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Two members of Poole Sea Cadets were recently invited to Buckingham Palace to celebrate achieving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Congratulations go to PO Phoebe and CI James. Until recently James was also a uniformed Poole Sea Cadet. The occasion also coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

After arriving at Buckingham Palace, they met with PO Charlotte Smith, a DofE instructor from Poole, before entering through the front gates and into the palace gardens, where guests were free to explore at their leisure. The duo are pictured in Buckingham Palace’s Rose Garden.

Throughout the afternoon, the British Army Band from Catterick and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force provided musical entertainment. Guests also heard from several keynote speakers, including Sam Thompson, Corinna Brown, Gareth Malone, Kate Garraway, Chloe Chong, and Hayley McQueen.

Following the National Anthem, Prince Edward addressed the gathering, reflecting on his own experiences of completing the DofE Award. Other ambassadors also shared how the scheme had positively influenced their lives.

One particularly moving speech came from Jon Watts, who described how completing his Gold DofE while serving a prison sentence helped transform his life. Having discovered a passion for cooking during that time, he has since published cookbooks, worked alongside Jamie Oliver, and now runs a business supporting ex-prisoners through culinary training.

The award recipients were later lined up to meet Prince Edward, who spoke with as many participants as possible. Many of the Sea Cadets were grouped together, and the Duke took time to ask where they were from, whether they had enjoyed the experience, and to personally congratulate them on their achievements.

James’s mother, who is also Treasurer of the Poole Unit, said:

“I am so proud of James for achieving his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. I was honoured and blessed that when he was told he could invite one guest to attend with him, he immediately turned to me and said, ‘Mum, you have driven me everywhere and supported me throughout — would you like to come with me?’”

Reflecting on how the scheme has evolved over the years, she added:

“When I think back to my own DofE experience, I remember the long walking expeditions. Times have changed. James chose to spend two weeks sailing on a yacht for his final expedition, although he could just as easily have gone rowing on the Thames or walking in the New Forest.”

Very well done to James and Phoebe on this outstanding achievement. BZ to you both.

Our marching band was privileged to lead the recent Beating of the Land Bounds of Poole parade along Poole Quay and the High Street with a Civic Party headed by the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mark Howell. Cllr Howell is also a Patron of Poole Sea Cadets.

The historic event commemorates the checking of the various marks and boundaries and where the harbour is concerned of the original Winchelsea Certificate which was awarded to Poole in 1364. The purpose was to see that the “bounds” or boundary markers still existed, that they were in the correct position and that there has been no encroachment. This is a very important part of Poole's history.

Captain Neil Downing, RN, Captain Sea Cadets, this week attended a Parade Night at Poole Sea Cadets, and expressed himself, “very impressed.”
He was accompanied by Mike Faricy, a new Trustee of the Marine Society, who is also Chief Delivery Officer at the nearby RNLI headquarters in Poole.
Captain Downing spent the evening chatting with both cadets and volunteers in what was encouraged to be a two-way conversation – he positively invited questions. The cadets in turn demonstrated their confidence and did not hold back.
The two visitors met some cadets who had only joined that very evening and were very welcoming and encouraging.
As they moved from class to class, they witnessed instruction on a varied number of topics including meteorology and drill. They were also shown plans for the proposed new headquarters and were duly supportive of what will require a major fundraising push.
At the end of the evening Captain Downing made several presentations including one to Mike English, a former Commanding Officer of Poole Sea Cadets, who went on to be a District Officer, for no less than 50 years of service.

During a special visit to Borough of Poole Sea Cadets, Captain Neil Downing, RN, Captain Sea Cadets, was proud to present the Captain’s Medal to long serving Mike English.
The medal is awarded for 50 years of adult volunteer service to the Sea Cadet Corps.
Mike's service included having been a former CO of Poole Sea Cadets and then District Officer.
Captain Downing gave a long and detailed description of the contribution Lt Cdr (SCC) Mike English, RNR, has given.
This was further summed up on the citation that accompanied the special medal:
Mr Mike English, Poole Unit and Wessex District
“You have consistently demonstrated and championed the Sea Cadets values throughout more than fifty years of dedicated service. Your unstinting commitment to youth development has helped hundreds of young people to gain confidence, skills, and qualifications. As an inspirational leader and trusted mentor, you have been hugely influential throughout the Southern Area – helping both cadets and volunteers to achieve their full potential. On behalf of everyone within the Sea Cadet Corps, I truly thank you for your outstanding contribution to our organisation and the young people we serve.”
Neil Downing, Captain Royal Navy
10th November 2025

Mike English is pictured with his wife, receiving the Captain’s Medal from Neil Downing

At last week's AGM of Poole Sea Cadets, Commanding Officer, Sub Lieutenant Reece Oliver, RNR, revealed that during the last year our 60 cadets had attained no less than 366 qualifications - a fantastic series of results.

Well done to all of the successful candidates whether it was drill, rowing, RYA, DoE or other tests you were sitting.

President, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, said that the Unit's volunteer instructors had been "absolutely fabulous" and commented on how the multiple activities offered by them and provided by the Unit gave "a considerable benefit to the community".

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mark Howell, who is also a Patron of Poole Sea Cadets, congratulated the cadets too, and thanked the volunteers for their dedication, which he described as "wonderful." The Unit's outcomes, he said, had helped to, "keep the structure of Poole's society going," and that by "working together they had made society work."