Waltham Forest

District Drill and Piping Competition 2012

On Sunday 11th March, the unit took part in the District Drill and Piping Competition. The Unarmed Squad came first as did the Junior Cadet team that also came first and the unit also picked up 2nd places in the Junior piping and Sea Cadet piping competitions. A really good job well done. Sadly the cadets will be unable to attend the Area competition due to clashes in the training programme. However maybe next year...?!

District shooting competition 2012

Over a busy month on the 19th February, the unit also took part in the district .22 shooting competition held at Newham Cadet Centre. The cadets all did really well and overall we came third. Not bad for the limited practice we could only squeeze in!!

National Football Competition 2012

On Saturday 5th February, the under 15 girls team went down to Portsmouth Naval Base, for the weekend to take part in the hotly contested National 5 a side football competition. The competiton hosts cadets from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The under 15 girls did really well and achieved 5th place. Special mention goes to OC A Gregory (centre) who was given player of the tournament!!

Area football Competition 2012

On Sunday 29th January, the Under 15 girls team from the district 5 a side competition represented the Unit and district at the London Area competition. And..... they went and won!! This means that the girls team go to Nationals!! Well done to everyone that took part on a fantastic effort and good luck down in Portsmouth...!!

District Football Competition 2012

On Sunday 22nd January, the unit attended West Ham Sea cadet unit and took part in the district 5 a side football competition. Results are as follows:

Under 15 females - 1st Place

Under 15 males - 4th Place

Under 18 females - 2nd Place

Under 18 males - 2nd Place.

Well done to everyone that too part in the competition and good luck to the Under 15 females who represent the District at the London Area competition...!

British Military Tournament 2011

On 2nd December, three staff and 7 cadets attended this years Military Tournament in aid of the three armed service charities. The theme for this years tournament was the special relationship that Britiain shares with the United States. The evening was made even more spectacular as Her Majesty the Queen took the salute. There were displays by Military bands, the Royal signals White Helmet Motor Cycle Display Team, battle re-enactments, Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillary and a Field Gun Run Display to name just some of the acts. The US Army Drill team from Washington DC also gave a silent drill routine using the springfield rifles and who the cadets met after the show!

Northerm London District Awards 2011

While the unit may comprise of three sections; Sea Cadets, Royal Marines Cadets and Junior Cadets (further information about all three is contained on the website) all of our cadets work as a team/ships company that makes up TS Acorn. This year in true Royal Navy style the cadets have proved that the Team Works. Throughout the year the cadets have entered a number of District Competitions and events, comprising of Athletics, Cross Country running, Boating, Shooting, Communications, Football to name but a few. Each event depending on how well the unit does carries points and it is with great pleasure to announce that this year the unit retained the pinnicle District Award known as the 'Cock of the District.' But not only that but we also won five other district awards!! These were; The Dauntless Trophy for the unit with the most logged baoting hours, The George Lazenby Trophy for the best performing Junior Cadet Section. The Pepys Hubbart Trophy for the most participation in the Duke of Edinburghs Award Scheme. LC Selby was awarded the Tarter Trophy for highest score at the Leading Cadets Board and POC Osborne was awarded the Neil Goodall for the highest scoring Pett Officer Cadets Board.  A hugh well done or BZ to everyone that contributed to this amazing feat and lets hope that in 2012 we can do it again...!!

Special Remembrance Service

A CHURCH held a special Remembrance service for one of its parishioners last Sunday (November 20). Ernest Allum, 90, of St Barnabas Road in Woodford Green, was unable to attend the Remembrance service and rededication of the War Memorial at St Barnabas Church on Remembrance Sunday. But Deputy Church Warden, Alan Clark arranged for a special service to be held for Mr Allum and other veterans from the Merchant Navy. Mr Allum, who played a leading in role in having the war memorial restored, placed a wreath at the ceremony which was also attended by members of the Waltham Forest Sea Cadets. He said: “It was very good of the church to do this for me. “I felt greatly humbled by it all. It was a real battle to get the memorial restored and rededicated and to be able to stand there and remember old friends who lost their lives was very special.” - Guardian

November Ceremonies 2011

This year the unit was particularly busy over the November ceremonies weekend. This started on a cold 0730 morning with three of the detachments Royal Marines Cadets MC2 Reardon, MC2 Rampare and MC Fox attending the Lord Mayors Show. This year the Royal Marines Cadets had the honour of being part of a lining party at HMS President due to events outside St Pauls. As a result the cadets had the opportunity to meet the new Lord Mayor just before he joined the parade. The Sea Cadets and Junior Cadets were also busy on the Saturday collecting on behalf of the RBL Poppy Appeal at Sainsburys Super Market, Chingford Road E4 selling poppies to the customers. On Sunday the unit then attended Walthamstow Town Hall for the Service of Rememberence. Over 30 cadets attended the parade and did the unit proud. The parade included Army cadets, Police Cadets, St John Ambulance, council officials and a Pipes and Drums Band.

Field Assessment 2011

The units Royal Marines Cadet detachment over the 4-5th November 2011 attended there Annual Field Assessment held in Aldershot and were assessed in a full Section attack with blank firing, by the Corps RSM WO1 (SCC) G. Robinson.  Overall the detachment performed well for a relatively new section made up of cadets some of which have only been in the unit three months and acheived one of the highest marks in the area with an overall 'GOOD' ranking. Congratulations to everyone involved!!

TS Jack Petchey

Over the 6th November 2011 to the 11th November 2011 two cadets from TS Acorn embarked on a voyage on TS Jack Petchey. During the course A/C Lousley gained his offshore Seamans qualifcation and O/C Sadjou gained his Level 2 Offshore qualification. During the course they took the helm of the ship, learned about the engineering of the vessel and were tested on navigation. The ship has 16 berths for cadets and became fully operational in April 2010. The unit has been fortunate that lots of our cadets have been able to go on the TS Jack Petchey and subsidies are sometimes made available to those cadets that would like to attend. 

HMS Raliegh Powerboating Course

At the end of October three cadets set off to HMS Raliegh to undertake a weeks RYA Powerboating course, the cadets were A/C Gregory, Cdt Horrigan, A/C Hubert and Cdt Rampare. The course was enjoyed by all of them and tested there skill in the Sea Cadet Champ power boat which included boat handling, navigation and sea survival. All three cadets gained RYA Level 2 Powerboating qualifications in displacment wi9th coastal endorsment. 

Danemead Adventure Training Camp

Over the 21st October 2011 to the 23rd October 2011, 20 cadets attended the units adventure training weekend camp at Danemead Camp at nearby Broxborne Herts. A wide range of activities were conducted by the cadets which included Map Reading, Orienteering, Bushcraft skills and survival in the field. A good time was had by all.

Shoot Navy....

Over the 23-28th October 2011, Cadets AC Brown, LC Selby and POC Osborne, attended HMS Raliegh on a National full bore shooting course. HMS Raleigh in Torpoint Cornwall, is the training establishment for new entrants into the Royal Navy. All three report that they had a great time on the ranges and in the establishment which the Sea Cadets have a training block. AC Brown achieved an Advanced shooting badge and LC Selby and POC Osborne both gained marksman. Congratulations to them all. National courses are open to all enrolled cadets, so if you're interested speak to the training officer....!

Captain Windsor visits TS Acorn...!

On Thursday 20th October 2011, the unit played host to the Captain of the Sea Cadets, Capt M. Windsor RN. The evening which was an informal visit, allowed the Captain to meet the Cadets and Staff. Capt Windsor praised the work of the unit and it's successes and remarked on how impressive the facilities and training were. This is not the first time the unit has met the Captain he was at HMS Raliegh in February during this years unit camp.

Congratulations CPO (SCC) Earle...!!

The unit would like to congratulate Petty Officer (SCC) Earle on gaining his new rate of Cheif Petty Officer after attending the National Cheif Petty Officers qualifing course at HMS Caledonia in Scotland. After making the long journey 'up north' CPO (SCC) Earle not only passed but gained one of the highest marks on course. Well Done from all the Ships Company...

Communication Branch Competition Champions....!!

On Sunday 16th October '11, POC Osborne accompanied by Junior Cadets D'arcy and Hubert attended the Northern London District Communications competition. Achieving victories in the senior and Junior events, a close contest against a strong Edmonton side who have previously held both titles for the past five years. Congratulations to all the cadets involved...!

New Colour Sergeant...!

Sergeant (SCC) Somogyi the units second in charge and Detachment Commander (Royal Marine Cadets) was promoted to Colour Sergeant (SCC). This is the first colour Sergeant in the Detachments History and one of only a few in London. 

Bag Packing at Sainsburys

The unit has been busy fund raising for future unit refurbishments, last month 18 cadets went to Sainsburys, near the Billet roundabout bag packing. we thank the supermarket for there continued support not to mention everyone that contributed on the day. A total of £1500 has been raised so far which is fantastic news!!!

Cross Country Competition Winners!!

On Sunday 2nd October 2011 Northern District held its annual Cross Country Running Competition. The event was well supported by the cadets and who showed that hard work and good team spirit can get results!

The TS Acorn Dive Team Go To New Depths!

 L/C Christian Criscione, Cpl Aisling Hubert and Cadet Jamie Luesley went along to Wraysbury Dive Centre with the London Area Dive Team to train for the BSAC Ocean Diver qualification. With some serious talks of death and dire straits in the car, Mick Selby (Advanced Diver BSAC) accompanied them along to Wraysbury where they went through many skills and techniques for diving;