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DISTRICT DRILL & PIPING COMPETITION
Sunday 9th March saw almost 130 Sea Cadets and Adult Volunteers turn out for the Annual West Kent Drill Competition at Brompton Barracks.
Teams from Tunbridge Wells, Dartford, Sheppey, Westerham and of Course Medway Towns.
There were competitions in Armed and Unarmed Guard, Colour Party, Individual and Team Piping.
The venue of Brompton Barracks parade square and Command Wing are first rate facilities loaned to us by RSME1 Brompton and provide a stunning backdrop to the event As always the ladies of Medway Towns P&SA turned out to provide a magnificent Nutty Bar.
District Officer Lt Cdr Peter Jones said "Congratulations to all those who took part, the standard has risen consistently over the last 4 years and all units can be justifiably proud of the achievements of their Cadets"
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Medway Towns Calendar 2008 V2
Click here for the latest updated calendar for 2008
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TIMES UP FOR THE CHAIRMAN
After 14 years service with Medway towns Sea Cadets the Unit Chairman Ivor Riddell is moving on.
During the last UMC meeting on Tuesday 5th February Ivor anounced his decision to step down effective the next UMC meeting on Monday 3rd March 2008
He said "I have been involved with the unit for 14 years and had an amazing 12 years as UMC Chairman. I have seen many changes over the years, serving with Two CO's being part of a winning team which had one the MacBeath Trophy, the Stephenson Trophy Twice and the Commodores Trophy.
He believes that the Unit is a strong vibrant force as a central part of the local community with links with to many organisations and a profile that would be the envy of many Sea Cadet Units.
Ivor is stepping down in order to commit more time to the new role as Area Chairman (South) which would mean he was unable to give the unit unit the time commitment it deserves as a flagship unit in the UK.
He also said
"My replacement David Bass was given a mandate at the meeting on the 5th February, to continue developing the unit which I have every confidence he will do with great success. David is an immensly capable man and with the support of the whole of Team Cornwallis will take the unit to a new level of success and achievement."
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MEDWAY TOWNS FLY THE FLAG FOR LIONS CONFERENCE
Medway Lions hosted their Area Conference on the weekend of 8th - 10th February 2008.
TS Cornwallis were asked to suopport ytheir friends in the Lions by providing some Cadets to carry the Standards ahead of the Delegates into the Conference Hall at the Ramada Hotel in Maidstone on the Saturday Morning.
Heading up the party Sub Lieutenant said "we were happy to do this for the Lions who support many Sea Cadet Units throughout the UK and at a local level provide a Bursary for one Cadet a year to go away on the Sea Cadet Offshore Traing Vessel TS Royalist".
To see pictures of the event click here
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MAYOR IS FIRST TO REVIEW NEW CEREMONIAL RIG FOR YULETIDE
Mayor of Medway Cllr Val Goulden commented recently at a parade attended by the Sea Cadets that they looked cold and perhaps should be issued with Nose & Ear Warmers for winter parades.
Never one to argue with the first citizen the CO S/Lt Stephen Small upon being informed of this, told the Ceremonial Officer, CPO Jim Manning "to make it so"!!
The equipment was bought and was first used at the Annual Presentation Evening in December 2007
It is believed that the Mayor was delighted and surprised at the swift response as these things usually take a long time to clear through regulations etc.
Guard Commander POC Lewis Ocallaghan said "the cadets spent ages getting the noses to shine up to the standard required by the Ceremonial Officer and I think some of the antlers could have done with a bit of Starch, but all in all it did the trick"
Click here for pictures of event
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JADE HAS WIZARD TIME IN OZ
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L/Cdt Jade Johnson was selected to go with the Southern Area PT Display Team for Two weeks in Australia.
During the trip they took part in training and ceremonial events with the Australian Naval Cadets, but also had time to visit the sights of Perth and catch some rays.
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Tribute to 19th Century French Prisoners
On Saturday 24th November 2007 Cadets and Instructors from Medway Towns Unit attended the Annual French Memorial Service at the St Georges Centre in Chatham Maritime along with the Mayor of Medway and representatives of the French Government and Veterans
Associations
In 1798 over 30,000 French prisoners of war were incarcerated in England. Many of these prisoners were confined in the hulks of old ships in the River Medway at Gillingham Reach.
The bodies of those who died were interred in the marshes adjoining but due to erosion these remains were transferred to St. Mary's Island and a memorial to them was built and erected.
In September 1904 there were plans to extend Chatham Dockyard. With the approval of the French Naval Attache, the remains of 521 bodies were exhumed and placed in deal varnished boxes and buried next to the Royal Naval Barracks and the memorial was re-erected at the new site.
Each year The Mayor of Medway and other members of the Council, together with representatives of the French Government and Navy along with the Sea Cadets come
together in an act of remembrance of those who perished without ever seeing their homeland again.
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WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
11th November 2007 saw the Sea Cadets out in force across the country to pay their respects to those who went before and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to mantain our way of life.
At 09.00 the Units Staff, Cadets and Senior Cadets were mustered at the Royal Naval Memorial on the Great Lines at Chatham for the annual service of rememberance.
It was a fine if chilly day and The Cadets mustered facing the Memorial alongside our colleagues from Chatham Marine Cadet Unit, the Royal Naval Reserve who also provided the Guard, Veterans assosciations and a company of Royal Engineers Reservists.
Cadets making up the majority of the uniformed presence impressed the Officer presiding Commodore Clive Johnstone CBE so much, he had the divisions halted outside on the march home, to thank them personally for their contribution and congratulate them on their smart turnout, which meant so much to the veterans on parade. The Commodore said “It is reassuring to know that the tradition of remembrance will continue with the next generations who must take on the mantle for the future”
The Junior Section attended the Royal British Legion Parade in Gillingham which with PO Manington and laid a wreath in on behalf of the Sea Cadets there.
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MEDWAY HAS MAJOR INPUT TO DISTRICT TRAFALGAR PARADE
Medway Towns Unit played a big role in supporting Gravesend Sea cadets who put on a very successful District Trafalgar Parade for 2007.
200 Cadets and Adult Instructors came together from across West Kent, to celebrate the key Naval Victory of 18.05 and commemorate the passinf of one of our foremost Naval Commanders Admiral Lord Nelson.
Taking the Salute was Rear Admiral David Snelson and the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Pat Oaks
8 of the 24 strong guard were from Medway Towns and 20 more cadets including Juniors formed up in the divisions.
1st Lt CPO Buck Buckingham said "the Cadets from TS Cornwallis were a credit to the unit and as always set a fine example of seamanlike bearing".
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PEMBROKE HOUSE HOME TO NEW MEMORIAL
Medway Towns Sea Cadets hosted a sevice and parade to dedicate a new memorial at Pembroke House, in Oxford Road, Gillingham on Sunday 23rd September 2007.
The event was dedicated to remembring those who served in the Falklands War or 1982 and was supported by the RNBT, Royal Naval Association, Royal British Legion, South Atlantic Medal Association, Falklands 25, The HMS Pheobe Association, Royal Air Force Association, Royal Artillery Association & Kent Police.
The service was led by Reverend James Field (Unit Chaplain) and a reading was given by HMS Fearless Veteran Keith Broome.
The dedication and unveiling were performed by the Mayor of Medway Cllr Val Goulden.
We would like to thank all those who supported this very poignant event including Sheppey Sea Cadets(TS Kent)& the Band of TS Hazard (Faversham Sea Cadets).
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BIG GUNS ARRIVE AT TS CORNWALLIS
Four members of the team took a trip up north to Filey in Yorkshire to collect a full sized Field Gun and Limber.
The Gun, built in 1896 has been at the Yorkshire unit for the last 15 years coming out once a year to be pulled along at the annual Carnival.
She is a 12 pounder Breach Loading Field Gun and wieghs in excess of 2 Ton.
Top Gun Buck Buckingham (1st Lt CPO Buckingham) said "it is a piece of Naval History and deserves to be looked after properly, as Medway has a proud Field Gun History from one of the original 4 teams (Chatham Canaries) that took part in the Royal Tournament Competition it only seems right that it should end up in chatham"
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ANOTHER FIRST FOR MEDWAY TOWNS
Medway Towns Sea Cadets held the first Admiral of the River Parade Night, at their unit headquarters in Gillingham on Monday 30th July 2007. The Mayor of Medway who is also Admiral of the River Medway was the Inspecting Officer and the unit also took the opportunity to ask her to carry out an official naming ceremony on their new Power Craft MTC George Ward.
The evening was the first of it’s kind in Medway and will take place every Two years. It was appropriate that the inaugural year was 2007 when long time supporter of the Sea Cadets, Councillor Val Goulden was the incumbent Mayor.
The event started with the arrival of the Admiral of the River who inspected her personal Guard, which she is entitled to in her own right, as an Admiral.
She then Officially named the new craft George Ward and christened her with a bottle of fine Champagne. The ceremony was followed by inspection of the Cadet Divisions and then the obligatory cutting of the dedication cake and a reception for all the Guests and Cadets.
Over seventy guests including parents were present for the evening and all had a great time.
Commanding Officer Sub Lieutenant Stephen Small RNR said “It is a marvelous opportunity to demonstrate the close relationship Medway towns Unit has with the Local Authority and Community. The Cadets take a great pride in their unit and the Sea cadets, who provide them with opportunities and experiences they could not get anywhere else”
The Guests included representatives from Pembroke House old Sailors Home, Royal Naval Association Chatham, Royal British Legion and many other organisations and individuals.
The Mayor Councillor Goulden said just before she smashed the bottle on the Boat, “I have always been impressed with the dedication of the adult volunteers in the Sea cadets and the results they achieve with our young people,proving what can be done with good role models and sound leadership. This unit has a special place in my affections and I will always be a part of the Sea Cadet Family”.
The new Power Craft is a 15’ Harbour Launch built to the units own specification as a Power Training Vessel and Safety Boat. The total cost including Road Trailer was just over £14,000 and was financed through grants from Awards for All, Rochester Bridge Trust and The Medway Sports Trust. She will operate mostly on the River Medway providing training and fun for Sea Cadets from across Kent.
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DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER
Medway Towns Unit is run by a Unit Management Committee of volunteers who run the charitable side of the local youth organisation.
We are looking for people who wish to put something back into their community but don't have the time for a full time commitment.
Ideally they will have experience in running a small organisation or skills that could be used to support that, such as professional people or people with practical skills.
The commitment is about 4 hours per month and is unpaid, other than in knowing you are doing something to make your community a better place by moulding the Good Citizens of Tomorrow.
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MAYORS CADET FOR 2007
Sunday 10th June 2007 saw the new Mayor of Medway Councillor Val Goulden formally dedicate herself to working for and serving the community in her yer as Mayor of Medway.
Part of the day is given over to presenting the Mayor to her new Mayors' Cadets for the year.
There are Four in total One each from the Army Cadets and Air Training Corps and Two from the Sea Cadets one Marine Cadet and our very own Leading cadet Gayle Chilmaid.
Gayle has been awarded the most singular honour of being awarded Mayors Cadet Two years in a row in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Medway Towns Sea Cadet Unit and to the Medway Towns Community.
Gayle was over the moon when told of her second year and the Commanding OfficerS/Lt Steve Small said after giving her the news.
"Gayle is a credit to her family, her school, the Sea Cadets and her community. I had no hesitation in recommending her again for the award"
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New motor launch offers even more opportunities to the Sea Cadets
Medway Towns Sea Cadets have just added a new 15 foot Motor Launch to their fleet with
grants from Awards for All, The Rochester Bridge Trust and Medway Sports Trust.
After laying up there last displacement craft in 2006 due to old age the unit had a hole in their
Training matrix which had to be filled by cadets traveling to other units and Southern Area
Courses.
The hunt was on then for a new up to date replacement which could offer full range of power
training as well as operate as a safety boat when carrying out other waterbourne training.
After investigating several options the Commanding Officer Sub Lieutenant Stephen Small
and his staff decided on a 15 foot Skipper Launch that would be built to the Units specific
requirements.
The Unit Management Committee then set about finding the money and were successful with
a grant for £8645.00 from Awards for All this was added to with £2000 from the Rochester
Bridge Trust and the remainder from a previous grant towards boat purchases from Medway
Sports Trust which also paid for a new trailer.
The Cadets got a first look at the new vessel on Monday night (11/06/2007) and were bowled
very excited about getting their hands to the Tiller on the River Medway.
The Launch will be named (Medway Training Craft) MTC George Ward after one of the
founder members of the Medway Sports Trust. Cadets have already affectionately nicknamed
her ‘George’.
Unit Treasurer Ian Spreadborough said “the new boat is another step in the units plan to
replace all their training craft over the next eight years. We have over 25 craft from canoes,
Pulling (rowing) boats and various sailing vessels to Four power craft of various sizes.
The fleet is one of the most comprehensive sea cadet fleets in Kent and continues to offer a
full spectrum of experiences to young people who would probably never have access to such
opportunities otherwise”.
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DISTRICT SAILING A SUNSEEKERS PARADISE
Temperatures were high as West Kent District held their annual district sailing competition at Sheppey Sailing Club near Sheerness.
Host Unit TS Kent fielded a strong team and took all the fist places but the Two Cadets from Medway who were qualified to attend gave an excellent account of themselves in the Topper and Pico classes.
The morning started of with a mirror flat sea and no wind to speak of. It looked at one point as if the contest may have to be postponed, but as midday approached a nice breeze appeared and the sailing got serious.
Things didn't go all Sheppeys' way as OC Sarah Marr-Phillips (Medway)gained a Third, second and a first with hardly any opportunity to practice before the event.
L/C Daniel Bass also equited himself extremely well against some very strong opposition and things bode well for next year with more hours than ever on the water for 2007 as the Boat Station at Upnor is used more and more.
Commanding Officer for MTSC S/Lt Steve Small (see picture gallery tee hee)said "the unit was building up the training regime in all areas of boating and the Instructors are building their skills base across the spectrum of disciplines. This will put us in with a real chance of honours for the Sailing next year"
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