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     Borough of Poole Sea Cadets is going from strength to strength as evidenced by our recent Annual General Meeting.

VIPs Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, a former UK National Hydrographer and now President of Poole Sea Cadets, and Deputy Mayor of Poole, Cllr Steven Hayes visited our AGM to present a whole host of awards to individual cadets.

District Officer, Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Lindsay Bassett RNR joined us to help make our evening special.

The evening, which boasted a large attendance from parents and volunteers, commenced with a report from the Commanding Officer, Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Reece Oliver.

He explained that Lee Hardy OBE had stepped down as Chair of the Trustees during the year and was succeeded by Bob Cripps. Lee was thanked for his conscientious work and dedication during his time in office.

Reece went on to cover the many activities undertaken in the previous twelve months and revealed that there are currently sixty cadets with a waiting list of thirty-five.

The Unit it was reported is financially stable with conspicuous grant funding success, from sources such as Sport England and the Connaught Trust, which had allowed the purchase of new equipment and the staging of the annual summer camp for which there was “sincere gratitude.”

The idea is to foster aspiration amongst the cadets and the raising of this significant funding helped to drive relationships in a challenging atmosphere.

It was revealed that although a year earlier planning permission had been granted for a new headquarters building, there had been weighty cost changes. No building work has yet been initiated, but the Trustees of the Unit are still fully committed to the process as are the remarkable team of volunteers and supporters.

Due to careful management of the finances, there is no longer a financial deficit.

The collective effort of the volunteers had allowed specialist training in areas such as transport, administration, and catering. The cadets had sailed offshore, achieved success in RYA qualifications and taken part in shooting.

They performed extremely well in Poole and Ferndown’s Remembrance parades. Cadets had achieved Gold status in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, gaining invitations to Buckingham Palace, as well as eleven Bronze’s, and studied successfully for many BTEC qualifications. There had been fifty-six cadet promotions, and four cadets had achieved the rank of Petty Officer.

The band had, as ever, been a cornerstone of activities and were warmly congratulated by everyone present, all of which was a huge credit to our bandmaster Petty Officer Kevin Steele.

Poole had fully played its part in wider Sea Cadet activities both regionally and nationally by amongst other things hosting several regattas on beautiful Poole Harbour.

At the conclusion of the reports Reece revealed that he would soon be standing down as Commanding Officer after seven successful years in post. He was loudly cheered by the cadets in a spontaneous reaction which revealed how well the Unit has appreciated him.

Dorset began the very first Cadet Week by celebrating the adult volunteers who give their time, expertise and commitment to help young people thrive.

The Dorset Lord Lieutenant’s Awards Ceremony, held at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester marked the opening day of the inaugural Cadet Week, with volunteers from the Sea Cadets, Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Army Cadet Force recognised for outstanding service.

The presentations were made by Dorset Lord Lieutenant Michael Dooley, LVO, FRCOG, Hon DSc.

The timing provided a fitting start to a week dedicated to celebrating the people who make the Cadet experience possible, with awards recognising exceptional leadership, adventurous training, long service and the everyday commitment that helps young people develop confidence, resilience and new skills.

The evening also recognised the longstanding commitment of Cadet Force Adult Volunteers through His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Certificates of Meritorious Service.

Among them was Petty Officer Kevin Steele of Poole Sea Cadets, who has volunteered with the unit since 2008. As Band Master, Petty Officer Steele has developed the Poole Sea Cadets Band from area level participation to regular success at national events. He has opened the band to cadets and adults from neighbouring units, helping establish the Wessex District Band and broaden musical opportunities across the region.

His contribution extends well beyond music. He provides marine engineering instruction on parade nights and supports boating activities during the summer, including the Southern Area Sailing and Rowing Regattas. He is also regularly selected as a lead section musician at the National Trafalgar Parade in London and serves as a solo bugler at remembrance services and funerals.

His award recognises his breadth of contribution, reliability and the positive influence he has had on young people, fellow volunteers and the wider community.

Ferndown Town Council was honoured to host Dorset’s first National Cadet Week event recently.

The day saw Cadets from across Dorset’s Sea Cadets, RAF Air Cadets, Army Cadet Force, and Police Cadets come together to participate in a formal parade and family fun day.

Poole Sea Cadets contributed with a fine display by the marching band having led the procession from St Mary’s Church.

Ferndown Town Council said, “The day was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our local Cadets, and it was a real pleasure to see so many young people participating in the parade, demonstrating their discipline, teamwork and pride in their organisations”.

“We were delighted to welcome our local Member of Parliament, the Chair and Vice-Chair of Dorset Council and Mayors and Chairmen from across Dorset to Ferndown, to show their support for our local young people”.

Both Cadets and Volunteers recently threw themselves in to supporting the Seafood and Sounds Festival in the High Street, Old Town and on the Quay. Our melodious band led the parade, whilst many other cadets assisted the huge number of visitors and created an excellent youthful fun-centred atmosphere. Such a favourable impression was made that for 2027 Poole Sea Cadets have been chosen as the Festival's nominated charity. Much appreciated. Well done all.

Poole Sea Cadets is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a National Lottery grant of £15,000 - a considerable amount for this charity.

The monies have been specifically awarded to help Sustain Youth Training and Community Engagement in Poole and the surrounding area.

Sea Cadets is a national organisation which aims to provide a safe, disciplined, and supportive environment where young people between the ages of ten and eighteen can build confidence and resilience, learn practical and employability skills, improve physical and mental wellbeing, and develop teamwork and leadership

The National Lottery funding will be used for boat repair and maintenance of both hulls and engines. Safety equipment will be replaced whilst sails, covers, and oars will be a focus too. The unit boasts an award-winning marching band, and its musical instruments will be replaced or repaired. Poole Sea Cadets boasts an ageing building in Sterte, part dating from 1939, so its running costs are considerable too.

Lee Hardy, OBE, the influential Chair of Poole Harbour Commissioners - and a former Chair of Poole Sea Cadets - said:

“I was delighted to see the National Lottery grant of £15k made to Poole Sea Cadets, which will enable the self-funded organisation to continue their magnificent work with young people in the BCP and East Dorset areas.

The unit is at the heart of our Poole maritime community and through the endeavours of an entirely volunteer staff team they bring nautical adventures, awareness, and fun to the cadets, sewing seeds for a future in the maritime and associated professions.”