Valentine Disco at TS Findhorn, T.A. Centre Elgin, on Thursday 14th Februrary, from 19.30 hrs to 22.00 hrs. Free entry. Doors open 19.15 hrs.
Fund raising refreshments for sale during the evening.
For further details contact Moray Sea Cadets.

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The boat maintenance weekend, (Sunday 27th only) saw two of the boats cleaned and made ready for the new sailing season. There is still some minor refurbishment to be carried out, but that should be completed soon.

Steve and Jim getting to grips with the cleaning

Just a short report on the maintenace carried out on Sunday.
Thanks to Jim and Neil for coming down.

The ASC has been cleaned inside and out with the bottom being scrubbed and pressure washed, bottom boards have all been cleaned and are ready to put back in place.
No varnishing requires to be done, a little filler and paint on the bows for a deep scratch.
Mooring ropes to be made good. 1 New crutch required to meet our requirements of having 1 spare in the boat, Oars are sound but I would at some time like to get copper banding for the blades.
ASC ready for launching.

The RIB was in a disgusting mess with mainly pigeon mess, sand and leaves, this was all easily cleaned up, battery has been removed for charging although was still in a fully charged state and shall be refitted on the next weekend. Radio was tested and found fully operational.
Steering wheel should be replaced as soon as we can afford to do so. I would also recommend we purchase a rubber keel protector as there is chips in the gell coat which shall have to be filled. Steering rods to be greased and throttle cables etc. Apart from those few small items after 5 years I believe the boat is still in very good condition. Engine service should not be required before the end of August. I have a new fire extinguisher and bracket to be fitted.
I shall be drilling a couple of lumber holes in the bottom after end of the console to help let water drain from under the console and shall look for a suitable vent to try and dry this area up.
However apart from the above few small bits and pieces the RIB is ready for launching as soon as required.
The outboard was again serviced in August and after a couple of problems with it and requiring contaminated fuel to be removed should be fine for this year. The outboard was only run for a total of 1hour last year.

We have only really just had a look at the Lugger and removed the main mast and bumpkin, Jim has kindly taken the mast home with him and shall strip it of the old varnish and re-varnish I shall collect the mizzen some time next week and take the sail off for Jim to work on also.
A new stem band is required from the top of the stem to the centreboard slot. There is still a few deep scratches and chips to be refilled from 3 years ago when the lugger went ashore in a gale. I feel the antifouling would last another season with a touch up where the gell coat has been refilled. The anti fouling that she has is copper based and should last for up to 7 years, it should just be rubbed down with some wet & dry sandpaper before launching.
The topsides are begining to look a little worn and maybe should be considered for a full paint next year.
The gunwales were coated with stain and preservative last year and again should be ok for this year. it would be nice to get back to a varnish. The deck boards were painted with non slip paint last year and should do for this year also, but the boards may require to be replaced in the next couple of years.
There is a small tear in the foot of the foresail close to where it was repaired a few years ago, if anyone knows of a sailmaker / repairer then it should be taken for repair before getting any worse.
The main problem we shall have with the Lugger in the near future shall be the trailer.
The main and mizzen sheet's shall require to be replaced this year.the centre plate line was replaced last year along with the foresheets.
I think after we have her cleaned up she to will be ready pretty quickly. Steve

From Forres Gazette "Sea Cadets mark Trafalgar Day"
MORAY Sea Cadets hosted a Highland District Sea Cadets District Training weekend at their Unit Headquarters in the TA Centre, Edgar Road, Elgin, which coincided with Trafalgar Day. Cadets and staff arrived at the Unit from as far away as Orkney, Thurso and Inverness on the Friday evening, October 19th.
Trafalgar Day is the Sea Cadets biggest ceremony of the year with a major event-taking place in Trafalgar Square, London. As the logistics and cost of Highland District attending this National event was going to prove very difficult it was decided by District staff to have our own ceremony at Britain's most northerly point, Nelson's Tower on Cluny Hill, Forres.
The Sea Cadets were invited to St Laurence Church for service in the morning courtesy of the Rev. Barry Boyd who kindly allowed Moray Sea Cadets unit Chaplain, the Rev. Duncan Shaw to hold the service. Readings were by the Unit chairman, Dr Roddy Stewart, Findhorn and CPO Stephen Crockett, Officer in Charge of Moray SCC, who thanked Rev Boyd and the congregation for allowing them to use the church.
Following the service Cadets, staff and guests made the trip up to Nelson's Tower where they were joined by Mr James Grey, who played the bugle and Pipe Major Barry Ashby, Kinloss Pipes and Drums. Moray Sea Cadet's president Lt. Col. Grenville Johnston, Lord Lieutenant of Moray, spoke to the Cadets after the wreath-laying ceremony. The most junior and senior cadets on parade laid the wreath. Junior Cadet Emma-Jane Turner of Moray and Able Cadet Ryan Forbes of Inverness. (See gallery for photographs)
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Cadets start as Junior Cadet from 10 years to 12 years and Seniors 12 to 18 years. It is always hoped that Cadets reaching 18 years old may wish to come back to the Unit as a member of staff.
Moray Sea Cadets meet on Wednesdays for the juniors a 6.30pm until 8.30 pm and the seniors 6.45pm until 9.15 pm. The juniors and seniors meet together on the last Thursday of the month for a Parade night, which is an opportunity to check the Cadets uniforms are still fitting and in good condition. Uniforms are provided free of charge except for a £10 returnable deposit.
Cadets and staff have opportunities to travel around the UK to various Naval Establishments for courses as diverse as Cook Steward, Engineering, Diving etc. The Corps has two offshore training vessels, the TS Royalist and TS John Jerwood with funding started for a third vessel.
There are also four offshore yachts that Cadets can sail on; the juniors have their own vessel, the TS Bob Allen. If you would like more information please contact Stephen Crockett 01309611354. Mob 07767496651 or email stephenlogie@btinternet.com