News

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets has refreshed its image. The charity has been working to update its look and feel so that it can continue to appeal to its many audiences.

Mike Cornish CEO of the charity says;
“This fresh new direction is the result of looking at how the elements of the charity work together and how best to move the charity forward in these changing times, so that we can continue to offer the very best to the maritime sector in terms of promoting our maritime heritage, while supporting its future. By creating three new identities for each of the arms of the business, the MSSC believes it can champion that cause far more effectively.”

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets now becomes MSSC, to reflect its parental role in governing the two charities. The Marine Society moves to a dynamic representation that reflects its valued status as a provider of educational opportunities and professional seafarer support to those in all of the sea services. The Sea Cadets has received a modern and vibrant look with the purpose of appealing to new volunteers and young people and in keeping with its commitment to support young people via a range of nautical adventure activities.

The charity worked with London based design agency SEA Design to develop the three looks and conducted a staff survey into attitudes about the organisation to get a feel for the direction to go in.

The charity believes these new looks are a step towards establishing itself more firmly and raising the profile to continue to support professional seafarers and Britain’s youth as Sea Cadets.

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.”