Ceres Division

Ceres Division RNR
Commanding Officer	Lt Cdr David Noakes
Unit founded	14 May 2005
Number of officers and ratings	>35
Location	Leeds, West Yorkshire
Country	United Kingdom
Surroundings	Urban
Address	Carr Lodge, Carlton Barracks, Carlton Gate, Leeds. LS7 1HE
Website	www.leedsnavy.com

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Ceres Division is a unit of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Serving West Yorkshire and the north and east of Manchester, Ceres trains up to 100 reservists sharing barracks with Royal Marines Reserve Tyne (Leeds) and the Yorkshire University Royal Naval Unit.

Ceres Division provides ratings for the Warfare Seaman (SEA), Communications and Information Systems (CIS) and Logistics, Supply Chain (LOGS SC) specialisations as well as training for junior Officers.

Location

Situated in the heart of Leeds, Ceres Division resides within Carlton Barracks, which also houses several TA units and the University Officer Training Corps. Ceres is within walking distance of Leeds City train station and bus routes into the city, and is situated just off the M621 through Leeds. Ceres also has close ties with its parent unit, HMS Calliope, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

History

HMS 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 at Carlton Barracks, Leeds, co-located with units of the Territorial Army.

The new facility underwent refurbishment providing galley, changing rooms, toilets, showers, offices, classrooms and conference facilities. The Ministry of Defence computer network, Defence Information Infrastructure, was installed to provide IT support. A single bar is available, with all personnel sharing the facility in contrast to the Royal Navy tradition of separate mess facilities for Officers, Senior and Junior ratings.

The unit was renamed for HMS Ceres and retains 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 the then parent unit, HMS Sherwood, and music 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 the Fairey Swordfish, City Of Leeds.

See also

• British Armed Forces
• List of shore establishments of the Royal Navy

External links

• Ceres Division page on official Royal Navy site
• Ceres Division Website
• Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber
• Royal Naval Reserve official site