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November Ceremonies '08
Waltham Forest had an eventful weekend this year, it began on Saturday 8th November when Marine Cadets Healey and Sherwood joined other London Marine Cadets for the Lord Mayors Show, lining the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. They also took part in the second leg of the parade with the London Area Sea Cadet contingent. Not to mention fulfilling Sgt Somogyi's life long ambition of meeting Graham Cole (ITV 1's The Bill actor PC Tony Stamp!!)
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Then on Sunday 9th November the entire unit paid its respects to fallen Armed service men and women at Waltham Forest Town Hall Cenotaph. This was also the first time our two Junior Cadet Sections (10-12 year olds) had paraded together! Then MC Langley and AC Medcalf supported the North East District Parade in Enfield.
Well done to everyone that attended these events!
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Olympic flags raised at City Hall!
On 26th September 08, Waltham Forest Sea Cadet Ordinary Cdt Osbourne was amongst the cadets from London Area who took part in the raising of the Olympic Flags and Union Flag ceremony outside London City Hall meeting past, present and future Athletes not to mention Mayor Boris Johnson, Lord Coe and Tessa Jowell MP! Cadets also managed to speak to Beijing Olympic 400m gold medalist winner Christine Ohuruogu. The event was broadcast across the world and summed up by Mayor Johnson who said, "Raising the flags together at City Hall marks a historic moment for London, following the return of all our athletes who performed so brilliantly at the Beijing Games."
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Lest we forget....
Waltham Forest Sea Cadet Unit has always been proud to be known as TS ACORN, however bearing in mind the last HMS ACORN in the Royal Navy to bare the name was in the mid 1920's and prior to the standardisation of Ships badges/crests, it has always been somewhat difficult to find any information on her history.
So when Sgt Somogyi stumbled across the Bermuda Royal Naval Cemetery whilst sight seeing on his holiday at the start of August, it was somewhat of a surprise to find the largest of monuments devoted to some of the brave ships company of HMS ACORN who appeared to have sadly perished in gales between Halifax and Bermuda in April 1828.
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Waltham Forest Marine Cadets first female recruits...!!
Well after months in the planning, Waltham Forest Marine Cadet Detachment has finally been granted permission to recruit females into the ranks and to start us off, we welcome former Sea Cadets, AC Langley and Cdt Geddes who are now undertaking there recruit training cadre and as you would expect, the toughest training of any of the cadet forces.
The girls will be expected to work alongside the other male recruits and to the same high standards, all keen to earn the privilage of wearing the cap badge of the Royal Marines.
Nationally, females have been able to join the Marine Cadets for while but rules state that you must have female staff so special thanks to TI's Leaves and Geddes for making this finally happen...!!
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Formal opening of the James Shadbolt Training Annex
The long wait is finally over!! On the 3rd July 2008, the unit formally opened it's brand new Training Annex, this purpose built facility extends the 1992 building to the rear of the main deck and will serve as classrooms and overnight accommodation for cadet courses. The previous classroom block was a 20 year porta-cabin!!
The James Shadbolt Training Annex, was opened by Commodore Cameron (Portsmouth Flotilla) and is so called after the long serving Unit Life President. The annex includes a dedicated Seamanship room, MCD Barracks, Junior Section Classroom and five further classrooms for general training.
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TA100
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The unit attended Horse Guards Parade on 21st June '08 for TA100, the Territorial Army Pageant. The event was to mark the 100th anniversary of both the TA and the RFCA. HRH the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were both in attendance. The selected cadets who were chosen for there hard work over the past months leading up towards the units own opening ceremony in July '08....
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Gladiators - Sky One!!
A selection of cadets from Waltham Forest were invited to attend the filming of the Gladiators Armed Forces Special at Shepperton Studios. The cadets even got the chance to meet the presenters and some of the Gladiators after the show!! The day was a great opportunity to have a well earned break from normal cadet training and for the Marine Cadets a rare chance to be watching the contenders doing the physical stuff!!
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November Ceremonies '07
November is traditionally a busy time of year for the unit and 07 was no different. On Saturday 10/11/07 three marines cadets from Waltham Forest Marine Cadets formed part of a lining party on the steps of St Pauls Cathedral during the Lord Mayors Show. On Sunday 11/11/07 at 1100hrs, cadets from Waltham Forest took part in the Boroughs parade at Waltham Forest Town Hall. A short parade was also held from Lloyds Park to the town hall. The unit had 26 cadets and Junior cadets on parade. Well done to everyone that took part check out the photos in the Gallery area of Waltham Forest Guardian website......
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Field Assessment '07
The units Marine Cadet detachment were called into action over the 7-9th Sept 07 for the National Field Assessment. This year the detachment were put through there paces with the addition of area assessments in Field Hygiene, weapons handling, patrolling and other fieldcraft skills. Overall the detachment performed well for a new combined section that included cadets from both Albion and Bulwark divisions and acheived some of the highest marks in the area with an overall 'GOOD' ranking.
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Sea Cadet Fest '07
Cadets and staff from the unit recently took part in the Sea Cadet Fest '07, held over the 1st and 2nd of September at Lakeside shopping centre. London area provided an SA80 rifle conitunity drill display which included newly promoted POC Farress, MC2 Bonner and SGT (SCC) Somogyi. PO (SCC) Burns also assisted with the first aid stand. The Sea Cadet fest was the second time the SCC has run such an event and the next is due in Norwich next year...! Check out some of the photos in the gallery
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