26th - 31st May 2013
The Walton-on-the-Naze Sea Cadet Corps annual Unit camp was undertaken last week at HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy’s modern basic training facility at Torpoint in Cornwall, and was attended by twenty-four cadets and six staff members. The aim of the visit was to provide the cadets with an insight into life within the Royal Navy but with a huge angle on fun.
The week started very early on Sunday, 26th May, at 06:30 and after a short drive to Bristol in the two mini-buses the Unit toured the SS Great Britain, once the longest ocean-going liner of her time but now a museum ship. The journey was undertaken again, via the Clifton Suspension Bridge upon the recommendation/insistence of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Gary Dodd, but unfortunately the mini-bus and trailer, driven by Petty Officer Jonathan Sexton, was found to be over-weight and had to discharge its cargo of cadets and instructors, who had to walk across, before being allowed to drive across the bridge. The reason for the vehicle being over-weight was later tracked down to a consignment of make-up and cosmetics that was smuggled aboard by both Petty Officer Emma Potts and Civilian Instructor Rosie Hatt! The Unit finally arrived at HMS Raleigh at 17:00, just in time for a well-earned evening meal for all, find their respective messes and unpack.
The Monday morning started with everyone dressed in their best uniform (Number 1’s) and the Unit was inspected by the Officer-in-Charge of Vigilant Squadron atHMS Raleigh, before the Unit posed for a group photograph. Then, after a quick change into boots and ‘overalls’, the assault course was tackled with the same vigour and enthusiasm we’ve all become accustomed to from the Walton-on-the-Naze Sea Cadets, which resulted in all those who took part becoming soaked through! A video depicting the event, shot through a camera strapped to a cadet's helmet, can be viewed here. The soaking theme continued into the afternoon as the only rainfall of the visit put paid to planned activities, but an improvised trip to a fun-fair in Looe maintained the smiles on everyone’s face.
After another well-earned evening meal the cadets, who by this time must’ve thought that they were turning into ducks, had an evening swim in the pool on the base.
Tuesday was welcomed with an early visit to the Eden Project, the world’s largest rain forest in captivity, housed in two huge ‘bio-domes’ and, after a ‘yummy’ packed lunch (that was kindly provided by the Royal Navy), it was off to Wadebridge, where the Unit cycled from the town to Padstow, along the ‘Camel Trail’, and back again, a total distance of 11 miles. The evening activities commenced with a stop-off at HMS Raleigh for the cadets to take on food and drink before ending up in Plymouth for a night at the cinema. Needless to say the duty staff had a very easy shift as all the cadets slept very well that night!
Wednesday started off with lessons and practical sessions with Sea Survival equipment, which meant the cadets were wet again. After lunch, it was off to Devonport in Plymouth to see HM Submarine Courageous, now retired but kept as a museum boat, and in the evening an hour or two of recreational games in the base gymnasium.
Thursday,the penultimate day, commenced with lessons in fire safety at sea, which then turned into practical sessions with real fire extinguishers and hoses, oh, and real flames too! After a quick munch on the now infamous Royal Navy packed lunch (with salt and vinegar flavoured crisps again), it was off to damage control stations to put into practice everything they’d learned about blocking holes in ships before too much water gets in. Guess what, they got wet, very wet, again! You can experience some of their exploits, filmed by the camera that was especially nailed to PettyOfficer Emma Potts’ helmet for the event, by clicking here. After a welcome evening meal, it was off swimming again and then time to pack for the long journey home the next day.
Friday arrives, kit is stowed in the trailer and thanks and farewells are said to the resident staff at Vigilant Squadron,HMS Raleigh, without whom none of this would’ve been possible. It’s home time but wait, the CO has something else up his sleeve; what about a trip to Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museumen route and then, as we’ll be on the road that goes right by it anyway, how about trying to spot Stonehenge afterwards? So, after a really fun-packed week, theUnit arrives back at their base in the town at around 19:30 to waiting parents, relations and friends. Everyone said they had a great time and we hope that there will be some memories that the cadets will take with them and cherish throughout their lives.
