Latest News

11/04/2014

Sea Cadet volunteer, PO (SCC) Aaron Scholes, CO of Bedford Sea Cadets Unit, won the Bedfordshire Young Person of the Year Award for his amazing achievements at the unit. Aaron, aged 23, was nominated by Mrs Deborah Inskip, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, she says “He is a shining example and role model for the cadets and should be commended for bringing his skills and giving so many hours to this very worthwhile organisation”. Aaron is in charge of up to 40 cadets, which is a commitment – sometimes up to 30 hours a week on top of his two jobs; a support worker in a residential children’s home and an events manager.

Aaron grew up in care and found himself moved homes a few times but from the age of 10 he was in Sea Cadets. His own early life experience has equipped him to support cadets who might be in difficult situations at home or at school. “Cadets can give them security,” said Aaron, who has a degree in childhood and youth studies.

Aaron received his award from the Lord Lt of Bedfordshire (pictured).

10/04/2014

Sea Cadets across the UK are one step closer to realising their dreams of a 21st century UK flagship as they celebrate the first stage in the build process, the laying of the keel of their new £4.8million flagship.

On Thursday 10 April at the Spanish yard in Asturius, Spain, six navy board cadets, each representing part of the UK, commanding officer of the current flagship TS Royalist, and the Sea Cadets Captain, Captain Jon Holloway RN will witness the first journey in this ships new life at this traditional keel laying ceremony.

Laying the keel is the formal recognition of the start of the ship’s construction and one of four events celebrated in the life of a ship: Keel laying, launching, commissioning and decommissioning. The keel laying sees the initial placement of the central timber that forms the backbone of the vessel, the keel, today a keel module replaces the wooden timber.

Read the full article in media releases

09/04/2014

800 Sea Cadets across Kent are one step closer to reaching their dream of an offshore voyage on the new 21st century Sea Cadets flagship, thanks to a £10,000 donation from The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust based in Folkestone, Kent.

The donation goes towards building Sea Cadets a new flagship that will replace the current ship, TS Royalist, now over 40 years old and increasingly expensive to maintain. A flagship voyage is the pinnacle of the Sea Cadet experience and one which the charity wants to ensure future generations of Sea Cadets can benefit from. TS Royalist launched in 1971 taking over 30,000 cadets to sea in her lifetime.

Read the full media release here.

07/04/2014

Sea Cadets, the UK's largest nautical youth charity, is delighted to welcome a new supporter of the charity.  Carnival Corporation & plc, parent company of Southampton-based P&O Cruises and Cunard, has donated £380,000 towards Sea Cadets’ new flagship.

The cruise lines will also support the seamanship qualification which will enable 14,000 Sea Cadets aged 10 - 18 to broaden their career options in the maritime industry. The badge will enhance the Sea Cadet experience by offering young people the chance to explore all types of maritime career, helping to give them the best possible head start in life.

Captain Sea Cadets, Captain J T Holloway RN, said:
“Sea Cadets know about opportunities in the Royal Navy, but this is a fantastic opportunity for them to explore a career in a commercial maritime industry or working directly for a cruise company. It opens up opportunities they didn't know existed.
 
"Carnival is not just donating money towards our new flagship, but by sponsoring our seamanship qualification and offering ship visits they are helping young people build their careers. We hope that our cadets will grab this opportunity with both hands.”

Carnival UK chief executive officer David Dingle said: “Sea Cadets provides a solid foundation for youngsters. It teaches them practical and life skills which will stay with them throughout their journey into adulthood. These young people are our future and we should take every opportunity to invest in them and in their chances to learn and grow. I am delighted that we are able to play a part in this with our donation to their new flagship and seamanship qualification.”

Sea Cadets who complete their seamanship qualification may have an opportunity to visit P&O Cruises or Cunard ships in port, and some will be invited to a certificate ceremony hosted by the cruise lines.

03/04/2014

We bid a sad farewell to Captain Eric Harvey Beetham MNN FNI FRIN FRSA who was a MSSC Vice President and a former Trustee, and a member of the MSSC Kent Branch.

He served 30 years in the Merchant Navy, and was awarded the Australian Merchant Navy Service Cross 2000 and UK Merchant Navy Medal in 2009. Our thoughts are with his wife, Brenda, who accompanied him to all our events. His funeral is on Monday 7 April. We will be represented by Captain Nigel Palmer OBE MNM, MSSC Chairman, Captain Mark Windsor RN Retd formerly Captain Sea Cadets and Claire Barnett Company Secretary amongst many others.

*Captain Eric Beetham is pictured left with Nick Price at the Nautical Institute 40th anniversary reception