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Hertforshire District Sea Cadets Trafalgar Day Parade
On Sunday 18th October 2009 the Sea Cadets from the Hertfordshire District assembled in Stevenage for the annual Trafalgar Parade. The parade was inspected by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Stevenage before marching through the High Street to Trinity Church for a service conducted by the Revd Geoff Trickner.
Pictures in the Picture Gallery.
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Eastern Area Band Competition
On the 21st June 2009 Stevenage took part in the Eastern Area Band Competition and was awarded:
Best Band Competition Class
Best Drum Major - OC Taylor Hennah
Best Solo Drummer(2nd year running)- LC Henry Bowyer
Best Solo Bugler - LC Jack Attridge
The High Sherieff of Lincolnshire Sarah McCorkindale presented the awards.
See photos of the day in Picture Gallery
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Congratulations to Lieutenant Margaret Coates on her Promotion
This was a very good week for Margaret as she has been appointed the District Officer for Hertfordshire and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander
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Stevenage Sea Cadets visit Portsmouth
22 cadets, 5 Staff and the Mayor of Stevenage Cllr Mick Patston enjoyed a 3 day visit to Portsmouth staying on HMS Bristol. HMS Bristol is the Sea Cadet Training ship moored along side HMS Excellent.
During the visit the Cadets enjoyed a band training session at the Royal Marine Band School of Music, Drill training by the Royal Navy Ceremonial team at HMS Collingwood, also include in the trip were visits to Action Stations, The Submarine Museum, a Harbour Boat tour and a ship’s visit to HMS Nottingham.
The cost of the trip was sponsored by MBDA UK and the Sea Cadet Eastern Area HQ, Margaret Coates the Commanding Officer would like to thank MBDA for their help with this trip and Ray Watts Naval Adviser MBDA who first the plan into action.
Photos in the Picture Gallery
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New Staff
Congratulations to Robert Prior who has been promoted to PPO and Oliver James to TI
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Unarmed Guard Competition and the Piping
Area Drill & Piping - 21-23 Feb 2009
Stevenage Unit represented Herts District in the Unarmed Guard Competition and the Piping. The Piping team came 4h and AC Domanic Main won the individual competition and will represent Eastern Area at the National comp at HMS Raleigh in April.
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District Seamanship Competition
Stevenage won the District Seamanship competition on the 8th March the team were AC Springall.AC Smith, AC Stratford, AC Maisey
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District Piping
Congratulations to AC M Hinman – District Piping Individual Piping Winner.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to Christopher Hooper-Callcut who has completed his training at HMS Raleigh and 'Passed Out' on Friday 17th October 2008
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National Band Competition 2008
The Band traveled to H.M.S.Drake at Plymouth on the 22nd August for the weekend to compete in the National Band Competition. This is the first time that they have succeeded in reaching the finals.
There were 3 Bands in the Premier Competition and 7 in the Contest class. Our Band was 16 strong and competing in the Contest class where we achieved 3rd place, this is very good for first time finalists.
In the solo drumming competitions LC H. Bowyer reached the finals. A good weekend was had by all.
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Affilation of Sea Cadets and Royal British Legion
The Stevenage Sea Cadets has affiliated with the Walkern Branch of the Royal British Legion in a move to encourage greater interest in the Legion’s work among youngsters.
The affiliation was signed at a special ceremony on the 4th July 2008 held at the Sea Cadets headquarters with the Stevenage Mayor and Mayoress Councillor and Mrs Mick Patston, guest of honour.
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Area Band Contest
The Stevenage Band came second and the Best band overall at the Area Band Contest in Peterbough on the 15th June 2008.
Solo results:
Drummer - 1st - LC H Bower
3rd - POc R Prior
Bugling - 2nd - AC J Attridge
Drum Major - 2nd - LC B Child
The Band will be attending the National Band Contest on the 22nd-24th August 2008.
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Burgee Presentation
On Friday 7th March, the official presentation of the 2007 Burgee was made by Mr Mike Burn from John Lewis WGC.
Mr Burn was given an official guard of honour to welcome him to TS Andromeda, following Colours and prayers Mike then inspected the Ship’s Company and spoke to every Cadet and Junior Cadet to find about what activities were available.
Following a cup of tea and a chat to the Staff, Mike was then watched 3 demonstrations by the cadets , 1) The Junior section acted a sketch which centered on a Monday morning at school where Junior cadets told the rest of the class all the things they can do at the Unit and in Sea Cadets.
The Piping Team who represented Herts District at the recent Area Piping Comp gave a demonstration of their comp routine.
This was followed by a display by the Unit Band.
After evening colours Mike presented the Burgee to POC Robert Prior, he said that this was achieved by hard work, dedication an team work of all cadets, staff and UMC.
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Auditions for Sea Cadet band
Saturday 1st March 7 Stevenage cadets attended the Cambridge Unit where the director of music for Sea Cadets where auditioning for a band of around 120 cadets to play at Twickenham Rugby ground for a match between the Royal Navy and the Army, on May 3rd.
I am pleased to say that 7 of the Stevenage Band were accepted.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to AC Main, OC Harvey and OC Hinman on winning The District Piping Competition and will represent Herts District in the Area competition.
Congratulations to AC Child, AC Bowyer and AC M Hayes who successfully passed their Leading Cadet Advancement Board on Sunday 27th January 2008.
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Congratulations Stevenage
Stevenage Sea Cadets have won a national award and reached the top amongst all the Sea Cadet units in the country. Following their May 2007 Royal Navy Inspection The unit was judged amongst the top ten percent of all units within the country for 2007, there are over 400 units, and were awarded a "Burgee", this was a great achievement for the unit as it is the sixith year in a row that they have won this award. A Burgee is a small flag and it is only presented to the top Units in the UK, so it is an honour for any unit to receive one.
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Christmas Raffle
We would like to thank parents and friends for supporting the Christmas Raffle.
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Stevenage Band
23rd September - The Band lead the Parade at the Commissioning of TS Lord Nelson a new unit for Norwich Unit. the Band have been invited back to Norwich in Sept 2008 for the 'Seafeast' which will involve displays in Norwich City Centre.
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Congratulations
'Congratulations' to Ben Trafford, Alison Reid and Taylor Hennah who were enrolled on Tuesday 16th October.
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AGM
Officer-in-Charge Report
Stevenage Unit Management Committee Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 5th September 2007
GENERAL REPORT
This last year has been a very successful year for the cadets as they have worked very hard taking part in various events, gaining qualifications, and attending Area and National Training Courses and the unit was awarded Burgee for 2006.
We have increased our strength to 36 fully enrolled cadets, 5 New Entry with 12 Juniors
Two cadets joined the RN at the end of 2006, one is now on HMS Albion, and the other was discharged on medical grounds and is now a member of Staff.
Staff – The Staff numbers have increased since last year.
The Hertfordshire Lodge of the Freemasons donated £1000 for training equipment; the cheque was presented at a charity lunch in St Albans.
Stevenage Unit still continues to support the community at fund raising events and the staff and cadets also support the committee in their fund raising events, this year they completed a Fun Run for Unit Funds.
I would like to thank all the cadets and staff for the way they help others and always are smart and therefore raise the profile of the unit at these events.
KEY EVENTS 2006 - 2007
Annual Inspection
The RN Inspection was on 15th May, and proved to be a very successful evening, Mayor Designate of Stevenage, Head teachers and representatives from local groups were our VIP guests, and the Area Commander gave a very favourable report and was impressed by the evolutions. I am pleased to also report that we had good support from parents, families and friends in fact ‘standing room only’.
Herts District Trafalgar Parade
CI Bollen again trained the District Band for the District Trafalgar Parade at Herts & Ware and is now in the process of forming this year’s band. Cadets and Staff were in the Colour Guard.
Remembrance Day
Cadets and Staff assisted the British Legion with the Poppy day collections in the Old Town area of Stevenage.
The Unit Band were invited to play in the parade and a strong smart squad marched in the Remembrance Day Parade in November, 4 cadets stood guard at the Memorial, and a Leading Cadet lowered the Union Jack for the 2-minute silence, one Able Cadet carried the British Legion Standard at Walkern.
Unit Camp – Wymondley Wood - June
The Annual Unit Camp was held at the activity centre at Wymondley Wood for a ‘Fun Weekend’ which included Air Rifle Shooting, Orienteering, Assault Course, ET training, Fish and Chip Supper, ‘Sod’s Opera’ and a Bingo night, the event is planned again for July 2008.
The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire
Mr Howard Guard of Radlett requested our assistance at his Garden Party and Opera Night, 8 Cadets and 2 Staff attended, he as requested the POC Prior carry his sword at his Justice Service in November at St Albans Abbey.
UNIT BAND
The Unit band trained by CI Bollen and assisted by TI Potter has gone from strength to strength, they have been asked to play at many events, some we have turned down, but they have played for the Stevenage District Scouts for their 100 years celebrations, the Royal Marine Association in Welwyn Garden City, local fetes in Hatfield, and Stevenage, they also were runners up at this years Area Band Contest, - Well Done
DISTRICT AND AREA COMPETITIONS
The Unit took part in the following District events: Five –a-side Football, Piping, Pulling, and Drill.
The Unit represented the District at the following events: ET, Piping and the Area Regatta with 2 Pulling Teams.
The Junior Section also entered the Football and District Pulling Regatta, and attended the Area Junior Regatta and District Junior Camp at Wymondley Wood.
Stevenage Unit staff and cadets give a lot of support to the District and Area events as competitors and Duty Staff
CADET PROMOTIONS
We now have 1 Petty Officer Cadet and 5 Leading Cadets in the Unit and we are preparing Able and Leading Cadets for the next advancement board.
TRAINING / COURSES
Cadets
As well as Unit training the Cadets have attended Area and National Courses, Off shore: - 3 Cadets have sailed on the Royalist, 5 cadets attended the National Band Course at HMS Raleigh, 13 Cadets went to the Area Summer Camp all gained qualifications. 1 cadet completed 2nd Class Seamanship at Raleigh, Cadets have attended two London Area Drill courses, and POC Prior attended the BRNC Camp.
Between the 12 months May 06- May 07, Cadets achieved more than 3 qualifications each
Staff
CI Bollen successfully attended a Seamanship Course at HMS Raleigh, and enjoyed the Area Summer Camp
TI M Attridge has completed a Weapons Handling & Safety Course
Staff have attended 2 Multi Training Weekends at Beckingham and District Training weekends
UNIT PERSONNEL
PO Lynn Jones 1st Lt, Stores, and General Training including Cook Steward and Seamanship
Lt Cdr Alex White Boats Officer, Pulling, Power, Junior Section,
PO Gary Jones Canoeing, Sailing, Power
PO Richard Springall Kayaking, Piping
PO Carl Nash Drill, Kayaking
PO Lauren Robinson Drill and General Training
CI John Springall Administration Officer, Marine Engineering
CI Bollen Seamanship, Band, Divisional Officer
CI Jill Child Admin, Courses
TI Tracy Attridge Divisional Officer and Courses
TI Mark Attridge Divisional Officer and Shooting
TI Tanya Slessor DoE and Junior Programme
TI Kaylee Potter Band and New Entry training
We as Unit staff are a team who work well together, the staff give me 100% support and put in many valuable hours extra to parade nights to train the cadets and also go away to improve their own qualifications. Without this dedication the unit would not successful, and the cadets would not be able to take part in so many activities.
To all the staff I say thank you very much, it is much appreciated.
UNIT BUILDING
The saga of a new Unit HQ is still ongoing, I have met with Stevenage Borough Council Estates Management and Architects department, and now the building tender has been agreed I have also met with the representative from the Jarvis Group who will build the new HQ, but no further news as yet.
The general maintenance of the building and grounds has mainly been due to the hard work of the staff and supporters; I would particularly like to thank the Chairman for all his many hours on maintenance of the grounds, and general repairs in and around the Unit.
UNIT BOATS
All unit boats are in a satisfactory condition, but we do need to concentrate on a maintenance programme during the winter months.
GENERAL COMMENTS
To keep a Sea Cadet Unit up and running takes a great deal of commitment, time, effort and money. With the Staff, Unit Management Committee (UMC) and Parent’s support that TS Andromeda are lucky enough to have, we continue to be a good and successful unit.
In conclusion, with the Royal Navy Inspection behind us, an ongoing Training Programme, and with the continual commitment shown so far this year, I look forward to another successful year
Lt (SCC) M E Coates RNR
Officer-in-Charge - Stevenage Unit
September 2007
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Royalist July 2007
Congratulations to Leading Cadet Harvey for gaining the Offshore Sailing Watch Leader and Ordinary Cadet Attridge for gaining the Offshore Sailing Hand Grade One while sailing around the Scottish Islands on Royalist this month.
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Car Treasure Hunt
Eight cars set off from the unit on the Treasure Hunt. Their first instruction took them to Watton at Stone, next stop was Sacombe,then on to Dane End, Whempstead, Burns Green, Benington, Aston and back to the Unit. As they completed the route they had to find answers to several questions and also collect as many different species of leaves, plus find articles to spell the word Royalist.
Congratulations to the winners The Mains.
Results of the Car Treasure Hunt
1 The Mains 100
2 Yorkshire Puddings 112
3 The Smiths 123
4 James 138.5
5 Hayes 151
6 Smudgers 178.5
7 Coates family 185
8 Barnard 186.5
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Eastern Area Sea Cadets Band Contest
The Band traveled to Peterborough on Sunday 17th June 2007 to take part in the Eastern Area Band Contest. Two cadets took part in the solo buglers,one took part in the solo drummers and the full band in Contest Class. They came away winning the runner up in the Band Contest Class. Well done to all.
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District Pulling 2nd June 2007
At the District Pulling the cadets won Junior Sea Cadets, Junior Girls and Open Boys trophies. More photos in the Picture Gallery.
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Royal Navy Parade 15th May 2007
TS Andromeda’s Royal Navy Parade took place on Tuesday 15th May, the Inspecting Officer was Commander Clive Smith RN the Eastern Area Officer, and he was accompanied by the District Officer Lt.Cdr David Nice RNR.
Ceremonial Colours was watched by over 100 Parents and Friends with our Special Guests were the Mayor Designate Cllr G Clark, head teachers of Barnwell and Peartree Schools, the Stevenage Cory Mill Lions and representatives from the Hertfordshire Community Network Grant.
Following the Ceremonial part of the evening, Commander Smith, Parents and Friends watched 2 evolutions, - the first one ‘Mine Field’ show team work, when team leaders had to guide their teams blind folded through a ‘Minefield’ without speaking and using other means of communication.
The 2nd evolution demonstrated how Cadets progress from Junior Sea Cadet to Petty Officer Cadet, the whole Ship’s Company came out in order of rate and showed the equipment they have used during their time in Cadets, Petty Officer Cadet Prior needed a shopping trolley to bring out all his equipment.
The evolutions finished with a musical presentation by the Unit Band.
After Evening Colours Commander Smith made the following Presentations:-
Presentations
JUNIOR CADETS
Red Badges – JC Holly Attridge
JC David Calcutt
JC Liam Morrell
JC Jordon Slessor
Leading Junior – JC Mann
Good Conduct Badges
1st David Ronayne
2nd AC Bowyer/ LC Rackley
3rd AC Hooper Calcutt
22 Rifle Shooting – Basic - POC Prior
Marksman – OC Morrell
Sailing Level 3 – Cdt J Saunders
3rd Class Writers Stores
Cadet V Calcutt
Cadet H Harvey
OC S Morrell
OC T Sutton
OC B Smith
OC H Springall
Cadet J Coletta
3rd Class Cook Steward
Cdt Maisey
Cdt Ronyane
Cdt Saunders
Cdt Jackson
3rd Class Marine Engineering
AC Woods
OC Attrdige
AC Child
OC Hayes
AC Bowyer
OC Caterer
AC Hooper-Calcutt
3rd Class Comms
LC M Smith
LC O James
Cdt Royane
Promotions
Cdt to OC – Ronayne, Maisey, V Calcutt
OC to AC – Hayes & T Smith
Best Dressed Junior Cadet Liam Morrell
Best Dress Female Cadet Megan Coates
Best Dress Male Cadet Domonic Main
Attendance Shield – POC Prior
Bandsman – OC Attridge
Drill – AC Bowyer
Engineering OC Attridge
Training Award – most points gained since last RNP
OC Attridge
Most Improved Cadet – OC Bobby Smith
Juniors Achievement Cup – JC C Mann
Achievement Shield – AC Hayes
Junior Cadet of the Year – JC Holly Attrdige
CO’s Special Award – POC Prior
Cadet of the Year – LC Matthew Smith
A special award was presented by Lt M Coates RNR for the best teamaker in the unit
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Quiz Night
The quiz night was well attended and the winners of the quiz was The Coates team.
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Promotions
Congratulations to Robert Prior who was promoted to Petty Officer Cadet on 16th February, and to Matthew Smith and Ryan Rackley who are to be promoted to Leading Cadet.
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District ET
The Junior ET Team won the District ET and are now going to Area ET on the 22 - 24th September.
The Senior ET Team were runners up.
Area Summer Camp
10 Cadets went to Area Summer Camp and all gained two qualifications.
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Stevenage Band
The Stevenage Sea Cadet Band was formed by CI Bollen about a year ago.
They have 16 cadets in the band:
4 side drummers
1 tenor drummer
1 bass drummer
1 drum major
1 cymbal player
2 glockenspiel players
6 bugles
plus 4 learning the bugle
Badges have been achieved by:
2 side drummers
1 glockenspiel player
2 buglers
The band entered the novice class in the area contest in Peterborough on 18th June where they took 2nd place.
The band played at St Mary’s Fete on the 1st July and Codicote on the 15th July
CI Bollen has been asked to reform the divisional band for the Trafalgar parade.
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