15 years ago, Lt Ron Matthews and I came to Tewkesbury from other units in the SW to help bring Sea Cadets back to the town. We were told to either make it work or close it down by our Area Officer at the time. We met our 1 member of staff (PPO Stamp), our President, Anne Cadbury, Vice President, Ted Keeper and Vicar, Rev Peter Sibley, two odd helpers (Mr Ian Fowler and Mr Austin Till) and two cadets (OC Peachey and OC Lively). My then fiancée and I visited the unit (before I joined) on a Saturday. The gate was open and the two cadets were painting a classroom (as well as themselves!). No staff, just cadets… We were shown around and given the most royal of welcome (I never told them who I was)… On walking out into the alley I said to Hannah, “I want to be here….” That feeling has and will never leave me…On Wednesday night, the pride I had in Tewkesbury Sea Cadets has never been greater and it has been an honour to serve the unit as your Commanding Officer and previously as First Lieutenant.
The team that has grown in TS OTTER is first class! The 18 staff are a credit to our organisation, demonstrating all the skills commensurate with the enthusiasm for Sea Cadetting in the 21st Century. My Committee and Parents supporters I take my hat off too. Your support to the unit has made a profound impact to the many lives of cadets that have gone through our gates in my time here and will continue to grow on the foundations that you have built. TS Otters foundations are secured, strong and our 70th anniversary last year was indicative of the support throughout the community we now enjoy. Sea Cadets now runs through the blood of the town and I see my successor Scott complimenting and building on the already amazing work we do in Tewkesbury.
As for the cadets…. What a brilliant, talented, enthused, remarkable, smart, courageous bunch of lads and lasses … I’m proud of them all (But don’t tell them!)
As I move to my next Sea Cadet challenges in Devon, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the friendships and support that have grown in the last few years, especially for those names above who are still by my side, and I hope will continue for many years to come. From Hannah and I, “Good luck to one and all and live by our motto…”
“Hard to Catch!”
Ready Aye Ready
Lt Cdr (SCC) Jason J Kinghorn RNR
