News: Summer 2022

Drill and Piping comes up trumps

It was brilliant for our Sea Cadets family to be back together again at our first National Drill and Piping Competition since the pandemic started in 2020. The event took place on 23 and 24 April at HMS Raleigh.

The excitement among cadets and volunteers was palpable throughout the day. Everyone taking part had already come through heats within their area, so were already winners, and the standard was exceptionally high, making for a hard-fought competition.  

Cadets were joined for the day by the former First Sea Lord and MSSC President, Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB ADC DL, the Commander of HMS Raleigh, Sean Brady RN, and Sea Cadets CEO Martin Coles CBE. They enjoyed spending time talking to the cadets and volunteers as well as watching the competition take place.

Thank you to all involved for the hours of hard work before, during and after the event. The cadets showed the highest values of commitment and teamwork throughout the competition, so should all be hugely proud of their achievements! 

Football kicks off again

On 20–22 May, one of Sea Cadets’ first national competitions in over two years took place at HMS Raleigh. It was great to see 220 cadets and volunteers enjoying the opportunity to take part in our annual football competition, where the six Sea Cadets areas compete against each other. Huge congratulations to Eastern Area for being awarded the trophy as overall winners.

Sails fit for a queen 

On 6 February, HM The Queen became the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. The Platinum Jubilee also marked her 70 years of service as Patron of Marine Society and Sea Cadets.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, we encouraged units to organise community-focused events and open days with a ’platinum’ theme – in other words, each should revolve around the number 70, such as miles rowed, origami boats folded, cupcakes baked, or anything else they could think of! 

In addition, volunteers and cadets were invited to participate in our jubilee sail design competition. 

Our two Rustler 42 yachts, which take cadets on week-long voyages around the UK, need new spinnaker sails, which provided a great opportunity to celebrate this important milestone. 

We received more than 60 entries from cadets and we’ve selected two winners: Junior Cadet Jenkins from Cheltenham Unit and Cadet Picamil from Dartmouth Unit. 

These designs will serve as inspiration for the yachts’ sails, which will be unveiled later this year.  

A new memorial for submariners 

In 2020, sea cadets participated in a national design competition for a new memorial to remember all who have died in the submarine service, and their families. The competition’s three categories (under 11s, 11–18s and over 18s) were open to members of the public of all ages. 

Cadet Zoe, from Gosforth Sea Cadets – whose grandfather is a retired submariner – was the winner of the 11–18 category. She attended a presentation with Prince William at the National Memorial Arboretum on 18 May, where he unveiled the new monument.

Lt Cdr (SCC) Chris Healy RNR, CO at Gosforth, said: “We are immensely proud of Zoe and the excellent submission that she made for such an important national competition. Zoe is a hugely talented young person and everyone at Gosforth Sea Cadets is in full admiration of her work.”

The Submariner Memorial Appeal is a charity that was set up to create a fitting memorial to submariners who have lost their lives in the service and to the sacrifice of their families.

The monument, situated in Alrewas, Staffordshire, was created by sculptor Paul Day. The Duke of Cambridge paid tribute to the submariners and their families, and said Paul has “created a truly fitting memorial to those lost, and sadly, to those who may give their lives in years to come”. 

Remembering HMS Sheffield

Sheffield city centre came to a standstill on Sunday 1 May as civic leaders, veterans, sea cadets and members of the public gathered to mark 40 years since the sinking of HMS Sheffield during the Falklands War. Sheffield Sea Cadets paraded by the war memorial in Barker’s Pool, outside the City Hall. HMS Sheffield survivor John Galway commented: “How emotional we felt, walking through the sea cadets escorts as we went into the cathedral.”  

Cadet David from Sheffield Sea Cadets did a reading at the service of remembrance. “I felt privileged to get the opportunity to do a reading in front of the Admiral and other dignitaries,” he said. “I also felt like it was a great opportunity to pay respects to survivors and the fallen of HMS Sheffield.”

The Royal Navy warship, named after the Steel City, carried many fixtures and fittings manufactured
in Sheffield, including a great number of stainless-steel items, leading to the nickname the ‘Shiny Sheff’. The shipwreck is now a protected war grave.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy for young people

On 26 May, for the Live A Legacy 100-year celebration, 101 sea cadets and volunteers lined the street at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich in support of HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, for supporting and championing the potential of young people.

The special guest, HRH The Earl of Wessex, took the time to speak with the cadets and volunteers involved, while Sea Cadets CEO Martin Coles CBE also attended to represent the charity. 

The Sea Cadets Portal turns two!

On 1 June the Portal celebrated its second anniversary. In the last two years it has helped cadets to stay connected and to sign up for courses that will help to give them a head start on their futures.