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Christmas Bingo.
Friday Dec 4th at Tamworth RNA Victoria Road at 7.30 pm. Come and have some fun and support our fund raising efforts.
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LICHFIELD RNA PRESENTS CHEQUE TO NEW CO
On Sunday the 12th of July, following the Sea Sunday service and after "Up spirits" at the RNA, the Chairman of Lichfield RNA S/M Les Nation,presented CO Sub Lt Alan Wright with a cheque for £1000.00. The money wil be used to subsidise Cadets who attend courses for their advancement.
S/M Les Nation crossed the bar in September. The Cadets paraded their Standard at his funeral.
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Sea Sunday 2009
On Sunday the 12th of July The tamworth unit supported the Merchant Navy Association by parading their Standard and playing an active part in the service. Cadets piped the opening and gave numerous readings. The full catalogue of pictures taken is available at the unit and copies may be obtained on request. Attached is the report from the Tamworth Herald.
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New SCC SW Area Commander
The Marine Society and Sea cadets site has published the attached information of particular interest to us at Fort Grange. The new Area Officer for South West Sea Cadets is Commander Martin Skeer MBE RN who joined the Sea Cadets as the new Area Officer for the South West following the departure of Cdr Neil Hinch RN. He joined BRNC Dartmouth in 1983 and completed flying training as an Anti-Submarine Warfare pilot in 1986.
He has been involved in a number of operations including boarding operations in the Adriatic, part of the Fishery Protection Squadron, Command of HMS GUERNSEY and 814 NAS, and operations in the Northern Gulf, Kosovo and Chad. In 2000 he was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list.
We look forward to Meeting the Commander in the near future. Go to the Marine society and sea cadets on newsletter@ms-sc.org to read further details and see photo. Aknowledgement is due to the Marine Society and Sea Cadets site for this article available on their site.
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CO Shelley Retires
Shelley was given a surprise farewell with an excellent version of "This is Your Life" with some wonderful pics and friends from the past. Our pic shows the full unit and guests.
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Links with RFA Fort Rosalie
Recently a contingent of Cadets and Officers joined the Fort Rosalie at Weymouth for a voyage round the coast. Photos will be available and we will be linking wih the Fort Rosalie website which is on the royal navy site. Just log on to rfa fort rosalie for now and read her story and history.
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Big Screen Racing at RNA
On friday the 12th of May we held a computer generated racing session. This included pigs,dogs, horses on the flat and over the jumps and pony trotting. An exciting night ensued with fortunes being made and lost and the punters screaming down the house. The night was made complete by the supply of curries and chili with rice. The night ended with a competition for the paper aeroplane which flew the longest distance. The winner almost took the Master of Ceremony's eye out. Our photo shows our bookies Jade and Michelle,and the MC Alan,
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Jade is awarded Tamworth Mayors Cadet
Able Cadet Jade Hastings has been awarded the Honour of being elected as the Mayor of Tamworth's Cadet and will carry out a number of Official Civil duties for the duration of the Mayor's Office. Congratulations Jade.
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Canoe Fleet
We recently launched our new Kayaks and Canada canoes. The Kayaks were obtained on a grant succesfully applied for by our Cadets. Our photo shows the flotilla of 13 boats. {see details of Kayaks below}.
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Brothers spend Grant. New Galley Opened.
PO Cadet Chris Smith and his brother Able Cadet Phil Smith applied for a Community Grant from the Staffs Youth Opportunities Fund. One application was to update the ageing facilities at the unit with a new Galley,furnishings and carpeting. The application had to be a complete excercise of planning costing and obtaining estimates. The other was to enhance the Water Sport facilities and the related health and safety training with six new fully equiped Kayaks. Our attached photo is from today's Tamworth Herald and shows Chris and Phil demonstrating the new top of the range cooker.
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Willow Sculpting
On sunday 15 feb the Tamworth Junior Cadets joined groups from the Beavers and local families weaving scuptures from willow.The main sculpture of a large rainbow trout took 5 hrs to complete by relays of up to 50 volunteers. The model of a Heron could not be completed in time and was taken back by the Cadets to finish at the Unit.The Cadets really appreciated "Stand Easy" consuming many packets of chocalate biscuits and jammy dodgers.Many small items were created and taken away. Our photo shows the cadets at work on the skeleton structure. The completed fish is shown in the next section as I have not yet mastered multiple photos. shorty
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Leading Cadet Tom Bladen wins Rolls Royce Appreticeship.
Tom joined the Cadets four years ago and has studied to obtain a BTec in Engineering. Recently he applied for an Engineering apprenticeship at Rolls Royce Derby. After a full day of interviews and tests on English, maths, operation and theory of jet engines, and manual dexterity, including building a structure, he was offered a placement at RR Derby starting in September. This emphasises the diverse training offered with the Cadets. Tamworth is a recognised SCC training centre for Engineering with possible placement with passenger and commercial shipping lines.CONGRATULATIONS TOM
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Presentation Night 2009
The Unit presentation night was held at Drayton Manor on Friday 15th Feb. During the evening the unit was presented with another Burgee for their performance in 2008. Our phot took over 90 pics.(too many for here) including some interesting karaoke. Copies are avilable at the unit and copies can be made available for a small contribution to our fund. An example of some of the performers who let their hair down after the show is attached.
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Fort Grange Cadets join the Regular Navy
Tom Williams joined the Navy,has completed his submariner's training and has been asigned to HMS Tireless as an SA AB , Chris Reilly was pictured on his passing out parade at HMS Raliegh on the 14th Nov 2008 and has been asigned to T class boats. They will be calling in at the RNA over Christmas for a traditional Naval welcome and an introduction to a Pussers (or two). Good Luck SHIPMATES.
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Cadets Support The Bulwark Association at the National Arboretum
The Bulwark Association,which consists of the former crew Members of HMS Bulwark,HMS Albion and HMS Centaur, recently dedicated a new memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. As Tamworth is the closest RNA to the Arboretum they were invited to use Tamworth as a base.The RNA were asked to invite the local Sea Cadets and to find a bugler for the Ceremony. A group of Cadets attended with their Standard and Colours.Vice Admiral Sir Patrick Symons KBE complimentd the Cadets on their turn out . Our Colours headed the parade. Our photo shows Bearer Chris Smith, who was complimented by the Rear Admiral. The Association Members were later entertained by the Tamworth RNA.
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Community Voluntary Work
On Saturday the 6th of December a group of junior Cadets joined a group of Beaver Scouts in helping the Staffs Wildlife group on the Warwickshire Moor. They collected rubbish and litter and carried the timber from the trees being cut back to a site where a bonfire will be lit on Sunday morning the 21st Dec 2008 at 10.30am.The conservation group will be celebrating Chrismas round the fire with hot drinks and mince pies. Negotiations are in hand for the Staffs wildlife to make a presentation to the Cadets on wildlife preservation with a practical demonstartion where the Cadets can produce their own birdboxes to put in their gardens to encourage different types of birds.
Our photo shows the group after their efforts. The designer "wellies" are obviously "non pusser issue" but captured the fun spirit of the day.They all enjoyed a well earned "Stand easy" with hot drinks and loads of choc biscuits and home made cakes.
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Sub Lt Alan Wright with Junior Cadet
As reported above. The Junior Cadets joined a group of beaver scouts working with the Staffs wildlife group on Warwickshire Moor. They were supervised by our executive Officer Alan Wright and Steve Guest our vice chairman. UM Committee Member Doug Heath followed them round taking the pictures. Our pic shows Alan carrying a large branch assisted by one of the Juniors
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Big Screen Dog Racing + Curry Night
A VERY good night.The Messdeck was crowded with standing room only.Everyone entered into the spirit and cheered on their dog. Curry was served at half time with nam bread.This was very well recieved and we thank our "Galley slaves" for a great effort. Our Master of Ceremonies kept everything under control and our "Bookies" excercised their brains working out the odds. We must do this more often. Our photo shows some of the "punters" who were winning.
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SEA CADETS PRAISED by HERALD
Today the Tamworth Herald printed a letter by a local Councillor who praised the youth of Tamworth. Our unit was quoted as an example. Copy attached.
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YOLE UNVIELLED
At our recent open night and divisional inspection we unveilled our new Yole. She is named Cynthia in remembrance of the wife of our patron who donated the craft. We hope that she will keep her prow ahead of all the competition and bring back honours to the unit. As we now have two yoles we will be able to train crews in active contest.
She will be officialy launched in the near future with due ceremony.
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Collection at MOTO M42 J 10
The Cadets recently held a can shake at Junction 10 Moto services. Moto count the collections and bag the monies. They then make a cheque presentation to the charity concerned. "Didn't we do well". Thanks to the dedicated Cadets and supervising seniors. Our photo shows the cheque for £630.00 being presented by Moto's Manager at our recent Unit Review.
We have been invited to repeat this in the near future
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