Area news spring 2022

Northern

Cadets at Clydebank Unit did a litter pick along the Forth and Clyde Canal and filled 12 bags with rubbish! Armed with litter-pickers and protective clothing, the cadets went a mile down one side of the canal and a mile back up the other side.  

AC Miriam said: “It is interesting to see all the types of rubbish that people leave. I’m glad we can do our bit in helping the canal to be a nicer place for people, animals and the environment.”

Clydebank Unit was praised by the local community and received many ‘likes’ and comments on Facebook for their efforts.

North West

Crowds gathered on New Year’s Eve to watch swimmers plunge into the icy waters of Whitehaven harbour to raise money for charity. Among them were two cadets, who took part to raise funds for their unit: Cadet First Class Harrison and new joiner Shaun.

“All of us at Whitehaven Sea Cadets are really proud of our two cadets who raised much-needed funds
for the unit,” said CO PO (SCC) Stuart McCourt. 

South West

Exmouth Sea Cadets have been given a free defibrillator by local newspaper Exmouth Journal following the heroic efforts of an instructor and former cadet, 19-year-old Nikita Thompson. Nikita made front page news for saving the life of her neighbour Barry when he suffered a heart attack. Nikita used the skills she learned at Sea Cadets to perform CPR and called an ambulance. Barry said: “The ambulance crew told me that if it wasn’t for the quick and correct CPR by Nikita, I’d be dead. I can’t thank her enough.”

Eastern

Filey and Scarborough cadets took part in a joint mountain biking course in Dalby Forest over half term. The cadets covered around 35km which included some technical routes for those doing the intermediate qualification. Despite aching legs, spirits were high and the cadets powered through with smiles all around!

London

Clacton-on-Sea juniors celebrated Burns Night, a Scottish holiday commemorating the famous 18th-century poet Robert Burns. Celebrations kicked off with the cadets learning about why he is famous and some of the event’s traditions. Juniors read some of his poems aloud – they even had a go at reading them in Gaelic – and dressed up in tartan, before tucking into a traditional meal of haggis, neeps and tatties. The evening ended with a cèilidh and singing Auld Lang Syne. 

Southern

Cadets from Chatham Marines, Medway Towns and Sheppey units were delighted to welcome HRH Prince Charles during his visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard in February. The event was aired on BBC One’s South East Today, where The Prince of Wales can be seen chatting and laughing with cadets and volunteers.

The Prince of Wales is Patron of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and was the first to see a new exhibition that tells the story of HMS Invincible, which ran aground in the Solent off Portsmouth in 1758.