Newsletter July 2008

SHIP SHAPE The newsletter of TS Royal Forest

Volume 1, Issue 1

July 2008

Changes at TS Royal Forest I am sure by now that you have heard of the changes taking place at the Unit. The resignation of CPO Colin George and PO Christina Rowberry was unexpected and we the Staff and Cadets of T.S. Royal Forest wish them well in their future endeavors. The Staff and Chairman of the UMC held a meeting on Monday 14 July 2008 to chart the way forward and appoint a new Commanding Officer and 1st Lieutenant. S/Lt Mike Chard has been appointed as new commanding officer. Mike joined the Unit 4 years ago and has quickly pro-

gressed through the ranks to successfully passing his officers selection board this year. He served for 11 years in the Royal Air Force as a chef. He is now a Police Officer within Gloucestershire Constabulary, he is married with two children and recently he has become a grandfather. When spoken to by SHIP SHAPE he said” I am looking forward to the challenges of being the Officer in charge of TS Royal Forest, the cadets at the unit are a great bunch. I will be concentrating on getting the cadets out on the water this year and setting up a parents and supporters association”.

If you or your friends and family would like to join the parents and supporters association then please speak to any member of staff at the unit, or phone us during a parade night

A recent Artist Impression of Mike

Project Westminster

P/PO Toner

The Admin Officer would like to take this opportunity to remind all parents/ carers of cadets that he needs all the details requested from them so project Westminster can be updated. This is a secure database which all the cadets details are entered onto and unless they are cadets cannot attend courses

When visiting the unit be on the look out for a tall man in uniform, Yes Chris Toner has been promoted to a probationary Petty Officer. The team at Royal Forest would all like to congratulate him and wish him every success in going for his full Petty Officer.

Quick News

Free Stand-Easy???

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Rumour that cakes will be on sale during stand easy! Cadets to research.

To be in with a chance of winning a free stand easy, answer this simple question “WHAT IS AN ALPINE BUTTERFLY USED FOR?” You can ask you friends, family and research the internet. Answers on a small piece of paper to the CO (with your name on) by July 29th. (Cadets and Juniors Only)

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Cadets raise lots of money during Morrisons collection 19th July, CO really Pleased with effort.

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New office Revealed-when next visiting the unit pop into the office to see the expansive new space for the admin man and training Officers

July/August 2008 Mon 28th July

Tues 29th July

Wed 30th July

CO's Division Rig 1's QM Cooksley T BM Weaver A DS Kerslake E

Mon 4th

Thurs 31st July

Fri 1st Aug

Sat 2nd

Sun 3rd

Thurs 7th Clean Ship Rig 4's QM Weaver A BM Kay J DS Stewart A

Fri 8th

Sat 9th

Sun 10th

Boating @ Glos Rig 4's QM BM DS

Tues 5th Part One Rig 4's QM Brooks D BM Fieldhouse E DS Roberts E

Wed 6th

Mon 11th

Tues 12th CO's division Rig 1's QM Davies S BM Morgan A DS Morgan R

Wed 13th

Thurs 14th Part Two Rig 4's QM Morgan A BM Earl H DS Steel W

Fri 15th

Sat 16th

Sun 17th

Mon 18th

Tues 19th Part Two Rig 4's QM Toner K BM Chard B DS Brooks D

Wed 20th

Thurs 21st Part Two Rig 4's QM Fieldhouse E BM Cooksley T DS Wye K

Fri 22nd

Sat 23rd

Sun 24th

Mon 25th

Tues 26th

Wed 27th

Thurs 28th

Fri 29th

Sat 30th

Sun 31st

Sports Night Rig Sports Kit QM BM DS

Car parking @ Speech House

Part One Rig 4's QM Steel W BM Roberts E DS Saunders C

31st July– We are going boating at Gloucester, cadets need to be at the unit on time or earlier ! They will need to bring sports kit and old trainers (their shoes may get wet)

9th August—We will be assisting with Car Parking at Speech House, volunteers needed we will be starting around 0900hrs from the Unit. “Ship Shape” will be producing a newsletter once a month for parents and carers of cadets. If you have any suggestions or ideas on what information you would like to see in it then feel free to pop on down to the unit

All Change As most of you have seen things are moving on at a tremendous pace at the unit, we have moved classrooms, extended offices, redesigned forms and letters to make them simpler. Please bear with us during this transition period

we have staff in unfamiliar roles and they are all performing well above what is required. If you can spare us some time then consider joining the parents and Supporters Association. It wont be too much work, Honest.

Stop Press The Junior cadets seemed to have a good time at the recent training weekend at Gloucester, many thanks to PO Toner and Emma Davies for organising their places at the last minute.