Newark Unit enjoys the benefits of growth

Cadets and volunteers celebrate a year of achievement by hosting a very special event with a Royal Navy hero

WO1 Liam Hoddy RN with Newark Unit before rowing the Atlantic with HMS Oardacious – who finished an amazing seventh out of 43 vessels!

Following another successful year for the unit, 20 November saw TS Newark Castle host an exciting evening with WO1 Liam Hoddy RN – one of the elite rowers of the Royal Navy’s Ocean Rowing Team, HMS Oardacious. Each year, the crew raise funds for Submariners’ charities by rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, and Newark’s entire ship’s company (and hundreds more watching the live stream) were captivated by WO1 Hoddy’s first-hand accounts of completing the ‘World’s Toughest Row’.

The event was just one of many ways in which the unit is reaping the rewards of the growth overseen by Commanding Officer S/Lt (SCC) Simon Cullen RNR and his volunteer team – who have created a welcoming and supportive training environment for young people. “When I took over the unit following the pandemic, there were eight cadets on the books and three members of staff,” revealed Simon. “We now have 74 cadets on strength with 15 uniformed adult volunteers and two unit assistants.”

Newark Unit collecting for the Poppy Appeal

This growth, including the formation of a new Royal Marines Cadets Detachment, has allowed the unit to have an even more prominent presence in the community. Their hosting of a major Armed Forces Day Parade, leading contributions to D-Day 80 commemorations, and passionate support for Remembrance activities saw them named 2024’s ‘Community Group of the Year’ by Newark & Sherwood District Council. The honours have continued in 2025, with the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering, commending PPO (SCC) Rhiannon Brown on her incredible year as a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet and awarding S/Lt Cullen with the prestigious Certificate of Meritorious Service.

“With sustainable numbers, we can now plan further ahead, run a broader range of activities and support cadets’ progression,” concluded Simon. “But the unit has outgrown what our current facilities can support, so our Project Waterfront initiative is looking to create a purpose-built training centre that would give reliable access to waterborne activities on the River Trent to up to 120 cadets and volunteers.”

Inspired by the exploits of HMS Oardacious and driven by a shared commitment to help young people thrive, we’re sure Newark Unit will succeed in this mission and continue its remarkable progress in the coming years.