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Remainder of 2009
So far it has been a busy and successful year for Slough Unit.
We have continued to enrol new staff and cadets in order that we can continue offering excellent training in house as well as at District, Area and National level. Also our ability to enter a wider range of competitions will bear fruit in 2010.
For the remaining parade nights of 2009 we now concentrate on our advancement and specialisation training which will include:
Seamanship
Cook Steward
Leadership
Piping
Marine Engineering
After finishing 3rd in the district table following this years competitions we also move into the new round of pitting our wits against other units within the district. The 13th December will see us compete at the district 5 A Side Football tournament entering both male and female catagories.
We then of course move topwards our last parade night of the year which will see our Commanding Officer of 7 years step down after nearly 25 years in the Sea Cadet Corps.
We are always looking for new cadets to join us as well as willing volunteers for both the instructional and Unit Management Committee side of things.
So come on down for a chat and see what the Sea Cadets can offer you.
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Cadet Gains Instructor Qualification
Congratulations to Leading Cadet Duckmanton on passing his Assistant Puling Instructor Course held at Maidenhead during the weekend of 13th - 15th November 2009. A very testing weekend not helped by the high winds, rain and river conditions
Since joining the Sea Cadets L/C Duckmanton has worked his way up to Pulling Coxwain and participated in several competitions. He now has the ability to pass on his knowledge and instruct newer cadets in pullingboat handling.
The attached picture shows him as coxwain during the launch of our refurbished ASC in May 2009
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Leading Cadet James Duckmanton carrying the unit standard and Able Cadet Cadet Kieran Stratford carrying the Royal British Legion Standard dipping them at the sounding of the Last Post
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CPO Stuart Spencer Sounding the Last Post
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Remembrance Parade 2009
Slough Unit once again participated in the towns annual Act of Remembrance this year.
The Parade was once again organised between Slough Borough Council and CSgt Lou Sartorel.
This year started with a small representation at the Baylis Memorial at 10am where the unit provided a Bugler, Standard bearer and Wreath Laying Party.
On completion they joined up with the rest of the ships company outside Slough Library and Marched down to the main Parade at Slough Town Centre.
As well as parading our own standard we were also given the honour of carrying the Slough Royal British Legions Standard at the head of this years parade. This honour was given to Able Cadet Kieran Stratford.
On completion of the Drum Head Service the Parade then moved to St Marys Chuch for the main service and wreath laying.
Finally the ships company marched from the town centre to the RBL Lady Haig Club for refreshments.
On Wednesday 11.11.2009 the Unit once again provided the Bugler for the official 2 minutes silence in the main town square.
20 Cadets and 10 staff were attended the main parade.
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RBL Poppy Collection
On Saturday 7th November 10 staff and 14 cadets worked shifts at the Queensmere Shopping Centre and Sainsburys Farnham Road selling Poppies to raise funds for the RBL Poppy Appeal.
Last year we raised £945.00 in 6 hours. We are waiting for this years total.
It certainly seemed that this year their was an even greater awareness.
Well Done to all those that took part
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October - National Trafalgar Parade London
Sunday the 25th October saw the annual Sea Cadet parade to mark the battle of Trafalgar.
To mark his last year as an Instructor with the SCC Chief Petty Officer Tony Atkins was appointed Chief of the Colour.
Unfortunaly non of our cadets or staff were their to mark this occasion but we have the photos.
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Chief on the March
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October District Trafalgar Parade Henley
Info & pictures coming soon
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October Seafarers Parade Portsmouth
Info & pictures coming soon
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October AGM & Prizegiving
Info & pictures coming soon
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September - Slough RNP
Info & pictures coming soon
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September 2009
In September we held our second offshore week aboard the Power Vessel TS John Jerwood.
From the 12th - 18th September 2009 2 staff and 12 cadets spent what was to be a good but frustrating week at sea.
Joining the ship at Gosport on the Saturday it was a frustrating wait until Sunday afternoon before they could head out to sea due to bad weather. They did the short hop over to Cowes and unfortunatly they were stuck their again until the Tuesday afternoon when the sailed for Poole.
From Poole they then left of the Wednesday for Gun Wharf in Portsmouth in what were very uncomfortable conditions. The Thursday enabled them to continue trainig in the Solent before returning to Gosport on the Thursday evening.
A party was held on the Thursday evening to mark what will probably be the last offshore trip for CPO Tony Atkins who retires at the end of the year.
Once again all the cadets gained qualifications, with a special mention for L/C Duckmanton who achieved Offshore Powerhand 2
More photos in the picture gallery
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August 2009
After much planning Slough Unit embarked on the 1st of its 2 Offshore Weeks.
From the 8th - 14th August 2 staff and 8 cadets joined the 2 Sea Cadet 35ft Yachts in Inverkip Scotland for what promised to be an excellent week of sailing.
On the Saturday afternoon we sailed from Inverkip to join the rest of the ships at Greenock taking part in the ASTO small ships race.
Many shorebased events were organised for 240 crew members of the 18 ships taking part.
On the Monday we participated in the first short race and gained 1st & 3rd places in our class plus 1st place overall.
On Tuesday afternoon at 1430hrs all 18 boats crossed the start line for the main race to Belfast.
The weather was variable during the whole race including reaching at least force 6 and we also caught the tail end of a couple of squals.
at around 0645hrs on the Wednesday morning both Sea Cadet Yachts crossed the finish line within minutes of each other and achieved 2nd & 3rd place in their class.
On arrival in Belfast some cleaning of the heads were required prior to getting some much needed sleep for enjoying further events laid on for the crews and visiting the Ships that had crossed from Halifax in Canada as part of the Tall Ships Race.
All the cadets were awarded qualifications based on the skills they had learnt durung the week.
More Photos in the Picture Gallery
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Armed Forces Day
In July we provided both cadets and staff to mark Armed Forces day in Slough and Bracknell
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June 2009
District Boating Regatta & Unit Camp.
The begining of June saw 30 staff & cadets from Slough Unit attend the District Boating Competition held in Reading.
The weekend included competitions covering Powerboat Handling, Pulling Boat Handling, Canoeing races and Pulling Races.
It also gave us a chance to show our refurbished ASC to the District.
We also spent this weekend under canvas, giving many cadets their first experience of camping.
Competition wise we achieved some good places across all the events.
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May 2009
Following funding from the Sea Cadets, local companies and fund raising we also launched a new powerboat.
The Rigiflex with a 15hp engine fitted will enable us to carry out training to the RYA standard of Power Level 1 & 2
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May 2009
Slough Unit launch the first of 2 new boats.
Our fully refurbished ASC designed to train 5 cadets at a time in boat handling skills and gain qualifications.
The refurbishment was made possible by various local companies assistance with funding and services and the work of unit staff and cadets.
The boat was also named after our current Commanding Officer CPO Tony Atkins.
Knot Sanity is an anagram of his name and very apt for those that know him
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Cadet Training Wekends
Cadets from Slough attended District Training Weekends held at Newbury.
Qualifications gained included
Cook Steward
Marine Engineering
Communications
Leadership
Water Safety
Seamanship
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February 2009
District Drill and Piping Competition
1st Place Colour Party
1st Place Armed Guard
Best Guard Comander
1st Place Team Piping
1st & 3rd Place Individual Piping
2nd Place Unarmed Squad (lost by 1 point)
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January 2009
In January Slough Unit entered the district 5 A Side football competition.
With entries from Junior Boys - Junior Girls and Senior Boys.
A good effort all round.
1st and 2nd places for all 3 teams
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