Cadets at TS Kingfisher were on top form as they welcomed a unit visit from Major General Tim Hodgetts CB CBE KHS OStJ DL, Surgeon General to His Majesty’s Armed Forces and Honorary Surgeon to His Majesty the King.

Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets from TS Kingfisher stand on parade during their drill night in front of their VIP visitor, the Surgeon General

Opening the evening with the Ceremonial Colours and a drill display, their Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets showcased their precision on parade for the VIP and invited guests and parents.

Major General Hodgetts is also the Master General Army Medical Services, Chair to the Committee of the Chiefs of Military Services in NATO and a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant in the West Midlands county. As part of his visit he held an inspiring talk about his senior military and civilian medical roles, sharing an insight into his extensive career in each field to date.

With the cadets keen to show off their unit, the Major General was invited to watch different groups taking part in a range of activities.

Whether they were busy exploring the science of meteorology by creating tornadoes in a bottle, practising their band drills or seamanship, enjoying teambuilding scenarios or water safety demonstrations, the enthusiasm of their cadets and staff shone throughout the evening.

The Sea Cadets are gathered around a table, using bottles of water, oil and glitter to create a 'tornado in a bottle' as part of their meterology work.

A number of awards were also presented to cadets and staff by Major General Hodgetts, which included a Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Certificate  for Leading Cadet Ben, and six-year long service awards to Lt(SCC) David Wood RNR and SLt(SCC) Lisa Wood RNR.

The Commanding Officer at TS Kingfisher, SLt (SCC) Lisa Wood RNR, said: “Having Major General Tim Hodgetts join us at TS Kingfisher was a true honour. His inspiring speech and engagement with our cadets and guests offered a profound learning experience.

“The evening was enriched by his sharing of invaluable insights from his distinguished military and medical career. We are enormously grateful for his support and the time he took out of his demanding schedule to experience the Sea Cadet program first hand.”

Cadets from TS Kingfisher also recently took part in the Sea Cadet National Drill Competition at HMS Raleigh, after clinching both the District Champions and Area Champions titles at recent competitions. At Nationals they achieved a fantastic fifth place – which is quite the achievement from over 400 Sea Cadet units nationwide. During the event one of their Cadets was also presented with the Kings Coronation Medal for his part in the Coronation celebrations.

The Sea Cadets are crouched on the floor, working as a team to lower a bamboo cane gently to the ground, each only using one finger per hand, to practise working together as a team.

TS Kingfisher is home to Redditch & Bromsgrove Sea and Royal Marines Cadets. With 70 cadets supported by fourteen uniformed volunteers and a Board of Trustees, they parade twice a week to provide young people with key development skills, adventure, vocational qualifications and unique opportunities – both on and off the water.

Their Royal Marines Cadets enjoy all of the same activities on the water that the Sea Cadets do, but additionally take part in extra adventure training including field craft, weapons handling and orienteering.

Volunteers and civilian instructors can also benefit from their own development opportunities with the unit. As well as a social element, instructors can gain qualifications which are highly transferable into their day jobs, whilst helping to improve the lives of young people in our communities.

To find out more about joining the unit as a cadet or volunteer please contact enquiries@tskingfisher.org or visit https://www.sea-cadets.org/redditchbromsgrove

Learn more about the Sea Cadets and Cadet Forces in our region.

 

Published 30/05/24