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Mayor’s Charities Show – Roses Theatre

Mayor’s Charities Show – Roses Theatre

the public ranging from ‘Brilliant’ to ‘Magnificent’.  One reported he was ex Royal Marines.

Several people said that they wished the display had lasted longer – something to work towards if asked to perform again! 

Well done to all - Jack Griffiths, Sam Bailey, Caitlin Ashley, Shannon Ashley, (Snare) Brendan Gardner (Tenor).  Every reason to feel very proud of this achievement!

A BIG THANK YOU to our Band Master, who left us for major life saving heart surgery in January, but did make the show just th

On Sunday 29 January 2011, Tewkesbury Sea Cadets Corps of Drums performed at The Roses Theatre in the Mayor Charities’ Show. Although they have been in the public eye on formal parades this was a ‘first ever’ stage show for them. TS Otter C of D has also performed at the Unit’s Trafalgar Night dinner prior to the sit down meal in 2010 and 2011 in front of nearly 100 guests including VIP’s staff and spouses and parents.

The six members had first been viewed by John Benns, who was to be the show Master of Ceremonies, when he came to visit the unit on a band practise night with several ‘hands’ (lighting, stage manager and sound). They were very complimentary when they saw the cadets go through their drum display routines, and said that they wanted us to open the show. It was all pretty exciting! Practice nights continued in earnest under the eye of the Band Master.

We arrived at the Roses at 1100 hours, then had to take part in Technical and Dress rehearsals which went without a hitch. There was quite a lot of ‘hanging around’ but the drummers had plenty to keep themselves occupied; fitting their drum traces, final cleaning of boots and drums and donning their uniforms. The latter took up to an hour and a half to complete for all! Many thanks to Mr Gardner in helping with those stiff anklets!

The Corps of Drums entered from stage left ....1930 hours. (a bit nervous... but who wouldn’t be?) to a single drum tap starting from behind stage, which grew in volume as each one slowly joined in. Marching in through a ‘smokey’ (dry ice) swirling mist, under dimmed lights, they formed up across the stage, then turned to face the audience. As we started our performance, the overhead lights disappeared leaving only ultraviolet lamps picking up white caps, shirt fronts, gloves, belts, slings and traces hanging off the drums. ‘Chopsticks‘ was a medley of flashing synchronised white gloves with clicks, drumming, and meeting sticks to each side.

The Corps of Drums moved in perfect time into a ‘V’ formation (point to the audience); then beat static drum displays consisting of three part drum beatings with stick drill movements. The performance finished with a familiar single ‘da da di da da .. (ALL) da da! TS Otter Corps of Drums then marched off to Black Bear.

The audience were still clapping long after they had stopped playing and left stage!

The Bandmaster, Squadron Leader Rod Gurney RAF VR(T) who was in the audience, received many good comments from members of ree weeks post op!

CAPTAIN’S VISIT 2ND December 2012

CAPTAIN’S VISIT 2ND December 2012

Captain Mark Windsor Royal Navy, Captain of the Sea Cadet Corps visited Tewkesbury Sea Cadets on Thursday 2 December 2011.  After being picked up by the CO in Cheltenham, his stay in Tewkesbury spanned over three days whilst staying at the Hop Pole Hotel. His visit to the unit was the first time he’d visited TS Otter and our unit’s first visit by CSC in 9 years since Commodore Roger Parkers visit. During the evening, Captain Windsor was accompanied by Dame Janet Trotter DBE, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire. Both inspected the Cadets and then were given a tour of the unit and inspected the new wing developments. 

They were then entertained by the unit Corps of drums followed by an official opening of the new wing by Dame Janet. Both Captain Mark and Dame Janet then witnessed evening colours followed by presenting awards and trophies to cadets including best newcomer to OC Dan Gurney, Cadet of the Year OC Keri Macrow and Junior Cadet of the Year, JnrCdt Owen Mills.  Both had a fantastic evening, Dame Janet was presented with a TS Otter ship’s crest and Captain Mark was presented with a silver goblet with TS Otter inscription.  Afterwards, thanks to all those who assisted, we all tucked into some superb food and the visitors had a chance to chat with the cadets, staff, parents and committee.

DIAMOND JUBILEE PAGEANT

DIAMOND JUBILEE PAGEANT

Tewkesbury Sea Cadets are honoured to have been selected to take part in the Jubilee Pageant in London on 3rd June 2012.  Lt Cdr Jason Kinghorn and 4 cadets will be part of a 55 strong team of Sea Cadet boats from all over the country who will lead HM The Queen's Jubilee barge, Gloriana, down the Thames on June 3 in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee.

The cadets are training hard in preparation as they will be the focal point in a huge procession of over 1000 vessels as they crowd the Thames to honour the Queen's Jubilee as part of a huge Thames pageant, the likes of which hasn't been seen since 1717.  The Sea Cadets will sail in a diamond formation on an 11km route from Wandsworth to Greenwich.

Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Jason Kinghorn said "we're extremely proud to represent Tewkesbury at this prestigious event and the Cadets and I are very much looking forward to the weekend.  Let's hope it's a bit dryer and warmer than the practise we did in January!"

They leave on Friday 1st June for what can only be described as the event of a lifetime for these lucky cadets Smile.

Photo of Lt Cdr Kinghorn, LC A Macrow, LC H Griffiths, AC Thea Griffiths & AC Jack Griffiths - January 2012 rehearsal.

 

 

New Unit website

New Unit website

Welcome to our new look website. It has been redesigned as part of the Sea Cadets image refresh and we hope you enjoy navigating it. Take a look and round and see what you think!

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