Whitehaven Sea Cadets are celebrating a major milestone.
The unit has moved into its new home on Preston Street after over a decade without a permanent base.
Storms destroyed the cadets’ former premises at the Marine Barracks on Whitehaven Harbour.
It has also unveiled a state-of-the-art boating simulator funded by Fibrus Broadband as part of its community fund.
The group recently welcomed guests to its new premises to celebrate the move and showcase the simulator, which gives young people the opportunity to practice navigation, boat handling and emergency scenarios in a safe environment.
Guests included Whitehaven & Workington MP Josh MacAlister, Gerard Richardson, Deputy Lieutenant for Cumbria, representatives from Fibrus Broadband, The National Lottery and other funders, and former building owners and volunteers who helped transform the former Colliers Mission building.
Stuart McCourt, who was a cadet with the group and is now a uniformed volunteer, said: “Without doubt, we are very proud to be able to show people our new base. It’s a huge step forward for us.”
“The community rallied round and helped us. The police and a local business offered space while the group saved up to buy their own property.
“We had lots of setbacks. We were trying to get auction properties but were constantly outbid by property developers. But then this property came up.”
The cadets set about refurbishing the building with help from friends.
“The cadets are absolutely chuffed and can’t believe how big it is.
“There is enough room for activities indoors, which we had to do outside previously, such as marching and sports and there is room for a whole class to learn first aid at the same time. The girls asked if they could paint the toilets lilac and they did that.”
Stuart said the new larger space would also allow the group to expand its numbers, which currently stands at 25 cadets.
The cadets are also relishing some new kit in the form of the boating simulator, which is similar to Formula One and flight simulators.
It was provided thanks to a grant from superfast broadband supplier Fibrus.
Stuart said: “It’s a high-end PC and industry-standard simulator software which we can use for power-boat training.
“It has a steering wheel and throttle, and the cadets can use it to practise for taking a boat out to sea. You can do navigation, plot charts and practise different scenarios such as taking the boat into dock at a specific port or tackling different sea conditions such as rough seas to find out how the boat would handle.”
Although the cadets are given experience every year in the group’s small power boat in Whitehaven harbour, the simulator will enable them to encounter a much wider range of situations.
Fibrus provided a grant covering the full cost of the simulator, worth around £1,500.
“In a normal year, our running costs are only £10,00 to £15,000 so there is no way we could have afforded this by ourselves without Fibrus,” he added.
The new equipment has already proved popular with cadets.
Lillie Hukins, 16, said : “It gives us opportunities that we wouldn’t have otherwise. Some people can’t go off-shore, so it gives navigation skills and stuff like that.
“It’s a very different experience, because when you’re out on the water it’s different types of boats and stuff and it has navigation things, so you learn those skills.
“It gives us more insight into what would happen on a ship, so if we join the navy at least we have some knowledge.
“Thank you so much to Fibrus for providing it – it means a lot.”
Sean Procter-Dow, also 16, said: “It’s a really good way to learn how to use boats and try new things. It’s really good, it’s fun.
“It gives you that bit of preparation for the real thing – I think it’ll help us to feel ready and know what to expect.”
Linda McMillan, chief people officer at Fibrus, said: “The Sea Cadets do an incredible job helping young people develop confidence, teamwork, leadership and practical skills, and we’re delighted that our funding has helped provide this state-of-the-art boating simulator.
“It’s inspiring to see how much has been achieved by the volunteers and supporters who have worked tirelessly to secure and transform this new home for the Sea Cadets after more than a decade of challenges.
“The new base and simulator will help equip local young people with valuable skills and experiences for years to come, and we’re proud to have played a small part in that journey.”
The Sea Cadets, open to young people aged 10 to 18 , provides nationally recognised qualifications including BTECs and recognised boating qualifications, alongside valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership.
Stuart added: “The fact we turn 85 next year shows how popular we are. Especially for a town with such a maritime history, it is important to give local young people access to these opportunities.”
