.....
Newham
Get The Silver
Newham Unit
Junior females represented London Area at the National Five
A Side Football competition at HMS Collingwood on 22-24
February 2008
_small.jpg)
_small.jpg)
Out of the mass
entry Newham came second overall, Able Cadet Eastman was
presented with Player of the Match
The Area Officer has asked
that a BZ be given to all the cadets who participated.
North East District Leads the way "again"
Last November at the Area Multi
training weekend NE District lead the way with a new
Bushcraft Skills course for staff. NE District also ran the
first D of E Bushcraft weekend for cadets last year. No
other District nationally has been involved in this activity
at this level.
The course was set up and run by
myself, PO George Aitchison, and assisted by Phil Brown (Non
SCC instructor) and CPO Perry Symes (ASO ET).
The course was attended by Lt Cliff
Lewis, Lt Alan Lewis, CPO Dave Lewis (the whole clan!),
Lt Keith Coleman, plus 2 staff from other Districts.
The course was set in Pippingford Park
in Ashdown Forest .
The key skills practiced on the
weekend included, Safe knife skills, fire craft, water
finding/treatment, open fire cooking, plant/tree ID,
tracking and shelter building.
We even had a visit from the Area
Officer, Cdr Paul Haines RN who was successful in getting
fire from using a Flint and Steel.
Since before the stone age, humans
have been using the natural materials around them to provide
warmth, shelter, clothing, tools - all the things we take
for granted in this modern age. This great course is an
introduction to the skills that have been lost to many of us
over the centuries. Fortunately, guys like George and Phil
are, through their knowledge and sheer enthusiasm for all
things "bushcraft", introducing cadets and adults alike to
one of the most interesting and rewarding of subjects.
Although just an introduction, the course gives enough
knowledge to be able to teach these vital skills to cadets,
and to intriduce bushcraft as a different skill from the
usual subjects we use for Duke of Edinburgh.
The cadets that I have seen taught by
these guys have been enthralled and enthused by the subject
matter, and for myself, having spent the best part of my
adult life walking through the woods and wilds, I am
delighted that I now have a knowledge (a very small one,
I'll admit) of the environment through which I walk, and how
I can use it's many resources to my advantage. Best of all,
to be able to do this and have the least impact on that
environment - this is, surely, the greatest skill of all.
If you are a seasoned expeditioner, or
a complete novice, I really can't recommend this course
highly enough.
Lt Cliff Lewis, ADO(NE)
The next Bushcraft course is set to
happen at the Spring 08 MTW. So if you are interested in
expanding your knowledge in the subject or if you are
totally new to the subject apply now.
Let’s keep NE District at the
forefront of this training.
Bushcraft is a recognised part of the
D of E syllabus and most of all the kids love it so skill
yourself up to skill the kids
.....
NEW DSO
(CEREMONIAL)
Sgt Somogyi will
oversee all ceremonial events and activities whilst
continuing his role as detachment Commander within Waltham
Forest Unit.
.....
NAVY BOARD
CADET
Six Sea
Cadets Honoured for Outstanding Contribution
Petty Officer Cadet Thompson is one of those cadets
Each year six Cadets are specially selected from the 13,000
Sea Cadet force throughout the United Kingdom in recognition
of the outstanding example they have each set in the Sea
Cadet Corps in their local area. Throughout the Navy Board
Cadets’ year of office they will accompany members of the
Navy Board and other high-ranking members of the Royal Navy
and Royal Marines at official ceremonial occasions. During
these events they will brief the senior officers on issues
of importance to the Sea Cadet Corps.
As well as giving the
Cadets a privileged insight into top-level Naval policy and
the work of very senior serving officers, this initiative is
expected to raise the profile of the Sea Cadet Corps as a
whole by exposing these high calibre young people to senior
representatives of professional bodies and other prominent
individuals.
The Navy Board comprises the First Sea Lord,
Commander in Chief Fleet, Second Sea Lord, Naval Member for
Logistics, Controller of the Navy, Assistant Chief of the
Naval Staff and 2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State for
Defence.
POC Thompson of Enfield Unit was presented
with the Certificate and Badge of office by the Area Officer
Commander P Haines at a surprise visit to the Unit.
.....
New Year
Honours 2007/8
Congratulations to those of our colleagues whose tireless efforts were
recognised in the Queen's New
Year Honours. Both have been
awarded MBE.
Lt Cdr (SCC) Nicholas (Nick)
John Moulton RNR,Commanding
Officer of the Rebel Trust, who
was formally the First
Lieutenant of West Ham and Mrs
Doreen Nevard, Chairman of
Southwark Sea Cadet Unit.
The Honours are richly deserved.
.....
2007 End of Year Awards
Well
done to all the following Units and individual cadets who
received Awards. Presentations will take place over the next
few weeks at the Unit Headquarters.
Neil Goodall
Trophy (Highest points on POC/Sgt Advancement Board)
.....
Multi-Training Photo Page
Click the button to see all
the pictures from the November District Multi Training
Weekend held at Waltham Forest. Results to follow.
.....
Staff
Movements / Promotions
The past month has seen a
number of changes within North East District:-
Clapton -
Petty Officer Eady transferred to Islington
& Stoke Newington
Petty Officer M Hook Transferred from Edmonton
P/Petty Officer S Hook Transferred from Edmonton
Edmonton
P/Petty Officer T Hardwick Transferred from
West Ham
Enfield -
TI S Pope promoted to Probationary Petty
Officer
West Ham -
Mr K Cullen re joined the Corps as Petty
Officer
.....
Change of Command at Newham
Following the resignation of Lieutenant
Chris Thorne at Newham. Chief Petty Officer
Dave Standing has been appointed Officer in
Charge.
Lieutenant Thorne has been Commanding
Officer at Newham since 1999, he previously
held roles as First Lieutenant and Admin
Officer at the Unit. North East wish him
good luck for the future.
Chief Petty Officer Standing joined the Sea
Cadets as an Instructor in 1997 at Newham
before moving to West Ham unit for a Number
of years. He returned to Newham as Boats
Officer before taking up the position as
First Lieutenant.
.....
Clapton Unit website
Clapton Unit now has a dedicated web site which contains
information about their training, events. Check it out
.....
Lt Cdr(SCC) Fred Townley RNR (RTD)
It is with deep sadness to report the death
of Lt Cdr Fred Townley on Wednesday 10 October 2007
Fred joined the Corps in 1956 as a direct entry CPO, and
went on to become a Lt Cdr He served as Commanding Officer
at Enfield and Clapton units before becoming ASO(Seamanship)
until December 2006.where he took over as District Staff
Officer Seamanship at the same time assisting at Clapton
Unit.
One of Fred's proudest achievements was rebuilding
Clapton Unit and having it officially opened by Prince
Andrew.
Anyone who knew Fred will miss his sense of
humor and passion for the Corps. Fred was aged 70. Funeral
Details are to be confirmed.
.....
TRAFALGAR DAY PARADE
EIGHT CADETS FROM EDMONTON UNIT WERE SELECTED TO REPRESENT NORTH EAST
DISTRICT AT THE ANNUAL TRAFALGAR DAY PARADE.
WELL DONE TO ALL THE CADETS FROM EDMONTON.
.....
CVQO to Southwark Well done to
Leading Cadet Nathaniel Davenport who has been awarded a BTEC First Diploma in
Public Services with Distinction.
.....
Jack
Petchey Winners
A special presentation evening will be
taking place on 2 October 2008 at Waltham Forest Unit to
present CPO A Weston, SGT M Somogyi and CPO A Stevens with
their leaders awards after being recommended by the
District Officer. Lee Thompson Events Manager will be making
the presentations on behalf of the Jack Petchey foundation
The cadet winners for July and August are
LC Wickerden and Cadet Dokic from Waltham Forest Unit both
cadets will receive a framed certificate and a lapel badge
whilst a donation of £200 per cadet will be made to the unit
for training equipment.
.....
New
Captain Sea Cadet Corps is Announced
Jonathan Fry joined the
Royal Navy in 1979 and will take up his new
appointment as Director of Operations and Captain of the
Sea Cadet Corps in late October 2007.
Jonathan Fry joined the
Royal Navy in 1979 and will take up his
new appointment as Director of Operations
and Captain of the Sea Cadet Corps in late
October 2007.
Captain Fry is an Engineer Officer currently
working at the Fleet Headquarters in
Portsmouth as Fleet Marine Engineer Officer
(Surface Ships) and professional head of the
Marine Engineering (ME) sub-branch. During
his 28 years of service he has served as a
Commander Marine Engineer Officer on HMS
INVICIBLE, worked as a project manager
within the Defence Procurement Agency and
gained experience of training young people
in marine engineering at HMS SULTAN.
As Director of Operations and Captain of the
Sea Cadet Corps his primary role will be to
provide operational leadership to the Sea
Cadet Corps, with specific focus on the safe
delivery of training.
The Royal Navy's decision to put a serving
officer into the post is most welcome and
reflects the importance that the RN attaches
to the charity and the Sea Cadet Corps.
Captain Fry is an Engineer Officer currently
working at the Fleet Headquarters in
Portsmouth as Fleet Marine Engineer Officer
(Surface Ships) and professional head of the
Marine Engineering (ME) sub-branch. During
his 28 years of service he has served as a
Commander Marine Engineer Officer on HMS
INVICIBLE, worked as a project manager
within the Defence Procurement Agency and
gained experience of training young people
in marine engineering at HMS SULTAN.
As Director of Operations and Captain of the
Sea Cadet Corps his primary role will be to
provide operational leadership to the Sea
Cadet Corps, with specific focus on the safe
delivery of training.
The Royal Navy's decision to put a serving
officer into the post is most welcome and
reflects the importance that the RN attaches
to the charity and the Sea Cadet Corps......
Sea Cadet
Lake Fest
More than 250 Sea Cadets at the Sea Cadet
Festival in what was a truly fantastic sea
extravaganza at Lakeside Shopping Centre on
1st & 2nd September.
Cadets from the North East District, London
Area and the South East of England
demonstrated their boating skills including
sailing, rowing, canoeing and power boating
on the centre's lake to a packed audience,
while others demonstrated alternative skills
inside the shopping centre.Shoppers, children and families took part in
various free activities including learning
how to rig a sailing boat, first aid skills,
interactive computer models, a rowing
competition, climbing wall and camouflage
face painting among many others.The
weekend demonstrated the fun and exciting
activities that are available in the Sea
Cadets
The Mayor of Thurrock said. "The event was a
great success in raising the profile of the
charity and the Sea Cadet band was superb!"
The Cadets also held cooking demonstrations
using a field kitchen similar to those the
Royal Marines use on exercise, they marched
to a selection of contemporary music and
taught shoppers how to dance to the sailors'
hornpipe.
.....
HMS Roebuck
Two Lucky
members of London North East
have received support from the Royal Navy by getting
a trip on HMS Roebuck from Ostend to Devonport.
Petty
Officer Adebambo Salawu and Able Cadet Gary Weeks rom City
of London
The
current HMS Roebuck is a Coastal Survey Vessel, the only one
of her class and the largest of the Navy’s three CSV’s. HMS
Roebuck is the 17th ship to bear the name, giving
her the largest battle honours of any other ship.
The trip
back to Devonport provided the opportunity for the honorary
crew members to take part in various aspects of training.
Gary is
hoping to attend the prestigious SCC camp at BRNC Dartmouth
to prepare for officer entry into the Royal Navy. But in the
meantime, he will be working hard to complete his BTEC First
Diploma in Public Services.
London Area website
London Area now has a dedicated web site which contains
information about training, events and all the latest
Memo's. Therefore a direct link has been from the LATM/Admin
page. Vistit the new site and see what you think. Comments
to J Perkings at Area Office
http://londonarea.ms-sc.org/Home
......
London Area to get a new Area
Officer
After 4 years at the helm Lt Col Andy Milne will retire from
the Royal Marines and stand down as London Area Officer on 7
October 2007. His replacement Commander Paul
Haines will then assume command. We wish Lt Col Milne
the very best of luck for the future, I am sure he will not
be a stranger to the Area.
......
District ET Competition
A Weekend the Weather Couldn’t Ruin…….
July 20th – 22nd saw six (yes six) teams from the
District compete in our Expedition Training competition at
Danemead Camp, in Broxbourne, Herts.
Expertly run by fourteen staff from seven units, the event
kicked off early on Saturday morning (the teams had arrived
and pitched camp the night before), with breakfast, the
teams kit being checked, and an instructional period in
emergency shelter building. They then had a session filling
in their maps and route cards.
While all this was happening, the staff (who got up MUCH
earlier!) were hiking through the forest to various points,
and setting up a variety of tasks for the cadets to complete
once they had navigated to them. Each task had a particular
“theme”, and the teams were marked on their leadership and
teamwork, as well as their ability to complete the task.
Task titles included:
Seamanship, Unexploded Nuclear Warhead, Communications Code
Breaking, Fire From Sparks, River Crossing, First Aid.
Teams tackled their early tasks in glorious sunshine, but
the inevitable rain hit just after lunchtime – although it
did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the teams. A series
of heavy showers tested the teams’ ability to persevere, and
they all came through with flying colours. At each task
point around their walk, the teams collected clues to the
mystery “Who Ate All The Pies?”, and presented their answers
(ALL correct!) when they’d finished their walk.
On returning to the campsite, the teams then each built an
assessed shelter, using the knowledge gained that morning,
and a variety of shapes and sizes of shelter were attempted,
with varying degrees of success! This done, they all
prepared dinner, and readied themselves for a Night
Navigation exercise, where each team was given a compass
bearing and distance to navigate, through the forest and its
various obstacles, in the pitch darkness. Accompanied by a
member of staff, the teams were marked on how close they
finished to a pre-determined finish point, and on their
teamwork and method. All of them did very well indeed. Did I
make it too easy?
The daytime and evening rain forced a number of the cadets
to sleep overnight in the pre-arranged indoor accommodation,
but it was pleasing to see the number prepared to brave the
conditions, and sleep in their tents despite the torrents!
(Not me – someone had to supervise the cadets in the hut!)
Sunday’s breakfast was an assessed meal preparation session,
where the cadets were also asked various questions on camp
cooking and nutrition. And they all ate something that
morning – that’s a first! The staff who assessed their meal
then cast their expert eyes over their tent pitching and
campsite organisation efforts – some good, some not so good
– and while all this was happening, a couple more challenges
were being set up, a little closer to the campsite this
time.
The teams were taught the ancient South American art of “Atlatl”,
a native skill of using a throwing stick and darts (blunted
in this case) to hunt wildlife. We had a plastic target, and
extensive safety supervision, but the cadets showed a
surprising level of enthusiasm, not to say skill in this age
old technique.
A camp utensil task saw the cadets manufacturing various
cooking utensils from materials found in their surroundings
– OK, we did see many variations on a pointed stick (it’s a
toasting fork/spit/stirring stick), but there were some
quite pleasing results – plates, spoons, forks – all showing
imagination and not a little skill.
The “Blind Ropeway” task tested their trust in their fellow
team mates to its limit, and our trust in them not to cheat
by peeking under their blindfolds!
Two tests to assess their knowledge of EXPOSURE and
NAVIGATION, ACCESS AND CONSERVATION completed their tasks
for the day, and they set about de-rigging tents and
striking camp, while some poor soul (me) tried to add up
points and come up with a result!
Medals, trophy and certificates followed, as well as 3
cadets being presented with Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards,
and a further 5 having the expedition practice section
completed in their D of E log books.
Results will be published in a forthcoming NEDM, but well
done to all the teams, including Waltham Forest and City of
London, who will represent us at the Chosin Cup in
September.
And a huge THANK YOU to all the staff who worked so hard in
some awful conditions to make the event the success it
undoubtedly was.
......
District
Band helps a Charity
The North East
District Band under the supervision of Petty Officer Eady
will play at a charity Golf Match in August. it will be the
bands first display outside the District. Should you wish to
take part, please contact the either PO Eady or the contact
below.
......
The weekend of
the 11th-13th May saw City of London
head south to the new forest.
The unit camped
in Ferny Croft scout camp with approximately 200 scouts
The OIC Chief
Petty Officer Townsend said, The unit made good use of the
amenities building rafts to cross ponds, crate stacking to
see how high you can go, and orienteering to prove to the
scouts that we can also find our way through woodland. The
cadets and juniors had a lesson in fire making from the
District Staff Officer (Adventure Training )PO Aitchison
then it was around the camp fire to toast our mashmellows.
Sunday morning
saw CPO Townsend and 4 senior cadets parade the unit
standard at the annual service of remembrance to HMS Hood at
the Boldre Church, the last surviver from the sinking also
paraded the Hoods Colours at the ripe old age of 107. On
completetion a BBQ was laid on by the Unit Management
Committee for the three cadet services and VIPs. Vice
Admiral Bossier attended the function and spoke to the
cadets,
The afternoon was
then spent in the Solent with the Yarmouth Lifeboat doing a
demonstration of fast passes and a helicopter winching
exercise.
To View the
Photos, Click Here
.....
