Archive - 2002
COMMODORE MISSES OUT ON VISIT TO ORKNEY
Commodore Sea Cadets, Commodore Roger Parker and his wife Mrs Valerie Parker were due to visit TS Thorfinn on Friday 17th May while the Unit was having it's Annual Inspection. The Commodore and his wife unfortunately came across a slight problem in their travel plans when the national air traffic control system broke down. The evening went ahead anyway, with Lieutenant Commander David Wilson, Deputy Northern Area Officer doing the inspection.
LEADING CADET SELECTED FOR ROYAL DUTIES
Leading Cadet Derek Rosie had an important part to play during a recent visit to Orkney by the Princess Royal. He was selected to open open the car door and greet Her Highness on arrival a Longhope for the official opening of the new Lifeboat Museum.
COMMANDING OFFICER RETIRES
Lieutenant Commander Alex Strutt retired from Command of TS Thorfinn on Friday 23rd August after 22 years in the Corps, fifteen of those spent in command. On his retirement he received many presentations including a clasp to his Cadet Forces Medal, which was presented by Mr George Marwick, Orkney's Lord Lieutenant.
ROYAL NAVY PRESENTATION TEAM
Chief Petty Officer Lewis Dunnett and four Cadets assisted at the recent visit of the RNPT to Kirkwall. The Cadets acted as ushers, greeting the guests and were reported to be a credit to the Unit.
CADETS TAKE PART IN ROYAL OAK CEREMONY
Petty Officer Raymond Hutchison and three Cadets took part in the HMS Royal Oak wreath laying ceremony on Sunday 13th October in Scapa Flow. HMS Royal Oak was torpedoed whilst lying at anchor in Scapa Flow on 14th October 1939 by U47 with the loss of 833 Sailors. Afterwards the Cadets were treated to a turn round the bay in the Navy Diving Team's Rigid Inflatable and succeeded in soaking one another.
Click here for more information on HMS ROYAL OAK
FOUL WEATHER FOR REMEMBRANCE PARADE
Nineteen Cadets and four Staff braved the elements on Sunday 10th November to take part in the annual Remembrance Sunday parade in Kirkwall. Despite the howling wind and lashing rain the Cadets did the Unit proud with an excellent effort at drill being made by all.
AREA OFFICER VISITS
The Unit received a visit from Northern Area Officer Commander David Griffiths Royal Navy and the new Assistant District Officer Lieutenant Kevin Tait on Monday 25th November. The visiting Officers toured the Unit facilities and observed classes under instruction. After Evening Colours Commander Griffiths presented good conduct badges to Able Cadet Nicola Laud and Ordinary Cadets Scott Paterson and Charlene Wylie.
CADETS VISIT CUSTOMS BOAT
On Friday 6th December a party of Cadets and Staff visited HM Customs Cutter Sentinel while she was alongside in Kirkwall. The Cadets received a full tour of the vessel as well as information on her role from a very helpful crew.
JUNIOR SEA CADETS FUN NIGHT
On Monday 16th December our Junior Sea Cadets had a Christmas Fun Night with games and prizes - Santa even left presents under the tree! Great fun was had by all!
Archive - 2003
5 A SIDE FOOTBALL COMPETITION
A team of boys from Orkney Sea Cadets set of to the Northern Area Sea Cadet Indoor Football Competition near Edinburgh on 25th Jan. They competed against teams from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England and came 4th in their league - well done!!! Many thanks to Ortak Jewellery for sponsorship of the strips.
DISTRICT SEAMANSHIP WEEKEND
CPO Dunnett recently ran a Seamanship weekend at Thurso Unit which was attended by 4 Cadets from Orkney and 10 from Thurso. All successfully passed their assessments with Orkney Cadets Gary Petrie, Alan Brown and Andrew Cuddihy passing 3rd Class Seamanship and Able Cadet Scott Paterson passing 2nd Class Seamanship.
THREE PASS FOR LEADING CADET
Able Cadets Scott Paterson, Charlene Wylie and Nicola Laud all recently passed their Leading Cadet Part One Examination Board in Inverness. All admitted that it was very tough and they were delighted to pass.
FIRST AID SUCCESS
Scott Paterson and Nicola Laud recently passed their Third Class First Aid at a Highland District Training Weekend held at Thurso Unit. Among the activities on offer at the weekend was First Aid, Cook Steward and Small Bore Shooting.
GOLD BADGES AWARDED
Leading Cadet Derek Rosie was delighted to receive his Local Acting Petty Officer Cadet badges on Friday 18th April. He is looking forward to sporting his gold insignia with pride.
VISIT TO TALL SHIP
A party of twelve Cadets led by CPO Lewis Dunnett recently received a guided tour of the Norwegain Sail Training Ship Statsraad Lemkhul while she was alongside in Kirkwall Harbour. All thoroughly enjoyed the visit however two Cadets who are due to go onboard the Sea cadet Corps Brig TS Royalist this summer are beginning to have second thoughts after seeing the height of the masts on the Lemkhul!!
ORKNEY CADETS ON TARGET FOR BISLEY
Leading Cadets Scott Paterson and Charlene Wylie have been selected to travel to Bisley in Surrey to try out for selection for the Sea Cadet Team for the Cadet Inter Service Shooting Competition. We wish them both the best of luck!
THURSO SCC VISIT FOR BOATING WEEKEND
On the weekend of 20th/22nd June, Cadets and Staff from Thurso Unit, TS Vulcan, crossed the Pentland Firth to join Orkney Cadets for a boating weekend at Scapa. Activities included Pulling, Windsurfing and Power Boating.
UNIT ANNUAL CAMP VOTED A GREAT SUCCESS
Orkney Unit's Annual Camp to Norwegian Lodge near Aviemore was voted a great success by the 15 Cadets who attended. Activities included windsurfing, canoeing, orienteering, go karting and mountain biking.
TWO CADETS SET SAIL ON TS ROYALIST
Leading Cadets Scott Paterson and Charlene Wylie set sail on the Sea Cadet Corps' own square rigged sailing ship "Royalist" for a weeks cruise on the Caledonian Canal. They joined the ship in Inverness on Saturday 10th July and sailed down the Canal to Oban.
CRUISING DOWN THE CALEDONIAN CANAL
CPO Dunnett, PPO Leask and three Cadets joined Cadets and Staff from Thurso and Inverness Units for a weeks motor cruising on the Caledonian Canal in October. The Cadets failed to spot "Nessie" while travelling through Loch Ness - maybe she was scared away by our own collection of Loch Ness monsters!!
Archive - 2004
WARSHIP VISIT
CPO Dunnett, PO Ross and five Cadets received a guided tour of a Danish Frigate on Saturday 14th February 2004. The tour of HDMS TRITON took in all parts of the ship from the bridge to the engine room.
DISTRICT SEAMANSHIP WEEKEND
CPO Dunnett, PPO Leask and Leading Cadets Scott Paterson and Nicola Laud recently ran a Seamanship weekend at Thurso Unit which was attended by 9 Cadets from Orkney and 14 from Thurso. All Orkney successfully passed their assessments with Cadets Benny Norquoy, Jamie Bain, Scott Drever, Rachel Wylie, Jacob Spence and Eddie Brown passing 3rd Class Seamanship and Charlene Wylie, Andrew Cuddihy and Alan Brown passing 2nd Class Seamanship.
HIGHLAND DISTRICT SAILING REGATTA
Orkney unit hosted the first Highland District Sailing Regatta on the 23rd to 26th April 2004. Cadets and Staff form Orkney, Thurso, Inverness and Moray Units took part with many Cadets gaining RYA Sailing qualifications. Overall winners were John McGill (Thurso), Grant Collyer (Inverness), Euan Minto (Inverness) and Scott Tait (Thurso).
HIGHLAND DISTRICT PULLING REGATTA
Two Orkney teams (One boys and one girls) took part in the Highland District Pulling at Thurso Unit on the 8th and 9th May 2004.
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FLAG DAY
Orkney Cadets did extremely well during their recent Flag Day held in Kirkwall on Saturday 22nd May 2004. The Cadets managed to raise a whopping £1500!!
COMMODORE SEA CADETS FINALLY REACHES ORKNEY
After various attempts to visit TS Thorfinn, Commodore Roger Parker finally managed to inspect the most northerly Unit in the Sea Cadet Corps on Thursday 27th May 2004. The Commodore attended the Unit Annual Royal Navy Inspection conducted by Commander Ian Bartholomew, Northern Area Officer. This was Commodore Parkers last chance to visit Orkney before his retirement on 11th June and the Cadets put on an excellent show for Inspecting Officers and many guests and parents who were present.
PADRE NOTCHES UP FORTY YEARS OF SERVICE
The Unit Chaplain, Reverend Francis Turner, received a surprise presentation form Commodore Sea Cadets on the evening of the Unit Annual Inspection. Frank first became involved with the Unit during it's conception in 1964 when he agreed to become Unit Chaplain. Since then he has held appointments as Administration Officer, Commanding Officer and Assistant District Officer. On retiring from active duty in 1990, Rev Turner once again took up post as Chaplain to TS Thorfinn. Commodore Parker presented Rev Turner with a framed certificate of appreciation to mark his forty years of service to the Corps.
BBQ GOES DOWN A TREAT
Cadets and Juniors were treated to a games night and barbeque on Friday 25th June 2004 as a thank you for all their hard work during Flag Day and in preparing for the Annual Inspection and Commodore's Visit. Following a vigorous game of rounders organised by PO Livitt, PO Ross and CI Rosie the Cadets sampled the cooking skills of CPO Dunnett, PPO Leask and CI Flett. The food must have been up to scratch as 25 Cadets managed to consume 48 beefburgers, 70 hot dogs, 72 rolls, ? gallons of juice and 36 bars of chocolate!!
UNIT ANNUAL CAMP ONCE MORE A GREAT SUCCESS
Orkney Unit's Annual Camp to Norwegian Lodge near Aviemore was voted a great success by the 26 Cadets who attended. Activities included camping, canoeing, orienteering, abseiling and mountain biking. 19 Cadets successfully gained their campcraft badges during the week.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE JOB SWAP
At the meeting of the Unit Management Committee on Wednesday 25th August 2004 Mr Stuart Burgher took over as Chairman of the Unit following the decision by his predecessor Mr John Livitt to step down. Mr Livitt has now taken on Mr Burgher's previous role as UMC Secretary.
CALEDONIAN CANAL CRUISE
Leading Cadet Scott Paterson, Able Cadets Alan Brown and Andrew Cuddihy and Cadet Jacob Spence joined Cadets and Staff from Thurso and Inverness Units for a weeks motor cruising on the Caledonian Canal in October. All four enjoyed the week and gained practical experience towards their RYA Power Qualifications.
MORE UMC CHANGES
Mr Stuart Burgher has unfortunately had to step down from the Unit Management Committee as he is moving to a new job in Jersey. Mr John Livitt has once again taken on the role of Chairman with Captain Billy Sclater becoming Secretary. The Unit wishes Stuart and his family all the best for their new life at the other end of the country.
ORKNEY CADETS ARE TOP OF THE CLASS
Sea Cadets Charlene Wylie and Scott Paterson of Orkney Sea Cadet Unit recently passed for promotion to Petty Officer Cadet - the highest rate that a sea cadet can achieve. Attending their advancement course at HMS Caledonia in Rosyth Scott and Charlene were the top two scorers on the course which was attended by Cadets from Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland.
GOOD TURNOUT FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE
The Unit had an almost 100% turnout for the annual Remembrance Parade in Kirkwall on Sunday 14th November. Onlookers commented on the smartness of the Cadets on what was a dry but very windy morning.
CHRISTMAS PARTY GOES OFF WITH A BANG (AND A POP AND A HOOT!!)
The Unit's two PO Cadets organized a Christmas Party for Ship's Company on Thursday 16th December with the Unit's Cook/Steward students preparing an excellent buffet for the event. Everyone had a wonderful time with music, dancing and party games galore. The bang mentioned above came from numerous party poppers, the pop from the bursting of balloons and the hoots came from party trumpets (which POC Paterson and his eardrums later regretted supplying!!).
STAFF CHANGES
On Friday 10th December the Unit said a sad farewell to Petty Officer Douglas Livitt who is leaving Orkney to join the Police force with Northern Constabulary. Petty Officer Clarke Ross is to take on PO Livitt's role as First Lieutenant of TS Thorfinn SCC.
