News

On 18th September 2014 the unit held its annual AGM & Cadet Awards night.

Awards were presented to cadets for their achievements during the previous 12 months, some cadets also received promotions, recognising their training and hard work throughout the year. The awards were presented by Cll. Chris Wesson - Chairman Romsey Extra Parish Council and Cllr. Iris Andersen - Deputy Mayor of Test Valley Borough Council.

During 2014 TS Hampshire retained Pennant status - Pennants are awarded following an annual inspection of training, safety, environment and welfare every Sea Cadet unit is assessed to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all of our cadets. Cadets worked very hard to achieve the pennant and should be very proud of themselves as they are also inspected individually and assessed on their behaviour and how smart they are.

2014 Pennant being presented to Jnr Cadet Higgins

So far during the year our cadets have attended 52 courses, received 47 new qualifications and 7 promotions have been achieved. Staff have also attained or retained 20 qualifications ensuring that we continue to help our cadets develop new skills.

It just goes to show what a great bunch of cadets we have!

They took up the challenge and came up with a the fabulous Sink a Ship game. Some people came back time and time again! We had some moments of friendly banter with nearby stands and community relationships were cemented.

Here are some of my favourite quotes from the day:

'And we did it all ourselves!' ~ one of our cadets on winning second place.

'I like all the history that you have' ~ neighbouring youth organisation

'your uniforms are better' ~ another neighbouring youth organisation

'your stand is the best' ~ and another neighbouring youth organisation (the one that pipped us to the post for first prize, congratulations by the way!)

'I'd like to join Sea Cadets' ~ potential new cadet

'I'd like to come back' ~ ex cadet wanting to re-join

'Your cadets look so smart' ~ parent of young child having a go on Sink a Ship

'Can I have a lollipop please?' ~ many, many times!

'Thank you' ~ most times on receiving a lollipop, including our cadets!

Cadets worked hard distributing our PR Goodie bags, we could have doubled our quantities and still had none left!

In true community spirit they took shifts going round the show ground with the litter pickers and black bags, helping to keep the site clean & tidy.

A great day was had by all.

Total raised will be posted as soon as possible.If you would like to make a last minute donation to boost their target fundraising you can do so via the DONATE NOW! button above - please put 'Romsey Show' in the comments box so that funds are attributed to this project.

Huge thanks to all who helped put this together!

Our cadets were challenged to come up with ideas for our Romsey Show stand this year. They were given a brief which had to encompass three main things:

1. The Romsey Show Theme of World War I
2. Public Relations and Promotion of the Romsey Unit
3. Fundraising

Via Twitter we asked for business mentors. We were incredibly lucky that Liz Neilson from Fluidity Insurance saw our tweet and decided to help us out. Many brainstorming sessions with the cadets followed.

We think, yet again, that our cadets have proved themselves to be professional, resourceful and creative (all great skills for their future) and come up with some fantastic ideas which have less than 24 hours before they are finally revealed.

We have to offer a huge thank you to our sponsors (all listed below). How fantastic is it that the local business community are so happy to help our young people?

Come and say hello to us on Stand E147 or if you can't join us in person we will be posting on Facebook and Twitter throughout the day - so you have no excuse not to be part of Team Romsey Sea Cadets!

See you tomorrow

ps. Liz loved working with us so much that she decided to stay on and support us for at least another year!

Romsey Sea Cadets were represented by four cadets and our Chaplain Mrs Marion Carter.

Without a doubt their representation of the unit was exemplary with our Standard Bearer OC C Hendrick doing an incredible job. After the service Cadets were approached by a Navy Veteran who had served in World War II he chatted to our cadets and praised their appearance and presence at the service.

Most impressively, this veteran was 100 years old and very well decorated. He also marched from the Abbey to the Romsey Royal British Legion HQ without any walking aid at all. Apparently, they did not have permission to march, so it was "Walking in an orderly fashion, presenting Standards".

~Mrs Jane Evans UMC

More photos can be seen on our Facebook page

The adventure training was very fun. I really enjoyed the week and the people I met. I have learned lots of new skills which will help me in my future job of being a Royal Marine. I would like to say thanks to the staff that set it up and gave me the opportunity to go. I'd definitely do it again next year!

Thanks from

~OC C Hendrick 

All cadets home safe, following an amazing and busy week, full of excitement and fun in Snowdonia with Southern Area SCC Adventure Training. A huge thank you to all the staff (including our very own OiC CPO Dave Cairns) who made the whole week possible, and the cadets for making it so enjoyable. See you all again next year.

~PO Daniel Murphy
AASO (AT)(Campcraft and Mountaineering)