Rushden Sea Cadets

🌟 What an Amazing Day at the IMechE Formula Student Event! 🌟

Yesterday, 53 of our dedicated volunteers and cadets, alongside our friends from Northampton Sea Cadets and 858 Rushden Squadron - Royal Air Force Air Cadets, journeyed to the iconic Silverstone Circuit, the home of British Motorsport, for an unforgettable STEM adventure! 🚗🏁

Our cadets were thrilled to witness university teams from across the country showcasing their skills in sprint, skid pan, and acceleration events with cars they designed and built themselves. The excitement didn't stop there! We explored the pits, marveled at the garages, and engaged with interactive exhibits hosted by leading engineering companies. Our cadets delved into the fascinating worlds of simulation, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, bionic rehabilitation systems, and even got up close with armoured vehicles.

The highlight of the day? A thrilling trip around Silverstone in a luxurious Bentley! 🏎️✨

A huge thank you to everyone who made this incredible experience possible. Our cadets left feeling inspired and motivated to pursue their passions in STEM. 🚀🔧

🌊 Another brilliant evening of boating at Thrapston this week 🌊

Our sailors, rowers, and paddlers made the most of a hot and sticky evening, honing their skills and cooling down on the water. The fun didn't stop there - our cadets had a blast on the Mega SUP, an 8-person paddleboard!

Huge congratulations to everyone who earned a qualification tonight. Special shoutout to Junior Cadet Archie, our new joiner who successfully completed his swim test in the lake, joined by several cadets providing moral support. Well done, team!

🌊⚓ What an epic weekend for 12 of our Junior Sea Cadets at the West District Sea Cadets Boating Weekend hosted by Kettering Sea and Royal Marines Cadets at Wicksteed Park Boating Lake! 🚣‍♂️

We're super proud to share that two cadets sailed their way to RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Level One qualifications, four paddled their way to Paddle UK Paddle Discover qualifications, and six rowed to victory with British Rowing Competent Crew qualifications!

A huge shout-out to PO Napier for organizing this fantastic event and to all the amazing adult volunteers from across the district who gave up their weekend to make this possible. Your dedication and support are what make these experiences unforgettable! 👏👏

Here’s our UMT Chair Ann Phillips, preparing to man our stall at Rushden Town Council’s Party in The Park. We would love to chat to you about what we do - come and find us at Pitch 29 - right next the entrance to the arena!

Gates open at 1pm - there’s loads to do, see, eat and drink. Come down and see for yourselves!

Despite grey skies and a brisk wind, our Cadets showed immense determination at last night's boating session at Thrapston Lake!

Our sailors are making great strides towards their Youth Sailing Scheme Level One qualification, while our rowers continue honing their skills for competent crew and supervised coxswain. Meanwhile, our paddlers showcased impressive rescue skills, with many achieving their Paddle Discover qualification.

A huge thanks to our assistant cadet instructors for their invaluable help and dedication as they work towards becoming qualified instructors. Lastly, a big thank you to all our instructors and shore support staff for their unwavering support! 🌊⛵️🚣‍♀️

🚢 Rushden Sea Cadets Ceremonial Divisions & Awards Night 🚢

We had an incredible evening at this month’s Ceremonial Divisions and Awards Night last Friday, proudly presented by our First Lieutenant, PO Dickens. It was a night of celebration and achievements, highlighting the dedication and hard work of our cadets.

A special congratulations to Junior Cadet Oliver, who made his Sea Cadet Promise and earned his beret! 🌟

We are also thrilled to announce the promotions within our ranks:
- Junior Cadets First Class Sonny, Dale, Elijah, and Thomas were all promoted to Able Junior Cadet.
- Able Junior Cadet Damian was promoted to Leading Junior Cadet.
- Cadet David was promoted to Cadet First Class.

In addition to these promotions, numerous proficiency and specialisation badges were awarded, recognising the efforts and skills of our cadets.

A big shoutout to Dauntless Division for winning this month's CO’s Cup competition and securing bragging rights for the rest of July! 🏆

Well done to everyone, and thank you for making the evening so special. Keep up the excellent work, cadets!

🚤 Last night's boating session at Thrapston was a blast! Our sailors had a fantastic time navigating the blustery conditions. Meanwhile, some of our rowers and paddlers earned their Level One qualifications. Special shout out to Junior Cadet Callum for completing his swimming test in the lake - Bravo Zulu! 🌊

🎉 What an incredible Armed Forces Day celebration in Rushden today! 🎉

We were beyond honoured to have the Red Arrows kick off the parade with an amazing fly past. Hundreds lined the High Street, and many braved the scorching sun to join us for the Drum Head Ceremony at the Goods Shed. A huge Bravo Zulu to Cadet First Class Ezra for doing an outstanding job carrying the standard!

After the parade, we had a fantastic time at our stall in the Goods Shed. The Mega SUP drew in a big crowd, and we were thrilled to meet so many potential new cadets and adult volunteers. Thank you to everyone who came out and made today special!

We had an absolute blast last night at Thrapston Lake last night! Our cadets were out in full force, enjoying rowing, sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The weather was perfect, and the smiles were endless.

A special shoutout to our newest cadets who successfully completed their swimming test - you all did an amazing job! 🏊‍♂️👏

Great work, team! Looking forward to more adventures on the water.

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🚤🚣‍♂️🚁 What an incredible Thursday boating session at Thrapston this week! Our Rushden Sea Cadets were out on the water, honing their rowing, sailing, and paddlesport skills, when they got a thrilling surprise - a flypast by an Army Air Corps Apache helicopter! 🌊🚁

A huge thanks to the Army Air Corps for making our training session even more unforgettable.

Today a group of our senior cadets and adult volunteers attended the Northamptonshire Veterans’ Breakfast Club BBQ, where they had the chance to meet inspiring ex-military personnel from all three services. The highlight of the day was meeting the Cllr David Coleman, the Mayor of Rushden, and his consort, Melanie Coleman (who is also our Unit President). A special shoutout goes to Ordinary Cadet Alfie for his live interview on Beat Route Radio!

Events like these offer our cadets invaluable experiences and memories. Thank you to everyone who made this event so special!

🏁🌟 What an incredible day for Rushden Sea Cadets at the Rushden Soap Box Derby in Hall Park! 🌟🏁

We're thrilled to announce that our fantastic team of Junior Sea Cadets secured THIRD PLACE 🥉in the under-12 age category in their D-Day 80 inspired landing craft kart, competing against a strong field of 10 teams in front of a huge crowd!

Massive congratulations to our star drivers, Junior Cadets Max & Sam, and their pushers, Junior Cadets Harrison and Sonny. This is yet another trophy to add to our ever-growing collection! 🏆👏 In addition, a huge well done to Junior Cadet Harlee who helped the Rushden Graphics team win first place🥇as their pusher 🏆👏

A heartfelt thank you to all our other cadets who tirelessly pushed the kart back up the hill after each race, showing true team spirit and dedication. Special thanks to CI Phillips for his invaluable help in building the kart, and to PO Price, PO Bravery, and CI Steele, our amazing pit crew, who kept the kart in top shape for every run, and to all the other adult volunteers and parents that came along g to help and support - we couldn’t have done it without you.

The Rushden Sea Cadets ethos of hard work and teamwork truly shined today. Here's to many more victories! 🚀✨

Rushden Town Council Sea Cadets Love Rushden

🌟 Rushden Sea Cadets Join The Big Help Out! 🌟

Today, our dedicated cadets participated in the Big Help Out at the Sea Cadets Thrapston Boat Station We rolled up our sleeves and took to the Nene River for a rewarding day of community service. Our efforts were focused on a river cleanup and litter pick, making a real difference to the local environment. 🌿🌊

Our cadets worked tirelessly to clear back overgrown trees that were blocking the waterway, ensuring a smoother passage for all. In addition, we removed a significant amount of rubbish from both the water and the riverbank. Some of our more unusual finds included lots of discarded fishing line, a football, and even a traffic cone! ⚽

A huge thank you to all our cadets for their hard work and commitment to keeping our environment clean and safe and supporting our local communities. Your efforts not only improve the local area but also inspire others to take action.

Stay tuned for more updates on our activities and initiatives! 🚀

Thrapston Chatter Community Matters Sea Cadets

🎉🚢 Rushden Sea Cadets Ceremonial Divisions Recap! 🚢🎉

Last night was our monthly Ceremonial Divisions and Awards Night, and what an incredible month we've had! Here's a rundown of our latest awards, promotions, and presentations:

🏅 PROMOTIONS GALORE! 🏅

Junior Cadets:

A HUGE congratulations to Able Junior Cadet Eli for his promotion to Leading Junior Cadet

Senior Cadets:

Cadet First Class Noah - Awarded the second good conduct badge for two years of exemplary behaviour and commitment.
George and Liam - Graduated from the New Entry Phase and promoted to Cadet.
Ezra and Barney - Promoted to Cadet First Class. Well done!
Noah, Ben, Sam, Alfie, and Jack - Promoted to Ordinary Cadet. Fantastic progress, cadets!
Our cadets are continuously striving for excellence, and their hard work is paying off in spades. We are incredibly proud of all your achievements and the dedication you bring to the Sea Cadets.

Instructor Promotions:

Probationary Petty Officer Bravery
Petty Officer Akehurst
Petty Officer Price

Proficiency Awards:

This month saw numerous proficiency awards including First Aid, Windsurfing, Sailing, Junior Colour Modules and STEM badges. Special recognition to:

Able Cadet David - Paddlesport Instructor Qualification
Able Cadet Hayden - Sailing Instructor Qualification

What a fantastic achievement!

Instructors:

Petty Officer Dickens - Rowing Instructor qualification
Civilian Instructor Walker - Sailing Instructor Qualification

A big shoutout to Dauntless Division, the winners of this month’s CO’s Cup! 🏆 And a round of applause for Cadet George, named Best Dressed Cadet.

Finally, we bid a fond farewell to Able Cadet Alex, who is leaving the Sea Cadets as he turns 18 and embarks on his journey to join the Royal Navy as an Engineering Technician. We presented him with a Certificate of Service, signed by all our cadets and instructors, wishing him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

Well done to all our cadets and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. Let’s keep up the fantastic spirit! 🌟

📣 Rushden Sea Cadets Shine at D-Day 80 Commemoration in Hall Park

Last night, our incredible Rushden Sea Cadets turned out in force at Hall Park to honour the brave heroes of D-Day. It was a truly memorable evening, as we commemorated the 80th anniversary of this pivotal event in our history.

Both the Mayor and Deputy Lord Lieutenant were full of praise for our cadets, commenting on how smart and professional they looked throughout the ceremony. A special shoutout to Able Cadet Alex, who did an amazing job parading the standard.

It was a fantastic experience for our cadets to witness and be part of such an important national event, reflecting on the sacrifices made for our freedom. Bravo Zulu (navy speak for well done) to all involved!

Rushden Town Council Rushden & District Royal Naval Association Royal British Legion Rushden Branch Love Rushden

🚤🌟 What a busy weekend for Rushden Sea Cadets and our amazing adult volunteers! In addition to celebrating our 10th birthday on Saturday, we had cadets shining at two regattas. Able Cadet Hayden represented the District in windsurfing at the Area Sailing Regatta in Thrapston on Saturday, while today, four teams competed under the blazing sun in the District Rowing Regatta at Wickstead Park in Kettering.

A massive BZ (well done) to all our cadets for representing our unit so fantastically, and in particular to our Senior Girls who came third! 🥉. A huge thank you to our dedicated adult volunteers - both uniformed instructors and trustees - for giving up their weekend to support the cadets. 🌊🎉

🎉🚢 Rushden Sea Cadets celebrated our unit's 10th birthday in style at the Rock UK Frontier Centre in Irthlingborough yesterday! Our cadets had a blast participating in a range of amazing activities, including raft building, rocket launching, team building games, and archery. 🏹🚀

We shared a delicious cake made by Donna, which was cut by Lt Pickles and our youngest cadet, Junior Cadet Ben. 🎂✨

We were honoured to have Sue Norgrove, one of our previous COs, Mike Langford, the Area Chairman, and Morcia Walker, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, join us for the celebrations, along with many of our parents and supporters. It was a day filled with fun, laughter, and great memories! ❤️🎉

🌊🚤 This week’s boating session at Thrapston Lake was a fantastic experience for our Sea Cadets! Despite the blustery weather, our cadets excelled in developing their skills on the water. Dinghy, rowing, and kayaking groups practiced their basic handling techniques, with a couple of brave cadets intentionally performing capsize drills. 🚣‍♂️💦

Our rowers also put in some solid practice ahead of this weekend’s district rowing regatta. Best of luck to everyone participating! 🎉

A special shoutout to Able Cadet Hayden, who will be competing in the Area sailing competition. We’re all cheering for you! 🌟⛵

🎉🎂 A very happy 18th birthday to Able Cadet Robert! 🎂🎉

Last night, Robert was honoured with a Certificate of Service signed by all our instructors and cadets, recognising his incredible 7 years and 8 months with Rushden Sea Cadets. From starting as a Junior Sea Cadet in 2016 to becoming the Mayor's Cadet and qualifying as a Paddlesport Instructor, Robert's journey has been nothing short of inspiring.

We are thrilled to announce that Robert will continue his Sea Cadet journey with us as an adult instructor. Here's to many more achievements and adventures ahead! 🚢👏

🚤🌊 **Rushden Sea Cadets: First Boating Night of 2024! 🌊🚤

What an incredible evening at Thrapston Boat Station! Tonight marked the start of our 2024 boating season, and we couldn't have asked for a better kick-off. We had an impressive turnout with 42 cadets hitting the water for a fantastic mix of canoeing, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, rowing, and dinghy sailing.

A massive Bravo Zulu (naval speak for well done) to the 13 cadets who successfully completed their swimming test tonight – your commitment and determination are truly inspiring! 🏊‍♂️🏅

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated waterborne instructors and our amazing shore-based assistants – your support and teamwork make all of this possible.

Here's to a safe, fun, and adventurous season ahead. Anchors aweigh! ⚓️✨

🌟 What an incredible weekend! 🚢 Ten of our Junior Sea Cadets just returned from a fabulous West District Sea Cadets STEM weekend hosted by Kettering Sea and Royal Marines Cadets. It was packed with science, fun, and hands-on activities that made learning a blast! 🧪🔬

For many of our cadets, it was their first time staying away from home, making the 'sleepover' extra special. A massive thank you to all the volunteers who made this event possible. Your dedication to organizing and delivering a great experience is truly appreciated!

Here's to more adventures and learning! ⚓️

🚶‍♂️🌊 Team Rushden Sea Cadets conquered the 2024 Waendel International Walk! Yesterday, 31 of our dedicated cadets, volunteers, and supporters stepped up for an inspiring 15km journey. 🥾🏅

This wasn't just a walk; it was a stride towards a brighter future for our unit. Every step taken was part of our effort to raise sponsorship funds that will directly benefit our cadets - every little helps: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/FormulaStudent?utm_term=ywkDPNXNV

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and supported us. Your effort and enthusiasm shine as bright as the sea! ⚓️💙

🎉 Exciting News from Rushden Sea Cadets! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Cadet First Class Ben has been chosen as the Mayor's Cadet for the Civic Year 2024 - 2025. Congratulations, Ben - we know you’ll be a fantastic ambassador for the Sea Cadets.

Cllr David Coleman was elected as the Town Mayor of Rushden at the annual meeting on May 14th, 2024. He is looking forward to representing our town and supporting local charities, including our very own Rushden Sea Cadets.

Join us in celebrating this fantastic achievement for Ben and our Unit! 🚢👏

Rushden Town Council Love Rushden

🎉🌊 Last Friday at Rushden Sea Cadets was a night to remember as we gathered for our monthly Ceremonial Divisions and Awards Night, celebrating the remarkable achievements of our outstanding cadets. 🏅

Firstly, we welcomed Reece, Katie and Rustam as New Entry Cadets, and they will be joined next week by Emily G - together making up our Summer Term New Entry intake.

We also witnessed Junior Cadets Ollie and Victor make their cadet promise and earn their berets, and the graduation of Ceridwen, one of our January New Entry Cadets, who was promoted to the rate of Cadet. 🎓 Additionally, Cadets Ella B, Joseph, James, and Leon were promoted to the rate of Cadet First Class, a testament to their dedication and hard work. 👏 Ordinary Cadet Alex advanced to the rate of Able Cadet, while Able Junior Cadet Harrison achieved the highest rank a junior can attain: Leading Junior Cadet. 🌟

In addition to the promotions, we were also pleased to be able to present Cadet First Class Trent with his 2nd Good Conduct Badge. We were also able to present numerous proficiency awards this month. Cadets Ezra, Cameron, Andrew, and David, along with Cadets First Class Alfie, Leon, Trent, James, Noah, and Sam, were proudly awarded the Basic First Aid Proficiency following the recent completion of their first aid course. 🩹 And let's not forget the incredible marksmanship displayed by Cadets French and Wells, as well as Cadet First Class Ben, who were all awarded the Basic Full Bore Shooting Proficiency! 🎯 (Cadets are taught weapon handling skills as part of structured programme of supervised training that emphasises safe and responsible use.)

One of the highlights of the night was the presentation of the Commodore's Broad Pennant to New Entry Cadet Rustam, recognising his exceptional dedication as a Junior Cadet, having earned all four coloured badges, plus an additional 8 modules from each colour. Rustam, your achievement is truly outstanding! 🌟

In addition to these honours, Cadet First Class Trent was awarded the smartest Cadet, while Daring Division claimed the title of smartest Division during our monthly inspection, meaning Daring Division just managed to win this month's closely fought CO's Cup. 🏆

Finally, we were honoured by the visit of the Mayor Elect of Rushden, Councillor David Coleman, who announced this year's Mayor's Cadet: Cadet First Class Ben! 🎖 What a huge honour for Ben, and for Rushden Sea Cadets!

Congratulations to all our cadets for their remarkable accomplishments and dedication this month - they never cease to make us proud! 🎉 🎖🌊

🌊 Junior Cadets Dive into Naval Traditions!🚢

This week our enthusiastic Junior Cadets had a blast learning all about Ships' Badges (often mistakenly called Ships' Crests), putting their creativity to the test by crafting their very own badges out of plasticine. The results were nothing short of amazing!
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🚑 **First Aid Training Weekend at Rushden Sea Cadets!** 🌟

This weekend, our cadets dived into a first aid course, gaining crucial skills while having a blast bandaging each other up! It's not just about the fun; they've learned valuable lessons that will serve them for life. 🩹💪

A massive shoutout to our incredible volunteers who dedicated their weekend to make this happen. Your commitment is the backbone of our training, and we are so grateful for your support. 🙌

🌟 Last night at Rushden Sea Cadets was all about leadership and fun! 🚢

Two of our senior cadets stepped into big shoes for the evening, with Acting Lieutenant Hayden taking the lead and delivering a sharp salute during our Colours ceremony, and Acting Chief Petty Officer Alex impressively managing a top-notch training session. 🎖️

Our Acting Able Cadet Pickles and Acting Ordinary Cadet Evans also joined the action, fully immersing themselves in lessons and deck duties.

A huge thank you to all cadets for a fantastic evening of learning and teamwork!

🌊 Weekend Boating for Rushden Sea Cadets! 🏄‍♂️

This weekend some of our cadets made the most of the weather by getting out on the water at Thrapston. Cadets Pavlo, Ella and Andrew hit the water to complete their Windsurfing Level One course, while Able Cadet Hayden completed his windsurfing Instructor pre-assessment — ride those waves, team! 🌬️🏄‍♀️

Meanwhile, Able Cadet David took a big paddle forward in his journey, completing his Paddle Safety Rescue Training course. He’s now one step closer to earning his Paddlesport Instructor qualification - BZ David! 🚣‍♂️🛶

We're so proud of all our cadets for pushing their limits and expanding their horizons. Keep sailing towards greatness!

This weekend, a dedicated group of our adult volunteers completed the Emergency First Aid At Work course, renewing their essential qualifications and sharpening their lifesaving skills. 🚑

While our cadets learn valuable skills for life through our programs, our volunteers also gain immensely from their involvement with the Sea Cadets. Volunteering not only equips them with essential skills but also brings them closer to a community that makes a real difference. Join us and experience the benefits too!