CADETS HIT NEW HEIGHTS ON ARMED FORCES DAY
As
the UK celebrated the first Armed Forces Day on
Saturday, a group of local youngsters were at the
national event in Kent, wowing crowds with an impressive
display of mammoth proportions!
The Tameside Sea Cadets were at the Historic Dockyard
in Chatham, participating in the centrepiece event
of the UK’s first Armed Forces Day. Over 30,000
people attended the sold out event, as well as a
number of VIPs including the Prime Minister, the
Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Chief of
the Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup. The event was
designed to celebrate and commemorate the work of
everyone in the Armed Forces. It was also an opportunity
for visitors to get a close-up look at service life
and to meet and chat to personnel from all services,
of all ranks and ages.
The
Ashton-based Cadets were showing off their moves
on the “window ladder” - a formidable
40-foot high rig of ladders and ropes. They’re
the only formation display of this kind in the UK,
and they’ve become rather famous for it. They’ve
given displays across the country, and abroad, and
have even performed in front of The Queen.
Working without supporting ropes or harnesses,
the display requires concentration, co-ordination
and, of course, lots of practice. Their display
on Saturday was set to a varied suite of music which
included the theme from Superman as well as “Sailing”
and Busted’s rock-out version of “Thunderbirds.”
The routine included over 400 individual movements,
all executed in perfect synchronisation in time
to the music, and all without spoken commands. And
the crowds loved it.
Leading Cadet Charlotte Saycell (17), one of the
team scaling the ropes, said “This is fantastic.
It’s scary and exhilarating; but being so
high up we’ve got a great view of the whole
event!”
The
Cadets travelled to Kent on Friday and stayed on
board HMS Cavalier for the weekend. Their Commanding
Officer, Lt Cdr Graham Broadbent, said “We’re
thrilled to be participating in this national event
celebrating Armed Forces Day. And staying on HMS
Cavalier, a 1940s destroyer has been a great experience
- the Cadets have really enjoyed being on a real
naval vessel.”
The cadets pictured are Charlotte Saycell, Laura
Handley, Jessica Melles, Rebecca Hursthouse, Jane
Mungai and Thomas Saycell. They were joined on the
expedition to Kent by Andrew Taylor, Shannon Aldcroft,
Kieran Husthouse and Holly Gillespie, who acted
as reserves and riggers.
The
Tameside Sea Cadets formed in 1943 and today has
a membership of around 80 boys and girls aged between
10 and 18. They meet at Lower Wharf Street in Ashton
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, and enjoy
a wide range of team activities including sailing
and canoeing as well as learning seamanship and
leadership skills. Anyone interested in finding
out more, or how to join, should visit www.tsquantock.co.uk.
