Ceres Division

Ceres Division is a unit of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is currently a satellite division of HMS Calliope, located in Newcastle upon Tyne. Serving Yorkshire, and parts of Lancashire, Ceres trains up to 75 reservists, sharing a building (Carr Lodge) with the Yorkshire University Royal Naval Unit.

Ceres Division provides ratings for the Warfare Seaman, Communications and Information Systems, Diving and Logistics (Supply Chain) specializations, as well as training for junior officers.

Location
Situated in Leeds city centre, Ceres Division resides within Carlton Barracks, which also houses several Army Reserve units, Royal Marines Reserve Tyne (Leeds) and the University Officer Training Corps. Carlton Barracks is within walking distance of Leeds railway station and city bus routes and is situated just off the M621.

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.

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. 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 after 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 its 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 Fairey Swordfish Mk.I W5856, City Of Leeds.