Wellingborough Sea Cadets declared ship-shape by top captain

A youth group set up five years ago as an off-shoot of a nearby cadet unit has come of age and officially been granted its independent status.

Wellingborough Sea Cadet unit was formed at Wrenn School under the government's Cadet Expansion Programme supported by a team from Market Harborough cadets.

Training Ship (TS) Hydra was passed as ship-shape by Captain Phil Russell, Captain of the Sea Cadets in the UK, at their weekly meeting.

Petty Officer Toni Austin, officer in charge of the unit, said: "I'm really proud of the cadets. They've done themselves very proud and they are now are part of history.

"The unit has been five years in the making and I'd like to thank all the volunteers especially Liz Birchall our chairman for being my 'rock'."

Captain Russell inspected the 35-strong cadet force, aged between ten and 18, and their 12 adult helpers.

After the formal ceremonial colours and inspection parade, the young people showed off skills, learnt in their unit, to their families and guests including the the Lord Lieutenant David Laing and his wife Mary, and mayor of Wellingborough Jo Beirne.

The youngsters follow a programme offering a range of different activities from sailing, windsurfing and powerboating, to rock climbing, camping, and music.

Cadets can also take take in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Group chairman Liz Birchall said: "The evening went really well, we are now TS Hydra Wellingborough Sea Cadets, an independent Sea Cadet Unit part of the Sea Cadet Corps.

"The captain was very impressed with our cadets and staff, he thought it was one of the happiest units he had visited with chatty, confident, relaxed cadets."

To find out more about the Wellingborough Sea Cadets click here.