The cadets continued sailing and they also tried their hand at wind surfing and raft building. All the cadets and some of the junior staff gained a sailing qualification. Those over 16 years gained the Royal Yacht Association, National Sailing Scheme, Level 1 Award, while those under 16 gained the RYA, Youth Sailing Scheme, Stage 1 Award.
Photo: A flotilla of Hobie Cats
The cadets spent the day learning and practicing dinghy sailing techniques, starting on Picos and progressing to Hobby Cats.
The Unit’s fund raising for the trip had been so successful that we were able to take two cadets from the Waltham Forest Unit and three from the Enfield Unit.
Photo: Left to right- Lorna Keogh, Kate Hubert (Waltham Forest), Yasmine Leblebici, Alexandra Blyth (Waltham Forest), Shannon Whitton, India Steel, Rosie Colquhoun (Enfield), Jess O'Sullivan, Jess Edwards (Enfield), Gemma Knowles, Molly Chandler, and Imogen Singer.
The Unit arrived at the PGL Mimosa centre, near Valras, in time for breakfast. The main aim for the three days at Mimosa was sail training. The weather was unfavourable for launching. So the cadets learnt to rig the dinghies and spent some time on other activities such as air-rifle shooting.
Photo: Junior staff show off their shooting skills, Jason beat the instructor!. Left to right: Olli Sahbi, Luke Short and Jason Rochester.
Two years in the planning, the Day finally came for the Unit’s trip to France, with PGL. A total of 40 cadets, staff and adult helpers set off by coach for the Mediterranean.
Photo: On the ferry. Left to right: Ceyhan (JJ) Leblebici, Joe Alacorte, Freddie Fairman, Jenna Keogh and Imogen Singer.
The Unit is proud of its long association with the London Branch of the CFVA. This relationship is conducted via the Unit’s PASA (Parents’ and Supporters’ Association). On Sunday PASA laid on a buffet for the CFVA. The event went very well with the veterans and their families enjoying the get-together. The CFVA branch Secretary wrote: “Have had nothing but appreciative comments about Sunday and I am charged with thanking all concerned”.
The Coastal Forces Veterans’ Association exists for Royal Navy veterans who served in vessels too small to support their own associations, such as motor launches, motor gun boats and motor torpedo boats. Their most famous single action was Operation Chariot, the raid on the dry dock at St Nazaire on the night of 28th March 1942. The dock was put out of action for the rest of the war, denying major German warships repair facilities on the Atlantic. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded to those who took part in the raid.
Photo (courtesy of Sue Moss): Part of the memorial to those lost during Operation Chariot. This is located in Falmouth from where the raid was launched and to where the survivors returned.
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