News

THERE’S a new man at the helm at TS Gurkha as Stratford-upon-Avon Sea Cadets celebrated a new chapter in its history this month.

Lieutenant Roger Edmunds, Royal Naval Reserve, who has led the unit for the past twelve and a half years, handed over the baton of command to chief petty officer, Matthew Francis, on Thursday, 2nd May, 2024.

Lieutenant Edmunds has been instrumental in building the unit to its current level of strength, progressing annually in terms of numbers and achievement.

This progress was highlighted by the recent success of five cadets who competed in the National Drill Competition the previous weekend at HMS Raleigh, where they ranked 5th out of 400 units in the United Kingdom in the Colour Party Competition, watched by the Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.

At the unit review, the Stratford community and the unit expressed their sincere gratitude to Lieutenant Edmunds.

Messages from numerous cadets he has mentored and influenced over the years poured in, demonstrating his profound impact on their lives. Despite stepping down as commanding officer, Lieutenant Edmunds will remain a vital part of the team.

Chief petty officer Francis will usher in a new era for TS Gurkha, building on Lieutenant Edmunds' excellent work and leading a unit that can achieve even greater success.

Article Published in the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald, 16 May 2024

Photo: Chief Petty Officer Matthew Francis, left, who took command from Lieutenant Roger Edmunds, right. They are pictured with Stratford mayor Cllr Kate Rolfe and Cllr Victoria Alcock, chairman of Stratford District Council, Chris Wheeler, chair of Stratford Sea Cadets, along with some of the cadets.                          Photo: Mark Williamson

Stratford Sea Cadets had a hugely successful River Festival raising funds, interacting with the many visitors and enjoying all that the festival had to offer.

Cadets had been busy collecting chocolate tubs and bottle bags throughout the year.  These were filled with drinks and gifts for the very popular 'win every time' games.  Cadets joined staff and adult volunteers to man the stall and worked really hard on two very hot days, rasing an amazing £2000+.

28th June 2018

Stratford-upon-Avon Sea Cadets are delighted to have received a cheque for £1000 from former Mayor, Councillor Victoria Alcock, who selected the Stratford based youth organisation as one of her Mayor’s charities.

‘This donation is wonderful’ said Karen Drinkwater, Chair of Trustees ‘we have lots of plans for additional equipment and activities for our cadets and this will help us to fulfil these ambitions. We are grateful to Cllr. Alcock not just for raising the money but also for her tremendous support over the last 12 months, taking the time to visit the unit, getting to know the cadets and involving them in her own civic events.’

When delivering the cheque, Cllr. Alcock joined the cadets on the river for rowing instruction and also enjoyed a ride on the safety boat.

Cllr Alcock said ‘During my time as Mayor I learned more and more about the Sea Cadets and the valuable lessons which they teach. Not just safety on water but lessons in trust, friendships and respect. I feel so proud that they are part of our Town, and will look upon the time I spent with them all on and off the water as some of my best times as Mayor.’

Congratulations to our Officer in Charge, Lt Roger Edmunds, who was awarded his Sea Cadet 1st clasp (for 18 years service) at the Warwickshire District Regatta 

TS Gurkha travelled to Sutton Coldfield again this weekend to take part in the Warwickshire District Rowing Regatta.  Expectations wre high as we entered both open and junior races for boys and girls.  Despite a number of set backs with oars and a re-race all of the teams performed brilliantly with the girls winning Bronze medals.