Sea Cadets hope to have sailed through inspection

Photo: Laura Wild

Area Officer Lieutenant Colonel John Davies, Royal Marine, inspecting the Rochdale Sea Cadets

6 More Image(s) In Gallery

The 65th Royal Naval Inspection of the Rochdale Sea Cadets took place this evening (Tuesday 15 June 2010).

Proud parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles and brothers and sisters gathered at the Rochdale Sea Cadet Unit on Greenbank Road to watch the inspection presentation.

The cadets, aged 12-18, were inspected by Area Officer Lieutenant Colonel John Davies RM (Royal Marine). Lieutenant Colonel Davies spoke with each of the cadets, asking how long they had been a member and why they joined.

During the evening Lt. Col Davies assessed various areas of the cadets and their performance.

This was the last stage of the inspection following weeks of preparation and assessment in other areas of the Rochdale Sea Cadet Unit.

Guests of honour at the event included the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali and Warrant Officer John Hendren. Mr Hendren has just been awarded an MBE and works very closely with the Rochdale unit.

Sub Lieutenant Viv Buckett RNR said a lot of hard work had gone into preparing the evening: “This has been a very busy time for us we have just had the marine SRMO’s where they are assessed on the field and we have undertaken some sailing.

“The cadets have had a limited time to prepare but they have all been fantastic and everyone has rallied round. I am very proud.”

Barbara Bruce from Littleborough was in the audience watching her 15-year-old son Edwin, she said: “He has been coming to the sea cadets since he was 12 and he loves it, he is completely dedicated and I don’t think he has ever missed a parade.

“Tonight is a great way for all the parents to see what their children are doing.”

Mayor Zulfiqar was very impressed with what he saw, he said: “The sea cadets have been going for as far as I can remember. I previously had the opportunity to come down to look at what they were doing as a ward councillor and they do a very good job especially the youngsters they are very enthusiastic and they work hard.

“I think it is a good thing to have youngsters involved with. It gives them some reality of what is happening in the world and all the parents here tonight must be very proud.”

The Rochdale Sea Cadets were awarded a Burgee efficiency at their last inspection. A Burgee is the highest rating available and Sub Lieutenant Viv Buckett RNR is hoping for the same result this year.

The unit will find out how well they have done in the inspection in a few weeks time.