Ceres Division
Royal Naval Reserve, Leeds
Student Nurse’s New Year’s Chilly Charity Swim
Leeds student, Fiona Simkins, braved the chilly waters of the Solent on New Year’s Day for Help for Heroes.
Fiona, (20), a nursing student at the University of Leeds and a Naval Reservist with the Leeds based Ceres Division, travelled down South to take part in the New Year’s Day Swim at Stokes Bay, Gosport, raising money for the national charity.
Watched by hundreds of spectators, Fiona, along with 297 other people, braved the cold and choppy New Year’s Day waters of the Solent of 9 degrees Celsius, and winds of up to 20mph, for their chosen charities. “I was a little nervous as I knew the water was going to be cold. As the water got up to my waist line I was beginning to feel the onset of shock from the freezing temperature. I had to take a few moments to get my breath and try to get used to the water” she said.
Swimming for twenty minutes in the cold sea, before returning to the shore, she was greeted by warm blankets, and a hot chocolate. “Our legs and arms were very red but it was the wind that made you feel even colder. All in all in was a good experience and it is definitely a good way to wake you up.”
Fiona’s swim, has so far raised £175 for Help for Heroes, the national charity for wounded servicemen. It is still possible to sponsor Fiona on her Just Giving Page: http://www.justgiving.com/Fiona-Simkins
Royal Naval Association presentation of historic ship’s crest
The Wetherby Branch of the Royal Naval Association has presented the historic ship’s crest of the former HMS Ceres,to Ceres Division, Leeds. The ship’s crest which used to be displayed outside the main gate of the former HMS Ceres in Wetherby was discovered stored in a garage in a young offender’s institution, and was lovingly restored by veteran Richard Knight, who served at the former HMS Ceres.
After restoration the ship’s crest has been used as the centrepiece at HMS Ceres reunion dinners, which have taken place over the last 12 years. However, this year they decided to hold their last dinner. Presenting the ship’s crest to HMS Ceres’ successors, Ceres Divison, the Royal Naval Reserve unit in Leeds, which recruits from across Yorkshire, World War 2 Veteran Eric Drummond, President of the Wetherby Branch, said: “it’s a lovely feeling and an honour to present the crest to the present Ceres, there’s a lot of history attached to it”, “it’s come home” , he said.
Richard Knight, the crest’s restorer commented: “I can finally sleep at night, I don’t have to listen out for scallywags trying to break into my garage to steal it!
HMS ARK ROYAL’S Bell finds a new home in Leeds
Ark Royal Bell presentation to Ceres Zena and Lt Cdr David Noakes
The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Yorkshire and The Humber received an interesting message from a retiring member telling them that a ship’s bell was looking for a new home. After Tetley’s Brewery in Leeds was taken over by Carlsberg and subsequently closed down, decommissioning of the plant was started. Recently, workers came across a ship’s bell with the engraving “This bell was presented by the crew of HMS ARK ROYAL on occasion of their visit to Tetley’s Brewery, 17 November 1989”
Leeds has had a long and fond connection with the aircraft carrier and there was no better place to re-home the bell than with Ceres Division, the Royal Naval Reserve at Carlton Barracks, in Leeds.
Ceres Division is Leeds’ the Royal Reserve unit in Leeds was refurbished and formally opened in 2005. Since then it has continued to recruit Naval Reserve personnel for operational deployment with the Royal Navy.
Lieutenant Commander David Noakes, Officer in Charge of Ceres Division, said: “it is an honor to have such a great symbol of Leeds in the Unit and we will look after it well.”
The origin of the bell is still not fully known but a former member of the ships’ company believes that it was one of six bells kept onboard the ship and presented to the brewery to recognise their strong links.
Royal Naval Reservist Recognised for Service
Captain Ian Robinson and LS Paul Barrott
Long-serving Royal Naval Reservist, Leading Seaman Paul Barrott, 41, from Sheffield, has recently been awarded the prestigious Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (VRSM), in recognition of his commitment and dedication to the Reserve Forces.
Awarded for more than ten years’ distinguished service in the Reserve Forces, the VRSM was presented to Paul by Captain Ian Robinson, Chairman of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Yorkshire and the Humber. The ceremony was held at RNR Ceres Division at Carlton Barracks in Leeds.
Having been a regular in the Royal Navy from 1987-1992, during which he served in Northern Ireland for two years, Paul joined the Royal Naval Reserve in 2001.
Over the last 10 years Paul has been a key member of the Royal Naval Reserves serving in both HMS Caroline (Belfast) and Ceres Division (Leeds). Paul brings both his full time Naval experience and civilian career as a Registered social care manager to the benefit of the RNR and fellow reservists.
In 2009, Paul was deployed to the Horn of Africa to serve on Operation Atalanta as part of the European Union Naval Force to help ensure the safety of ships taking part in the world food programme, and protect vulnerable vessels from Somali pirates. Paul was serving in the area at the time of the kidnapping of husband and wife Paul and Rachel Chandler who were held for over a year by Somali pirates; he witnessed the capture of a number of pirates throughout his six month tour of duty. Paul was also involved operations which saw the rescue of many vulnerable people from human trafficking throughout the region. Paul is due for deployment again in 2012.
Reflecting on the ceremony, Leading Seaman Paul Barrott said: “It is enormously rewarding to have been presented this medal, and goes a long way to recognising the commitment I have made over the years. And not only my commitment, but also the commitment and sacrifice by my family and employer – whether that’s every week when I need to attend training, or 6 months when I leave them to serve on operations. I feel this medal is a recognition for them as much as for me.”
Captain Ian Robinson added: “I am delighted that we can recognise Paul and others like him who manage their work and family lives as well as devoting time to the Royal Naval Reserves. Reservists play a vital role to operations all over the world, and in turn also gain from the training they’re given which benefits them personally – both in life and work. We are always looking to welcome likeminded people to join us, so if you would like to know more about becoming a reservist please contact us for more information.”
The VRSM, a silver medal with an image of the monarch on the front and the words “For Service in the Volunteer Reserves” on the back, was introduced to replace the separate medals awarded to officers and other ranks in each of the services.
