News

With all teams of Tewkesbury Sea Cadets performing spectacularly at the Severn District Combined Regatta only a few weeks previously, 3 teams had been chosen to represent the district at the South West Area Regatta in Bristol Docks on the 11^th July. With the unit’s new boating officer PO (SCC) Paul Mercer keen to see all the teams do well, many additional practices had been put on, which meant that all teams were raring to go on the Saturday morning.

After arriving in good time and securing a front row spectating area, the teams were quickly on the water, with the junior girls first race being the 3^rd race to run, which they not only won, but thrashed the other teams! Alongside the rowing, the boat handling competitions were also quickly underway in a separate basin, and the powerboat and sail boat handling teams were focussed on performing their best after watching the girls succeed in their first race. After the boat handling brief, the powerboat team was on 2^nd with the sail boat handling teams on 4^th (So a nervous wait for OC Fowler and OC Mills).

By lunchtime the junior girls had won yet another rowing race, and the staff were most definitely sounding a little hoarse due to all the shouting and cheering that had been going on. With the powerboating team having completed their handling session, the unit supporters were able to walk over to the sail boat handling basin to watch the team compete.

Although the day was far longer than originally anticipated, with the final racing not being completed until 19:20hrs, the results were fantastic for Tewkesbury. Not only did the young powerboat handling team manage to secure 3^rd place, but the junior girls managed to win all their races and secure their place at the national final in London. On top of this, the sail boat handling team, an event which the unit or even the district has never previously entered, managed to win and hence secure a place at the national final; so 2 teams from Tewkesbury are off to nationals!!!

Armed Forces Day is an annual event celebrated in late June to commemorate the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces. Having affiliations to many numbers of Armed Forces personnel, Tewkesbury once again supported this national day, with a large parade marching proudly through the town on the 28^th of June. The event was initiated at Tewkesbury Baptist Church, where the Reverend Bill O’Leary led the ceremony.

Following the Church service, the parade under the command of S/Lt (SCC) Tristan Cooper RNR, formed up on Sun Street. A diverse number of personnel joined the parade with members from all three cadet services, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Naval Association, the scouts, the girl guides as well as serving members of the Armed Forces who live in the town. Once formed up, the parade marched through the centre of town, with a salute being given outside of the Town Hall by the Borough and Town Mayors. A fantastic turn out of Sea Cadets turned out for the day, and members of the public as well as the VIPs thanked all involved for their time and dedication.

Because of the great success of last years Combined Regatta, the District Officer requested Tewkesbury Sea Cadets to host the event once again at Lower Lode. Whilst this was a great honour to be asked, much time, effort, and planning was required to ensure the event was a success. With Cheltenham College kindly allowing us the use of their boathouse, it was all hands to the deck for the preceding week, with staff and senior cadets scrubbing the pontoons, launching additional boats, sorting buoys for the weekend, and locating marquees and portaloos. With the prep work all complete by Friday afternoon, the staff enjoyed some down time with a well-earned takeaway overlooking the site.

Saturday was a very busy day, with kayak training, junior rowing and boat handling competitions all going on at the same time. Tewkesbury had a team in every competition on the Saturday with the juniors performing excellently and the rowing boat and sail boat teams winning! As well as the success with the competitions, 3 of our cadets also gained their BCU 1* kayak and canoe, which meant they qualified to enter the kayaking competition the following day.

Huge thanks also goes to the committee and in particular Marie Macrow for organising the food and stand easy for the weekend.

The annual general meeting took place on June 10th 2015 and once the details had all been taken care of and the new committee elected we all took great pleasure in wishing our valued longstanding Unit President Anne Cadbury OBE JP DL a very HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY