27th June 2012
Rear Admiral Chris Hockley RN, Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland and Flag Officer Reserves visited TS Illustrious, Walton on the Naze Sea Cadets to present them with the Canada Trophy for being the best Sea Cadet Unit in the United Kingdom in 2011. To help celebrate this very special event, the evening had been organised into two separate parts with the cadets to combine fun with the formal part of the presentation.
Rear Admiral Hockley RN and Mrs Hockley arrived at Titchmarsh Marina to join the Captain of the Sea Cadets Mark Windsor RN and Captain Harsch Canadian Naval Advisor to London and Defence Attaché to Denmark who had just arrived back from Copenhagen earlier in the day along with Commander Michael Casement OBE RN, London Area Officer Commander John Greene RN and the Unit Commanding Officer Lieutenant (SCC) Gary Dodd RNR. Offshore group TS Rebel offered their assistance by providing two powerboats as viewing platforms for the VIP’s to watch the cadets take part in dinghy racing with the laser 2000‘s with Navy Board Cadet Casey Brown adding a few capsizes for good measure. The Royal Marine Cadets played their part by demonstrating powerboat handling and, as a finale to the displays, the Cadets re-enacted their part in the Queen’s Thames River Pageant with a sail past of their Trinity 500 flying the flag of Sri Lanka and giving 3 cheers for Her Majesty the Queen. Following the afloat activities the guests toured the TS Rebel Onshore National Training Centre with Principal Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Nick Moulton MBE RNR.
To ensure that all parents and guests could be accommodated, the presentation was moved from the Unit’s headquarters to the Columbine Centre based in the town. Rear Admiral Hockley was greeted on his arrival with a red carpet and an armed guard. To allow the cadets and get changed out of their sailing clothes and into their best uniforms the Unit Management Committee arranged a buffet and refreshments for the guests. Under the careful eye of 1st Lt CPO Ian Richards BEM the guests were escorted onto the stage. Guests included, Lord Petre Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Unit Chairman Mr Tim Adams, Essex County Council Chairman Mrs Kay Twichen OBE, Councillor Mick Page and Deputy Area Officer Lt Cdr (SCC) Cliff Lewis RNR and District Officer Lt Cdr (SCC) Michael Chittock RNR.
Once the VIP’s had taken their places Parade Marshall SLt (SCC) Jack Parsons RNR reported to ask permission to march on the Cadets. This was swiftly actioned with cadets marching down the tied seating to music playing Hearts of Oak and to applause of the parents, guardians and guests. Commanding Officer Lt Dodd welcomed all to the presentation of the Canada Trophy evening saying that over 300 guests have joined us for the Unit’s special evening.
Captain of the Sea Cadets, Capt Windsor read out the citation and explained the reasons why TS Illustrious were the winners for 2011. Rear Admiral Hockley officially presented the Trophy to Lt Dodd and Capt Harry Harsch presented a framed citation from Vice Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy,long with a signed book of the history of the Royal Canada Navy and a personalised framed citation for Lt Dodd.
The cadets were then made ready for their presentations. Rear Admiral Hockley and Captain Windsor and Lt Dodd presented the cadets on the Port Divisions with Lord Petre and Capt Harsch with CPO Richards presenting the Starboard Divisions. The cadets received an engraved medallion, commemorativecap tally, pin badge and a maple leaf badge for their uniform. Following the presentations a celebration cake which had been made specially for the occasion by Mrs Margaret Andrews was cut by Mrs Hockley and Junior Cadet Jasmine Von Kaenel. Flowers were presented to Mrs Hockley and Pusser’s Rum to Rear Admiral Hockley and Captain Harry Harsch.
With a slight hiccup to the proceeding the music system failed to play and Captain Windsor lead the guests in singing the National Anthem. Following the formalities, the guests and staff were invited to a buffet at Walton Frinton Yacht Club. Lt Dodd remarked that the evening had been amazing and thanked everyone for all their hard work to make sure the presentation evening was such an overwhelming success.
