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HMS GANNET VISITS UNIT
We recently had a vist from an aircraft from HMS GANNET. We often see these helicopters flying over Fort William and Ben Nevis on Search and Rescue missions but the oportunity to have a flight in a Sea King and to find out about what it took to fly one could not be missed!
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JOHN JERWOOD COMES TO CORPACH
.jpg "The TS John Jerwood lying at Corpach")
We were delighted to be able to host avisit of the John Jerwood and the AGM of the Sea Cadet Association in Scotland over the weekend of 30-31st May 2008.
Guided tours were given by our cadets to Fort William Priamry School and Banavie Primary School. Members of the public and local VIP's were also shown round the ship by cadets Chloe Elder, Jordan Cattanach and Rebecca Hickman who had not long returned from a week at sea on her.
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UNIT WINS FIRST PENNANT IN 29 YEARS !!!
Each year the unit is assessed by the Royal Navy. The assessment tests the units admin systems, it's health and safety standards, training programme, unit management committe and parade and ceremonial standards.
This year, we were awarded the highest mark in 29 years and have been recommended for an efficiency Pennant!
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Bomb Disposal Team in Lochaber
Following a very kind offer from local Coastguard Manager Phil Wren, the cadets were able to meet the Northern Bomb Disposal Team on a routine visit to the Corpach Coastguard Station.
The days wasn't the best, as the picture shows, but the cadets had a great time - thanks to everyone involved!
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Fort William Sea Cadet Instructor Visits the Falkland Islands
TI Miriam Iorwerth has returned to South Georgia to work at the museum for 6 months.
For a spot of fun and, of course, promoting international relations between the Falklands and Scottish Highlands, Miriam visited the Sea Cadets there. She thoroughly enjoyed herself and will be bringing back some ideas when she returns to Fort William in 2008.
See the article called:
Life on the Antartic Wave - 22 Sept 2007, found at http://units.ms-sc.org/Lochaber/Activities
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New Fort William Sea Cadet Safety Boat called 'Nevis'
Lochaber Sea Cadets were joined, on 11 September 2007, by the Provost of Lochaber, Councillor Allan Henderson and his wife Sandra who named TS St Christopher's new powerboat, at the Outward Bound Centre, on the shores of Loch Eil.
As tradition holds, they were ably assisted by the youngest cadet in the Unit, 10 year old Junior Cadet Matthew Cattanach, from Inchree.
Named 'Nevis,' the boat takes its name from Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, which rises a couple of miles from the back door of the Lochaber Sea Cadet Unit, Croft Road, Fort William
Ben Nevis has its height disputed but is recorded at 1,344 metres or 4,409 feet. She is a major tourist attraction as well as incurring fund raising events.
It is well remembered when Adrian Hope, ex-officer of the Unit, organised a group of cadets to take 2 x 11 ft dinghies up the Ben and sailing on the half-mile lochan, which won an annual award for the most enterprising and adventurous project!
STOP PRESS...
See The Oban Times, Thursday 20 September 2007, front page and
The Lochaber News, Saturday 22 September 2007, page 9.
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Fort William Sea Cadets Swim to Success Bringing Back Gold!!!
Our Cadets had outstanding success in the District Swimming Regatta, Clyde Naval Base, Faslane.
This was the first time a team from Lochaber had competed in many years.
CONGRATULATIONS go to the team comprising Cadets:
*Shannan Feggans, Sophie Feggans
*Emma Robertson, Rebecca Hickman, Jordan Cattanach and *Junior Cadet Kieran McFarlane
who won a number of prizes.
STOP PRESS... Check out The Lochaber News, 15 September 2007, Page 9!
Lochaber almost swept the board in the breast stroke when Shannan Feggans and Emma Robertson took first and second places respectively while Sophie Feggans won her gold medal in the Freestyle competition.
As a result of this success, Lochaber will go forward to the Northern Area Regatta where they will be competing against units from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England. Lochaber Sea Cadets’ Commanding Officer, Derrick Warner explained:
“ This is a tremendous step forward for us. On top of having an extremely successful summer, this really is the icing on the cake. The Cadets did fantastically well and the whole team should be really proud of themselves.”
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New Safety Boat has Arrived!
The new safety boat - a 5.7 metre Humber RIB, with 40 HP outboard has arrived at Fort William.
A big thank you goes to all those involved in the fund raising and procurement of this vessel. (Please refer to earlier entry entitled "FORT WILLIAM'S SEA CADETS GET NEW BOAT."
Her presence provides a major asset to St Christopher in the sailing, powerboat and pulling qualifications on offer to our cadets and staff from both the Sea Cadet Corps and professional bodies such as the Royal Yachting Association.
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TS St Christopher - 55th Birthday
On 3 July 2007, TS St Christopher celebrated its 55th birthday. To mark this anniversary, the Unit held a barbecue at the Joint Cadet Unit, Fort William.
The event was well attended and despite the occasional downpour it was great fun.
A big thank you to all who helped make the event a success.
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TEAMWORK PULLS IN THE CASH !
Good Friday saw us being joined by the new Oban Unit to take part in a unique exercise.
We pulled 53 tonne HMS SMITER for a mile along the Caledonian Canal to raise money for Water Aid and Unit Funds. We understand that this is the first time anything like this has ever been done in the Corps. After months of meticulous planning the day went like clockwork and everyone had a fantastic day raising money for charity. In all about £2000 has been pledged.
For more info and pictures go to the gallery and fundraising pages.
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ELITE TEAM INVITED TO OBAN !
We were delighted to be invited to put on a small parade in support of our Oban sub-unit to welcome the Northern Lighthouse Board’s new ship ‘PHAROS’ on March 31st.
The weather on the day was fantastic as we joined fourteen of Obans 18 cadets on the pier. Once the ship had gingerly tied up, the cadets were taken aboard to see round the vessel. The increase in the technology used on this ship includes a full hydrographic survey suite where they can now produce their own charts. With about 150 buoys and some 80 lighthouses to look after, the Pharos, and her sister ship have busy lives. We’d like to thank everyone in Oban for their kind hospitality – we had a super day.
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Oban Unit Up and Running !
After an absence of many years Oban has a Sea Cadet Unit again – parented by us! Thursday 15th February saw a team which included Cadets Redmond, Macdonald and Cattanach travel down to attend their enrolment evening. During the evening a well attended meeting was addressed by the CO’s of the Oban and Lochaber Units and the first ten cadets were signed up. Oban’s Officer in Charge, Sub Lieutenant Ewan McCuish said “We’re having our first parade night on the 8th of March. It will be the first sea cadet night in 45 years! ”. Derrick Warner, Commanding Officer of the Lochaber Unit explained “Coming from a town with a strong maritime heritage, Oban has a strong committee and an excellent team of staff – they have the potential to be a very strong unit. They already have a motor boat and access to a number of dinghies at the local yacht club. “ It is hoped that a close partnership between the two units will develop over time.
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Local links with the Battle of Trafalgar
During 2005, the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, we were closely involved in a number of events which linked the local area with Nelson’s fleet.
Although some 2000 miles away, Lochaber and Lorne were instrumental in supporting the battle effort. As well as the men who left this area to fight with Nelson, the cannon balls that were fired by HMS Victory and her fleet were made at the Bonawe iron furnace at Taynuilt,near Oban. Indeed, the men of the ironworks felt so connected to the battle that, on hearing the sad news of Nelson’s death, erected the first memorial in Britain to the famous leader and his men.
The story then reaches further in to the local communities of north Argyll because the charcoal which was used in the iron smelting process was made in the local oak woodland. One of these woods was in Glen Nant, now a National Nature Reserve managed by the Forestry Commission.
After the initial parade in Taynuilt with the local community and the Ships Company of HMS Penzance in the summer, an autumn tree planting session was held in Glen Nant “To put something back”, as our CO said.
We’ve recently been told that the trees are doing well and that a plaque has been put on site to record the event.
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Annual cruise a great success
Each year we go on a weekend cruise along a section of the Caledonian Canal, and 2006 was no different, thanks to a generous donation from West Highland Sailing and Cruising.
The weekend included training the cadets in boat handling and seamanship skills as well as putting them through their water safety certificates.
Time was also spent Nessie hunting in Loch Ness - still no luck there!
On the way back down the canal the cadets were involved in assisting other, less experienced boat users through the various locks. Not bad for a first time afloat!
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INSTRUCTORS NEEDED
We are currently looking to recruit some instructors to help us run the unit.
You must be over 18 years old but you don't need to be an expert sailor or have been in the Royal Navy. Training can be given in a variety of subjects and there are plenty of oportunities for promotion.
If you are interested please contact us by e-mail or by phoning 01397 712605.
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