NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2009 43
ide of the Corps
● Sea cadets vie for honours
in the district sailing regatta
at Peterhead
“Girls had just started being They all get on with the younger Dauntless, Diamond and Dragon),
part of the Sea Cadets at that ones as well. It is like a family unit. was in the guard of honour at
time, and I just couldn’t wait to “There is pride in the unit, the Trafalgar Square ceremonies
get down here,” said Marleen. pride in the uniform and pride in last October, and described her
Husband Mark, who works themselves. participation in the Festival of
in the offshore industry, is also “When we were down in Remembrance as a “once-in-a-
an ex-cadet who is now the London, in the Remembrance lifetime experience – some stories
engineering instructor at the unit, Parade, in the Albert Hall, past we heard of what people had been
and he appreciates the value of a the Cenotaph, they were not in the through made me cry.”
stint in the Corps. least bit bothered. “I have gained a lot of confidence
“When I did my interview to “Some of them were standing from the Sea Cadets – I can speak
become an apprentice we spent next to Katherine Jenkins, and my mind,” said Nicole.
five minutes talking about my they all just took it in their stride. “Through Cadets I have made
record at school and then spoke “They will look back at this a lot of friends who I would never
for about an hour on the Sea with pride when they are adults.” have spoken to otherwise – everyone
Cadets,” he said. Part of the winning formula at in Peterhead knows Nicole!”
“It is amazing how the Sea Peterhead is the support of the Then there is the best of the
Cadets can set people up for life. I community. best – LC Lauren Hossack (15),
think it’s a good thing for any kids The harbour authority found a Caledonia’s Cadet of the Year.
to come down and take it up. plot of land on which Caledonia “When we look for our top cadet,
“The last year has been built their HQ some years back, we are looking for an ambassador
especially good, particularly when a number of berths are made for the unit, and someone the unit
we went down to London. available to them at the town’s will look up to – and with Lauren,
“As a kid I would have loved marina, and local businesses chip everything she does she puts in
that – it was a fantastic weekend in to help run the unit. 100 per cent,” said Marleen.
for us adults as well as the kids. “We are really fortunate to be So, the $64,000 question – what
“I remember sitting watching well-supported by the Peterhead makes Peterhead the best unit in
the Festival of Remembrance Port Authority,” said Marleen, the Corps?
on TV with the cadets, and I who pointed out that despite the “I think it’s the teamwork
remember saying ‘I would love to lack of big-name or big-money between the cadets, the adults and
go to see that.’ sponsors, the busy unit ticks over
the committee,” said Marleen.
“I managed to get tickets for me nicely on a fuel of hard work and
“We just love it here – it’s a
and my daughter last year, and she dedication to the cause.
home from home.
was amazed by it all.” The unit meets twice weekly,
“We are extremely proud of the
CO Ian Wilson is now reaping with the Monday night being ‘clean
cadets and all their achievements
the rewards of four decades of ship night’ – staff believe the cadets
– if they didn’t work so hard
service to the unit. should take responsibility for the
we wouldn’t have been able to
“In my 38 years in the Corps as state of the training ship, and
achieve this.”
● AC James Watt, the Earl of Dalhousie, Lt Cdr Ian Wilson RNR, CO of Peterhead unit, and AC Sarah
man and boy, 2008 has been the senior cadets do rounds to ensure
Buchan at the presentation of the Canada Cup to TS Caledonia
pinnacle of my ‘career’,” he said. a high standard is maintained.
“To be in London for the Friday night is the more
● View from the top – a picture
Remembrance Parade, the Festival traditional parade night, when
taken by one of the Peterhead
of Remembrance at the Albert classes are held in areas including
cadets on board TS Royalist
Hall and now to be the holder of seamanship, engineering and last year
the Canada Trophy has brought it first aid, while practical skills are
all home to me how proud I am taught on the water during the
to command the Peterhead unit summer, including courses over
and, more importantly, how proud the weekends.
I am of my staff, cadets and unit Caledonia is a Royal Yachting
management committee.” Association training centre, with a
By way of contrast, Eileen flotilla of dinghies and a couple of
Buchan was appointed chairman powerboats (which are apparently
of the committee last November, quite popular with the cadets...).
the previous holder (Rab Smith) Alumni of TS Caledonia don’t
having been in place for more than forget their roots.
two decades. One former cadet joined the
And within a few weeks of Senior Service last summer, but it
taking on the job, Caledonia had wasn’t the last they saw of him.
scooped the most coveted prize in “He is back here every weekend
the Corps. he is home, in his uniform,” said
“I have been a member of the Eileen.
committee, and I have got two “When they reach a certain age
children here – Scott joined at 12 they do not want to leave here
and he is now an adult instructor because it is such a big part of
aged 18, the other is Sarah, who is their life.”
14,” said Eileen. Another former cadet is now Lt
“That is how I got roped in, and Lindsay Northeast RN, a logistics
the Sea Cadets has now become officer (shouldn’t she be a navigator?
our family life. – Ed) in HMS Ark Royal who also
“We follow the cadets keeps close tabs on her old unit.
everywhere, but it is absolutely One of the unit’s most
worthwhile. It keeps them out of enthusiastic cadets is LC Nicole
mischief. Rafferty (17), who joined at a
“It is so rewarding as parents harbour open day at the age of 11.
to see how they have developed. “The Sea Cadets had a stall
They really deserve this award. there every year,” said Nicole.
“But it’s more than the cadets “I looked at what it was all
though – the committee are so about, and I have been here ever
dedicated, as are the staff and since. I would like to stay on as
parents. We enjoy it as much as staff, as well.”
the cadets do. Nicole has represented the
“Our youngsters are respectful Corps at the launch of the first
– we get no nonsense from them. four Type 45 destroyers (Daring,
Pictures: Anne McBain
040-043_NN_jun.indd 4 21/5/09 11:54:37
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