Whitley Bay

RNP 16th May 2012

The Area Officer will be visiting TS Whitley to inspect the cadets, staff and unit. 

CANADA BOUND

Three cadets from Whitley Bay Sea Cadets have successfully applied to attend a 6 week training course courtesy of the Navy League of Canada at their training facility in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The trip has been made possible with the additional generous donation from the Mel Weir Trust of £1000 which will help towards the costs of the flights for all three cadets to Canada this summer.

Each of the cadets will attend separate courses over the summer: Leading Cadet Stewart will attend the Drill and Ceremonial Instructor course, while Able Cadet Garrity will attend the Military Band - Intermediate Musician course and Able Cadet Adam Clark will attend the Intermediate Sail course.

Competition for places on these courses was tough as there were only 4 places for each course available to all 14,000 Sea Cadets in the UK. For 3 Whitley Bay Sea Cadets to then be selected shows a great efforts by all and we hope that our cadets have a great time in Canada this summer.

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Northumbria Police Charity Gift

Sea cadets are finding fun activities plain sailing thanks to a charity gift.

Whitley Bay Sea Cadets can now enjoy watching films and presentations after receiving a new projector and screen from the Northumbria Police Charities Fund.

The gift will enable more than 40 young people aged 12 to 16 years, members of the cadet core, to get more enjoyment out of their regular training sessions.

The equipment will also be used for a younger youth section which is planned to launch soon and for other community events based at the unit.

Neighbourhood Inspector Jim Gray said: "We're pleased to support this youth group with equipment for them to use to train young people and help them get even more out of the planned activities.  Young people really benefit from taking part in organised activities and learn useful team building skills which will help them in the future.

The charities committee helps individuals, organisations and good causes throughout the Northumbria Police area.

Colin Stewart, Chairman of the Whitley Bay Sea Cadets, said: " we are over the moon to receive this very generous gift from our local Police. The projector was top of our wish list for quite a while and will help our Training team deliver more interactive and dynamic lessons to our cadets as well as provide additional means of entertainment on fun nights! My aim is also to use this for community and business groups who I am hoping to attract to our facility in the near future. Our thanks also go to local community PC Paul McKenzie who recognised through his regular contact with the Unit,  the opportunity to apply for funding which would help increase the training facilities for the cadets."

Sea Cadets is the UK’s largest maritime youth charity. 9000 volunteers support 14,000 young people (between 10 and 18) in 400 towns across the UK. Through nautical adventure they learn vital life skills like leadership, communication and team working and can earn extra qualifications which help boost confidence to give them a head start in life.  

Pictured are left to right: PC Paul Mckenzie handing over the equipment  to Lt (SCC) Paul Caslaw RNR, Officer in Charge of the Whitley Bay Sea Cadets .

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Junior Sea Cadet Information Evening

We are holding an information evening for those interested in joining our new Junior Sea Cadet section on Wednesday 29th February bewteen 1800 and 1915.  The Junior Sea Cadet section will start on Wednesday 7th March and run on Wednesdays 1800-2000.  All welcome to attend.

WHITLEY BAY SOCCER STARS BOUND FOR NATIONAL COMPETITION

Congratulations go out to two of our senior cadets who helped Northumberland District Senior Girls 5 a side win the Area Competition in Tranent last weekend (22nd January). LC Stewart and AC Moodie were selected to represent the District Senior Side following the District Competition at the beginning of the month. Now the two cadets will travel to the National competition in London on the weekend of 11th - 12th February. Here's hoping! Congratulations again.

CURRENT - New Online Magazine

A new digital magazine, called Current, for cadets has launched today available via facebook.com/SeaCadetsUK and sea-cadets.org.  The launch coincides with the release of Fleet, the magazine for volunteers which will be landing on doormats this week.

The magazine formats and content reflect feedback from focus groups with supporters, volunteers and cadets.  Being delivered at no extra cost, utilising efficiencies made by the refreshing of the Seafarer Magazine and Annual Review

Read the first issue here

SEASONS GREETINGS TO EVERYONE

Well here we are at the end of another year! And what a great year it has been…

Our Cadets have really excelled themselves this year putting in fantastic efforts both here at the Unit and also during courses, events and competitions. We even had two cadets go to a National competition.

We enjoyed individual and team success in the Pulling, Boat Handling, Adventure Training, Swimming and Cross Country competitions. A hectic summer also saw our cadets gain over 80 qualifications.

Special congratulations also go to Leading Cadet Stewart who passed her Leading Cadet Board and also Sub Lt Thompson, Lt Fox, APO FOX and APO Errington from our adult volunteers who also gained promotion.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGING AT THE DOME

Our cadets took part in a community Christmas Fayre organised by the Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade on Sunday 4^th December. 

This was an occasion for the Unit to increase local awareness and also to raise some funds for the Cadets. Sub Lt Thompson organized the TS Whitley Choir and took pride of place on the steps leading into the Dome to welcome over 2000 local Whitley Bay folk to the Fayre.

A stall also helped drum up interest in the Sea Cadets and what they get up to as well as raise over £70 with a prize raffle – prizes which were very generously donated by parents and well wishers. Let’s hope that this is an annual event as we believe it was very successful in getting our message out to the local community. In fact we had two eager new recruits appear on the following parade night to join the experience.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY AND POPPY SELLING

November brings us together again to remember and thanks those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Whitley Bay Sea Cadets for the first time in many years, were honoured to provide the Cenotaph Honour Guard with four of our cadets taking their place during the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph. Here they are pictured with Officer in Command CPO John Littler – from left AC Kelly, AC Garrity, OC Burston and LC Stewart.

SHIP VISIT - HMS LEDBURY

On the 22nd October Whitley Bay Sea Cadets were invited to visit HMS Ledbury while she was docked at the Quayside in Newcastle.

HMS Ledbury is the second of the Hunt Class Mine Counter Measures Vessels to be built. The ship was commissioned into Naval Service on 11th June 1981. She cost £65 Million at time of building, the most expensive cost for a class of ship per metre ever built by the Royal Navy. Recently returned from active duty in Libya, the crew were happy to show our cadets around.

GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE APLENTY

October and November saw success again for TS Whitley in District Competitions.

Following on from their triumphs at the District Swimming Gala, the successful Whitley Bay Sea Cadet swim team joined the Northumberland District team at the Area Gala in October.

Our cadets helped the District team to win the Area swim competition overall and also assist bring home the Montrose Trophy, the annual competition for all Districts in the Northern Area.

In the Cross Country competition, this year held at Riverside in Chester Le Street, our 3 competitors had mixed fortunes. LC Stewart won the girls senior event, while OC Burston came 3^rd in the girls 12-15 age group and AC Moore gave a great effort in the senior boys event.

In the annual competition TS Whitley came a credible 4^th place (33pts) just two points behind Wallsend (31pts) while South Gosforth were second (27pts) as Newburn ran out deserved District Champions (21pts)

TS Whitley’s performance in the District Competitions was as follows:

5-a-side football: Equal 2^nd       Pulling Regatta: Equal 2^nd

Sailing Regatta: 5^th                  Boat Handling: Equal 2^nd

Canoeing: 4^th                          Swimming: 4th     

Adventure Training: 2^nd                Drill: 3^rd                

Piping: 5^th                                Cross Country: 4th

TS Whitley Swimmers Floating on a High

Whitley Bay Sea Cadets brought home EIGHT first places in the recent District Swimming Gala held at Hadrian Leisure Centre.

A team of 10 water babes took to the pool and provided TS Whitley supporters with plenty to cheer about. With 8 first places, 2 second places and 3 third places this was a great performance from the Unit

Those successful swimmers will now go on to the Area competition on 16th October in Scotland, flying the flag for Northumberland District, hoping to bring back some gold medals!

The full list of placings were as follows:

Adventure Training Competition

The annual Adventure Training competition was held recently near Bolam Lake in Northumberland.

With cadets participating in groups of 5 and 6 from Units spread throughout the District, this was a tough competition and prospects for our Whitley Cadets were limited seeing as this was only their second AT outing for the season.

However following some excellent in-house training from the Staff and great teamwork from all involved the Whitley team were placed 2nd overall!

The competition involved completing a route map, navigating a river crossing, pitching a tent, dealing with First Aid in the field and reporting to 6 check-in stations

Help For Heroes Parade

On the 1st October Whitley Bay Sea Cadets were invited to join a parade along Whitley Bay seafront to support Help For Heroes.

Organised together with some local schools by a Whitley Bay music teacher, participants were encouraged to play an instrument during the sponsored march. With the help of drummers AC Sean Garrity and two Marine Cadets from Ashington, as well as local steel drum players there was plenty of music to help the parade reach their destination at the Cenotaph.

DISTRICT SAILING REGATTA - 11th SEPTEMBER

The District Sailing Regatta was held at Derwenthaugh marina  - TS Northumbria on September 11th.

This was an opportunity for cadets to show what they had learned over the summer months in a competitive atmosphere.

Two of the Whitley Bay Sea Cadets, AB Cadet Garrity and Cdt Clarke entered the Bosun competition, sailing double handed over a triangle course set out by the judges.

Even though this was their first outing in a Bosun, the 2 cadets came in a very respectable 3rd place from 7.

Well done guys!

OCTOBER EVENTS DIARY

Dates for your diary  

• 1st October                MACT weekend - Wallsend
• 1st October                Help For Heroes Parade - Whitley Bay
• 3rd October              Swimming Tynemouth Pool 6:45 - 7:45
• 5th October            Unit Night - Taskbooks
• 7th October              Unit Night - Taskbooks/D of E
• 10th October          Swimming Tynemouth Pool 6:45 - 7:45
• 12th October          Unit Night - Taskbooks 
• 12th October          Parents' meeting from 7pm
• 14th October          Unit Night - Taskbooks / D of E
• 16th October          Area Swimming Gala
• 17th October          Swimming Tynemouth Pool 6:45 - 7:45
• 19th October          Unit Night - DIVISIONS
• 20th October             AGM - from 7.30pm
• 21st October           Unit Night - Taskbooks
• 22nd October         Caledonian Canal trip - with Newburn Unit
• 26th October          Unit Night - Taskbooks / D of E 
• 26th October             RN Careers Instruction for Ordinary Cadets
• 28th October          Unit Night - Halloween Party

SEPTEMBER EVENTS DIARY

Dates for your diary!

• 2^nd September         Unit Night – AT Training
• 7^th September         Unit Night – AT Training and P&SA Meeting
• 9^th  September        Unit Night -AT training
• 11^th September       District Sailing Regatta – TS Northumbria
• 12^th  September      Swimming – Tynemouth Pool 6.45 – 7.45
• 14^th  September      Unit Night – Uniform night and UMT meeting
• 16^th  September      Unit Night -DIVISIONS
• 17^th  September      District Swimming Gala  - postponed
• 19^th September       Swimming – Tynemouth Pool 6.45 – 7.45
• 21^st  September      Unit Night – AT River crossing training
• 23^rd  September      Unit Night – AT Training
• 24^th  September      District AT competition
• 25^th  September      District Swimming Gala (rescheduled)
• 26^th  September      Swimming – Tynemouth Pool 6.45 – 7.45
• 28^th September       Unit Night - Classes
• 30^th September      Unit Night – Classes/ D of E Training
• 1st October             MACT weekend at Wallsend / Whitley Bay Help for Heroes Parade

SUMMER BOATING

A large number of our cadets attended waterborne activities over the summer months at our amazing local boat station TS Northumbria.

Cadets attended rowing, power and sailing courses as well as competitions. The Unit also made great use of the boat station’s facilities every other Friday evening all through the summer.

UNIT SUMMER CAMP = AT TRAINING + FUN !!!

12 Cadets joined Sub Lt Thompson and Lt Snedden (ASO DofE) for a camping and trekking experience based at Seahouses, Northumberland in August.

The three day trip consisted of two overnight stays in tents, treks to Bamburgh Castle and expedition practice which included navigating courses and checking in at specified ‘check-points’ along the way.

This was a great opportunity for cadets to experience the outdoor world and work together in small and large groups. 

Silver Medal for Rowers

A team from TS Whitley won the Northumberland District Rowing Boat Handling competition and went on the represent their Unit and District at the Northern Area Boat Handling Competition held at Dundee unit. 

The competition included districts from North East England and the whole of Scotland.  Whitley came second in the Rowing Boat Handling gaining silver medals (amazing!!). Gosforth and Newburn Units also represented the District in the Sailing Boat Handling and Power Boat Handling competitions. 

Due to the efforts of all three units Northumberland district won the overall Boat Handling Cup for Northern Area!!

(From left) OC Burston, OC Brass, AC Garrity (Coxswain), OC Clark, C Stoneman. 

(LC Stewart and AC Tribe were in the Unit team at the District competition but were unable to make the Area competition)

Winning Waves for TS Whitley

TS Whitley Rowing crew won first place today 10th July, at the District Boat Handling competition held at TS Northumbria. The crew consisting of AC Stewart, AC Tribe, OC Brass, OC Burston and OC Clarke, were able to outscore TS Dauntless (South Gosforth), TS Comus (Wallsend) and TS Tyne during the very testing course. 

Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/user/WhitleyBaySeaCadets ?

Many congratulations to the crew!

OPEN NIGHT - WEDNESDAY JULY 13th - EVERYONE WELCOME

This year’s Open Night will take place on Wednesday 13^th July from 7pm – 9pm.

The Unit will be completely open for anyone in the local community to pop in and have a look. It is also an opportunity for friends and family who have not been to the Unit to come and find out what we do.

A wide range of information and supporters will be available to provide information for prospective new cadets and staff looking to join.

Expected to be here at the Unit are the local Coastguard, local Diving instructors, Royal Navy Careers as well as the present ship's crew and cadets, parents and committee members.

We are looking for help from parents with preparing the unit for the night, putting up posters and refreshments (cake baking welcome!) Any volunteers please send an email to: whitleybayseacadets@hotmail.co.uk

Upcoming Courses and Events

UPCOMING COURSES AND EVENTS

Unit Boating Nights

TS Whitley cadets and staff started their unit night boating season on Friday 24th June. Every other Friday the cadets and staff will go to the boat station until September and will have the opportunity to train in rowing, power and sail.

Boating nights are as follows:

Cadets are to meet at the unit at 6.30pm in boating gear and take with them a full change of clothes (including underwear and shoes), a towel and a plastic bag for their potentially wet clothes. Cadets will return at 9.45pm at the unit.

A form was emailed to parents to find out which Fridays cadets can attend and which parents can give lifts. Unfortunately only a few people replied but hopefully we can develop a better lift system when we get more exact numbers.

Ship's Visit 9th July

There is an opportunity for 12 cadets and 2 members of staff to visit HMS Tyne at North Shields. Anyone interested let Sub Lt Thompson know ASAP – places given on a first come first served basis?.

Boating Handling Competition 10th July   

This will be held at the Boat Station and we will be entering a Rowing Boat Handling Team (5 cadets and 1 reserve) and a Power Boat Handling team (3 cadets and 1 reserve). The teams will be finalised next week and the last practice will be at the unit boating night on Friday 8th July.

Summer Courses  

There are 3 courses running over the summer at the local Boat station, TS Northumbria. These are:

• Pulling 1st - 5th August
• Sail 8th - 12th August
• Power 22nd - 26th August

Each week costs £35. Cadets will have to travel to the boat station each day and take a packed lunch with them. Please let Sub Lt Thompson know ASAP if anyone is keen to go.

Also there are still places on the following courses at the SCTC Caledonia (Rosyth, near Edinburgh) - over the summer. These courses cost £60 which includes train travel, food and accommodation.

• Improvers Sailing 7th  - 12th August (for cadets with a little sailing experience)
• Full Bore Shooting 28th August -2nd September (must be 14 years old)

July Events Calendar

Dates for your diary!

• 1^st  July         Unit Night -Divisions and Photographs
• 6^th  July        Unit Night –AT training
• 8^th  July        Unit Boating Night
• 9^th  July        Ships visit HMS Tyne; Setting up unit for open night
• 10^th  July      District Boat Handling Comp
• 13^th  July       UNIT OPEN NIGHT
• 15^th  July       Unit Night – Intro for new New Entries
• 15 – 17^th July Army Camp  (Sub Lt Fox, Chief Littler and 10 cadets)
• 20^th  July      Unit Night - Classes
• 22^nd  July      Unit Boating Night
• 23^rd  July -     Summer Camp (Sub Lt Thompson, A/C Moore, A/C Garrity, O/C Burston, O/C Brass and O/C Thornton) TS Royalist (Chief Ellis, A/C Edwards and C Stoneman)
• 27^th  July      Unit Night- Classes
• 29^th  July      Unit Night –Games
• 30^th July        TS Royalist (A/C Stewart and A/C Tribe)

RACE NIGHT FUNDRAISER COLLECTS £270 !

A great night was enjoyed by all at the Border Terrier earlier this month in aid of the Minibus Fundraiser.

Attending was a mix of cadets, staff, parents, committee members and local regulars who were all happy to join in the fun.

Naturally only the adults were allowed to place bets on the horse races with a share of all placed stakes being donated to the Unit. Before the final race the all 8 horses involved were auctioned off to the highest bidder with 50% of the raised amount being donated to the fund.

A raffle with prizes kindly donated by staff, parents and well wishers also helped provide a great atmosphere. Our thanks go to the Border Terrier and Lesley for her generous provision of the venue and buffet.

Sub Lt Thompson Meets the Queen

On June 22nd Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were guests of honour at a Garden Party held at Alnwick Castle and Gardens. 

This unique event was hosted by Northumberland's Lord Lieutenant, The Duchess of Northumberland. 

The purpose being to thank Volunteers and Carers, and the North East Reserve Forces and Cadet Volunteers were out in force. The Lord Lt Cadets met The Queen, and representatives of all branches were introduced to her. 

Our own Sub Lt Thompson was one of those chosen to attend the event and was lucky enough to be chosen to actually meet the Queen. She said “It was an honour, I feel really lucky to have had such an opportunity.”

Summer Clean Up

It was All Hands On Deck! for the Great Summer Clean Up on the weekend of 24th - 26th June as news had filtered through of a visit from the newly appointed Area Officer due on Wednesday 29th June.

Great thanks to Sub Lt Fox and her husband Brian, Commanding Officer, Chief Littler, CPO Ellis, Sub Lt Thompson, AC Joe Moore and Colin Stewart from the UMC for their much needed assistance.

The deck got a brush and wipe down as well as all cabins, together with a trim of all the overhanging shrubbery in the back alley. Biggest job of all was the garage clear out - and after 3 visits to the local dump - there is at long last a decent enough room to swing a cat or two!

Area Drill Competition Success!!

Whitley Bay Sea Cadets represented Northumberland District in the Northern Area Drill competition held at MOD Caledonia 9th April 2011. 
Able Cadets Jamie Stewart and Oliver Kelly were part of the winning Guard team which beat all the other districts in Scotland and North East England. 
The unarmed squad was also successful coming 3rd in their category.  The unarmed squad contained four Whitley cadets: Able cadets Beth Edwards, Charlotte Tribe, Connor Si