44 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2010

l Lt Paul Patterson

Rescuers awarded bravery medals

Patterson were presented with bravery medals and citations by the Commanding Officer of HMS Bulwark, Capt Gavin Pritchard, on behalf of the committee of the Tyne Lifeboat Society at a ceremony on board the assault ship during a visit to the North East.

were supervising a Sea Cadets exercise on the Tyne at Hebburn when a member of the public fell into the water and started drifting down river with his face in the water. They sped towards him and hauled him, semi-conscious and struggling, aboard their safety boat and administered first aid before passing him on to emergency services on shore. They were commended for their successful rescue effort. The Tyne Lifeboat Society dates back 221 years to 1789 when a group of local shipowners formed a lifeboat committee. They offered a reward for the

creation of a purpose-designed lifeboat, which would be the very first to be designed and built with the sole objective of saving lives. William Wouldhave is credited with the best original design concept, and Henry Greathead was commissioned to adapt its design and build the boat, which was named the Original. Although it ceased to operate

The recipients of the medals

TWO men conducting a Sea Cadet exercise who rescued a member of the public from drowning have been rewarded for their prompt actions. PO Anthony Navi and Lt Paul

Malta GC hosts visit by Chiltern group

A GROUP of 11 cadets from Chiltern unit made good use of their half term by jetting off

to the Mediterranean.

The 11 youngsters were the guests of the Malta GC unit, and enjoyed a comprehensive programme put together by the Maltese under the supervision of Officer-in-Charge Lt (SCC) Donald Montebello RMR. Chiltern cadets and staff were accommodated and victualled at the Malta unit, and local staff and cadets escorted and joined their visitors on most of the events which were organised for them. CPO (SCC) Keith Jones, the Commanding Officer of Chiltern, plus two staff and the unit treasurer escorted the cadets from the UK.

visit to the ancient walled city of Mdina, a tiny inland fortified settlement which was at one time the capital of the island. Another trip saw them visit the Maltese Civil Protection Department,

lessons about how smoke and heat affect people. There was also hose-running and basic fire fighting, which naturally ended with a water fight.

Rinella, overlooking the entrance to Grand Harbour, which houses one of the last remaining 100-ton guns left in the world.

Another visit took them to Fort which included Among the highlights was a

l Cadets and staff from TS Arrow, the Chiltern unit, with local cadets during their visit to the ancient city of Mdina in Malta

Armstrong to counter the threat of similarly-equipped Italian battleships (their guns were also supplied by Armstrong), was never fired in anger.

This gun, built by a division of

The tour guides at the fort, on the east side of the harbour mouth, all dress in traditional

period costumes, and part of the tour was to show visitors how the old muskets worked, including a demonstration firing. The youngsters watched the cannon fired at midday at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, then went for a trip on a traditional Maltese Dghajsa, or

water taxi, taking a tour of the spectacular Grand Harbour, once crowded with warships. Entertainment in the evenings included ten-pin bowling, a chance to see the sights and sounds of the lively Floriana Carnival, and a final-night barbecue and disco before the group headed home.

Telford’s evening of the stars

Hoyles’s name are her BTEC Diploma in public services, and her certificate was presented on the evening.

determined last year was I wanted to gain PO Cadet rate before I go into the Royal Navy.” She hopes to eventually train to

be a logistician.

and awards evening was not just about one person – it was a chance for TS Wrekin to show the calibre of its cadets.

Greenwood, who complimented the cadets on their turn-out and said that “the drill ceremony was of a very high standard.” Other guests who attended

Inspecting officer was Capt Steve But the combined RN Parade

received was for the completion of her silver Duke Of Edinburgh Award. Maria said: “What made me so

Another certificate she

TELFORD unit’s awards evening was a particular triumph for one cadet this year. POC Maria Hoyles was named Cadet of the Year, reflecting the hard work and determination she has put in this year. Maria attended the first class cook/steward course and achieved her RYA power boating qualification with planning endorsement before attending the Petty Officer Course at HMS Caledonia. Other achievements to POC

Owen Trust, through the unit’s connection with

the evening were Anna Turner (High Sheriff of Shropshire), Anne Gee (ex-High Sheriff), the Fleet Air Arm Association (Wrekin Branch), the Market Drayton branch of the RNA and the RBL (Jackfield branch) – these two organisations raised funds to purchase a standard and accessories so Telford have their own standard to parade. Mr and Mr Jenkins from the

donated £500 which will go towards training activities. Lt Cdr (SCC) Phil Patterson RNR (District Officer for Mercia) also inspected the cadets and chatted with them.

Anne Gee,

lifeboats independently on the river in the 1960s, the society also aimed to ‘Grant Awards, Donations or Annuities to any deserving person or persons who shall have been identified with the work of lifesaving on the River Tyne’, an objective that is still fulfilled today.

The society can be contacted through John Lightfoot on 0191 454 8595, email john@solasolv. com or secretary Dr Chris May at

chris_may@talktalk.net

South West take football honours

l PO Anthony Navi

MORE than 160 cadets from across the UK converged on Cosford to compete for the prizes in the National Five a Side football tournament. All the teams taking part represent their areas, each having been crowned champions of their own patch. The finals were held on two pitches and had to be played over two days. Captain of Sea Cadets Capt Mark Windsor watched the competition

Diamond date

THE new satellite division of

Northampton and Wellingborough

unit has been formally recognised by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets. Eastern Area Officer Cdr Smith marked the occasion by presenting LC Calumn Hodgeson with the formal appointment certificate for

Rushden Diamond Division – the

culmination of five years of growth at the new facility. The ceremony took place

during the parent unit’s inspection evening – a busy programme of demonstrations and presentations. One of the presentations was the

RYA OnBoard Club of the Year award for Northamptonshire and South Warwickshire, received by LC Lara Jolly. Lara was one of a group of cadets which helped teach school groups to sail last summer, resulting in seven new junior cadets joining the unit.

unfold, and presented prizes at the tournament’s conclusion. Capt Windsor said: “The cadets

were extremely well-behaved and the sportsmanship first class.” Also present was Capt Steve

Greenwood, Director Support and Deputy Commandant at DCAE Cosford, the former RAF base.

Junior Girls (Wain Cup): Bronze:

Silver: Northern Ireland,

Eastern,

Gold: South West; Player of the tournament: OC G Phillips (NI).

Junior Boys (Ganges Cup): Bronze:

Northern, Silver: Eastern, Gold: South West; Player of the tournament: Cdt K Sawyers (South West).

Senior Girls (Willmott Cup): Bronze:

Silver: Southern, Gold:

Northern,

Eastern; Player of the tournament: MC2 C Lancaster (Eastern).

Senior Boys (Guinness Cup):

Bronze: Northern, Silver: Northern

Ireland, Gold: South West; Player

of the tournament: LC S Brown (Eastern).

Overall trophy (Lord Burnham Cup) went to South West.

l Above: Capt Mark Windsor (left) and Capt Steve Greenwood present the trophy to representatives of the four South West teams, three of which won their competitions. Top: action from the senior boys match between South West and Southern

Other cadets who picked up unit trophies were OC Luke Benting (waterborne trophy) and AC James Payne (non-waterborne trophy). James was also awarded the

Shipmate of the Year award, a trophy donated by the Fleet Air Arm Association and decided by the cadets themselves.

Weather damages facilities

HARSH winter conditions have taken their toll on the temporary buildings used as classrooms by Loughborough unit. The ceiling of one building has collapsed, causing water to seep through onto rope, shackles, buoyancy aids and the bow of a boat used as a training aid since the 1980s.

The second cabin has also suffered water damage.

The loss of these spaces for storage is bad enough, but the unit – which has a very small main building – relied on the cabins as teaching spaces for its 47 cadets aged between ten and 17. They were also used for accommodation for occasional sleepovers, which can no longer take place.

At a recent bag-packing fundraising event at Tesco in Melton Mowbray, cadets raised more than £600, but that will only make a small dent in the sum needed to replace the buildings, which cost around £2,500 second- hand.

The unit is now appealing to

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