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The only part of the unit left standing |
At the center you can see 2 Safe - Both are still in use at our new HQ !! |
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Remains of the Band Instruments |
Lieutenant Jim Garner RNR, the Commanding Officer of the Unit from 1989, was contacted by Wing Commander Derek Bryant, of the Air Training Corps when he heard of the Unit’s plight, he then approached Flight Lieutenant Martin Rushbrooke, the Commanding Officer of 162 Squadron, at their headquarters at Lockwood Fold in Heaviley. An arrangement was made for the unit to parade there on Tuesday and Friday evenings, this was free of charge but a donation for the electricity was given. It was evident that if this arrangement had not have been made the future of the unit was in doubt. During this time the Unit was nominated for and was awarded the McBeath Trophy, this is a national trophy awarded annually, quote: "to a unit which has put up a particularly meritorious performance during that year which is worthy of special recognition". To show that this trophy was presented, an emblem of a red anchor is sewn on to the Pennant that was awarded for 1992.
The Unit Management Committee had to make a decision whether to negotiate another lease at Mirrlees (who were at the time looking to re-develop the land) or to start afresh somewhere else. This was decided for us as a long lease was not forthcoming. The Unit was at its lowest point - having lost a number of cadets and being unable to recruit for want of a home. The cadet strength went from 40 to under 15 during this period, but although we lost cadets none of the staff faltered.
In 1994, Mrs Dorothy Flannery, a former GNTC officer of the Unit and an employee of the National Grid, heard that the company were selling off redundant buildings. The building on offer was an ex-generator house and stores on the Pear Mill Industrial Estate. It was decided that although a great deal of work was necessary to renovate it, it had the potential of making a first class headquarters. After lengthy negotiations by the President of the Unit, Mr Malcolm Hall, it was purchased in 1995 for £40,000. The money was part of the insurance settlement from the old HQ. This settlement took nearly 3 years of hard negotiations by Mr Les White the UMC Secretary, no mean feat as the Loss Adjusters only offered £25,000 at the beginning. In September 1995 the unit started parading there after safety work had been carried out. It seems fitting that the new Headquarters is no more than a half a mile from the original one in Portwood.
It has taken five years of hard work to bring the Headquarters to its present standard, and even now we are continually looking at ways of improving our facilities and environment so that cadets may benefit. Repairs and renovations are on-going and all money needed for these has to come from fund-raising activities. The Unit Management Committee have worked very hard under Mr Bryan Lister, the Chairman since 1997. They have received grants from the Sea Cadet Association and SMBC to install a toilet for the disabled and shower facilities.
An "Awards for All" grant from the National Lottery was obtained for the complete renovation of the Galley, this was completed in September 2000 bringing the cooking facilities up to regulation standard a great deal of the work being done by Mr Brian Hibbert the Committee Vice-Chairman.
The Sea Cadets Corps is not a pre-service organisation such as the Army Cadet Force or the Air Training Corps, our aim is not to recruit for the Royal Navy but to provide young people with a range of activities and train young men and women to become better citizens. They are taught discipline and good manners in the Naval way and are shown how to look after themselves, be courteous and helpful towards others.
Commanding Officers of Stockport Sea Cadets
Feb - June 1917 Lt E W Oats
1917 - 1923 Lt G Pickford
June 1923 Revd. M H Ridgeway ( Acting CO )
1923 - 1925 Mr H Pearson
1925 - 1935 Lt J O Livingston
1935 - 1938 Lt W Walton
1938 - 1940 S/Lt G Bertinshaw
1940 - 1943 Lt Carrie ( Appointed by the Admiralty )
1943 - 1951 Lt G Bertinshaw
1951 - 1959 Lt J B Hadfield
1959 - 1961 Lt Cdr T Kirkham
1961 - 1981 Lt Cdr (SCC) J Yendley RNR
1981 - 1989 Lt Cdr (SCC) L Holden RNR
1989 - Lt Cdr (SCC) J H Garner RNR
Written by
Lt Cdr (SCC) J Garner RNR
Commanding Officer
May 2001
