Maidstone

Drill and Piping Comp 2013

On sunday the 24th Febuary saw the first event of the year that was the district drill and piping comp, units from around west kent took part in the event. Despite the light snow fall through out the day the cadets from all the units put on a very high standard, maidstone units team come 4th out of nine units thats a very good as the unit that come first come sencond at nationals last year in the armed division and the runners up come 4th last year also at nationals.

however we have one of our pipers going through to area as he won district pipng individuels this come from all the hard work he put in on the run up to the comp, our piping team come 2nd in the piping team event that is very good as the team that come first are national champions in the sea cadets.

well done to all the cadets that took part and a thank you to all the staff that supported them

New OIC at the helm

Tuesday 5th Febuary was a sad night at TS Scott as we said good bye to our CO S/LT N.Gilks (left in picture), after joining the unit in 2009 Nick has brought the unit to a high standard which has been shown by the unit achiving burgees and penants. We as a unit would like to Thank him for what he has done to the unit from when he joined to where we are now, We wish him all the best at his new unit.

CPO L.Gambell (pictured right) is our new OIC at the helm, CPO Gambell has set her aim and targets for the unit, CPO Gambell is determined to continue to move the unit forward. We as a unit welcomed her as the new OIC on 5th Febuary where parents had the chance to have a chat and meet her.

District Rowing and Sailing Regatta.

District Rowing and Sailing Regatta was held at Sheppey sea cadet boating area's Sunday 10 June. Maidstone Junior boys did really well and came 2nd.

AC Josh Weaver and LC James Weaver came 3rd in the Bosun Class. Well done to all cadets that took part. 

Maidstone Sea Cadet Unit Earns their first Burgee for achievement for Forty Years.

2011 has seen T.S. Scott obtain a Burgee – this is awarded to those Units which have achieved a “good” standard or better and takes into account all the qualifications gained by cadets and staff during the inspection year, as well as courses and competitions attended, cadet promotions and recruitment and retention. The Burgee was presented to the Unit by Sea Cadet Director of Training Mr Mike O’Sulivan.. Well done to everybody.

Maidstone Civic Parade

On Sunday 20th May Maidstone Sea Cadets took part in the towns Civic Parade, 20 cadets and 4 Members of staff proudly marched through Maidstone with members of 36 Engineers and veterans. Able Cadet Kim Stevens had the honour of escorting the Mayor in her first duty as Mayor's Cadet.

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ocelot 50

On Saturday 12^th May, Sea Cadets provided uniformed support and Guard of Honour at Chatham Historic Dockyard to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Launch of HMS Oscelot. The last Royal Navy Ship to be built and launched at Chatham.

The event was very high profile with three Royal Naval Admirals present as well as Two Commodores, MPs and other local dignitaries such as the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway.

The day started with a Church Service in the Royal Dockyard Church. From there a parade marched down to HMS Oscelot which is now on permanent display in dry dock next HMS Cavalier. The parade was led by the band of the Royal Marines (Lympstone) with a division of veteran’s standards, one of Royal Naval Reserve and Sea Cadets from Chatham Royal Marine Cadet Unit, Medway Towns, Maidstone and Dartford.

Later that evening at close of festivities a ceremonial sunset was held, with Bands from Royal Marines (Lympstone, Rochester Pipe Band and the band of the Duke of Yorks School (CCF) unit. A ceremonial Guard and Colour were provided by the West Kent Sea Cadets again made up of cadets from Medway Towns, Dartford and Maidstone. A colour party from Chatham Royal Marine Cadets had the honour of lowering the Admirals Flag at Sunset.

Guest of honour on the day was Admiral Sir Trevor Soar KCB OBE who has a historic link with HMS Oscelot as her captain from 1987 to 1990. Many of the older cadets and staff will remember him on his visits to the Medway as Captain of HMS Chatham in 1997 and 1998. Admiral Soar commended the Sea Cadets for their “seamanlike bearing and professional attitude during the day”.

Senior Sea Cadet Officer on the day Lt Cdr Steve Small said “The Cadets and adult staff were a credit to their units and the Sea Cadets as a whole. Many of them were recently at National Drill Competition with Dartford coming 4^th and Medway Towns 2^nd in their specific disciplines”. He added “We are all proud of the effort they put in and standards they achieve, but they should be proud of themselves for such an excellent performance”.

Officer of the Colour and Commanding Officer of Maidstone Sea Cadets Sub Lt Nick Gilks said. “It was an honour for us to take part today and to work alongside the Royal Marines Band is something the Cadets will remember for the rest of their lives”.

The Sea Cadets will be returning to Chatham Historic Dockyard in force on Sunday 9^th September 2012 for the Southern Area Band Contest, which will sea bands and soloists from as far away as Southampton, Pool and Oxford, as well as the locals from Herne Bay and Tunbridge Wells.

They can also be seen on many weekend manning HMS Cavalier as they stay on board for training events