News

On Tuesday 20^th May 2014, the Queen’s Commonwealth Baton arrived in Carrickfergus. The baton relay is the main curtain-raiser for the Commonwealth Games which are being held in Glasgow between 23^rd July and 3^rd August 2014.

Earlier that day, the baton was presented to Northern Irelands First Minister and Deputy First Minister by Dame Mary Peters on the steps of Stormont. The baton then travelled by boat to Carrickfergus were a Sea Cadet and Marine Cadet pick it up and took it on the next stretch of its journey. Marking the route of the relay route were several cadets from all over Northern Ireland, two of which from Belfast Eagle, CDT1 Connie Dalton and CDT1 James Smith.

This was  truly a rememberable day for both cadets and they represented the unit well. CDT1 Connie Dalton said “It was a brilliant day and a privilege to be part of the popular event. It was raining and I got drenched but it did not stop me having fun.”  

On 3^rd May 2014, representatives from Northern Ireland Sea Cadets travelled from Belfast to HMS Raleigh in Plymouth for the annual National Drill Competition. Among those were cadets from Belfast Eagle which included POC Nikita McCoubrey, LC Patrick Bingham and LC Rachel Hanna.  Teams were entered into the Unarmed Squad, Colour Party and Piping categories.

On the day, uniforms got their last minute pressing and shoes were getting polished. Before each team were able to participate in the category they were entered for, they have to undergo a uniform inspection. The points received here are counted towards the final result. Once the inspection was complete, the teams then performed their display which was made up of a combination of compulsory drill movements and a 5 minute free drill display.

Eagle is proud to announce that LC Patrick Bingham won Best Squad Commander for 2014. This award is given to a cadet that has good power of command and outstanding uniform. This is a first not just for a cadet from Belfast Eagle, but the first for a cadet from Northern Ireland Sea Cadets. This is a well deserved award for a cadet that is hardworking and dedicated.  

Overall it was a successful year for Northern Ireland Sea Cadets. On top of LC Patrick Bingham winning Best Squad Commander for 2014, the Unarmed Squad came 5^th, Colour Party came 4^th and one of the cadets from Bangor Sea Cadets won silver for individual piping. This proves that Northern Ireland has talent and each year, the cadets get better and better. Let’s hope next year is just as successful. 

On the 19^th January 2013, 11 cadets and 5 members of staff at Eagle successfully completed their 3^rd Class Cook steward course. The course began on the Friday and ended on the Sunday at the army base in Ballykinler. During the course, both cadets and staff learnt new skills and obtained new knowledge.

On the first night, cadets and staff learnt about good hygiene, how to wash your hands correctly and the associated colours of cleaning equipment. One the second day, it began with a competition to see which team could make the best desert. Cadets made various types of buns and a lemon drizzle cake. The judge then decided that it was the buns that were the best followed by the lemon drizzle. The second task of the day was to make sandwiches for the offices on camp. The cadets steered away from traditional sandwich filling combinations like ham and cheese and created their own unique combinations sandwiches like corn beef with cheese, cranberry and lettuce. However, the officers must have enjoyed these unique combinations as the plates were empty by the next morning. The second day ended with the cadets learning traditional naval table laying for officer’s meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On the third and last day, the cadets participated in a cheese board, tasting cheese from all over the world. The staff were stunned by how adventurous the cadets were as most of them tasted all the different types available to try.  Cadets then learnt some napkin folds including The Mitre and the Rose. The course ended with Stewarding and Silver Service. Cadets learnt how to service food correctly and how to serve food from trays.

This was a highly enjoyable course for both staff and cadets. Eagle would like to thank the galley staff of Ballykinler for allowing us to overtake their galley for the weekend and for teaching us everything.

Eagle comes out on top again after winning the Senior Girls football cup at the Northern Ireland District Five Aside Football competition on Sunday 12^th January 2013. This is an annual event which is used to select teams to go represent Northern Ireland at the national competition held in February against the other areas in the UK. This event is made up of the 11 units in Northern Ireland; entering teams in all available categories.

On the day, Eagle entered a Senior Girls and a Junior Boys team. The Senior Girls team first match showed the reveal teams how strong they were by winning the match 5 – 0 against Belfast Dundonald. Due to their wins, they qualified for the finals in which they won 2 – 0 against Bangor. The Junior Boys had five matches to play. They began the day by winning their first match 1 – 0. The second and third match they were beaten by 1 – 0 and in their fourth match they drew. As the boys won a match and drew in one, they qualified for the finals but, unfortunately were beaten 2 - 0.

Eagle is very proud of all the cadets that took part in this event and would like to congratulate LC Amy Kingston, AC Rachel Hanna, POC Nikita McCoubrey, CDT1 Connie Dalton and CDT Chloe Jones for making it onto the Senior Girls District team to represent Northern Ireland at the National Competition in February. Good luck girls! Hopefully you will bring back another cup.

POC Nikita McCoubrey has been selected by Her Majesty Lord Lieutenants to represent the City of Belfast in the position of Lord Lieutenants Cadet for 2013. Nikita is the 5^th cadet from Eagle to receive this award and we could not be prouder. Nikita is a harding working and committed cadet who deserves this honour. She received this honour back in April 2013 at Hillsborough Castle from Dame Mary Peters.

Obtaining this honour involves Nikita carrying out a number of duties; these include representing NI to the highest standard and accompanying Dame Marry at many public events throughout the year; the latest event was the Rememberance ceremony at the Belfast City Hall.

Nikita says that “It is an honour and privilege to be Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for 2013. I have attended many events which I will never forget and hope that I have represented NI, Sea Cadets and Belfast eagle positivity.”

We hope Nikita will enjoy her year and is not the last cadet from Eagle to receive this honour.