TS Tenby, the local sea cadet unit, has started what looks like being a very busy period, with many activities already planned and more in the pipeline.
Cadets have already spent time on shooting ranges this year, one on Dartmoor was cancelled due to the snow, and other opportunities have been arranged. The Sea Cadets of West Wales and the ATC are working together to enable cadets to get more range time. This is taking place at Penally Army Camp and Tenby cadets attended last weekend and will be there again in June.
Able Cadet Max Randles has now gained his advanced shooting qualification (full bore) and is keen to improve so as he can be considered for the West Wales team later this year. Four Tenby cadets will take part in the shooting at Penally during June.
During April, five cadets, M. Randles, C. Tattersall, B. Clarke, H. Sharp and R. Hill, along with Petty Officer (SCC) J. Blair, will be joining the unit's affiliated ship, HMS Monmouth, in Plymouth, to spend time at sea as she makes her way to visit Wales, docking in Cardiff.
The five cadets will spend time working the ship's routine in different departments, as well as watching the crew exercise their skills during the run around Land's End and up the Bristol Channel. Other cadets will have an opportunity to visit her whilst she is alongside in Cardiff.
Another group of cadets and staff will join HMS Sutherland for a day at sea when she visits the county in May; this will take place around the Haven and coast of Pembrokeshire.
April also sees the unit undertake its annual inspection, when all aspects of the unit will be tested and assessed on behalf of the Captain SCC. Cadets are busy getting their displays together at present. The first part of the inspection has already been undertaken, with the visit from the SW Area Logistics Officer, where the units Health and Safety and facilities available were tested. This was passed and the unit's Certificate to Train renewed.
Able Cadets S. Beynon and M. Randles are looking forward to their week abroad the Sea Cadets' tall ship, TS Royalist. They will join her in Milford Haven during July and sail the Bristol Channel, entering Bristol Inner Basin at the end of the passage. They have received sponsorship from Tenby Town Council and St. Mary's Church Fund, for which they are very grateful.
Staff are at present getting the boats maintained ready for the summer boating season, and making sure all the craft are fitted out to comply with the Training at Sea regulations.
Tenby unit, like the other 400 around the UK, is staffed by volunteers, both uniformed and civilian, who also undertake their own training to increase their skills and care of the cadets.
The Tenby unit is able to take cadets from 10-years-old as juniors and 12-years-old as senior cadets. If you are interested in becoming a cadet, call the unit on 01834 849641.