l Gibraltar Cup competitors tackle the assault course at CTCRM


Second Gib success for Eastbourne team


TO take the Gibraltar Cup


Eastbourne unit’s Royal Marines Cadet detachment proved their mettle by taking the prized trophy for the second year running. The annual Gibraltar Cup competition takes place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, in Devon. Forty-eight cadets from the top six Royal Marines Cadets detachments in the Sea Cadets gathered


you have to be rock-hard. And the eight-strong team from


for the weekend-long


event to compete to be the best detachment in the UK. And while Eastbourne took the


laurels, there was a scrap for second place between Bristol Adventurer and Bedford, who finished second and third respectively. For the record, Hornchurch


The competition is a series of challenges and assessments that test the skill, knowledge and fitness of the teams. Only a fit, dedicated, well-trained


and cohesive detachment stands a chance of taking the trophy. Assessed on leadership, teamwork/spirit, communication,


interpersonal skills, initiative and resourcefulness


Cubs visit Yeovilton


A WOLF pack of Cub Scouts from the Holy Trinity group in Yeovil visited Yeovilton air station. During the evening they were


given a talk by aircrew from 848 Naval Air squadron about flying and the work of the Sea Kings in the Commando Helicopter Force. After the briefing they went on to visit the Survival Equipment section,


supplying


which specialises in and


repairing the


clothing and equipment worn by the aircrews based at Yeovilton. Pack Akela Angela Dollard said: “This visit will go towards them achieving their ‘Air Activities’ badge. “We’ll follow it up with some


drawing and project work next week.” WO Stu Redgrave,


who


organised the visit and was the host for the evening, said: “The Cubs were really interested in the briefs and really enjoyed climbing all over the Sea King.”


48 APRIL 2012: discipline,


– plus the Sea Cadet spirit and values – the cadets demonstrated those qualities in bucketloads as they worked their way through various stances, including first aid and casualty evacuation, practical leadership, map-reading and navigation (day and night), fieldcraft skills, weapons handling and the assault course. The achievements of each and


every detachment was a testament to the dedication and skill of the volunteers who trained them. Capt Mark Windsor, Captain Sea Cadets, said: “I really enjoyed the Gibraltar Cup this year. “What a privilege for the cadets,


walking in the footsteps of the Royal Marines Commando role- models.


“They did themselves,


and Upminster were rated fourth, followed by St Helen’s and South Shields.


their


volunteer staff, parents, individual detachments, units and the Royal Marines Cadets proud. “Well done to all,


and


particularly Eastbourne, who won the overall competition, and a big thank-you to the volunteers and Royal Marines


staff for


making this happen so safely and successfully.”


l Eyes on the prize – the Gibraltar Cup is displayed to competitors at CTCRM, Lympstone. The trophy was taken by Eastbourne (above right)


NORTHAMPTON and Rushden unit put on its customary polished performance for its biannual efficiency inspection – and was rewarded with a score of 93 per cent and a glowing report. It is all looking rosy for the landlocked unit as its management committee has recently successfully negotiated a 99-year lease, and can now push on with the unit’s long-term framework strategy.


Planning permission is being sought for an extension to the current


fundraising


building alongside to


support and


improve the facilities. As part of the new marina alongside the unit, grounds and slipways are also being extended and improved. And it


Cadets who benefit – the unit is


an


is not just local Sea official Royal Yachting


Association Training Centre, affiliated to British Rowing, and is the first unit within the area to


Bravo Zulu for Northampton Busy month at Gosforth Trophy presented


award the new fixed-seat rowing qualifications.


The unit also operates the OnBoard scheme in conjunction with three local schools, teaching youngsters to sail. A smooth handover has also been planned for when the Commanding Officer stands down shortly in order to take the post of District Officer. The Captain’s report concluded: “TS Laforey is a shining example of what can be achieved through teamwork, dedication to the cause and focused and unswerving commitment.


“The unit consistently excels across the broadest spectrum of experiences and activities that can be delivered. “Furthermore, I was extremely pleased to be able to


“Bravo Zulu!” The evening saw more than 100 cadets from Wellingborough, Rushden and Northampton converge at the county unit HQ in Northampton to demonstrate their skills in ceremonial, waterborne and shore-based training. The evening ended with Cllr


Roger Conroy, Deputy Mayor of Northampton, presenting the annual Mayor’s Cadet Award to LC Marium Hashmi.


Plate class


POOLE unit was invited to attend the annual Civic Award Evening, hosted by the Mayor of Poole, having been nominated for an award.


visit again


for your Royal Navy Parade and to present national trophies in addition to awarding three Captain’s Medals for 50 years service to the Corps.


Uniformed staff and trustees joined cadets at the event, and all were honoured to be presented with a


Poole Pottery


displaying the town’s new Twin Sails Bridge for being outstanding ambassadors for the borough.


plate


FEBRUARY turned out to be a cracking month for Gosforth unit. Teams from the Tyneside unit represented Northern Area at both senior boys and girls level at the national five-a-side competition at HMS Sultan in Gosport. And two Gosforth cadets, LCs English and Harper, headed straight from the football to HMS Raleigh in Cornwall to successfully complete their POC advancement, with LC Harper gaining a credit pass.


The unit also took delivery of a new Yole rowing boat, and enjoyed some time on the water on both the River Tyne pilot boat and the unit’s affiliated ship, HMS Example.


The month also included


victory in the Northumberland district piping competition, the selection of Gosforth cadets in the armed guard and unarmed squad for the Northern Area drill competition, and the award of the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate for


outstanding service to the unit’s Commanding Officer, S/Lt (SCC) Chris Healy RNR – not bad for the shortest month (even, as S/Lt Healy observed, it is a leap year).


to Stonehaven CADETS at Stonehaven and District unit used plenty of elbow grease in making sure they and their HQ – including boatsheds, boats and uniforms – were up to scratch for the annual Unit Review Visit by Grampian District Officer Lt Cdr (SCC) Brian Mair RNR.


At the end of the evening Lt Cdr Mair presented the 2011 Area Officer’s Trophy to POC Michael Blacklaw on behalf of the cadets – the trophy is awarded to the runner-up unit to the Stephenson Trophy winner


(best unit in


Northern Area) which in 2011 was Greenock.


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