Latest news with #SeaCadets
The Courier
22-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
Family of Dundee Sea Cadets commander Bill Wylie MBE pay tribute one year after death
The family of Bill Wylie MBE, who was a former commanding officer of Dundee Sea Cadets for decades, have paid tribute to him a year after his death. A service was recently held to mark the first anniversary of his passing aged 74. It came as his mother Eliza died aged 103 just a few weeks ago on April 23. Lieutenant Commander (SCC) W G Wylie MBE RNR was born in Perth on November 5 1949. He attended Northern District, then Goodlyburn schools. When he left school, he started an apprenticeship as an agricultural engineer. From there, he moved to Harry Emslie as a sales rep. He then worked in various motor parts companies the rest of his career until near retirement age. Around this time he drove a minibus for Barnados, then as bakery deliverer for Wallace's. The Sea Cadets played a huge role in Bill's life from a young age. He joined Perth Sea Cadets at 12 years old, where he was a champion swimmer. In 1970, he joined Dundee Sea Cadets as a Petty Officer (PO), where he was introduced to his wife, Myra, through her lifelong friend Irene. They married in July 1973. Their only daughter Karen was born the following year. Bill rose through the ranks with the Cadets, becoming Sub Lieutenant, Lieutenant, then Lieutenant Commander. He held many positions, including CO of Dundee, District Officer, Area Boats Officer and Area Band Officer. He was instrumental in starting the Dundee boat station, which originated in the old Cal Fab building in the docks. When Bill joined, cadets were based on HMS Unicorn, before a unit was built in the grounds of HMS Camperdown. In 2004, they moved to a purpose built unit, where it remains to this day. Bill received an MBE for his long service to Sea Cadets in the 2006 Birthday Honours. He was presented with this at Buckingham Palace from the then Prince Charles. Bill also received the Captains Medal for 50 year's dedicated service to Sea Cadets. Also presented was a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of outstanding service to The Sea Cadets and volunteers of Northern Area. Other accolades included a Platinum Jubilee Certificate of Merit in June 2022. Bill spent his whole life dedicated to the Sea Cadets, where he took the youngsters to numerous competitions within the UK and Ireland. He even managed to acquire a 52 seater bus to take them to Germany, where the band attended various events in Ingolstadt. Bill was also instrumental in forming the tri-service cadet band with the Army and air force cadets. Following his death on May 6 2024, many Facebook tributes gave an insight into how Bill was instrumental in shaping a lot of their lives. Dundee Sea Cadets said: 'Bill was a very well known member of the Sea Cadets and over his many years service held many roles at Unit, District and Area level. 'Over the years he helped many children to achieve and have adventures that they have stories and memories to remember for a lifetime.' His wife Myra was also heavily involved with the cadets, starting the girls' section, becoming a CO herself. Their daughter Karen also played in the band. Bill is survived by his wife Myra, daughter Karen, son in law Frankie and grandsons Owen and Luca. His sister Katherine lives in Perth Australia. His mother Eliza also lived there until her recent passing.
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Residents fighting to build emergency centre
Residents have shared Steadfast Reserve with the Sea Cadets since it was purchased by the old Banks Peninsula District Council in 1999. It was used as a recreational area and hosted play groups, pot luck dinners and parties. Former Banks Peninsula mayor and Cass Bay Residents' Association secretary Noeline Allan said after the amalgamation with the city council in 2006, the public was locked out of the reserve and threatened with prosecution if they trespassed. The association wants to build a multi-purpose community centre and emergency hub at the reserve. But it has been told its preferred site is off limits due to the historic garage which already occupies the land. 'It was agreed those (activities) would continue, so not letting the community in was a breach of that commitment,' said Allan. But she said the Sea Cadets regained access while members of the public did not. After 14 years of lobbying from the community, residents were finally granted access to the reserve to start regenerative projects in 2020. The community has since planted more than 10,000 trees on the reserve. Allan said the association and the Sea Cadets came to an understanding last year about how the reserve would be shared and any future projects would work in tandem. Said association chair Jenny Healey: 'It's a growing community and as the community grows we ultimately need somewhere we can congregate.' With no current community hub, gatherings are held at residents' houses. But in the event of an emergency, this will not be sufficient, Healey said. Despite being close to Lyttelton and Rapaki, Cass Bay has been cut off in both directions by rock falls in the past, she said. 'We can't always guarantee that we can safely exit the bay.' The association identified a site at the reserve which is currently occupied by a heritage building known as the 'garage'. The garage was originally HMNZS Tasman shipwright shop at Naval Point and was relocated to Cass Bay in 1956. It was used to house the navy armament depot's vehicles and as a workshop. Said Banks Peninsula city councillor Tyrone Fields: 'Anybody that's ever looked at it would think it's a rickety old shed filled with asbestos, rot, mould and completely unsafe.' Fields said the city council's policy of not demolishing heritage buildings prevented it from being removed from the reserve. 'Council's policy is what it is and in my view we need to find a way through that.' Steadfast Reserve was a navy armament depot during World War 2. It is currently occupied by old bunkers, a drill hall, a wardroom and a guard room. A land history and community conservation report was under taken by the city council in 2022, Healey said. Other areas of the reserve were considered for the community centre and emergency hub but the association maintains the garage is the best site. Healey said this was due to the garage being on a flat section and being accessible older people. Te Pataka o Rakaihautu Banks Peninsula Community Board members Lyn Leslie, Jillian Frater and Asif Hussain visited Steadfast Reserve last month with Fields and Healey. Said Healey: 'We got the impression they understood why this is the best site, given our community needs.' Fields agreed: 'The community doesn't see the value in (the garage), and if nobody sees the value in it, you have to start wondering, does it have value? 'I'd knock the garage over tomorrow if I could,' Fields said. Allan said four separate builders have described the garage as 'derelict and should not be renovated'. 'There's drainage issues, black mould and the electricity is very questionable. Everyone says that building should come down,' she said. A Christchurch City Council spokesperson said the building was not derelict. But Allan said at a meeting three years ago attended by about 10 council staff and the association, it was verbally agreed the garage would come down before the 2022 local body elections. The information was not relayed to the previous community board, Allan said. 'We ended up with a new board who had no background.' In October, Healey attended a board meeting in a bid to acquire a lease for Steadfast Reserve. She said the Sea Cadets were granted a lease but the association was not. Said Allan: 'The memorandum of understanding was ignored.' She said the association was in a position to start fundraising to build the centre but was forced to stop. 'There was a rule applied to us that wasn't applied to the Sea Cadets. 'Every time we think we are getting somewhere, another barrier gets put in place. 'It's almost got to a point of pettiness, there's no logical reason for it (garage) to remain. 'A lot of money comes out of the community as ratepayers and we can't get served by our council.' Healey said the community 'just want to move forward and we want a clear timeframe for doing that'. A feasibility study for the hub has been completed but more detail is required before it is presented to the community board, where the association will hope to receive a lease and agree upon a site. When the Sea Cadets built its dormitory hall at Steadfast Reserve, it did not have to produce a feasibility study, said Allan. 'One party is being treated quite differently to the other.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
09-05-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Veterans, residents, and civic dignitaries gather in tribute in Tenby
TENBY commemorated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a poignant parade and beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday evening [May 8], drawing crowds to the historic town centre and seafront. The event began with a solemn procession through the town's streets, led by Royal British Legion standard bearers, Sea Cadets, military personnel, and veterans riding in vintage military jeeps. Onlookers lined the pavements, applauding as the parade passed by shops and cafes on Tudor Square. As the sun set, participants gathered at the Prince Albert memorial, where dignitaries in ceremonial dress addressed the assembled crowd. The Mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan, was joined by other officials in paying tribute to those who fought and sacrificed during the Second World War. A moment of silence was observed before the beacon was lit, casting a warm glow over the town as darkness fell. The symbolic act was mirrored by similar events across the UK as part of the national VE Day 80 celebrations. Among those present were several Second World War veterans, including one seated prominently in front of the beacon, wrapped against the evening chill, as local people and visitors joined in song and remembrance. The ceremony concluded with applause and quiet reflection, as Tenby once again honoured its proud place in wartime history and the enduring legacy of peace hard-won. Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: 'As we mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, we pause to honour the brave men and women of Wales who fought in the Second World War. 'Their courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom have left an indelible mark on our history. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. 'Today, in events across Wales and beyond, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, give thanks for those who returned home and pledge to keep their legacy alive for future generations.' (Images: Gareth Davies/Herald)
Western Telegraph
03-05-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Royal Marines Cadets in Milford Haven call for new recruits
The unit, which is part of the national charity Sea Cadets, is inviting young people aged 13 to 18 to join them for a range of outdoor activities. A variety of experiences are on offer including camping, navigating, fieldcraft, and obstacle courses. Detachment Commander Sgt (SCC) Glenn Hewer said: "We welcome all young people living in Pembrokeshire to pop into the unit when we're open and find out about getting stuck into some exciting activities like navigation, boating, and fieldcraft." The unit recently returned from Easter Camp, where detachments from all over the west and south of the UK met up for a weekend of fun activities. Newly appointed Commanding Officer Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Lloyd Jones RNR said: "It's a fantastic opportunity to get to know other young people in the area and you'll make some great friends, learn new skills that will give you a great head start in life and will really boost your confidence." Milford Haven Sea Cadets, which opened in May 1963, has supported hundreds of young people in Pembrokeshire to learn new skills with confidence. Currently, more than 60 Sea Cadets attend the unit, supported by at least 25 volunteers. However, more are always welcome and needed. The unit is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 9pm, and meets at Milford Haven Sea Cadets, Unit A, Haven's Head Business Park, Milford Haven. Visit the Sea Cadets website to find out more.
Sky News
03-04-2025
- Sky News
Thomas Kettleborough: 'Vile' former police inspector caught in child sex sting
A 'vile' former police officer who was caught in a sting operation after travelling to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old boy has been jailed. Thomas Kettleborough, 35, then an inspector with Avon and Somerset Police, was arrested in July 2023 while attempting to meet up with 'the teenager' after communicating with him on Grindr and Snapchat. However, he was actually speaking to undercover officers. After being detained at a car park in Bristol, officers found a bag in the boot of his car containing "an assortment of sex toys, condoms and bondage equipment, including a pair of limb restraints," Exeter Crown Court heard. More than 150 indecent images of children were also discovered on his phone and computer. Kettleborough used the apps to have sexually explicit chats with the teenager, using the name Liam, while claiming to be 28, prosecutors said. In February, he pleaded guilty to several child sex offences, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity. Last month he was sacked by Avon and Somerset Police and barred from policing for gross misconduct. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on Thursday. Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the public would be "appalled by the vile and manipulative actions of this former officer". She added: "He was caught following a policing operation designed to keep children safe which has resulted in his wider offending being identified." Detective Inspector Dave Wells, who led the investigation, said Kettleborough's crimes took place over four years, The former officer held positions of trust in the police, the Sea Cadets and the Royal Lifesaving Society, but "concealed his true identity through an online persona as 'Liam', 'L S' and 'Liamss5506'," Mr Wells said. Mr Wells added: "Specialist investigators are ready to listen and investigate any reports relating to Thomas Kettleborough or any other matters of concern. I want people to know that they will be believed. "Thomas Kettleborough is now behind bars. I hope if there are others that have been affected by this case, they now feel empowered to tell someone, if they are ready to do so." Lee Bremridge, defending, said Kettleborough had shown genuine remorse for his crimes. He added that the former officer had "done everything that he can attempt to do to try and understand why it is he committed the offences that he did." Kettleborough was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.
