Area news spring 2023

Northern

Cadets attended a memorial to the crew of K13, which sank in 1917 during sea trials, at Faslane Cemetery. The service was attended by serving members of the Royal Navy, West of Scotland Submariners Association and Helensburgh Sea Cadets and was led by Reverend Rob Church, Chaplain of the Submarine Flotilla.

The K13’s bell was rung 32 times, representing each life lost. A bugle was played by a member of the Royal Marine Band Scotland as wreaths were laid at the memorial to the submarine and its crew by the West of Scotland Submariners Association and representatives from HMNB Clyde.  

North West

Accrington Sea Cadets have relocated following a very challenging fundraising campaign to raise more than a quarter of a million pounds to move into their new home. The unit had no choice but to move out of their former HQ, where they had been for almost 50 years, when the green light was given for a multi-million pound plan to create more than 100 new waterside homes in Clayton-le-Moors. This involved redeveloping and building an access tunnel through the Sea Cadets’ 200-year-old grade II listed premises.

The unit moved to Harvey Street in Oswaldtwistle, where they are now open as a community venue for local groups to meet.

South West

Penzance Sea Cadets had a beautiful marine-themed mural painted by local artist Damian Dawes to mark the unit’s 80th anniversary. The mural reflects the spectacular coast of Mount’s Bay, to inspire cadets. The hall was painted with a mural in 1978 that showed a maritime scene with a naval theme, but it had become dated and faded.

The artist, who is also the uncle of two cadets from the unit, kept the original reference to HMS Ark Royal but brought the scene up to date by adding HMS Queen Elizabeth, TS Royalist, TS Jack Petchey and an offshore yacht, along with a sea cadet crew pulling a Trinity. 

Eastern

A World War II veteran recently celebrated his 108th birthday and following an appeal by the Royal British Legion (RBL) received messages from many strangers, including cadets from Long Eaton Sea Cadets, who jumped at the chance to help make his birthday extra special.

Donald Rose, a former Desert Rats trooper, received 160 cards at his care home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire – including one from King Charles III. Cadet Mason and his mum, a member of the Ilkeston Branch of the RBL, brought it to the unit’s attention. We also wish Mr Rose many happy returns of the day.

London

Brentwood Sea Cadets were the first unit to enter the Raytheon Technologies Quadcopter Challenge – and their hard work paid off when they grabbed second place. The national competition, which encourages students to take up STEM, saw 92 teams compete. Cadets Ahmet, William, Jude, Max, Fynn and Cameron, came just four points behind the winners.

The theme was sustainability and the young people were tasked with using materials to create an environmentally responsible design. Our team designed a remote soil moisture monitoring system to reduce overwatering of sports grounds, golf courses, parks and crops. 

Southern

Ryde Sea Cadets has received a grant of £4,435 from ‘WinIsle’ – the Isle of Wight Foundation – to support building projects that help to tackle social exclusion on the island. The money will enable the unit to greatly improve the accessibility and quality of its bathrooms as well as create some much-needed storage.

“At Ryde Sea Cadets, the overall aim is to give young people an experience that will help them grow into the person they want to be, in a safe and friendly environment,” says CPO (SCC) Linden Softly. “Our facilities are very much in need of an upgrade, so this grant is extremely welcome.” 

Photos: Royal Navy; Isle of Wight Foundation; Sea Cadets