Beccles

Lord Lieutenant Presentation 2012

On 28th February, a small contingent from Beccles Sea Cadets travelled to Ipswich to meet the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemarche, to be presented with three prestigious awards.

For Petty Officer Cadet Stanley, it was to be nominated the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for Suffolk for 2012 - a fantastic accolade for any Senior Cadet, which will see POC Stanley escort the Lord Lt to many events throughout the calendar.

Then came the turn to award the adult Lord Lieutenant Certificates which are awarded to Cadet Force Adult Volunteers throughout each county, rewarding them for their hard work and dedication to the Cadet Forces.  Both Lieutenant Commander Meadows (the Commanding Officer) and Sub Lieutenant Sadler (who left us earlier in the year to join her partner in Huddersfield) are seen in the photograph with POC Stanley showing off their awards.

We are all immensly proud of each of them.  Bravo Zulu.

Annual Awards Night 2012

Our Annual Awards Night was held on Thursday 1st March 2012 at Beccles Middle School.

A huge number of supporters turned out to witness the Ships' Company presented with it's annual awards and also their qualifications earnt during the previous training period.

Unit Awards Presented:

• Cadet of the Year - Not Presented (TBA another time)
• Runner-up to Cadet of the Year - LC Buchanan E, LC Bacon and LC Langridge
• Junior Sea Cadet of the Year - JCFC Kentish
• Runner-up to JSC of the Year - JC Bircham
• Best New Entry - OC Aldous-Ball
• Special Award - Bluejacket and Royal Marines Cadets that assist with running the Junior Section
• Fundraiser of the Year - MC2 Lees
• Best Dressed (Blue - Male) - AC Thompson J
• Best Dressed (Blue - Female) - LC Buchanan E and AC Saunders
• Best Dressed (RMC) - MC2 Tyrrell-Kent and MC2 Ramsey
• Endeavour Award - MC2 Davis
• Best Division - Starboard
• Best Senior Cadet (Blue) - LC Shaw
• Best Junior Cadet (Blue) - AC Thompson J
• Best Senior Cadet (RMC) - MC2 Lees
• Best Junior Cadet (RMC) - MC2 Kewley

Qualifications Presented:

• Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for Suffolk
• Cook Steward 3rd Class
• Seamanship 3rd Class
• Junior Sea Cadet - Red Badges
• 3, 2 and 1 Year Good Conduct Badges
• Advancements to Leading Cadets x2
• Promotions to MC2 x5

Many thanks to our VIPs and everybody who has donated prizes and trophies this year.  More importantly, a massive congratulations to all the Cadets whether you received an award or not, you all work together to make a fantastic team.  Good luck to you all for the awards next year!

RMC Detachment - Appeal for Staff

Since the Royal Marines Cadets' detachments creation last year, the section has gone from strength to strength and is now in need of more Adult Instructors to help train the Cadets.

With activities such as fieldcraft, weapons training, physical training and boatwork, the RM Cadets are all about the green way of life and getting out there learning new things.

No training or qualifications are necessary, however it would be advantageous if you had some military or adventurous background.  All training is provided by the Sea Cadets and any existing qualifications you may already have could be used.

If you think you can devote some time to help these young people have fun, learn important skills and keep fit, please let us know via email, Facebook, Twitter or call us at the Unit - 01502 711858.

International Exchange News

The candidates for the International Sea Cadet Exchanges for 2012 have been announced and formal offer letters sent to potential attendees after an application process involving bids being sent to headquarters for these highly sought-after experiences!

We are pleased to say that Petty Officer Cadet Nick Gibbs has been offered a place on this year's Sweden Exchange - join us in congratulating him, and make sure you come back after his trip to see photographs and a few comments from the man himself.

Well done Nick.

Farewell to Sub Lieutenant Sadler!

Beccles Sea Cadets said farewell to a long standing member of the Unit this week.  Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Simmy Sadler RNR received gifts and cards from the Ships Company on her last parade night at Beccles, before moving to Huddersfield to be with her partner. 

Having joined the Unit as a Cadet, Simmy achieved the rate of Petty Officer Cadet, before moving on to become a member of staff.  With a short break in service, Simmy has gone on to become a qualified Rowing Coach, Piping Examiner and Seamanship Instructor - devoting many hundreds of hours teaching and training the Cadets and Staff at the Unit.  Simmy is the current Girls' Nautical Training Corps National Piper, and up until she leaves, is the Principal of the Unit's RYA Centre. 

All members of the Unit will miss Simmy and would like to take the opportunity to wish her well in her endeavours in Yorkshire.

Beccles Christmas lights switch on 2011

On a frosty night in November, Staff and Committee members turned out in force to steward the town’s Christmas Lights Switch on and Fayre.

A great evening was had by all, with the public of Beccles swamping the town centre to sample the festivities.

Unit crowned best for training for second year!

Beccles Unit has again been crowned the best Unit in the Area for Training Organisation for 2011.

The award is given to the Unit in the Area (which is made up of around sixty Units altogether) which organises their training and activities the best, to maximise the opportunities given to all of our Cadets and volunteers throughout the year.

A special well done to Petty Officer Tony Easter (the Unit's Training Officer) for all his hard work in co-ordinating the training and helping to manage the instructional team.

Remembrance Day 2011

A massive turnout from the Unit was seen at this year's Remembrance Day events throughout the region.

Members of the Unit were present at both the Lowestoft and Beccles services on 11th November, and a huge percentage of the Unit turned out for the annual Remembrance Day parade from the Beccles War Memorial into town for the church service.

This event is one of the most important in our calendar and the sheer number of Cadets and Staff present at these events shows the extent of our support to our Armed Forces.

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS 2011

We are extremely pleased to announce that Beccles Sea Cadets have been honoured with the title of District Cup Winners of 2011 for East Anglia District - the final time such a title shall be held due to a name change in the new year.

Over each year, scores are amassed by entering competitions, scores at inspections and suchlike and at the last event of each year the award is made to the Unit who has attained the highest score.

Competition has become quite fierce between the seven Units in recent years and all at the Unit are rightly and justly proud of our achievement.

The photograph to the left shows Petty Officer Cadet Nick Gibbs being presented the District Cup by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk at this year's Trafalgar Day Parade.

Sun shines on District Trafalgar Day Parade 2011

Lowestoft played host to 2011’s District Trafalgar Day Parade. With a 24-man Guard to fill, Beccles Unit provided not only Guard members, but also many platoons members including Junior, Senior and Royal Marines Cadets.

With fantastic weather conditions, the Cadets hit the main street around 1.30pm and made their way to a service at St Margaret’s Church. On conclusion, a special presentation was made back at base by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk to the Unit - the District Cup!

Teams lead the way at District Drill and Piping 2011

On 9th October, the Unit partipated in this year’s Drill and Piping Competition at RAF Honington. Entering both Armed and Unarmed Squads, Colour Party and both Individual and Team Pipers, the teams had trained hard in preparation for the tough competition they knew they’d face.

Fantastically, the Unit left with Best Armed, Best Guard Commander, Best Dressed and both the Individual and Team Piping Tophies. A massive well done to all involved and a special thanks to the staff, Royal Marines Cadets and supporters that travelled with the Unit to help on the day.

Beccles Duck Race 2011

Once again on a seasonably sunny day in September, Beccles Sea Cadets hosted the annual Beccles Duck Race at Beccles Quay. 

With major and minor sponsorship and support from many local companies and groups, the event was a resounding success with hundreds of ducks both big and small taking to the water in the afternoon for a quick race to the finish line. 

Cadets, Staff and Committee all pulled together and ensured that all aspects of the event were covered, from duck wranglers to tea and coffee makers! 

A fantastic £5572.00 was raised on the day - made up of duck purchases, cake sales and more. 

A huge thank you to everybody that was involved, whether taking part in the races, behind the scenes or on the water!  We look forward to hosting the event again in 2012. 

Here you can see the winner of the best dressed duck of 2012.

Unit scoops trio of affiliations

Beccles Sea Cadets are pleased to announce that after much hard work and preparation, the Unit is now officially affiliated to the following National bodies:

Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

Canoe England 

British Rowing

This fantastic achievement means that we can now offer even more qualifications within the Unit, without the need to have to send Cadets and Adults miles around the Country to attend courses.

Amongst the qualifications on offer will be all levels of RYA Powerboating, Dinghy Sailing and Short Radio Courses, most of the BCU Kayaking and Canoeing levels, Explore Rowing fixed seat qualifications and more!

District Adventurous Training Competition 2011

East Anglia District's newly renamed Adventurous Training Competition for 2011 was held at the Scout Camp Site, Two Mile Bottom in Thetford between 23-25th July.

The Unit entered both the Junior and Senior sections and swept the board taking both trophies home.

Cadets were tested on expedition skills ranging from stretcher making, to making a cup of tea and spent the weekend under canvas and being totally self-sufficient.

We would like to wish the teams good luck as they progress onto the Eastern Area competition to be held in September - details to be confirmed. Well done.

40th Birthday Reunion Event

Around 80 people attended Beccles Sea Cadet' Reunion Evening on Saturday 28th May to help celebrate it's fortieth birthday this year.

Ex-cadets and staff members came in from all ends of the country to meet at the Royal British Legion Club on Ravensmere, to enjoy an evening of laughter, chatting and sharing their stories with one another.

The Commanding Officer gave an overview of where the Unit is at now, and where we'd like to go, and welcomed all to continue their support of the Unit in whichever way they can.?

Also on offer was a BBQ, run by PO Woodward and a raffle held by the Unit Management Committee.

Royal British Legion - 90th Anniversary Celebrations

Beccles Royal Marines Cadets helped to support the Royal British Legion celebrate it's 90th anniversary in Beccles on Saturday 11th June 2011.

The Sea Cadets also played their part and performed their Hornpipe and Club Swinging routine, whilst the RMCD showcased their uniform and skills to members of the public.

RMC Detachment celebrates first enrolments

The Royal Marines Cadet detachment started it's six month probation in style on 7th July as it enrolled it's first five full Marine Cadets! 

After a short speech and introduction to the Corps by the Chaplain, the Recruits were welcomed into the Unit as Marine Cadets and presented them with their berets. 

The newly enrolled Marine Cadets can be seen posing with the detachment staff and VIPs of the evening, along with the Commanding Officer.