Huddersfield

District AT Competition winners :)

For once the rain hasn't stopped play and a junior team of AT ers took part in the West Yorkshire AT Competition this weekend at Silverwood Scout camp. AC Hanson-Lunn, and Cdts Park, Morris and Mays took part, supported by PO F Rigate and PO O'Melia.

LT Dawson organised this years event, and gave the teams a day walk on Saturday to test map reading with checkpoint evolutions and a quiz. So after a tiring day and well deserved evening meal  the teams enjoyed some time relaxing (and running around wearing out Charlie, Slt Sadler mad spaniel dog) the teams had a fire and you cannot have a fire without some marshmallows to toast. Thanks to PO Mellor from Wakefield who trekked out to the shop.

Sunday saw sunshine so the comptition continued with First Aid, ropework, observation and map skills.

Huddersfield team performed all the tasks well and they will, along with Wakefield Senior team be attending the Eastern Area comptition later this year.

BZ to the team and good luck at Area.

Summer Open Evening Monday 9th July 2012

Huddersfield Sea Cadets have an open evening on the Monday 9th July 2012. If you are interested in joining Sea Cadets or don't really know what we do and want to see then come along to the unit at 7.30 for a presentation and a chance to speak to the staff and have a look around.

West Yorks District Regatta

Huddersfield Unit entered the district regatta this year. We entered into the open boys class, AC Townley (coxswain) with the crew of OC Young, Cdt's Piccavey, Faulkner and Mays.

The crew along with LT Dawson, SLt Sadler, PO Kundi and the cheer leaders AC Hanson-Lunn, OC's Auty and Weavill and Junior cadet Faulkner travelled to Wakefield unit on Saturday 16th June 2012 and after registering the team and nabbing SLt Sadler to drive the towing boat for the day the regatta got under way.

For the 1st race the whole crew where anxious with not knowing exactly what would happen but the training soon took over and they took to the race like a duck to water and got stuck in.

Junior Faulkner despite being the only junior section cadet had a go in the towing boat with SLt Sadler and also made up a rowing team with other juniors to have a race.

The Huddersfield crew finishing runners up at their 1st attempt should be proud of their effort and take the experience with them into next years competition.

Well done guys, as i have always said we can get better at rowing. keep up the good work.

Visit to the "Mighty O"

Huddersfield Sea cadets visited HMS Ocean when she was alongside at Sunderland on 27th May 2012. After an early start to travel to Sunderland to arrive before the ship was open to the public we arrived.

The "Mighty O" an Amphibious Assault Ship was impressive as we walked up to the gangway to go on board straight onto the vehicle deck, and we were met by Lt Oliver Judd RN for our VIP tour which included seeing the Bridge, the cadets all had a turn sitting in the Captains chair to get an idea of how it feels to be in command of the biggest Ship in the Royal Navy, Main Hanger which is big enough for up to 15 helicopters, SCC (ships control center, not Sea Cadet Corps, in this case), Ops Room, Flight Deck and Sick bay. The cadets had demonstrations of some of the equipment used onboard including the thermal imaging camera which is used as part of the fire fighting kit onboard this massive Royal Navy Ship.

The cadets also had a chance to see and handle various weapons including the SA80 Assault Rifle, GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) and Phalanx (The Ships main defence weapon system).There was a cooking demonstration about cooking on a ship and halth eating and 2 of our cadets Cdt Stansfield and Cdt Park assisted the Royal Navy Cooks making a lovely, healthy dish for everyone to try

The Royal Marines had Land Rovers and Trailers and LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel) that they use on operations. The cadets had a good look around these vehicles and boats, also the Royal Marines had a climbing wall, fitness test and camouflage and concealment (putting camo cream onto your face to help you blend into the background (Photos attached)

All the visiting cadets were talking about their day and generally buzzing about the experience all he way back to Huddersfield despite the 0530hrs start.

We would like to thank Capt Betton RN, HMS Ocean and the crew for their hospitality.

Royal Navy Parade 2012

Monday 23rd April 2012 we had the biannual Royal Navy Parade for Huddersfield Unit. Cdr S Watt RN Deputy Area Officer (DAO) (Eastern) was the Reviewing Officer.

The unit had full ceremonial colours with a guard of 3 + 1 OC Young was the Guard Commander and the Parade Commander was AC Hanson-Lunn. The DAO was greeted at the door by the Commanding Officer Lt (SCC) C Dawson RNR and West Yorkshire District Officer Lt Cdr (SCC) J Spink RNR was piped on board by the Quartermaster AC Townley.

Afetr colours and dress inspection we had a short break in proceedings for Cdt Armitage to show the DAO around our facilities and for the parents and visitors to have a coffee.

When we continued the evening the cadets split into 3 groups and did presentations and demonstrations of the history of the Royal Navy Uniform, Basic life support and bends & hitches (knot tying) these presentations lasted approx 10 minutes and this gave the opportunity for the DAO, visitors and parents to see all of each of the demonstrations and have the chance to have a go and ask questions.

Cdr S Watt RN very much enjoyed the evening and thanked the parents and supporters who attended the night, commended the staff and encouraged them to continue with their own training and thanked the committee for their continuing support.

At evening colours we had the enrolment of 4 New Entries ito the unit and we are pleases that Cdts Piccavey, Faulkner, Parks and Stansfield have now joined the ships company. Also we presented, as is tradition at the RNP of the Gambia Trophy for the best division and this year the winners are.......................................................................................................................................................................

Port. BZ to Port Division but I have seen the results for the 1st part f this year and Port should not rest on their laurels.

The evening as a massive success so well done everyone for your performance,turn out and attitude at the RNP on Monday night.

Easter Camp

14 Cadets and 7 Staff went to SCTC Thrapston (Eastern Area Boating Station) for Easter weekend. Travelling down on Friday after meeting at the unit for the journey down to Northamptonshire by minibus. We arrived by 1800hrs and got busy sorting out wet weather clothing (best to be prepared for the best and worse that the British weather can throw at you!!)  Buoyancy aids and accommodation. After a quick supper then it was soon time for bed and everyone was looking forward to getting onto the water, most for the 1st time, so it was very exciting.

Saturday morning breakfast and then time to be getting into boats for the day. LT Dawson took PO Kundi, PO Stansfield, OC's Auty and Weavil, and Cdts Morris and Mays to learn how to sail, with CPO Watson as the safety boat driver. WO1 Young took PO Powers, AC Hanson-Lunn, OC Watson and Cdt Armitage powerboat handling, SLt Sadler took PCI O'Melia, AC Townley, OC Young and Jnr's Joyce-Milner, Weavil, Stansfield and Hansom rowing. Lily and Charlie (the CO's and training officers doggies) took to swimming about near the pontoons and guarding the gate. So with the crews we got in/on our respective craft and took to the water. After a break for lunch we got back onto the water, glad for out waterproofs as it had started to drizzle a bit, but not to have our spirits dampened we carried on and continued to learn. It soon brightened up and everyone had good afternoon of training.

We then had a well received evening meal of "best cut of beef in a Mediterranean sun-kissed tomato sauce served with pasta, accompanied with fresh bread with garlic butter" and cake and custard for pudding. With everyone stuffed the galley party got on with washing up and then settled down to watch a bit of tele but well before lights out most of the cadets took to their beds and had a good nights sleep.

Sunday morning arrived and it was raining (again) but we got ourselves ready and had a few hours to practice the skills that had been learnt before an assessment to see what qualifications we would be able to take home with us...............

Sailing Qualifications - RYA Youth Sailing Scheme (YSS) Stage 1 OC's Auty and Weavil and Cdt's Mays and Morris and RYA Level 1 sailing PO Kundi and PO Stansfield

Rowing Qualifications Competent Crew - Jnr's Hansom, Stansfield, Joyce-Milner and Weavil and PO Powers and Supervised Coxswain PCI O'Melia, AC Townley and OC Young

Power Qualifications RYA Level 1 PO Powers, AC Hanson-Lunn, OC Watson and Cdt Armitage and RYA Level 2 Power (Planing endorsement) SLt Sadler

So a well worthwhile weekend with lots of badges and a great deal of enjoyment.

Unit Open Evening - Thursday 12th January - 7:30pm

We are holding an Open Evening for anyone who is interested in joining either our Junior or Senior Section. If you are aged 10-17 and want to see what the Sea Cadets is all about, why not pop down and meet the cadets and staff. The event will start with a presentation by some of our staff, which will begin at 7:30. If you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail (highburton1@btinternet.com), telephone (01484 450122) or on our Facebook page (Sea Cadets Huddersfield). We can also be contacted through this webpage.

Annual Awards Evening 2011

24th November 2011 saw the return of our Annual Awards Evening. Many cadets were presented with awards to recognise their achievments over the course of the year. Guest of Honour for the evening was Mr Colin Brett of the Ton Class Association.

Full results and more pictures can be found on our Unit Facebook page.

Huddersfield Unit celebrates 70th Anniversary

Huddersfield Sea Cadet Unit is in its 70th year this year. To celebrate, Staff, Parents and supporters of the Unit gathered for a celebratory dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel, Huddersfield. VIP's included the Mayor and Mayoress of Huddersfield, and the guest of honour was Commodore S R Baum RN, Naval Regional Commander for Northern England and IOW.

VIP's were piped aboard by Ordinary Cadet Destine Hanson-Lunn, who also piped the Dinner Call to request diners to be seated for the meal.

Speeches were made by the Commanding Officer, Sub Lt (SCC) Craig Dawson and First Lieutenant, PO (SCC) K Kundi.

New sailing dinghy for Huddersfield Unit.

The boat was bought with a collection raised at the funeral of our late Chairman, Lt Cdr Reg Horner. The boat was presented to the unit by Lt Cdr Horners wife, Mrs Angela Horner.

Annual General Meeting

On Thursday 15th September, Huddersfield Sea Cadets are holding the Annual General Meeting. All parents of current cadets are invited to the AGM and there will also be an opportunity to see the cadets on a Parade Night to find out what we do. If you are interested in attending the AGM, please arrive at the unit for 7pm.

New Entry Intake/Open Evening

Huddersfield Sea Cadets are holding an Open Evening on Monday 12th September. The evening will be an opportunity for you to come along and see what we do. We will be recruiting for both our Junior (10-12 years) and Senior (12-17 years) sections. More information will be published soon.