Latest News

18/10/2013

Orkney Sea Cadets, the most northerly unit in the UK, celebrated their fiftieth anniversary from Saturday 12 to Tuesday 15 October. TS Thorfinn opened its doors for the very first time in 1943 and the unit has supported thousands of cadets to have thrilling adventures at sea for 50 years.

Previous and current cadets and volunteers from TS Thorfinn celebrated with an anniversary parade with a marching band led by the Corps of Drums of the Band of the Royal Marines on Orkney Island, they held a prestigious concert at St Magnus Cathedral and an evening reception at Orkney Sailing Club.

The daughter of Lt Cdr Erland Clouston, the first Commanding Officer of Sea Cadets TS Torfinn, and Peter Leith (the gentleman in the picture) attended the celebrations. Royal British Legion were also there to celebrate, they presented the unit with a new Colour.

For more information about TS Thorfinn, click here. 

18/10/2013

MSSC held its ninth Annual Court at Haberdashers' Hall in London. It was a great opportunity for all the members to get together and hear about what the charity has achieved over the last year. Members were treated to a special presentation by POC Kirsty-Nicolle, which gave a great first-hand insight into what life is like as a Sea Cadet. 
 
Awards were given to seafarers who have made significant personal and professional development through education whilst working at sea. The prizes winners were:

Phillip Cave, MCA Officer Trainee of the Year
Shaun Clarke, Slater award
Liam Hyland, Open University award
Thomas Feakins, Middlesex University award
Thomas Sutton, National Extension College award
Thomas Feakins, MS Lifelong Learning award
Ingrid Carding, Greenwich Maritime Institute award
Neil Atkinson, Thomas Gray Memorial medal
 
50 year service medal was awarded to CPO (SCC) Ray Gosling for his unwavering commitment of 50 years to the corps.

A limited edition pageant print, featuring a scene from the Diamond Jubilee Thames River Pageant was presented to Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope by POC Kirsty-Nicolle, who gave us a great 
 
Speeches were also given by guest speaker Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB KBE, Shipping Minister - Stephen Hammond MP, MSSC CEO - Martin Coles, Captain Sea Cadets - Captain Jonathan Holloway RN, Sea Cadet POC Kirsty-Nicolle.

17/10/2013

On Sunday 20 October, 500 Sea Cadets are marking the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on Trafalgar Square. Watch cadets perform dance and club swinging, synchronised acrobatics on lattice work in the air, formal parading and followed by an 80 strong Massed Band. 

Order of parade

11.20am: Hornpipe display by the national Sea Cadet display team

11.25am: Drill display by Air Cadets

11.30am: Window ladder display team

11.45am: Performance by the Massed Band of the Sea Cadets Corps

11.50am: Arrival of Escort to the Colour - Sea Cadets from Southern and South West Areas

12.00pm and onwards: Arrival of the Reviewing Officer, Rear Admiral S J Woodcock, OBE, the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and Naval Secretary

Parade inspection and wreath laying ceremony

The 'Last Post' will be sounded

Service conducted by the Sea Cadets Chaplain, Reverend Graham Hitchins 

Hymn 'Eternal Father' will be sang

Nelson's Prayer before the Battle of Trafalgar, read by Petty Officer Cadet Jonathan, Navy Board Cadet from Southern Area

March past by the volunteers and cadets of the Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps. 

15/10/2013

MSSC's Annual Review has just been released, featuring important information from April 2012 until April 2013.

Covering the work of the MSSC, Marine Society and Sea Cadets it is an important publication for the charity, outlining our yearly objectives and everything we have done to meet them, plus stories from our seafarers, volunteers and Sea Cadets, and key highlights from the last year.

Click here to see an online version.

04/10/2013

For one 15 year old cadet getting to TS Royalist on time for his six day offshore voyage was an epic journey that spanned two days. Alexander Baikie lives in the Orkney Islands and is a member of TS Thorfinn, the most northerly unit in the UK. To join TS Royalist in Dartmouth he set off early to fly to England for the first time.

Along with 23 cadets from across the UK, Alexander has been thriving on the challenges that sailing at sea brings.

He has particularly enjoyed the opportunity to climb the rigging, and is getting involved in all aspects of learning to sail the iconic TS Royalist. Already the ship has spent time sail training in Start Bay and Torbay, with interesting overnight stopovers in Torquay and Brixham. Another bonus with travelling so far south is the lovely warm autumnal weather, with Alexander commenting that 'it is really good to be here as it is a lot warmer than it is at home.'