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As Christmas approached, thoughts turned to TS Otter’s carol service.  The unit looked beautiful as staff and cadets had lit numerous candles which they had placed in various spots.  Parents and guests arrived, namely The Mayor and Mayoress of Tewkesbury Borough and Lt Cdr (SCC) M. Pritchard RNR, the District Officer, and his wife Lt Cdr (SCC) C. Pritchard RNR, the training officer for the South West Area.  We were also pleased to welcome back Lt Cdr (SCC) Jason Kinghorn RNR and his lovely family.

 Padre led the service, which Stella and Tess Ashmeade enjoyed being part of immensely by leading the prayers.  The lessons were read by Sub Lt (SCC) T Cooper RNR and Cadet Lewis Fowler.  The atmosphere was wonderful, with family, staff and cadets holding lit candles and the Tewkesbury Town Band accompanying the singing of great, traditional carols sung with gusto and much good Christmas cheer! I think we most literally, raised the roof!

 Afterwards everyone was invited to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and mince pies and there was a wonderful Christmassy feel to the evening.  Thank you to all those who came and participated as I’m sure you will agree it was a truly lovely evening.

Cadet Tess Ashmeade

Cadets and staff pulled out all the stops during the Royal British Legion Remembrance weekend, turning out in very inclement weather to sell poppies on the streets on Saturday morning, with many of them doing their duty all day.  After enjoying a great evening at their Pickle Night dinner they produced a 100% turnout early next day to take a major part in the town's remembrance parade.  There were the largest of the cadet contingents, performed the Honour Guard at the War Memorial and very smartly presented wreathes to ViP's for them to lay.  Their marching during the parade was superb and was commented on by the General Officer in Command of the Rapid Reaction Force who attended the event.  

At the Mayors Reception after the parade, our CO was presented with the shield for Best Cadet Force on Parade.  This magnificient effort was topped the following day when the cadets who attend Tewkesbury School wore their uniforms at the schools Remembrance Parade in front of all the other pupils.  A huge well done to all involved.

Lt Ron Matthews

What Happened After Trafalgar

For most people the story of Nelson and the battle of Trafalgar ends when he died on board the Victory on October 21^st 1805, but the story goes on.  In the 1800’s email had not quite got off the ground and Marconi’s radio was still a wish of all Armed Forces. 

So how did Britain learn of the death of its favourite son? 

Following the battle, Admiral Collingwood had to inform the Admiralty of the great victory and the passing of Nelson. He wrote the infamous “Trafalgar Dispatch” with the news, but how to get it to the Admiralty in London.  He dispatched a small Sloop of War called HMS Pickle with the dispatch on 26^th October 1805.  At 9.45am on 4^th November, the Pickle anchored in Falmouth Bay.  By midday, Lt. Lapenotiere, the Commanding Officer, was on his way to London in a hired post-chaise coach, displaying a Union Flag and a tattered Tricolour on a broomstick as a flagpole. The normal journey took a week, but within 37 hours, after 19 horse changes, Lapenotiere arrived at the Admiralty at 1am on 6^th November. He was shown through to the First Secretary of the Admiralty, Mr Marsden.  Lord Barham, First Lord of the Admiralty was raised from his sleep to receive the news. The Prime Minister, William Pitt received the news at 3am and King George III and Queen Charlotte heard at 7am. As the news was being broadcast across the city with saluting guns from the Tower of London, the news was also received by a hysterical Emma Hamilton. Lapenotiere was later given an audience with the King and Queen and was presented with a silver cruet, the first thing the King could find to hand.  He was also promoted to Commander. 

In the Royal Navy, the Officers celebrate the Victory of Trafalgar. The Senior Rates decided to remember the news of Nelson’s death, so as not to conflict with the Wardroom.  However in the Sea Cadets both Officers and Senior Rates celebrate “Trafalgar Night” and the anniversary of the Trafalgar Dispatch has not been remembered within the Corps, so  the Cadets will be honouring the day by having a traditional mess diner in the Unit and the night is called:- 

Pickle Night 

This year, a tradtion started within Tewkesbury Sea Cadets by PO (SCC) Mark Hobbs, we again celebrated Pickle Night, with POC Ashley Macrow as President and POC Thea Griffiths as Vice President.  Our guest speaker was Colonel Mike Bennett OBE, who was also joined by Lt Cdr (SCC) Jason Kinghorn and Sub Lt (SCC) Scott Hanlon.  As always the cadets enjoy having the tables turned with the staff serving the cadets for a change.  Special thanks also go to PO (SCC) Sandra Maghee and Marie Macrow for their delicious dinnner 

PO(SCC) Hobbs M.

Pershore saw units from the district gather together to celebrate Trafalgar Day.  it was cold and wet but as always, a proud moment to walk alongside Sea Cadets honouring this special day in Naval history.

The very first weekend training event for cadets at TS Otter is to be held on the weekend of 22-24 November this year. As it is our first, we thought we would allow the cadets to choose which subjects they wish to do at basic level (the old 3rd class).

The choices are:

• Catering or Stewarding
• First aid
• Marine Engineering.
• CIS
• Navigation
• Seamanship

We will be running the three most popular choices, subject to the instructors being available. There will also be a strict limit on numbers as this is the first MACT run at TS Otter, so that we can make sure future events can run smoothly.

Costs are unknown at this moment but will be less than the charge for district training weekends and will be promulgated at the earliest opportunity.  In order to vote for your favourite courses there will be a voting sheet put up on the sign up board on the main deck.

For the future, we hope that these weekends will become a regular event at TS Otter. Future weekends can be for the Drill competition, boating, advancements or just about anything to do with Sea Cadets.

Please make this a success as many cadets have mentioned staying on board and future ones depend on this one working. So vote, support and above all get on the weekend and let's have some fun. Work hard and I will make sure it is fun, especially the evenings.

See you there.

Petty Officer M Hobbs