(28.04.06)
Marine cadet recruits advance to Marine Cadet 2nd Class

Well done to Marine recruits Connor Lobb and Domonic Traynor who after their recent field assessment and final training/testing last night completed their new recruit marine training and were advanced to the rank of Marine Cadet 2nd Class.




(22.04.06)
Cadet advances from New Entry Class

Well done to Cadet Laura Pickles who last Thursday passed her written, drill and practical tests and was promoted to the rank of Cadet. She was presented her advancement award by the Commanding Officer.

(19.04.06)
Cadets celebrate £3,200 Sports Grant for Window Ladder Equipment

You may have heard recently that to celebrate 250 years of the Marine Society, there will be a big event in London later this year. The Tameside Window Ladder team have been asked to perform on HMS Ocean as part of the events, one thing we do miss is our own, paid for, portable equipment to mount the frame for outside events. At present we have to raise money and borrow the equipment for each outside event.

Thanks to fund raising locally and a £50% grant contribution of £3,200 from the Sports Club Development Fund of Tameside. We will now be in a postition to purchase this equipment and it couldnt have come at a better time, following the Trafalgar Square display we have already been asked to do a couple more outside displays, one notable one being performing at the next Lowestoft Air Show.


'The cadets involved relish the challenge and continue to train hard every week' commented the Commanding Officer LT CDR(SCC) Graham Broadbent.

Speaking about the latest success, Tameside units Training Officer Mr John Mottram said 'We seem to be quite lucky at the moment, although its not all luck, a lot of time and effort goes into preparing our applications for support and grants and we get lots of help and support from the people within the local organisations awarding the grants'. John added 'it wont stop us fund raising locally and getting all the benefits a charity can claim for, but what it does do is help us achieve our goals quicker and one thing we have proven is that having a plan of action to raise funds has been key to our success'.


(19.04.06)
Good Conduct Awards awarded to Cadets last night

Well done to Cadets Jemma Shaw and Jamie Parkinson who were both awarded good conduct awards last night. For Jemma it was her first years good conduct stripe, having arrived just over a year ago and within 1 day going on the Keswick Sail Camp Jemma has been a popular and active member of the unit getting involved with lots of activity and training in the unit.

Jamie on the other hand picks up his second stripe, having been in the unit just over two years Jamie is now an Able Cadet and is looking to pick up more qualifications to assist with his advancement during his recently confirmed trip to HMS Bristol's International Sea Cadet Summer Camp in Portmouth along with 3 other cadets during the summer holidays.

The cadets will be entitled to wear the relevant number of stripes on their best rig as well as gaining points towards their advancement to the next rank.

Well done to both of you, wear your good conduct stripes with pride and keep up the good work.

(18.04.06)
Cadets Return from a Fun Weekend at a new camp in Abersoch, Wales

Cadets and staff headed out to Wales this Easter Weekend for a weekend boating Camp. Nothing new in that, its done every year. However this year there was a break with tradition and instead of doing a walking camp in North Wales, they headed further South to check out a new venue in Abersoch and chose to add boating to the activities available during the weekend..

'Just what the doctor ordered' commented PO Paula Saycell, going on to say 'It was a very nice weekend, the new camp was very good and overall it was a very good weekend' That seems to be a result then, cadets enjoyed it, the staff enjoyed it and the 'sailing was good' commented a cadet last night.

The idea of mixing camping and boating is something that appeals to more cadets than just simple camping and walking. The cadets can get involved in more activities on the water and can still then go on to do their camp craft awards and get some easy day walking in.The cadets also commented how they enjoyed cooking their own dinners one evening.

The weekend was such a success that many cadets came away with an award. Congratulations to the following cadets who were tonight presented with and well done to Andrew Taylor for being the Cadet of the Weekend -:

Camp Craft Basic Award went to - Cadets Andrew Taylor (cadet of the weekend), Laura Pickles, Nathan Burke, Domonic Traynor and Craig Handley. Cadets Charlotte Latchford and Amy Fletcher will also be award their basic camp craft on their next attendance at the unit.

Camp Craft Proficiency Award goes to - Cadets Jemma Shaw and Jack Townley which will be awarded later in the week. Take a peek at some photos from the weekend in our gallery by clicking here.

(12.04.06)
Local Network Fund Comes through with £7,000 grant for Tameside Youth

The unit has just heard that the latest award, a further £7,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Manchester, Local Network Fund which will go towards replacing our Topper sailing boat fleet, the money will ensure we can purchase another 3 boats bringing our fleet up to six top of the range cadet training sailing boats.The units staff and cadets would like to thank the Community Foundation for their ongoing support and assistance.

During the past couple of years Tameside unit has taken the challenge of raising funds for upgrading equipment and facilities head on. The days of standing in the street competing alongside lots of other worthwhile charities has made it difficult to raise the significant amounts required for the right equipment and to keep the unit a cut above what else is on offer locally.

Tameside cadets have the benefit of staff who see the importance of getting out their and raising money through any means possible. During the past two years the unit has added an accommodation block, state of the art kitchen, new Laser Pico/Vago sailing boats and a Delta Rib for rescue duties.

The problem is, it doesn't stop there, as the activities become popular the need to add and update becomes more regular. This year the unit has claimed its first quarters gift aid from the Inland Revenue and have submitted 3 or 4 grant requests of which two we have had positive news.Speaking about the latest success, training officer Mr John Mottram said 'We are continually looking ahead at what the unit needs, the people in local grant offices give us lots of help and support and remind us when we can put in another claim for equipment and we always make the most of it'. adding 'Raising money for us is not about the unit running costs, its about improving what we are and what we can offer to young people'.

(04.04.06)
Cadet passes his swimming test

Well done to new entry cadet Stephan Holt who last night passed his sea cadet swim test..