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The month got off to a flying start with a party composed of four cadets and three adult volunteers completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition over two days, around Bewl Water on the Kent-Sussex border. Well done to Jay, Emilia, Gabbi, Antony, Zak, Teddy and Amanda.

Two adult volunteers left the Broads trip (see previous posting) a day early to enjoy a monster drive to Dartmoor. They then, together with another CoLSCC adult, undertook the second weekend of the Basic Expedition Leader Course.

Ceremonial events included a Jack Petchley awards evening, the St Georges Day Parade and the Gallipoli and ANZAC 100^th Memorial Parade. Leading Cadet Alex fulfilled his duty as the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London’s Cadet by attending the British Empire Medal investiture at the Tower of London.

A group of cadets spent a weekend based aboard HMS Bristol in Portsmouth improving their rowing skills.

Photo: The BEM Investiture

The Unit had its now traditional week on the Norfolk Broads. This was the largest group to date, a total of 40 cadets and adults attended. Spread across five cabin cruisers, with tenders, the Unit roamed the northern Broads. The cadets not only undertook some syllabus training, practiced their rowing and took turns at helming the cruisers; they also had to work to a ship's routine: cleaning, cooking and washing up.

Feedback from the cadets indicates that enjoyed, among other things, "climbing trees", "stuffing my face with Nutella" and "being chased by swans".

A big thank you must go the London Branch of the Nautical Institute, who funded this wonderful week.

Photo: Our Chair of Trustees, Captain John L David with Soma, Kai, Morgan and Harry.

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With the coming of spring the pace of Unit activities has continued to pick up.

The 8^th of March saw the District Drill and Piping competition, we didn’t enter a drill team but our pipers swept the board! Dawid, Teddy and “JJ” formed the winning team; in the individual event Dawid took first place and JJ second. At the Area Drill and Piping competition on the 22^nd the team came second and Dawid came third in the individual event.

Leading Cadet Alex added to his accolade of being the Lord Mayor of London’s Cadet by being appointed the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London’s Cadet.

Training outcomes for staff were that Emilia and Eli gained their RYA Safety Boat qualification and Emilia gained her Youth Development- Core Skills module. Cadet outcomes were Zak and Steven, Youth First Aid; Alex, First Aid 3^rd Class; India, Cook Steward 3^rd Class and Jonathan, Basic Communications.

Photo: Leading Cadet Alex with the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir David Brewer

Unit was pleased to host an informal visit from the Committee of the London Branch of The Nautical Institute, namely: Harry Gale, Andrew Bell, Les Chapman, Stan Montague, Rod Lingard, Jon Daniels, Andrew Goldsmith, Giorgi Yorgakiev, Moin Ahmed, Phil Gregson and Little Moi.

The Committee presented the Unit with a substantial donation. This will cover the cost to the Unit of the Norfolk Broads trip- which would otherwise have come from Unit reserves- freeing money to be spent on other activities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. So, a big thank you to the Nautical Institute from all at City of London Sea Cadets.

Photo: Les Chapman presents the cheque to our Commanding Officer, CPO Paul Townsend

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The Unit is taking part in the Waitrose, St Katharine Docks, “Green Token” Scheme during the month of March. If you do visit this store, please consider putting a green token from the checkouts into the City of London SCC box near the exits.

The pace of training has picked up in February, for both cadets and adults. The two outcomes that really stand out are Alex S competing his RYA Day Skipper Theory course and James achieving Marine Engineering 1^st Class Electrical, well done both!

Other cadet training successes were Jonathan- CIS Basic, Alex S- First Aid 3^rd Class, India- Cook Steward 3^rd Class, Steven- Piping Basic and Dawid- Piping Proficiency.

Adults also had a busy month of improving the skills that they pass on to the cadets. Two trustees and one member of staff passed the data protection course. One trustee and three members of staff completed the first of four weekends that lead to the award of the Basic Expedition Leader qualification. One member of staff passed the Youth Development Core Skills course and another the Basic Seamanship course.

For a bit of light relief 15 cadets and four adults had a pleasant half-term day out at the Chatham Historic Dockyard- where our Commanding Officer was once based.

Photo: In the Rope Shed at Chatham

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