News

Tuesday 13 April 2010 saw TS JACK PETCHEY, the newest member of the Sea Cadet fleet commissioned at HMS President, St Katharine Docks, London.

Twenty Five cadets joined Jack Petchey himself as he officially commissioned the ship in his name. The £2.6million, 24 mt long power vessel is the sixth in the Offshore fleet, named in honour of Jack Petchey OBE, whose foundation provided the lion’s share of the funding.

On Thursday 15 April Mike Perham, the youngest person to sail single-handed round the globe visited the new ship, joining the Jack Petchey Foundation for its 10th anniversary celebrations. Jack was joined by representatives from Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Police Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade, Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade, Girls Brigade, Air Cadets, St John’s Ambulance.

Jack Petchey, who served in the Royal Navy at HMS Collingwood in 1943 commented, “I am very happy to know that future generations of young people will have an opportunity to experience the discipline, self development and camaraderie that sea training provides”.

Prince Harry gave 60 cadets a day to remember when he paid a surprise visit to their training session in the Brecon Beacons on 6 April. The cadets from across the cadet forces were participating in a day-long trek as part of the final preparations for their Summer expedition to Lesotho, southern Africa, where they will volunteer with Prince Harry’s charity, Sentebale, working with orphans and vulnerable children.

A former cadet himself, Prince Harry is patron of the Lestho expedition, organised as part of the Cadet150 celebrations. The Prince wished them well for this summer’s adventure and thanked them for supporting his charity.

Braehead Welcomes Scottish Cadet Forces Braehead shopping centre welcomed Cadet 150 on 17 & 18 April 2010. 250 cadets from across Scotland gathered at the centre to show off their skills. Visitors witnessed free displays, climbing walls, flight simulators, parades, boat races, and a chance to see the Royal Marines band (Scotland) in action.

CPO (SCC) Paul Webster has been serving The Red Cross and Sea Cadets since he was ten and was recently presented with the rare Red Cross Voluntary Medical Services Medal (VMSM) at a ceremony at his Bromley Unit.

The VMSM is only issued after 15 years service. Paul also receives two clasps for the medal which each show a further 5 years service, making his total 25 years in all.

Bromley Sea Cadets Commanding Officer Lt (SCC) Chris Hartwell RNR said “Paul continues to give excellent service to both the Sea Cadets and the Red Cross and we are delighted that his dedication has been recognised by this award.”

PO Cadet Beverley Marriette (16) of Huyton with Roby Sea Cadets made it through to the final round of selection for the prestigious Duke of Westminster Award 2010. Beverley has won a place on a three week expedition to South Africa. She also won one of the top five places for the coveted Duke of Westminster Award having been elected out of 350 submissions from 20,000 BTEC cadets nationwide.

Beverley has been appointed as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for her county and granted Navy Board Cadet and Cadet of the Year status. In the future she hopes to work with younger cadets at Huyton with Roby Unit and help them get involved with the BTEC scheme, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Beverley plans to go to University before joining the Royal Navy.