At the annual general meeting of the HMS Tenby Association held in Babbacombe, Torquay, last weekend, a formal link was set up with the local Sea Cadet Unit, TS Tenby.

David Devauden, instructor at the unit, attended the ninth annual general meeting and to mark the occasion, presented the chairman, Jeff Mays, with a mounted photograph of the ship's bell and plaque on behalf of the commanding officer, Lt. Roy Broxham RNR.

In return, the oldest surviving crew member of the wartime minesweeper, the president, Stan Jackson, presented a framed picture of both Tenbys.

An invitation was extended to those present to attend TS Tenby's 50th anniversary celebration in October.

Over 100 former crew members and their wives of the wartime Bangor Class minesweeper and the 1960s Whitby Class anti-submarine frigate attended the event.

At the dinner in the evening, David Devauden gave an amusing after-dinner speech about life in the Navy in the 1960s and life on board a frigate, as he had spent five years on Tenby's sister ship, HMS Rhyl.

Many ex-crew members have fond memories of the last visit HMS Tenby made to Tenby. Stories of mayhem, stranded sailors sleeping on the beach because the liberty couldn't take them back on board and broken hearts abounded.

The SCC Unit based in Tenby Harbour is now gearing up to getting their boats in the water now that the evenings are drawing out and the weather is getting warmer.

Girls and boys between the ages of 12 and 18 can join as a Sea Cadet or between 10 and 12 for junior cadets.

Many activities are planned for the coming months. The next is an invitation for two cadets to travel from Devonport Navel Base to Newport on the unit's affiliated ship, HMS Monmouth, a Type 23 frigate, in a week's time. She will be visiting Newport from May 17 for five days. During the visit the rest of the unit will be invited to tour the ship and meet the captain and crew.

Anyone interested in learning more about the work of the Sea Cadet Corps can ring Lt. Roy Broxham on (01834) 854231, or drop in to the unit's HQ on a Tuesday or Thursday from 7 - 9 pm.