Formby Maritime Cadets held their first ever Promotion ceremony

The Formby Maritime Cadets were able to hold their first ever Promotion Ceremony on Friday 23rd June. We had three Cadets and six Junior Cadets complete their respective New Entry Task Books which enabled them to be ranked up to Cadet and Junior Cadet.

The Ceremony took place on the Main Deck at the Maritime Unit in front of parents and friends of all Cadet Members. The Commanding Officer (S/Lt Anne Smith MCA) explained to the audience how the Cadets themselves had written the Oath they were about to take, the commitment they were making to the unit and how the cadets themselves were responsible for looking after their uniform. She also commented on how proud she was of the Cadets and how they had ‘forged the way’ and set the bar high for other Cadets to follow. The ceremony itself involved the cadets taking the ‘Oath’ in front of everyone while holding the Ensign. The Cadets were then presented with their uniforms, which they were all eager to get changed into straight away

The promotion event was followed by a two night Cadet Acquaint Camp. This allowed the cadets to participate in First Aid, Seamanship and Catering taster sessions. On Saturday they all had the opportunity to make chocolate chip cookies, learn about shear legs and how to make a gyn; in first aid they learned how to bandage one another and some members of staff. The evening was spent playing table tennis and air hockey followed by a DVD night where hot chocolate and marshmallows were served.

The following day (Sunday) was spent swimming and cleaning and tidying the camp before awarding certificates and heading home at 3pm. The cadets had a great time. When asked if they had enjoyed it they passed comments such as ‘no we loved it’ and ‘when is the next one’. To which the CO replied ‘let me get over this one first, but there are plans for a summer camp in the school holidays. So watch this space’.

We have a busy couple of months planned over the summer as we participate in extra activities as well as our parade nights. We taking part in the Formby Festival, have more boating sessions booked, a whole day aboard the Kathleen and May (a tall ship in Albert Dock), a summer boating camp at Knowsley and a day trip to the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Training and Development Academy open day in Liverpool. Other activities are also being planned but we are keeping those secret for now.

So you can see a busy time ahead. If anyone would like to become involved we take Cadets aged 8 – 18 years old and Adult Volunteers from 18 – infinity.

All you have to do is contact us on 07791426740, come and meet us on our stall at the Formby Festival, look up the website www.maritimecadets.co.uk/TS%20Anson, follow us on facebook or come and meet us on a parade night Tues and Fri 1830 – 2030.

Waitrose Presentation

S/Lt Anne Smith (Commanding Officer) and all the staff and Cadets of Formby Maritime Cadets (FMC) would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Waitrose who presented us with a big cheque for £400 on Tuesday 4th July.

This donation was made following FMC’s participation in Waitrose’s Community Matters Scheme. “This cheque has given us the chance to buy some much needed equipment to assist in the instruction of the Cadets and the money will benefit the whole unit” said SLt Smith."

“We would also like to thank the local community as without their support of putting the tokens in the Maritime Cadet bin we wouldn’t have received the amount we did. So once again a big thank you to Waitrose and all the people of Formby who supported us it is very much appreciated.”