Ceres Division
| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | Ceres Division |
| Status: | Currently operational |
| Badge: |
  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Stone frigate |
Ceres Division is a training centre and 'stone frigate' of the Royal Naval Reserve, located in Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is currently a satellite division of HMS Calliope, located in Newcastle upon Tyne.
History
Ceres was an RNR training unit in Yeadon, which closed in 1994 following restructuring and the disbanding of the 10th Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCM10).
In 1999 the decision was made to re-establish an RNR presence in West Yorkshire. Establishing a tender unit minimised cost and provided an extant administrative structure to support the development.
Named Calder Division, the unit established a temporary presence in Batley to train communications ratings, although the temporary nature of the accommodation and limited equipment led to recruitment and retention difficulties. Alternative accommodation was found in Carlton Barracks, Leeds.[1]
The new facility underwent refurbishment providing changing rooms, toilets, showers, offices, classrooms and conference facilities. The Ministry of Defence computer network, Defence Information Infrastructure, was installed to provide IT support. The unit has a single mess, shared by all personnel, in contrast to the Royal Navy tradition of separate mess facilities for officers, senior ratings and junior ratings.
The Division was named after HMS Ceres and holds the ship's bell.
Ceres Division was officially opened by Rear Admiral Kenneth Borley, Flag Officer Training and Recruitment, on 14 May 2005 with a guard paraded by its then-parent unit, HMS Sherwood, and music provided by Royal Marines Band Clyde.
In March 2011, the Yorkshire University Royal Naval Unit moved from Hull to Leeds and shares Carr Lodge with Ceres Division.
Affiliations
The unit was affiliated to HMS Ark Royal before she was decommissioned in March 2011 and remains affiliated to the Royal Navy Historic Flight, which flies Fairey Swordfish Mk.I W5856, City Of Leeds.
Location
Situated in Leeds city centre, Ceres Division resides within Carlton Barracks, which also houses Leeds Detachment, Royal Marines Reserve Merseyside, several Army Reserve units and Leeds University Officers’ Training Corps. Carlton Barracks is within walking distance of Leeds railway station and city bus routes and is situated just off the M621, near Leeds Arena.
See also
References
External links
- Ceres Division page on official Royal Navy site
- HMS Calliope, Royal Naval Reserve Unit (Current Parent Unit)
- Royal Naval Reserve official site
- Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
