
3 minute read
Memories of over 1000 East Belfast Young People.
by EDA Media
Sea Cadets can take part in many activities including waterborne activities such as kayaking, sailing and rowing as well as specialist subjects such as Marine Engineering, First Aid, Navigation and Physical Training etc.
Over the St Patrick’s Weekend, TS Formidable Sea Cadets hosted an 80th Anniversary Dinner at the Titanic Hotel, Belfast with 80 guests from across Northern Ireland. The Royal Marines Ceilidh Band and Drum Corps demonstrated
The evening was successful in raising £1250 charities, one being The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity for Veterans.
The Belfast No.3 Sea Cadet Unit was started on the 4th April 1942 with parades being initially held in Elmgrove Primary School on the Beersbridge Road, Belfast. The Officer Commanding was Lt. H. Thompson Sen, a retired Master Mariner who gained his masters ticket in Sail. The Unit Warrant was issued in the following year, on the 5th March 1943. The Unit, growing in number, moved to Owen O’Cork Mill Lane in 1945 under the Command of Lt H. Thompson Jnr (son of the former Commanding Officer). This building was an old flax mill which had its own flax dam, with many young cadets being introduced to boat work on this dam. The unit continued to flourish in number and at the end of 1946, nearly 100 cadets were enrolled. Lt H. Thompson’s (Jnr) own son went on to join the
Royal Navy, becoming Vice Admiral Sir Hugh L. Thompson RN.
Due to development, in 1962 the unit moved into an old factory tied school which was vacant at the time on East Bread Street. After some renovations, the New Headquarters was officially opened by Dr. Dennis Rebbick, Chairman of Harland & Wolff. At this time, the Marine Cadet Detachment was formed, giving young people of the area an insight into the Royal Marines.
The Chairman of the unit, Mr. D. Andrews was able to purchase one of the two HMS Formidable Ship Bells, bearing battle scars from its service in the Far East during the Second World War and duly presented it to the Unit.
The unit then began to conduct rowing and small boat training in Belfast Harbour at Abercorn Basin and Milewater Basin alongside HMS Caroline. It maintained a close relationship with HMS Caroline until its decommissioning from RN Service in December 2009.
1986 saw the addition of a Girls Nautical Training Corps (GNTC) Section, introducing girls to the unit.
In 1997 the unit moved to Calvin Street, off the Beersbridge Road, where it continued to thrive before turbulence in the area and rising costs, it moved to Harbour Court, Belfast
Harbour Estate. Currently the Unit is housed within the Tri Service Cadet Centre at Kinnegar, Holywood conducting boating activities at Belfast Marina and Holywood Yacht Club.
TS Formidable Sea Cadets are celebrating their 80th Anniversary Year and hoping to get all their Cadets a total of eighty qualifications in this anniversary year. their professionalism for the attending guests. A number of ex cadets attended, reminiscing about their past history of being a cadet and how it had influenced their life in such a positive manner. One ex cadet, Ms Kelly Gordon remembered how the cadets gave her the confidence to speak out and be part of a team. This ultimately inspired her to work for the Ambulance Service with her currently working in the Control Room answering peoples calls for help on the 999 system where she has to remain calm under extreme pressures, reassuring patients and their families whilst giving instructions which for many, can save their lives.
The TS Formidable Sea Cadet Unit has helped well over 1000 young people from the Belfast and surrounding area to gain values in Respect, Loyalty, Commitment, Courage, Honesty and Integrity, increasing their teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Now the Unit are increasing in numbers of young people having once had over one hundred cadets on parade. Currently its unit Headquarters at located at the Cadet Centre, Kinnegar Avenue, Holywood, operating on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 18.30 to 21.30. Waterborne activities occur at Holywood Yacht Club and Belfast Marina. The Unit not only have young people wishing to join to train and partake in it activities but also increasingly have young adults wishing to join as young instructors and older members of the community to assist where possible including helping on the fundraising committee. The Sea Cadets are fully inclusive of all communities in Northern Ireland and intergenerational.