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Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry applauds our approach to International Women's Day.

A century-old ‘glass ceiling’ in the Royal Navy has been shattered as Jude Terry becomes the first female admiral in its history.

After nearly 25 years’ service around the globe and at home in the UK, the 48-year-old from Jersey has taken  the helm as Director of People and Training and Naval Secretary.

That makes the rear admiral responsible not only for more than 40,000 regular and reservist sailors and Royal Marines, but also the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – who operate the Navy’s crucial support ships – plus civil servants and contractors, all part of the gigantic jigsaw which allows the Royal Navy to operate around the globe 24/7/365.

Women have served in the Royal Navy since the Wrens in World War 1 and have been going to sea since 1990. Today there is no position or branch of the Service not open to women.

Admiral Terry says that the fact that she is a woman is irrelevant to her post and rank – simply that “someone has to be first” and she most definitely will not be the last; there are currently four female commodores (the next rank down) and 20 female captains.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key says Admiral Terry is “a great example of all the amazing women serving today – and a role model for all who serve and those who follow.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous quote exactly reflects the green ambitions of Poole Sea Cadet’s innovative “Project Liquid Sun”.

Poole Sea Cadets Trustee, Lee Hardy says, “Our 60 cadets, aged 10-18, are very aware of environmental matters and want us to be responsible. They themselves selected the name for what we propose – Project Liquid Sun”.

A successful grant bid was made to Low Carbon Dorset. As a result, solar panels will be installed to provide clean energy and feed battery storage, whilst existing internal lighting will also be replaced to a more environmentally friendly option.

It is predicted that clean energy production will be 15.23 MWh therefore removing 11.19 tonnes of CO2 per annum which equates to either 5 acres of trees absorbing CO2 or 58,302 miles in a small diesel-powered saloon car.

Some of the HQ building, TS Drax, is 83 years old and has a considerable ongoing electricity bill. The charity is constantly looking for ways to use money raised by fundraising and donations for the direct benefit of our young people rather than on increasing utility costs. A target of being able to sell spare electricity back to the grid has been set. 

Following a technical survey and a briefing from Wessex ECOEnergy, Project Liquid Sun is ready in all respects to commence. A start date is eagerly anticipated, and installation should be complete by the end of summer.

TS Drax is blazing a trail and setting an example which can form the basis for similar projects across the Sea Cadet Corps nationally.

Poole Sea Cadets are grateful to Low Carbon Dorset which backs a programme of activities on behalf of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with the aim of stimulating growth in Dorset’s low carbon economy. The programme is run by Dorset Council and the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Should you feel inspired by what the Poole Sea Cadets Charity is undertaking and wish to support this ground-breaking initiative, donations can be made via this website: https://www.sea-cadets.org/poole

The Poole Unit of the Sea Cadets Corps is proudly recognising International Women’s Day which is being celebrated on the 8th March.  

This year’s theme is, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, which addresses several of our Unit’s ongoing agendas.

There is a misconception that the Sea Cadet Corps is a male dominated organisation. Not so.

Sea Cadets is an inclusive charity that helps young people to achieve their potential by offering a range of social and educational opportunities. Nearly half of our cadets in Poole are girls aged between 10 and 18 and many of our volunteer instructors are women.

The charity is committed to equality of opportunity for young people and adults alike and treats all persons fairly and equally. We recognise diversity within our membership and regard it as one of our greatest strengths.

International Women’s Day this year recognizes the contribution of both women and girls around the world who are addressing climate change and building a more sustainable future. Poole Sea Cadets is doing just that with its “Liquid Sun” project and is in an advanced stage of planning to minimise the carbon footprint of our headquarters.

Photo Caption: Leading Cadet Abbie, as Poole Sea Cadet’s drum major, leads the large Remembrance Day Parade in Poole Park last November - from the front.

Roberto Rocca

Chair of Poole Unit’s Management Committee (UMC)

Roberto possesses a degree in Political Science and Communications Science as well as a Masters in Corporate Public Relations.

He moved to Bournemouth in 2013 and subsequently Joined the Rotary Club three years later.

In January 2017 Roberto’s involvement with the Sea Cadets started when he became Chair of the Romsey Unit. Two years later he moved to our Poole Unit taking on the role of Chair of our UMC.

Since joining the Sea Cadets Roberto has had the opportunity to gain his Powerboat L2 and Safety Boat certificates for which he spent many weekends aboard HMS Bristol.

Roberto is a Councillor for BCP and works in the financial sector.

Outside work he loves boating, golf and cycling.