INTREPID WINS PUBLIC VOTE AT ADUR POT OF GOLD

Hot on the heels of celebrating their 50th Anniversary, TS Intrepid pulled in the public vote at the Pot Of Gold grant award night at Adur Council offices in Shoreham, setting the wheels in motion for a new minibus.

Chair Tim Clarke and Commander Andy Clarke delivered a fantastic five minute pitch, complete with prompt cards (that, to the amusement of the gathered public decided to malfunction on more than one ocassion) generating a very memorable and amusing presentation, explaining why Intrepid deserves a grant of £5000 to add to the impressive £9000 total already raised by the ship and it's volunteers in their minibus appeal.

Adventure Activities Director Andy Clarke commented, 'This means so much to Intrepid. It opens many doors and allows us to transport cadets that otherwise may not be able to go to events further affield.' Tim Clarke had proposed as part of his presentation, that [Intrepid]' hopes that this can also benefit other local groups and charities and provide new opportunities, for them as as well.'

On the night several worthy causes put forward presentations, public residents were invited to vote electronically and results counted. Support was strong, and the council representatives were quick to congratulate Intrepid on the result; which will be confirmed once it is legally agreed by the council later in April.

Commander Brian Orchard wanted to thank all those who supported the ship and voted on the night and for the continuing hard work of all the volunteers at Intrepid.

The Friends of TS Intrepid alongside Commander Brian Orchard, Commander Andy Clarke and Tim Clarke.

 

TS INTREPID CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

 March 22^nd, 1962, saw TS Intrepid become the 14^th division (or ship) to be commissioned into the Nautical Training Corps, by Corps Founder and then Commodore Frank Froëst-Carr OBE NTC . Fifty years on, Intrepid stands tall as one of 20 units and can be regularly found supporting community events through Sussex along with their multi-award winning band. 

Intrepid Past:

 

And Present:

Some fifty years later, on the 24^th March 2012, Intrepid hosted a celebration and reunion for officers and cadets, past and present, volunteers and invited guests, totalling over two hundred people at Lancing Parish Hall. Support was strong, with the Corps patron Rear Admiral R. John Lippiet CB MBE, keen to express his delight at being invited to the event, ‘ I am excited to be invited here tonight to share in the ship’s 50^th anniversary celebrations, a testament to all the cadets, officers and volunteers that make Intrepid a success.’

Chair of Lancing Parish Council, Cllr Ann Bridges, and Adur Council Chair, Brian Boggins were both on hand to help distribute the numerous awards and prizes presented to cadets and officers for determined hard work and achievements throughout the course of 2011.  

Commanding officer Brian Orchard, who oversaw the evening, has been involved with Intrepid from its very beginning and can boast an impressive forty years at the helm as Commanding Officer. Even the Corps patron, Rear Admiral Lippiet, quipped;  ‘some very impressive dedication, I am trumped at only 36 years! [Royal Navy]’  Commodore David Wright (NTC) echoed the sentiment: ‘‘It has been an absolute honour to be here tonight and to congratulate Brian Orchard for all his hard work and service to the corps’.

Commander Orchard was keen to acknowledge that none of this would be possible without the help and support of his team of officers, cadets and volunteers that have seen the ship bloom and receive much recognition and respect within the Corps and the local community. ‘It has been an absolute honour as a founding cadet and with some hard work, to see Intrepid through to its fiftieth year. It really has been a great part of my life.’

 

 It’s fair to say the night showcased much of the fun and activity of TS Intrepid, with music throughout the night being provided by Intrepid’s band, ranging from traditional tunes through to the impressive Star Wars and Dr. Who melodies that proved big winners at the NTC’s annual band contest in 2011.

The unit’s fundraising skills were also put to test, with a raffle and sale of impressive handmade and limited edition woolly ‘bugs’, a caricature of Officers, Cadets and Intrepid’s mascot, ‘Dudley the Dragon’. Funds raised amounted to a cool £300 to help support the running of the ship, which receives no government funding. 

Corps Commodore David Wright, swelled with pride at the achievement of the Lancing based ship,

‘This has been a fantastic night, showcasing the dedication, positive attitude and fun that Intrepid has. They deserve every success and I am delighted to be here as Commodore, to celebrate their 50^th with them. I’m so happy to have seen their progression and am touched by the amount of support Intrepid receives from all its volunteers.’

 

As the sun set on an evening of recognition fun and memories, the band had its audience on their feet for a rendition of the National Anthem and earned themselves a well-deserved round of applause, perhaps even the odd sentimental tear for those who enjoyed the Fifty years past and hopefully, many more decades to come.

 

If you are in the Lancing area, why not visit TS Intrepid’s website at http://www.ntc.org.uk/intrepid and find out how you can join in the fun. 

For more, please click HERE, 200+ photos!