Unit History
Training Ship Ardent, Bollington & Macclesfield Sea Cadets, opened its doors in 1982 at the Wharf in Bollington on the banks of the Macclesfield canal. Our units first Commanding Officer was Mike Foster and our first Chairman John Washington. The unit was formally accepted into the Sea Cadet Association on the 1st of April 1983.
The unit is named after HMS Ardent, a type 21 Frigate which was tragically lost at the Falklands on the 21st May 1982, with 22 lives. We maintain close links with the HMS Ardent Association in memory of our famous namesake and attend the HMS Ardent Association annual reunion and service of remembrance which is held every year at HMS Drake, Plymouth.
Our Unit President is Admiral Alan William John West, Baron West of Spithead, GCB, DSC who was Captain of HMS Ardent during the Falklands War. The unit was officially opened by him when he was Captain A W J West DSC RN on 28th May 1985.
In 2003 we became affiliated to HMS Mersey one of the Royal Navy's new Fishery Protection and Coastal Patrol vessels. Again, we are very proud of our association with Mersey and her crew. This picture above was taken at Mersey's Commisioning ceremony, Liverpool in February 2004. The unit regularly visits HMS Mersey and even on some occasions get a chance to have some ‘Sea Time’ aboard her.