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The Unit was pleased to host a visit from the Company of International Bankers- represented by their Master, Jane Platt CBE, their Clerk Nicholas Westgarth and Liverymen Danny Cox (an ex-City of London Sea Cadet) and Kerttu Kulasepp. The visited was hosted by our Unit Chairman, John L David; our Secretary, Jonathan Steer, and our Commanding Officer, Paul Townsend.

John L reported that, “The Cadets looked superb and were so pleased to show the Master how to cross a river on a rope, and in return, the Master gave a much appreciated donation to the Unit.”

Photo: Jane Platt, Ordinary Cadet Yasmine Leblebici, Nicholas Westgarth, Ordinary Cadet Zak Bartley and Ordinary Cadet Teddy Janes.

See more photos in the Gallery section under “Parade”.

A group of Cadets and staff provided a “carpet guard” at the 2013 Maritime Media Awards, held at the Institute of Directors.

The Martime Media Awards website said:

‘Over 150 journalists, business figures and senior naval officers attended the Awards, which were presented by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has won the coveted Donald Gosling film award at this year’s Maritime Media Awards. Judges said his series Hugh’s Fish Fight had “made history” because it entertained yet also awakened public concern over the destructive way our seas and fish stocks are managed. Hugh said that the programme had resulted in a European ban on the “outrageous practice” of discarding caught fish at sea:

“What we have shown is that when people get together and make their feelings about the oceans known, things can change. Everyone involved in Hugh’s Fish Fight is absolutely thrilled with this award. It’s fantastic to be recognised by a group whose interest is the future of the oceans themselves.”’

Photo:  The Guard

This was a very busy day for the Unit. The staff and most Cadets played a central role in the Service of Remembrance held on the Quarter Deck of HMS Belfast. After the Service, as an antidote to the cold, the Cadets were fed with soup and hotdogs while the veterans of the Coastal Forces Veterans’ Association were plied with snacks and beverages.

At the same time two of our senior cadets, Able Cadets Martin Spensley and Jessica O’Sullivan represented London Area Sea Cadets at a remembrance service at Westminster Abbey, as guests of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Sarah Richardson.

Photo: The Quarter Deck of HMS Belfast as the Cadets laid wreaths at the end of the Service.

More Photos in the Gallery Section under Parade and Volunteering

The Unit took a full part in the Lord Mayor’s Show, with Cadets marching with the London Area Sea Cadet contingent and with other Cadets on the London Area float. As the City of London Unit, with the annual inauguration of a new Lord Mayor, we have a new Lord Mayor’s Cadet. This year the 686^th Lord Mayor, Fiona Woolf, has Able Cadet Martin Spensley as her Cadet for the year. This privilege is granted to the most deserving senior cadet. Martin, aged 16, originally joined the Islington Unit, as an eleven year old junior, later transferring to City of London. He has amassed qualifications in First Aid, Canoeing, Marine Engineering, Sailing, Power Boating and Ropework.

Photo: Lord Mayor of London, Fiona Woolf; Martin and our Commanding Officer Paul Townsend.

More photographs in the Gallery section under Volunteering.

A small team from the Unit competed in this Competition. Cadets India Steel and Yasmine Leblebici did very well to secure overall 2^nd place for the Unit in the Girls’ Under 18 race. New Entry Cadet Mohamed Jama gave his all to come a close 2^nd in the Boys’ under 15 race. Well done Mohamed!

Photo: Prize Parade, in front Martin Spensley. Left to right: Yasmine Leblebici, India Steel and Mohamed Jama.