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Bristol Avonmouth Cadets living up to the Sea Cadet Corps motto 'Ready Aye Aready'
Here at Bristol Avonmouth Sea Cadet Corps we believe in celebrating Britain’s rich naval heritage and all the influences that still affect our day to day life. Our training is often centred around this topic, but we always go the extra mile! These photographs show us doing just that.
These photographs are, however only intended to show visitors to the site the breadth of experiences that our cadets enjoy rather than be a comprehensive record of everything we do.
The extensive range runs to 7 pages of opportunities that includes sport, visits, maintaining naval traditions, boatwork, adventure training,community activities, and nautical skills like ropework and navigation. A new addition to the national level courses is Flight School.
(Cadets - If you would like to add pictures to the site speak to your divisional officer.)
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Sporting and Skill Competitions
The Sea Cadet Corps supports and encourages all units and their cadets to participate in competitive sport.
TS Enterprise always aims to enter all of the different district level competitions and have on occasion represented Avon District at South West Area level.
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The wide range of competitions include
Swimming
Football
Drill
Shooting
Orienteering
Pulling (rowing to the non-sailor!)
Sailing
Kayaking
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In the past we have even had the best male and female shots in the SCC nationwide.
Who knows you could be the next national champion at one of our competitions!
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Social Events
TS Enterprise hold several social events for the cadets (and staff) through the year.
One of the highlights of the unit calendar is the annual Trafalgar Night Dinner. All members of the Junior Rates Mess (the cadets) are able to attend with a guest.
Besides maintaining one of the Royal Navy's traditions it is a fun event and teaches social skills. The dinner is a full formal mess dinner with guest speaker and the parade of flaming chocolate ships of the line (galleons).
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We also hold events like a Guy Fawkes or Halloween party and a summer BBQ.
A recent addition to the calendar is a dog racing night for cadets, staff and their families. Our other events include quiz and bingo nights. This also helps raise funds for the upkeep of the unit and provision of equipment.
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How can being a Sea Cadet benefit me?
Being a Sea Cadet is not just about being able to have fun, meet new people and try new activities. By being a Sea Cadet you can gain nationally recognised qualifications. The photograph next to this article of the commanding officer and one of our senior cadets was taken at Weston College's Annual Business Awards in June 2010. The other gentleman is the College's head of Health and Safety, he is also the Commodore of Portishead Cruising Club which is based on the Somerset bank of the River Avon opposite TS Enterprise.
Why were they there?
The CO has just completed an NVQ in Team Leading with Weston College in her role as the Commanding Officer at the unit. Another member of the unit staff is currently taking an IT qualification under the same scheme.
The Petty Officer Cadet is employed by a multi-national company as a laboratory technician apprentice (trainee). The College accredits the training for this job. The PO Cadet's experiences and abilities gained from Sea Cadets was instrumental in his obtaining the apprenticeship post against competition from other candidates up to five years older.
As a Cadet you can also gain natioanally recognised qualifications such as a GNVQ Level 1 in Public Services, First Aid, Sailing, Canoeing and Power-boating qualifications through activities at Sea Cadets.
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Splicing the Mainbrace!
One of those old naval traditions that people have heard about!
One of the unit staff's wife had recently had a baby girl. This seemed like a good excuse to demonstrate one of those old traditions seldom seen. The RN withdrew the tot (of rum) from sailors in 1970. The only time that rum is issued in the Navy today is if the order 'Splice the Mainbrace!' is given.
Don't hold your breath though as it is incredibly rare!
Cadets watched the rum (apple squash) measured out and the water added. An officer was present to look after the Navy's interests and a Cadet to ensure no-one was defrauded of their full measure.
We even has a rum rat catching the ullage. Come and see us and we will explain!
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Where does it come from? I hear you ask. Well...splicing the main brace was a reference to fixing the main brace (the largest and heaviest of all the moving rigging called the running rigging) of the mainsail that had broken, usually in a storm or battle. It was hard and dangerous work to splice ropes, some up to 5 inches in diameter, in such a situation. It became typical to reward the sailors with an extra grog ration.
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HMS Gloucester visit
Avonmouth Docks
June 2010
The present HMS Gloucester was one of the last of the Type 42 class to be built. She has a lengthened hull design giving better seakeeping qualities and greater endurance.
The ship was built by Vosper Thorneycroft at Southampton and launched on 2nd November 1982 by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. The ship has links with the City of Gloucester. The ship's badge features a horseshoe, part of the City's Tudor Arms. The ships motto is "Prorsum" (Onwards).
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Why is HMS Gloucester a ‘First’?
On the 25th February 1991, Gloucester was escorting USS Missouri close to the Kuwaiti coast as it bombarded the shore with her 16" guns. In the early hours of that morning an Iraqi missile was fired against the Missouri. In less than 90 seconds Gloucester had destroyed the Seersucker with 2 Sea Darts, in the first checked, successful engagement of a missile, by a missile, in combat at sea.
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Our thanks to the Commanding Officer, Commander David George MA RN, and Ship's Company of HMS Gloucester.
Our ship visits are very popular and are usually open to both senior and junior cadets.
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Messing about in boats!
This photograph was taken off Portland during our visit to the SCC's Weymouth boat station which has just been refitted ready for the 2012 Olympics.
We now have our own rib, the Spirit of Enterprise (see title banner!) and six new kayaks. A Topper dinghy completes our own fleet. We are also awaiting the delivery of two new pulling (rowing) boats.
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We also have use of the pooled MoD issued ASC pulling boats and Bosun dinghies.
Wind surfing is a new sport to the SCC and is currently available to cadets at the SCC's boat stations.
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The Sea Cadet Corps has its own fleet of sea-going vessels from the brand new motor vessel, TS Jack Petchey to the older Topsail Brig, TS Royalist.
Voyages on these vessels are open to all senior cadets. They usually sail in UK waters with the occasional run over the English Channel to France.
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Visiting Speakers and Instructors
The Sea Cadet Corps, like the Royal Navy and Royal Marines is one big family. Units regularly share instructors to allow training in areas where unit staff do not have the relevant expertise.
We also make use of our contacts in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RN and RM reservists, Merchant Navy and those who have retired from our parent services.
TS Enterprise also has a close working relationship with the civilian services such as Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue Service.
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Supporting Our Community
The Sea Cadet Corps has always been about supporting the local community from its inception to give the sons of Crimea War sailors the skills for a nautical career through to providing life skills and qualifications today.
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This community support includes displays at school fetes, Veterans' Day celebrations, providing manpower at local events and doing our duty at Remembrance Day parades. We have even provided honour guards at funerals and weddings of people associated with TS Enterprise.
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The cadets of Bristol Avonmouth Sea Cadets have been recognised at a national level for their commitment to the local and wider community. In 2005 we were awarded the Howe HPC award. It consists of a commemorative plaque and a piece of equipment to the value of £100. The prize will be awarded to a Sea Cadet Unit who, in the judgement of the WARSHIPS IFR editorial board, make a significant contribution to their local community and whose activities have featured in the pages of the magazine.
About the Howe CPC Award
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Training Ship Enterprise were the first winners of this award and received a great pair of binoculars.
This award reflected our work with a variety of charities and organisations within our area including the Royal Naval Association, the fire brigade and the police.
Over the last year the cadets have provided numerous guards of honour and acted as standard bearers at various events.
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Junior Cadets
The aim of the junior division is to introduce 10 to 12 year olds to the wide range of activities that are available once they join the senior divisions.
The juniors have their own syllabus where the emphasis is on fun and games with more 'hidden' learning.
There are four basic themes
Unit based activities
Water based activities
Outdoor Activities
Community Activities
The juniors have their own dedicated member of staff known as the OiC Juniors who is supported by other members of the unit's staff and sometimes senior cadets.
Juniors take full part alongside the senior divisions in the wider unit activities.
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Crossing the Line Ceremony
February 2010
Unit
This is one of many occasions where we introduce the many and often arcane maritime traditions to our cadets.
The ceremony has changed little since the 18th century. Many countries' ships would give some kind of offering to the sea and still remains in today's navies. All members of the crew regardless of age or rank who have not crossed the equator before must take part in the initiation ritual. Members of the ship’s company (crew) who have previously crossed the equator are nicknamed ‘shellbacks’.
What the ceremony involves
Neptune, the Greek and Roman god of the seas is impersonated by a shellback bearing in his hand the trident and wearing a crown. The rest of his team are The Barber, The Surgeon and either Queen Amphitrite (Queen of the Seas) or Davey Jones.
The ceremony starts with the arrival of King Neptune who is piped aboard with bosun’s calls. Neptune demands the customary tribute from those who have not crossed the line. Meanwhile Neptune’s helpers confine the trespassers or novices (that is those who have not obtained their ‘freedom’ from Neptune).
They are one by one brought to their ‘trial’ presided over by Neptune and his scribe, Davey Jones. The Surgeon gives them a humorous medical check to ensure they are fit for trial followed by some ‘medicine’.
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A large tub or in our case a paddling pool, filled with salt water, is placed on the deck, and by it a seat, on which the novice is seated. The barber smears their face with shaving foam (even the girls!), and then scrapes it away with an oversized wooden cut-throat razor. On the signal from Davey Jones the seat is tipped and the novice is immersed in water.
It is great fun for all concerned. At the end of the ceremony a certificate is issued as proof that they are no longer novices.
Shire newspaper article
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HMS Ocean
October 2009
At Sea between Plymouth and Jersey.
One of our cadets collecting his award at the end of the cruise as the guests of the Royal Navy. HMS Ocean is a virtually new helicopter carrier and Royal Marine Commando assault ship.
Our thanks to the Commanding Officer and Ship's Company of HMS Ocean. See Links for press coverage.
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Unique experiences
London Bridge by Night after Tower of London
Pool of London
September 2009
This shot is taken on London Bridge. The cadets and staff are returning from taking part in the ceremonial locking up of HM Tower of London.
Places for the public to attend the 'Ceremony of the Keys' are very limited and for the public to actually take part is almost unheard of.
Our thanks go to the Yeoman Warders and Clerk of HM Tower for making it happen.
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Fundraising on behalf of Help for Heroes
September 2009
Redcliffe, Bristol.
Brsistol Avonmouth are regularly asked to help other charities such as the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes. Alas, we cannot accept them all.
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A bit of fun
Temporary Cadet Jack Frost!
Jack, unlike most of our cadets was only with us a short while. Many ex-TS Enterprise cadets later re-join the corps as instructors.
Our current staff includes no less than 5 former cadets from this unit and one former CCF (Navy section) cadet (a similar school based organiation).
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HMS Belfast
Pool of London
September 2009
Falling in for 'Colours' which is the start of the naval day. The staff of HMS Belfast were kind enough to let us perform the full ceremony rather than their usual shortened version.
This is the first morning of our visit and the invite to carry out the full routine was last minute hence we are in the bows. For the rest of our stay we conducted Colours on the more usual location of the quarterdeck with just one cadet on the bow. The HMS Belfast staff even found the clapper for the ship's solid silver bell... see we do some unusual stuff!
This certainly got the attention of the early bird tourists and many photos were taken!
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Cadets are given a guided tour by the Commanding Officer of TS City of London SCC unit. TS City of London SCC is based aboard HMS Belfast on one of the old mess-decks.
Cadets were sleeping in the same berths (bunks) that the sailors used when she was in use by the Royal Navy! It was a rare treat to actually stay on board and we are grateful to TS City of London SCC and the Imperial War Museum for permission to do so.
The member of TS Enterprise staff that is standing front left was actually a 16 year old sailor aboard HMS Belfast towards the end of her Royal Navy career! For him our visit was most nostalgic.
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Dawn from the quarterdeck of HMS Belfast. This was taken by a member of staff on his way to pipe 'lash up and stow' or in civvy language time to get up!
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Air Day - Yeovilton
HMS Heron
July 2009
Celebrating 100 years of Royal Navy aviation.
Visits to events like Air Days and Navy Days allows cadets to see the Royal Navy (and often foreign navies) up close. They are also as you can see alot of fun!
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Public Displays
Piling the Drums at Veterans' Day
Bristol Harbourside
June 2008
This is one of our many 'party pieces' or displays. TS Enterprise cadets are often asked to perform at various local events across Bristol and beyond.
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.jpg "Hornpipe team about to get going!")
In addition to the Piling of the Drums we also perform 'Hornpipe' and 'Club and Cutlass' displays.
Our current Club and Cutlass team is made up of Junior Cadets while our Hornpipe and Piling of the Drums team are senior cadets.
The hornpipe team have even done the dance aboard HMS Victory, Bristol and Warrior as well as ashore in Fort Nelson.
As the only local SCC unit that performs the Piling of the Drums we perform each year at the Colston Hall, College Green and in South Gloucestershire. There are also 'one off' requests from different groups and associations.
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Photographic Policy
It is the policy of the Commanding Officer that images shown on the unit's website are of the highest standard and should not undermine anyone's privacy.
If a cadet or member of staff wishes to have a photograph removed from the site, they should speak to PO(SCC) C Batt or TI R Morgan as soon as possible.
The unit website is maintained in strict accordance with the Sea Cadet Corps' policies on Acceptable Use and Photography and Video Recording.
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