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Members of the Unit paraded in Newport on the Isle of Wight along with Cadets from Central District and others across Southern Area.

It has been tradition for Central District to hold an annual parade but this year's parade was rather special, as it is the 90th birthday of Cowes Unit and the 50th Birthday of Ryde Unit, as well as being the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Unit paraded cadets in the Ceremonial Guard as well as staff members who assisted in training the Guard and hosting the numerous VIP's that were in attendance.

Lieutenant (SCC) Mark Lampert RNR, Unit Commanding Officer and Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Jenny Lampert, Unit First Lieutenant, were awarded the Lord Lieutenant’s Meritorious Award for Services to the Sea Cadet Corps.

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s certificates were instituted in order to afford public recognition to members of the Reserve and Cadet Forces whose efforts are not recognised by the twice yearly Honours Lists. The lord Lieutenant’s certificate thus ranks second to the Queen’s honours list.

With 46 years of service between them, Jenny has been at Southampton unit since 1995 and Mark followed on by joining the Unit in 1999, both of them transferring in from other Sea Cadet Units. In 2002 Mark took command of the Southampton Unit and with hard work and diligence Jenny and Mark played a major part in bringing the Southampton Sea Cadet Unit up to be one of the top performing units in the Country.

“These awards were a complete surprise to us both and it is an honour to receive them”. This is the sentiment of them both and those who nominated both Mark and Jenny for these awards agree that they are both well deserved after many years of dedicated service to the Sea Cadet Corps.

Portsmouth Harbour was the venue for the Southern Area Combined Regatta, and the Unit had an entry for the Single Yole class.

This is a first for the Unit as the Yole Class is still relatively new in Sea Cadet terms and gathering interest. A/C. S. Emm narrowly missed out on a Bronze Medal placing. A stirling effort for her first ever entry in to this class.

Sunday 09th September 2012 - Historic Dockyard Chatham Kent (Formerly HMS Pembroke)

The 2012 Novice class band winners for Southern Area, Southampton.

What a fantastic day, great weather, great venue and of course a superb band bring home the best dressed band and the overall Best Novice Band trophies. Outstanding for the first ever entry in the competition, and their first real test of marching and playing at the same time.

Well done to the Cadets, not just cadets the Musicians, Training Staff, and Support Staff. I hope that the Parents and Families that came along to support the cadets enjoyed the day.

Sunday 02nd September 2012

Cadets and Staff attended the 2012 Merchant Navy Day Parade at Holyrood Church today. Holyrood church in Southampton was damaged during the Second World War by enemy bombing raids and after the war was designated as a permanant memorial to the Merchant Navy and it's members who have dedicated their lives to the Merchant Service.

The Merchant Navy Association where extremely grateful for all of the cadets and staff for the support of the National Merchant Navy Day which is actually September 3^rd every year. September 3^rd was chosen as the Merchant Navy Day as it was September 3^rd 1939 when the SS Athenia was sunk by German U Boat off the coast of Ireland. She was the first Merchant vessel to be lost during World War 2.

Today was a proud moment for the Unit as we paraded two standards for the parade, for the first time the Standard of the recently dissolved Southampton Branch of the Royal Naval Association paraded alongside the Unit’s own Sea Cadet Standard. Both carried by cadets who were part of the Unit Colour Party that competed at the National Drill and Piping Competition 2012.