|
|
The Unit
Beccles Sea Cadet Unit is situated in Fen Lane, Beccles and the unit parades twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 1930 to 2130.
We have a Junior Section for cadets aged 10-12 (Thursdays only) and a Senior Section for cadets aged 12-18, the senior cadets are divided into divisions which are called Mohawk and Apache (as we are T.S Brave!)
|
Commanding Officer
Sub-Lieutenant(SCC) Simmy Sadler RNR
S/Lt Simmy Sadler first joined Sea Cadets at Beccles Unit aged 12 where she progressed through the rates to Petty Officer Cadet and was awarded the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for Suffolk. She represented Beccles Unit as a cadet in many competitions and had much success winning National Piping a couple of times, amongst others.
Simmy lives in Lowestoft and works in a General Practitioner's as Senior Receptionist.
In 2006 Simmy qualified as a Seamanship Instructor after attending a course at HMS Raleigh, she is a Piping Instructor and holds a Pulling Instructor Certificate and RYA level 2 Power Certificate.
In the summer of 2009 Simmy passed her officers exam and is now Sub LT S Sadler. In November 2009 she attended the Command Course at HMS Excellent, which means she now holds the title of Commanding Officer for the Beccles Unit.
|
First Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant(SCC) Sharon Meadows RNR
Sub Lt Meadows was born and still lives in Lowestoft with her husband Joe. She currently works at Lowestoft College as a Facilitator for adult learning. She has two children Jack 12 and Ben 11 and is stepmum to Toby and Steven.
Sharon is qualified as a Sea Cadet First Aid Instructor and also an RYA First Aid Instructor, she held a Writer/Stores Instructor qualification (which is now, sadly, redundant) and also has her RYA Level 2 Power.
Although never a cadet herself Sharon has been involved with the sea cadets since the age of 5.....her dad was an instructor with the Beccles Unit and is now the Unit President.
Sharon is the First Lieutenant at T.S Brave and also fills the role as Administration Officer but in her time with the unit has had the job of Divisional Officer, Stores Officer and Officer in Charge. She is also the District Staff Officer for First Aid.
Sharon attended SCTC Inskip for her National Officer Selection Board in October 2009 and has now been promoted to Sub-Lieutenant (SCC) RNR.
She was recently presented with the Certificate of Meritorious Service to Sea Cadets by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemarche.
As for the future - she just wants the cadets and staff at Beccles to achieve their goals and she will endeavour to help in any way she can.
|
Training Officer
PO(SCC) Tony Easter
I was a Sea Cadet in my school days (late 70's to early 80's) starting at the Lowestoft Unit and then transferring, later on, to the Beccles Unit after moving from Oulton Broad.
Work career has mainly been in the Merchant Navy serving on Standby Safety Vessels, Dry Cargo Coasters, Tug and Dive Support Ships, and my last company working in Oil Pollution Cleanup Operation around the UK and Europe and a short spell in Singapore.
Having had to retire from the Merchant Navy for medical reasons I now find I have more time on my hands, so I have rejoined the Beccles Unit to give back some of the enjoyment I gained as a Sea Cadet myself.
During Sept 09 I gained my B.C.U. Level 1 Canoe/Kayak instructors qualification and am now looking to add to that, hopefully in 2010, my Level 2.
My main interests are to give the Cadets a sense of pride in themselves through their uniform and being part of the Corps. In the summer months, giving them the chance to get as wet as they like. Also I will now be able to train them in the new B.C.U. qualifications thanks to the Level 1 course.
|
PO (SCC) Dean Harrington
Born in Barking, lived in Rainham and Upminster, Essex. Where I was in the Scouts and played rugby for the school and district. I worked in the port of Tilbury for fourteen years before moving to Lowestoft in 2002, where I now live with my partner and our son.
I have been mountaineering for over twenty years, and this has included voluntary work in Adult/child Education/organisation Coaching in outdoors activities. I have done several cross-country skiing expeditions in Scandinavia, climbed in many parts of the UK, the French & Swiss Alps, I have sailed, scuba dived and I am a keen Canoeist.
Summer 2009 I gained my shoreside B.C.U. Level 1 Canoe/kayak instructor qualification and will be going on to gain my full Level 1 during the Spring of 2010.
Whilst taking part in mountaineering & canoeing I have had the great fortune in making many friends and also had many great experiences and adventures.
I joined the Sea Cadets in Lowestoft in 2004, where I became a Petty Officer and held the position of Assistant Divisional officer, taught expedition training & New Entries syllabus before transferring to Beccles unit in 2007.
I enjoy teaching, as I think that I am giving the people/cadets the chance to experience activities that will give them a sport or interest that they may otherwise have difficulty in trying and I get great satisfaction when they come back with a smile and asking when they're going to do it again.
|
Boats Officer
P.O (SCC) Paul Ruffy
P.O Ruffy was born in Stevenage, Herts and moved to Walton on the Naze at the age of 6. An active boy he joined the cubs and then started Judo competing in many events and gaining his blue belt. He then joined the Sea Cadets and found his main interest, rising through the rates and becoming a Cadet Petty Officer . Taking part in all activities, he particularly enjoyed seamanship, boating and band, he quickly mastered the art of drumming and became the unit's lead drummer. Paul then enlisted in the Royal Navy and having an enthusiasm for engines, either 2 or 4 wheels he joined the marine engineering branch. After his training Paul served on HMS Tartar, HMS Excellent and HMS Exeter. After leaving the Navy, Paul continued his passion for engines and qualified as a heavy goods vehicle driver and has travelled extensively thoughout the UK and Europe.
Paul is married and has 3 children, one of his sons is a cadet at Beccles.
|
PO (SCC) S Davis
Sue lives in Lowestoft, having joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1994 as a combat medical technician she decided after 3 years to leave the army and have a career change. After leaving the Army she enrolled on a nursing course and qualified as a staff nurse. In the last year Sue has undertaken an RYA power boating course with the sea cadets and passed.
Sue is enthusiastic about sea cadets and thinks it is a brilliant way for youngsters to improve their social skills and allow them to try new experiences.
|
P.O. (SCC) L Woodward
P.O. Woodward (Woody to his friends) has been in the Sea Cadet Corps since 1986, where he joined the Ipswich Marine Cadets, transferring to the Blue Jackets (Sea Cadets) at 18.
He has recently moved to Lowestoft, with his fiancée Petty Officer Weaver, and has transferred to Beccles Unit.
In the unit Woody specialises in ET and Power Boating/Safety Boat, but has many years of experience in many other fields, which he happily passes on to the Cadets in his own inevitable way.
|
P.O. (SCC) W Weaver
P.O. Weaver joined the Corps back in 2003 as a Civilian Instructor and went into uniform in 2004. Since joining Wendy has gained qualifications as an RYA Sailing Instructor and Safety Boat along with others, such as Cook/Steward Instructor and Communications. She also spent time on T.S. Royalist as the Cook.
P.O. Weaver joined Beccles Unit in 2009, after moving to Lowestoft with her "other half", P.O. Woodward. They have 5 children between them.
Wendy believes that the Sea Cadets is all about having fun and likes nothing more than to spend her time on the water, when the sun is shining.
|
Mr K Loffstadt
To follow
|
PCI S Spillings
Simon first joined Beccles Unit in July 2004 at the age of 12 and made it to Leading Cadet.
He is currently Divisional Officer for the Junior Section and is enjoying it, especially as he hopes to train to become a Primary School Teacher.
One of Simon’s proudest moments as a cadet was being invited to attend the National Regatta in 2006 and came 4th in the junior boys relay. Simon enjoyed representing the unit at competitions at both district and area level and one of his biggest achievements was coming first in the individual piping competition in 2008.
Something that Simon will never forget is being part of the National Trafalgar Day Parade in London in 2010, "It was a great honour for me to be able to march in a parade in which the Sea Cadets represent the Royal Navy."
Simon achieved many qualifications as a cadet and the one he was most proud of was gaining his Cadet Pulling Instructor, the first person to gain this qualification from Beccles Unit for many years.
Simon has just joined the staff and is enjoying the transition from cadet to staff, he is keen to get back into uniform.
Simon hopes to become a Drill Instructor in the nearby future as well as gaining his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
|
P.O. (SCC) A Tibbles
To follow
|
Our District Staff
Lt Cdr (SCC) P J Meadows RNR
District Officer - East Anglia
|
Lt (SCC) A Blackburn RNR
Deputy District Officer - East Anglia
|