Work to transform Kettering Sea Cadets site under way

Work to clear Kettering Sea Cadets' London Road base and make it '˜as pretty as a picture' is well under way.
Work on the site is well under way.Work on the site is well under way.
Work on the site is well under way.

The squadron’s base is currently being cleared and levelled by builders as part of a £24,000 project.

The cadets’ chairman Andy Barnwell says the first phase will be completed soon, with plans of building an extension and a new boathouse after last month’s Wicksteed Park blaze.

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He said: “The site is being cleared, levelled, having new security fencing all around and having new trees and flowers.

A sketch of the site plans.A sketch of the site plans.
A sketch of the site plans.

“We’re looking at extending around the back, meaning we can eventually offer the site out to others, as well as having a new boatshed.

“This will make a huge difference to children in the community.

“The council have been brilliant about it all and this will help a lot of people.”

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The squadron is celebrating its 75th anniversary next year and decided it was time to improve its base, which overlooks Kettering Rugby Club.

Work on the site is well under way.Work on the site is well under way.
Work on the site is well under way.

Mr Barnwell said: “We’re as successful now as we’ve ever been but because of health and safety the options for the site as it is are limited.

“Once this is built we will be able to offer it out to other groups as well as making it look nice.

“All of the trees we’ve cut down were dead and diseased and we’ve been donated 105 species by the Woodland Trust.

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“We’ll also have snowdrops, daffodils, poppies and ancient bluebells which will look as pretty as a picture.”

Work on the site is well under way.Work on the site is well under way.
Work on the site is well under way.

Work on clearing the site is expected to be completed within the next couple of weeks.

Kettering Council’s property services manager Chris Bentley said: “I was in the cadets and I loved every minute of it.

“It’s really important that youngsters have discipline in life and they get that here.

“This transformation will really benefit the community and it’s going to look great.”