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T.S Enterprise
T.S. Enterprise has been serving West Bristol and the top of Somerset for over sixty years offering activities ranging from expedition training to off shore sailing and power boating.
In late 1942 the Royal Navy recognised the valuable training that the Sea Cadet Corps offered. Cadets, when called up already had most of the skills that the Navy sought in World War II. This was especially true for the Communications Branch. This lead to money being given to the Corps to provide training and set up new units. As a result TS Enterprise or if you prefer Bristol Avonmouth Sea Cadets was born in 1943! More information can be found in the time line below. We even have cadets who are the second or third generation to be a cadet!
Bristol (Avonmouth) Sea Cadets and The Sea Cadet Corps are still independent charities. We value the relationship we have with the Royal Navy but also enjoy the flexibility our independence allows us.
Over the years the cadets in our unit have done many memorable activities like Trafalgar Day parades in London and participated in off shore races in tall ships. We are regular visitors to HMS Sultan where we stay in a Victorian Fort, Air Day at HMS Heron and almost every RN ship that comes to Bristol! Visit our News and Picture Gallery sections for more information.
The Unit Structure
The unit is divided into three divisions (sections). Each is named after a current or former Royal Navy ship.
Vanguard Division - senior cadets
Dreadnought Division - senior cadets
Ganges Division - junior cadets
Each has a dedicated member of staff called a divisional officer (a bit like a form tutor). Their role is to keep an eye on the development of each cadet in the division and support them in their Sea Cadet career. They are also responsible for ensuring that they are properly turned out!
The unit is commanded by the Commanding Officer (to maintain the school theme this would be the head teacher) and backed up by the First Lieutenant also called an Executive Officer (deputy head teacher). The Training Officer (head of studies), Administration Officer, Officer in Charge (OiC) Juniors and Stores Officer completes the heads of department. The OiC Juniors combines the role of divisional officer and training officer for the unit's Junior Sea Cadets.
The Unit Management Committee (govenors) look after the unit's finances, buildings and provision of unit owned equipment. All parents/guardians of cadets are automatically members of the Parents and Supporters sub-committee (PTA).
We also have a padre (vicar) who provides non-denominational pastoral care.
Our programme is overflowing with wonderful opportunities for this year. Don't take our word for it - come and see for yourself.
We are also home to Shirehampton Amateur Radio Club.
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74% of people our naval heritage should be celebrated!
So let’s do it, let’s raise a cheer for the navy and all it’s given us – well known and everyday sayings, tattoos, songs and skills.
Survey conducted by Woods 100 Old Navy Rum
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Our Name
We are named after an 1930s 'E' class destroyer. Many towns and communities raised funds for the Royal Navy during World War II by sponsoring a particular ship. With the expansion of the Sea Cadet Corps at this time, units often took the name of the sponsored ship.
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We are honoured to be allowed to share the ship's badge (emblem) with that ship and the current Royal Navy ship, HMS Enterprise.
The ship's and thus our motto is 'Spes aspera levat' which translates as 'Hope lightens difficulties'.
The current HMS Enterprise is an inshore hydrographic survey vessel. In English this means that she collects the data to make maps of the sea floor close to land.
Royal Navy website - HMS Enterprise
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Our Affiliated Ship
Our affiliated ship is Falklands War veteran, HMS Bristol (D33). She is the first and only one of her type. HMS Bristol was commissioned in 1974 in Avonmouth. She has the distinction of being the last RN warship to have a wood deck.
Technically HMS Bristol is still part of the Royal Navy with a combined RN and SCC crew. Her role is as a Sea Cadet accomodation ship and RN/SCC training vessel. Her berth is off HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth.
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Time line for Bristol Sea Cadet Corps and TS Enterprise
1856: Sea Cadet Corps is founded as Naval Lads Brigades, but with no official organisation behind them.
1895: The Navy League in Britain formed in Bristol.
1910: Navy League units formed in Bristol.
1938: 23rd May, Bristol branch of the Sea Cadet Corps formed. First meeting held at the Victoria Rooms. Rev. Percy Gay as chairman, Major Bell representing the Navy League, and Lt CDR H D Harding as secretary.
1938: 20th July, First recruitment held at Artillery Hall in Clifton. Five ex RNVR CPOs offered their services as instructors. 12 boys joined the corps. The Commanding Officer was Lt Cdr H D Bevan RNVR.
1938: 21st November, presentation of unit colours by Admiral Sir William James, at the Victoria rooms in Bristol. The Duke of Beaufort presided, along with Lord Lloyd of Dolobran, president of the Navy League. Also present were Mr W D Wills and Cdr A Wills OBE RNR.
1938/39: The establishment of the unit went from 12 to 200 cadets. However, at this time, Bristol Sea Cadets had no permanent HQ and used a number of sites in Bristol.
1939: 23rd April, unit colours were dedicated at St George's church, Brandon hill. The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Mr Milton, presided. Cdr Harvey, Commanding Officer of HMS Flying Fox, took the salute.
1939: 26th April, the unit was inspected by Lt Cdr R.H. Cooper RNR from HMS Flying Fox. As a result of the inspection, the Bristol unit (known as TS Adventure) was granted Admiralty recognition.
1942: The Admiralty takes over the training of cadets, jointly with the Navy League. HM King George VI becomes first Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps.
1943: Bristol Sea Cadets is split up to form separate units in localities around Bristol. TS Enterprise is founded in Avonmouth Docks along with units in Filton, Knowle and the city centre.
1983: Bristol Avonmouth Sea Cadets move to their present site in Shirehampton but retain the Avonmouth name.
2005: Bristol Avonmouth Sea Cadets are the inaugural winners of the Howe HPC award. It consists of a commemorative plaque and a piece of equipment to the value of £100. The prize is awarded to a Sea Cadet Unit who, in the judgement of the WARSHIPS IFR editorial board, make a significant contribution to their local community and whose activities have featured in the pages of the magazine.
2009: PO Cadet Hillier is appointed Lord Lieutenant's Cadet. The first in the unit for some years.
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Our Cadets
Our cadets come from all backgrounds and abilities. A knowledge of anything to do with the sea is not necessary as we will provide!
Our official catchment area is the Northern part of Somerset e.g. Portishead and Nailsea and the Western portion of Bristol. We do, however have a number of cadets who choose to come from further afield.
Our cadets are well known for being polite, fun-loving and up for anything which explains why we are so popular with the public.
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Senior Cadets
(Puddle Pirates*)
Our cadets have the opportunity to undertake a wide variety of activities during their time with us. Firstly they are able to specialise in a wide variety of subjects, starting off at a basic class 3 level and progressing up to class 1, at which point they are considered real specialist’s in their subject and are often at the same standard as the their class 3 RN counterpart.
There is something for everyone whether you are an active person, someone who works with their hands, theory based classroom work or even cooking! Now our class one specialisation's are becoming nationally recognised qualifications such as NVQs. Why not come along and see what suits you?
Our specialisations include:
First Aid, Drill, Seamanship, Communications, Physical Training, Cook/Steward, Marine Engineering, Chart work, First Aid and more...
* This is the Royal Navy's affectionate nickname for Sea Cadets
Being Sea Cadets we do like to use the water every now and again! Our unit has the Bristol Docks close by which we can use for a variety of activities including Dinghy Sailing, Pulling (rowing), Canoeing and Power Boating.
Cadets can then use their new skills to gain nationally recognised sailing & power qualifications from the Royal Yachting Association & Canoe qualifications from the British Canoe Union.
Courses are offered all around the country and cadets can also try Diving & Windsurfing at Area and National Level!
The pride of the Sea Cadets is our Offshore Fleet. The tall ship TS Royalist, the power vessels TS John Jerwood and newly commissioned Jack Petchey as well as the yachts TS Vigilant & TS City Liveryman provide a unique opportunity for the cadets to travel up and down the coast having a real chance to crew a ship at sea. Under the supervision of the fully qualified full time crew, the cadets have the experience of a lifetime doing everything from navigating & steering to cooking and setting the sails and manning the engine room. With opportunities to go to France & the Channel Islands occurring regularly, we have never heard of a cadet not enjoying their time offshore.
Want the chance to experience something different? Then get in touch today... 0117 982 39 38
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Junior Cadets
(puddle pirates in training!)
Juniors are very special people! These 10 -12 year olds are our youngest members and are always having a good time! They have a syllabus specifically designed for having fun and keeping busy. Our dedicated Officer-in-Charge Juniors obviously has to have endless enthusiasm just to keep up with them! With camps, trips out, games and much more juniors simply don’t have chance to be bored!
Oh and don’t worry, juniors still find the time to do boat work and things too!
Don’t miss out the chance to be part of this amazing team! Call 0117 982 39 38 or pop in to speak to our OiC Juniors (Petty Officer (SCC) Christopher Batt) or the Commanding Officer.
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Our Staff
The staff of TS Enterprise are all dedicated volunteers from a variety of backgrounds including the Police, Education, Railways, Retail, Security, Law, Building Maintenance and of course the Royal and Merchant Navies. The Padre is Church of England. We have a mix of male and female staff as well as a mix of ages from 18 to over 60.
The staff fall into three groups. The main one is the uniformed staff, who provide the training and its administration. These are supported by the Unit Management Committee who fund raise, provide the equipment and maintain the buildings. The last group are of course the Sea Cadet Corps itself at district, area and national levels.
While we offer all these amazing opportunities for cadets, we haven’t forgotten our volunteer adult instructors!
Full week & weekend courses run throughout the year to supplement the training received at unit level. We make sure our instructors are well trained so we can deliver the highest standard of instruction to our cadets.
As well as a great social element, the cadets also offers professional qualifications for its adults such as degrees & CVQs (see the CVQO link in the links section for details) and the nationally recognised boating qualifications from the RYA & BCU (also see links). Two of our staff are undertaking NVQs in Team leading and IT based on their time at cadets.
If you want to the chance to meet new people, try new experiences and volunteer along with some of the most interesting young people in the country then come along and join in! No experience or knowledge required just some dedication and a sense of humour!
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Parade Times
Seniors (ages 12- 18): - Monday & Thursday
Juniors (ages 10- 12): - Thursday
Times (both days) 18:45 - 21:00
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