FOLKESTONE & HYTHE SEA & MARINE CADETS ACHIEVE

THE TOP ANNUAL EFFICIENCY AWARD 

Following the Royal Naval Parade held on February 26^th at Training Ship Invicta, the Unit HQ in Ross Way, the Folkestone & Hythe Sea Cadet Unit was awarded the top Annual Efficiency Award for last year’s activities. 

The “burgee” – a blue swallow tailed shape flag – is awarded to the top 25% of Units in the six Areas in the country. TS Invicta is in the Southern Area and has only received the burgee twice before in its 66 year history, the first time in 2002 when it was celebrating its 60^th Anniversary and again in 2003. 

The Commanding Officer, Lt. (SCC) Graham Smith said, “We are over the moon. The Cadets, Officers and Staff have all worked really hard to achieve this very high standard after several years of uncertainty whilst our new HQ was being made fit for purpose. We are now ready and prepared to make even further progress and hope that many more youngsters aged 10 to 18 will see the benefits of joining an organisation such as this.” 

Commander Gary R. Bushell (RN) the Southern Area Officer who inspected the Ship’s Company said, “the Royal Naval Parade evening was the culmination of a very good year for TS Invicta. The facilities at the new Headquarters are excellent and provide the ideal environment for training. The achievements of the relatively small Unit Management Committee with the full support of the uniformed Staff cannot be underestimated. There has been a marked improvement on the training figures this year with specialisations and proficiencies showing an overall increase, this in turn has helped to produce an increase in advancement. It was an honour to present Leading Sea Cadet James Green with the Commodore’s pennant for completing all of his training modules – a new programme set up for 10 to 12 year old Cadets.”

“The RNP evening must have had the largest number of Civic Dignitaries that I can remember seeing at such an event and the Unit President not only gave them the hard sell but also invited the assembled guests to join the UMC. I was delighted to see so many guests from other Units within the District and the standard of the whole RNP evening gave rise to an invitation to them to “follow that” It was an excellent evening and the standard for which others should look to attain. Well done to all at TS Invicta.” 

The Chairman, Dr. Heather Richardson also heaped praise on all the Cadets and Officers, particularly the Commanding Officer. The Royal Naval Parade was a great success and the evolutions – a day in the life of a ship and University Challenge - went very well. 

“We were very touched by the special presentations made by the Royal Naval Association of a framed newspaper article on the truth about Trafalgar and a framed print of Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson’s achievements at the most decisive sea battle in British history on the 21^st October 1805 where the Royal Marine Detachments were employed as sharpshooters on the upper decks and in the rigging, ready to repel boarders. We also received two fabulous donations from the Rotary Club of Folkestone and the Rotary Club of Hythe.”  

VIPs and Guests included Col. Peter Bishop (Lord Lieutenant’s Deputy), Cllr. Leyland Ridings (Chairman of Kent County Council), Cllr. George Bunting (Chairman Shepway District Council), Cllr. Peter Gane (Folkestone Town Mayor), Cllr. Karen Belcourt (Hythe Deputy Town Mayor), Geoffrey Boot (Chairman Sandgate Parish Council), Kent County Councillors Roland Tolputt, Richard Pascoe and Susan Carey, Alderman Terry Preston, Presidents of Hythe and Folkestone Rotary Clubs Brian Walkling and Roger Joyce, representative from the Gurkha Regiment, Chief Petty Officer Paula Trewin MBE RN & RM Careers, Mr. Mario Citro Headteacher of Pent Valley Technology College, Lt. Cdr (SCC) Geoff Reddecliffe RNR East Kent District, Lt. Cdr (SCC) Allan Robbins RNR District Officer East Kent, Lt. Cdr. (SCC) Kevin Martin RNR Deputy District Officer East Kent and many representatives from the Royal Naval Association, British Legion, Veterans and the parents of the cadets.  

PHOTOGRAPHS courtesy of DP Photography www.dpphotographykent.co.uk