101 sea cadets & volunteers lined the street at the Old Royal Naval College Greenwich in support of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh & the DofE International Award, for supporting & championing the potential of young people.
With thanks to their special guest HRH The Earl Of Wessex, who took the time to speak with all the cadets and volunteers involved.
Everyone had a great time at the National Drill and Piping Competition which took place on 23 and 24 April at HMS Raleigh.
It was brilliant for our Sea Cadets family to be back together again. This fantastic event is the culmination of months’ worth of practising to perform a routine with hundreds of drill movements to music from memory.
Thank you to all volunteers for the hours of hard work before, during, and after the event, it is very much appreciated. The cadets showed the highest values of commitment and teamwork throughout the event, so should be proud of their achievements!
In attendance was CEO Martin Coles, the Former First Sea Lord and MSSC President Admiral Sir Philip Jones, Captain Sea Cadets, and the Commander of HMS Raleigh. We all spent time talking to the cadets and having tours of Torpoint Sea Cadets’ new unit building.
We are extremely grateful for the generous donation from the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officers’ Association (RNVR).
This means more boating opportunities for sea cadets, including a new boating hub in Wallasey and four RS21 keel boats for the national fleet. It also funds 132 RS Zests, 120 kayaks, micro adventure grants to increase boating opportunities for cadets, and a twin screw displacement vessel on the River Thames for training cadets and seafarers.
We plan to name one of our vessels in honour of RNVR and display plaques on the keel boats as a constant reminder of the association’s generosity.
Chairman of the RNVR Officers' Association, Simon Wilson, said: “We are very pleased to make these resources available to Sea Cadets investing in young people’s futures. Playing our part in boosting the confidence, inspiration and opportunities of cadets across the UK also means that our legacy will live on through them.”
This year Sea Cadets have been invited to take part in The Trafalgar Way Challenge, representing the famous 271-mile journey from history. It all began in 1805 with the messenger who returned to England from the Battle of Trafalgar bearing epic news of both victory and tragedy. Over 200 years later, the adventure continues with you, as you follow the overland journey from Falmouth to London, stage by stage. Could you walk, run or wheel 271 miles in less than a year, and follow in the wheel tracks of history?
No matter your level of fitness, you can get involved in this year-long challenge!
Entries cost £29.99 and include a special medal and t-shirt which will be sent after completing the challenge. If you don’t want the T-shirt you can opt to plant a tree at the checkout instead. Every entry to the challenge includes a donation, split between The 1805 Club to support the continued legacy of The Trafalgar Way, and Sea Cadets. There is NO obligation to undertake further fundraising but if you need the extra motivation or want to support our cause we’ve set up a GivenGain page which is linked here:
Check out the Trafalgar Way GivenGain page.
Plus – every entry helps to support Sea Cadets!
Trafalgar Day commemoration by Sea Cadets will look a little different this year – instead of hundreds of cadets gathering on London’s Trafalgar Square, units and districts will be holding local parades at the heart of their communities.
Practical restrictions around large-scale events owing to the pandemic has made it difficult to go ahead with one of our biggest national events. However, it presents an exciting opportunity to build stronger links with community members and ensure they can all join in on the fun.
London Sea Cadets will be holding a parade at the Lower Grand Square quadrangle of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich at 12:30 on 21 October. There’s a special link between Trafalgar Day and Greenwich as Admiral Lord Nelson’s body lay in state at the Royal Hospital in Greenwich in 1805. Many of the seamen who served at Trafalgar were also admitted to this hospital.
Wreaths will be laid by the principal guests and a short service and the reading of Nelson’s Prayer will be held before the parade will march off, with the senior VIP taking the salute.
Over 160 cadets and 50 volunteers from across 10 units in East Kent got together to hold a parade for the public at Dover Castle on 17 October. It was followed by a service in the ancient church of St Mary in Castro, on the grounds of the castle.
“It is so important that we try to bring the district calendar back into play, for the wellbeing of all units and the wider Sea Cadets organization,” said the District Officer for East Kent, Lt Cdr (SCC) RNRK. D. Martin. “The cadets learn about the world outside of their own unit and develop those lifelong friendships which are a hallmark of the Sea Cadets movement.”
Manchester District also held their Trafalgar Day parade on 17 October, which included many VIPs such as the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, the Mayors and Mayoresses of Stockport and Salford as well as the Mayors of Oldham and Tameside.
Sea Cadets remember their roots and commemorate Lord Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. It’s the most important day in the naval calendar, defining British sailing for hundreds of years and highlighting the significance of a strong Royal Navy.
Trafalgar Day is an opportunity for cadets to come together socially and demonstrate their values. It’s also a chance for cadets to present their leadership, self-discipline and teamwork skills during marching, performing and drill, following in the Royal Navy traditions.
Sea Cadets plan to return to the usual national events programme in 2022, restrictions permitting.
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