All change at the top

It is with regret that the unit must announce the formal standing down of PO(SCC) Ed Pollock as OiC of Carlisle SCC. Ed has taken on new roles at work which will unfortunately prevent him from committing time to the unit as much as he currently does, he plans to remain with the unit and attend when possible. Everyone at Carlisle would like to which him well and remind him where we are.

With PO(SCC) Pollock standing down we can now announce our newly appointed Officer In Charge, Lt Cdr(SCC) Keith Short RNR. Lt Cdr(SCC) Short has been a long time member of the corps and has often helped Carlisle attain our training goals. Most recently involved with our neighbouring unit at Maryport Keith has agreed to take command of Carlisle and help mentor the newer staff. Everyone in the unit would like to offer him a big welcome and look forward to the future ahead.

Ready for the new season

The start of 2011 was a busy time for Carlisle Unit's Management Committee. After being donated four Topper Topaz hulls the unit carried out a fundraising drive and gained a grant to fully kit them out ready for the water

These are ideal training boats for the cadets, both strong and stable, yet can be nimble enough to allow for some fun before building to racier craft.

The unit has also been able to agree arrangements with Ullswater Yacht Club to use their facilities, this will allow the cadets to get on the water more often this year without having to rely on the availablity of other units or centres through the region. Thanks go to the UMC for their continued perseverance in improving the "homegrown" oppotunities for the Carlisle cadets.

If you think you could help with the activities of the cadets, or help support the unit, please get in touch.

Another weekend tied up

The last two weekends of September saw our cadets out and about again.

Going a little further afield, seven cadets from Carlisle attended a North-West Area Seamanship Course, and they all passed for their 2nd Class Seamanship, (Ropework & Rigging) qualification. This course takes the cadets back to the roots of the Sea Cadets and the Royal Navy and sees them learning not only knots and splices, but decorative ropework and practical rigging, (blocks & tackles).

Well done to all who took part in the weekend

Busy Busy Busy

During August the cadets have seen one of the busiest months of the year so far.

Things started with a sailing weekend at Maryport SCC, for many this was the first time ever on a sailing dinghy. Some took to it like a duck to water, others were a little more cautious, but had fun and enjoyed the weekend. Two weeks later we were back, starting on a friday night the cadets and staff joined there counterparts from Maryport on a Campcraft night at North Lakes Caravan and Camp Site near Bothel in the Lake District, here they undertook a 5Km walk improving their map reading. Once they got back, and they all made it, the cadets spent a night under canvas. All the cadets that took part gained their Campcraft Proficency qualification which saw them cooking their own meals as well as showing an understanding of the dangers in the hills and what to do in an emergency.

The final part of that weekend took the cadets back to Maryport for another two days on the water where many are now well on their way to gaining the first step in Dinghy Sailing.

Meanwhile back in Carlisle, while the cadets and staff were out and about the Unit Management Committee were also busy. They took on the Dalston Show Carpark as stewards, marshalling over 5000 cars to raise money for the unit.

Well done to all who gained qualifications this month and to the UMC. September and October look to be just as busy too, so keep it up!

The results are in...........

Back in June the unit undertook it's Royal Naval Parade. It's been a tense time since, but the results are back....... and for the second year running we got a pennent. This award is made to unit's who are deemed to be doing well in all aspects of running a youth organisation like ours, not only the training achieved but also the administration and estates management work which most people don't see.

Well done to all the cadets for their achievements, and thank you to everyone who has supported the unit over the last year. Read more about the RNP here

Royal Naval Parade 2010

June also saw the vist of North-West Area Officer Lt Col Davies RM for our bi-annual Royal Naval Parade. This one night is a big one for every Sea Cadet Unit in the country and a good night was had by all.

Read more.............

Carlisle Cadets take to the sea

The start of June saw cadets and staff from Carlisle spend a week on the Sea Cadets Offshore Power Training Ship John Jerwood. A good week was had by all making friends with cadets and staff from Whitehaven and Dunbar units.

Fun at Maryport

Cadets from Carlisle Unit have joined their counterparts from Maryport SCC to have some fun on the water. The cadets made the 35 mile journey, with a little help from the staff, after which they took part in a sail training weekend.

Trafalgar Dinner 16 October 2009

For many years it has been tradition throughout the Royal Navy and the Sea Cadets to remember to Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Adm. Lord Nelson, and this year was no exception. With the aid of PPO(SCC) Ed Pollock the unit's OiC, our cadets laid on a full mess dinner for the staff and guests.

A wonderful night was had by all, especially our guest of honour Warrant Officer 2 Ian Horler from xxxxx and his wife Lyn who commented on the cadet's professional attitude toward the nights proceedings and their enthusiasm to show off their skills. Three of the cadets involved with the preparations for the night recently gained a First Class qualification in their specialisation of Cook/Steward and used this evening as a showcase for all they have learnt.

OC Beth Thirlwall ran the "front of house" as the night's Mess Butler, with other members of the Senior section conducting a full silver service sitting. With minimal assistance the cadets had previously prepared the meal earlier in the afternoon, and cooked it prior to service.

The Wardroom Mess President, PPO(SCC) Bob Irving would like to offer his personal thanks, and those of all the staff and guests to the cadets for laying on a wonderful and entertaining evening.

Efficiency Pennent Awarded 2009

It's been 11 years in the making, but once again Carlisle was awarded an Efficiency Pennent from the 2009 Royal Naval Parade. The RNP is a bi-annual inspection made by the North-West Area Officer and his staff looking at the unit and the way it operates. On the night of the inspection, it's over to the cadets to show off what the SCC do and how well they do it, in the run up the staff and Unit Management Committee were busy ensuring that the unit administration and buildings were above the standards required. As well as the Inspecting Officer Lt Col J R Davies RM attendees of the RNP include local dignitaries such as the Mayor of Carlisle and importantly the cadet's parents and families.

Thanks go to everyone involved with Carlisle SCC who have helped bring the unit back to Pennent status.

Carlisle goes high-tech

Carlisle Sea Cadets has been the receiver of a grant for IT equipment to aid in training and administration at the unit. The equipment obtained with this grant includes two desktop computers for the unit's administration, a laptop, projector, printer and accessories all topped off with reinstallation of the landline, 12 months broadband internet and installation/support services as well. The unit would like to thank Reactiv-IT for supply, installation and support.

Cadets take over Army Base

Junior Sea Cadets from Carlisle recently took over the Army Base at Halton Barracks near Lancaster. Helped by JSC sections from units in the Isle of Man and nearby Morecambe, a multi-activity weekend was held at the training base. All the cadets and staff enjoyed themselves, making good friends with their counterparts in both other units.

Time for more training we think

During the last few weeks work on the unit's fire detection system has been completed. Now the unit has a fully intergrated electronic smoke/heat alarm system throughout the entire building. Getting this installed now means we can increase the number of stop-over weekends we can hold within the unit each year. Thanks again to the LOGIC Group for the installation and their continued support.

The heat is on.......

This summer saw the unit gain financial aid for the installation of a new central heating and hot water system throughout the building. The unit first got central heating back in the mid-90's, but at the time a lot of the equipment was reclaimed and the boiler was unfortunately hardpressed to match the size of the building and you could often find portable heaters around the place. But now, with the aid of a £10,000 grant, the unit can look forward to no more cold nights during the winter months. Thanks go out to the engineers at LOGIC for the installation of the equipment.