the fold to parade with their senior colleagues. Juniors will start at the school on Monday 29th June.
|
Congratulations to TS.Ardents Junior Division !
Ts.Ardent Junior cadets were presented with the Dolphin Trophy in recognition of being the Best Junior unit in the North West Area. Presenting the award was Lt Cdr(SCC).D. Gravestock RNR in memory of her husband Peter Gravestock.
We had a lovley peresntation evening with the Lt Cdr Gravestock, SSO(NW) Lt Cdr(SCC) J. Evans RNR and the ASO(Juniors) PO(SCC)L.Glass.
|
CPO (SCC) Carl Joseph Blacoe
It is with deep regret that we announce the untimely death of Chief Petty Officer Carl Blacoe, who died on Monday 23rd March.
Carl was Commanding Officer of T.S. Ardent for a number of years before moving on to help set up the Publicity mechanism for North West Area.
During his career, he made very many friends within the Corps and I'm certain you'll all join us in sending our heartfelt condolences to his wife Margaret and daughters Michelle and Danielle.
Arrangements for the funeral will be notified when finalised
|