Ceres Division
Encyclopedia : C : CE : CER : Ceres Division
| Ceres Division | |
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| Commanding Officer | Lt Cdr Nik Patten |
| Unit founded | 14th May 2005 |
| Number of officers and ratings | >35 |
| Location | Leeds, Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Surroundings | Urban |
| Address | Carr Lodge, Carlton Barracks, Carlton Gate, Leeds. LS7 1HE |
| sherwood-coa@a.dii.mod.uk | |
| Telephone | 01904 668688 |
As a Tender unit to HMS Sherwood based in Nottingham it is the duty of Ceres Division to represent the Royal Navy throughout Yorkshire. Opened in 2005 by Rear Admiral Kenneth Borley (Flag Officer training and recruitment), the unit is perfectly situated at Carlton Lodge, Carlton Barracks, less than a mile from Leeds City railway station.
Despite only just having celebrated their first anniversary Ceres Division has, technically speaking, been established for over five years. Originally a communications training centre based at Intake Lane, Batley, the unit was originally named Calder Division. Its facilities consisted of two Portakabin classrooms and a tea room. The equipment was basic to say the least. Without permanent security they were unable to hold confidential books or radio equipment which needless to say made communications training difficult, although after a year or two they managed to acquire some signalling flags!
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To prospective new entries this wasn’t a particularly enthralling sight and while they managed to maintain a core of recruits, few people stayed around very long. After considerable searching coupled with outstanding assistance from the Reserve forces and Cadets Association the Carlton Barracks site was acquired from the Officers Training Corps.
Under the direction of OiC Lt Cdr David Olivant assisted by Lt Cdr Tom Wake and with funds made available from both DNRes and the RFCA the building was completely refurbished inside and out. The bar area retained the decorative oak panelling but the galley, toilets, offices, and classrooms were all stripped to back to the bare bones and completely refurbished incorporating new changing rooms, toilets, showers, offices, classrooms and conference facilities. A computer network which boasts over 15 PC’s throughout the building allows every Officer and Rating access to email and the internet. Finishing touches were added by the ship's company who would beg, steal and borrow anything they could to give the place the welcoming feel of home. (sometimes they’d even pay for things?) The HMS Ceres ship's bell and two stained glass features being the highlight of the fit out.
The new location gives Ceres not only much improved facilities but also a much wider recruitment base. It is now easily accessible by bus, rail, road or even plane, something which was a major problem with the Batley site. Strong links have already been forged with HMS Ark Royal due to the Ships 65 year affiliation with the city of Leeds and the Royal Navy Historic Flight who fly the ‘City Of Leeds’ Fairey Swordfish.
The decision to change the name to Ceres Division came from the previous HMS Ceres Reserve Training Centre based in Wetherby. Closed in 1994 along with HMS Hallam and many other RNR Units this left Yorkshire without a Royal Navy presence. The new name immediately led to links being forged with the HMS Ceres Association, some of whom still serve in the RNR with Ceres Division, HMS Sherwood and HMS Eaglet. It was on the 14th May 2005 when Ceres Division was officially opened. The Guard of honour was provided by HMS Sherwood and music was by the Royal Marines Band Clyde. Over 150 guests attended, including the Lord Mayor of Leeds, AFCA, HMS Ceres Association, SaBRE as well as families and friends.
So, twelve months on what has changed? The annex which was formerly old redundant showers and changing rooms is now a modern teaching facility, Lt Cdr Olivant has handed over the reigns to Lt Cdr Nik Patten (OiC) and Lt Cdr John Northcott (1st Lt). Ceres Division is now a GSSR (General Service Seaman Reserve) training centre, specialising in Seamanship and Ships protection Operations (SPO), as well as junior Officer training. They have been given the go ahead to start a logistics branch. There is even talk of a Royal Marine Reserve detachment being stationed at Ceres. There are currently eight officers, eight AB1 and five AB2 qualified GSSR ratings, two Senior Rates, two leading hands and ten New Entry recruits at various stages of the training syllabus.
With much more training opportunities available than in previous years, including weapons handling, first aid, fire fighting, communications, ship based training and field craft, not to mention the two weeks operational Role Training undertaken every year, family time is understandably at a premium. The command realise that without a supportive and patient family fulfilling the commitments of a reservist can be very difficult. Ceres have realised this and try hard to arrange events which will involve the families as well as the ships company. Last year was a BBQ this year there is a trip to York Races. There are plans in the pipeline for a black tie mess dinner.
But don’t let the size of the unit fool you (the CO of HMS Gleaner will vouch for that), the commitment and enthusiasm of the ship's company more than makes up for its lack of numbers. Without permanent staff based in Leeds more responsibility is passed down to the junior ratings to arrange training and transport. Rarely is there a GSSR weekend which isn’t attended by a member of Ceres Division. The attitude towards training seems to be ‘volunteer for everything’, so much so that the minibus from HMS Sherwood has been relocated to Leeds for a time!
Other
See also:
External Links:
- [Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber]
- [Royal Naval Reserve official site]
- [Rum Ration (the VERY unofficial website of the Royal Navy)]
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