2009 sees Sea Scouts celebrating their centenary; not quite the same to-do as the celebrations of 2007 for the Scouting Centenary, but still an important birthday and events are happening throughout this year.  18th October 2009 was the day chosen for Royal Naval Recognised Groups to celebrate with a parade and commemoration service, held within Her Majesty’s Naval Base, Portsmouth and each of the 100 RN Recognised Groups was invited to attend with 6 Scouts and 3 three leaders.

Special temporary passes were issued, car registration numbers recorded and our nine representatives from 3rd Chalkwell Bay, including Rees Hawkins, Jack Veitch, Sonnie Nash, Jack Lewin, Dominic Herriott and Giles Davies, were ready to motor the 140 miles there.  In the run up to the event, the RN Staff Officer Sea Scouts, Lieutenant Commander David Griffiths asked for one of the 3rdCB party to give a reading during the service; Dominic was chosen (or did he volunteer) to do this reading.

The two car loads left Leigh at 06.15 am, a direct journey made through bright but very frosty countryside, one quick comfort break and reaching Portsmouth in good time at around 09.20 am. The correct meeting and parking place was established after showing our security passes, crisp and smart uniforms were off the hangers and onto Scouts.  The shock of finding that only 2 loos had been opened for the 1000 plus visitors was eventually overcome and the time came for the parade to form up.  It was into ranks of three, around all four sides of the large arena.  There was an excellent band, strangely clad in the old style mushroom coloured Scout uniform along with green berets, all absolutely immaculate.  Their music was excellent and good to move the large parade along to; the march proceeded out of the arena, through the maze of buildings that make up the Naval Dockyard, through a double gateway set in a strong railed fence, into the Historic Dockyard area.  The parade formed 3 sides of a square right alongside HMS Victory. The Service was led by a Naval Padre, with Lt Cdr Griffiths, the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey and his Flag Lieutenant, the District Commissioner for Fareham East and several other dignitaries.  Dominic was alongside them, awaiting his time for his reading.  The sound system wasn't quite up to conveying the message fully to the far side of the parade square but Dominic reading Nelson's prayer from Trafalgar carried to everyone.

The Second Sea Lord led the Inspecting Party and spoke to 2 or 3 members of each Group, this took a long time and caused some Scouts to get fidgety, the Parade Officer needing to make checks on the behaviour of a couple of the Groups but I am proud to say that the five from 3rd Chalkwell Bay stood fast and still within the Parade. After the prayers and dedication the whole parade was called forward to group in front of the rostrum and all those present renewed their Promise.  The parade was then dismissed and the assembled Groups free to continue with their allotted programmes; 3rdCB were given 12 noon as their lunch time, all our Scouts had brought along packed lunches but John Tiss felt sorry for them and treated them all to nourishing chicken nuggets and chips!  The first chosen activity was the harbour boat trip, taking about 45 minutes.  There were several ships in harbour, including Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal and HMS Lancaster, so the trip proved of great interest.  The second event was a visit to HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the battle of Trafalgar (and now the Second Sea Lord’s flagship).

The whole day was brilliantly warm and bright sunshine, a joy to be out in the open air, and gave a good opportunity to compare 3rd Chalkwell Bay with other Royal Naval Recognised Groups; unbiased as I am, I must say they compared well, scrubbing up to near perfection.  All the assembled Groups were there with the same intent, to celebrate 100 years of fun and training, and all appearing to be thoroughly enjoying the day.

All had a lovely memorable day and returned home very tired and sleepy, some thoughts with some of homework not yet completed but glad to be home safe and sound, glad to have gone, glad to have had the opportunity to experience a unique event. It was an honour to have been invited and we were very proud to have provided such an excellent reader in Dominic.  So here’s to the next 100 years; good luck Sea Scouting and all who sail with you.

Carol Tissington GSL 3rd Chalkwell Bay Group