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About our Unit
Christchurch Sea Cadet Corps has been established for over 30 years and during this time many young people from Christchurch and the surrounding areas have benefited from the excellent training available.
We offer young people in Christchurch the chance to become involved in a very active youth organisation, while at the same time making new friends and learning new skills. Above all we maintain a high safety standard and make all of our activities 'Serious Fun'.
A big advantage that we have over other Youth Organisations in our area is the sponsorship that we receive from the Royal Navy. This means that uniform is very cheap and that the cost of attending camps is very inexpensive.
Currently the unit has 52 cadets of which 38 are senior and 14 junior (Jacks). The male to female split is 50:50.
We have ten dedicated staff, six uniformed and remaining are civilian instructors all who are trained to supervise activities. The uniform staff actively run the unit are made up of Ex Services and Adults from all different backgrounds.
CPO(SCC) Rachel Benson (Commanding Officer)
CPO(SCC) Ben Benson
Lt (RNR) Eddie Muggeridge
PPO(SCC) Alex Breen
PPO(SCC) Sophie Shaul
PO (SCC) Gary Shepheard
Administration Officer Val Usher
Civilian Instructor Derek Usher
Civilian Instructor Ian Rushforth
Civilian Instructor Roger Murray
The Sea Cadet Corps imposes very high standards on it's staff members to ensure that any Uniformed or Civillian Instructor has the correct qualification for the activity they are instructing or supervising.
Christchurch Unit has a friendly atmosphere and all new members of staff are welcomed. Training the cadets and being a member of the Sea Cadet Corps is very rewarding and great fun, although a level of commitment is required if you are to function as part of the Unit. The Sea Cadet Corps offers excellent training to all members of staff and you will be expected to attend a number of training courses that will qualify you to be uprated. The timetable for attending courses is flexible and many courses are now run over a series of weekends.
The unit is fortunate to have as its Unit Patron, The Worshipful Mayor of Christchurch and as the Unit President, Honorary Freeman Councillor Eric N Spreadbury MBE
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Joining the Staff
What will I do ?
On a day to day basis the main role of all members of staff is to train the Cadets . This may consist of syllabus training, specialisations or proficiencies training. You may also be asked to take on extra duties within the Unit such as being a Divisional Officer or maybe the Boats Officer. Christchurch Unit also runs a number of weekend camps throughout the year which you can attend.
Do I get paid ?
The Sea Cadet Corps is a voluntary organisation and as such you do not get paid for routine Cadet nights or the majority of events.
However, if you attend training courses or certain camps, you will be paid by the Sea Cadet Corps and also your travel costs may be reimbursed. This applies to all members of staff other than civilian instructors who can only claim travel.
How do I join ?
It is best to phone the Unit first and speak to the Commanding Officer. You will then be asked to attend an informal interview with the Commanding Officer.
You will be asked to complete some paperwork and all being well will then become a member of he Unit.
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Boat House
In the summer months the unit meets in our Boat House located on the River Stour, where the waterbourne activities take place. The unit owns 16 Kayaks, 2 Toppers, 3 Picos, 1 RIB, 1 Dory (Used as the Safety Boat) 3 Bosun, 1 Viking and 1 ASC
Cadets will always be issued with the relevant safety equipment (such as Buoyancy aids etc.) before an activity commences.
Dinghy Sailing
Sailing is a wonderful activity that allows you to work by yourself in a single-handed dinghy or as part of a team in a larger dinghy. It is a truly exhilarating sport that develops self confidence and awareness of natural elements.
All dinghy sailing within the Sea Cadet Corps is conducted under the Royal Yachting Association sailing schemes.
The main dinghies used by the Sea Cadets are the Bosun, Laser Pico, and the Topper, however the opportunity often arises to sail higher performance craft.
Christchurch Sea Cadet Unit has three Bosuns, two Laser Pico's, and two Toppers, that are used for sailing. We also attend other training establishments such as H.M.S. Bristol at Portsmouth where a large number of other sailing craft are available.
Kayaking
Kayaking is another popular sport where you can develop your own personal waterborne skills. All training is conducted under the British Canoe Union Training Scheme. Our unit has a very Strong Kayaking background with many of the staff being qualified BCU Coaches. Many of our cadets over the years have represented our unit, district and area in national Kayak Regattas.
Pulling
Pulling (or rowing) is the basis for all good seamanship practices. It teaches good teamwork and waterborne skills. Christchurch Unit has an ASC (Admiralty Sailing Craft) on the river Stour where our boat station is located, which is used extensively throughout the summer months.
Power Boating
Power Boating allows cadets to learn boat handling in displacement and planing power craft. All instruction is carried out under the Royal Yachting Association power boat training scheme. Christchurch Unit has a 16 foot Viking SMB Displacement Craft, a 4.7m Valiant Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) which are moored on the River Stour and are used for power boat training throughout the year. The Unit has Two RYA Powerboat Instructors and various Safetyboat Helms
Offshore Sailing
The Sea Cadet Corps has a number of large sailing craft which Cadets can sail on. The most impressive craft is T.S. Royalist which is a square rigger. Cadets can attend week long trips on Royalist and learn how to work as part of the crew while at the same time visiting British or Foreign ports.
Offshore Power Boating
The Sea Cadet Corps offers offshore power boat training in a number of large power vessels. These vessels frequently visit British and Foreign ports.
Specialisation / Proficiency Training
There are numerous proficiency activities in which cadets can participate, such as:
Expedition Training (Camping)
Small Bore Shooting
Full Bore Shooting
Piping
Diving
Meteorology
Some of these are run from the unit while others are run on National Courses held in HM Naval Bases
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Camps / Visits
Christchurch Unit organises many weekend camps for boating and camping activities throughout the year.
Our unit also has an annual week long camp. This could be at the Sea Cadet Training Centre in Weymouth where we can use the excellent boat work and training facilities, or at H.M.S. Raleigh in Cornwall where our Cadets experience many of the training elements that Royal Naval New Entries have to undertake when they join up. This includes fire fighting, damage control, life raft exercises, parade training and many other activities.
The Southern Area organises numerous training weekends and weeks in many activities.
The Sea Cadet Corps as a national organisation hosts many training events throughout the year in all Cadet subjects. Many of these camps are held on Naval establishments where the cadets are trained by RN staff. Booking these camps is simplicity itself. A chart of available national courses is displayed on the wall and once a course is chosen by a Cadet and booked by the Unit, the Cadet will receive joining instructions and travel warrants. The cost of the camps is very minimal.
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Competition
We take part in competitions for many activities throughout the year, such as: sailing, canoeing, pulling, boat handling, shooting, drill, piping, football, athletics, cross country, swimming. If we win the event at District level, we then move on to Area Level and finally to National Level.
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How much does it cost ?
Once the joining fee is received, the Cadet will be issued with both uniforms which are then exchanged for new uniform as required throughout the Cadet's service. Cadets will need to purchase their own boots or shoes. However, these are normally available from the Unit for a nominal charge.
Subscriptions
Senior Cadets pay £48.00 per Term towards heating, lighting and other running costs.
Junior Cadets pay £24.00 per Term towards heating lighting and other running cost.
If two or more members of one family attend either sea cadets or juniors there is a discounted rate of subs. Please contact for further details.
Cheques are payable to 'Christchurch Sea Cadets'
Camps
Camps are normally quite inexpensive but do vary from location to location. A rough guide is shown below for information only. The cost of the camps include transport, accommodation and food.
Camp Type Normal Cost Unit/District/Area Weekend £15.00 Unit/District/Area Week £60.00.
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Joining
During the winter months, the cadets meet at Portfield Hall every Tuesday and Thursday at 19.00 hrs
CHRISTCHURCH SEA CADETS TS WOOLLARD - UNIT 576
The Portfield Hall,
Portfield Rd,
Christchurch,
Dorset BH23 2AQ
During the summer months, the cadets meet at the Boat House every Tuesday and Thursday at 19.00hrs
The Sea Cadet Boat House
Wick Lane
Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 1HU
Email address: christchurch_sea_cadets@hotmail.co.uk
Christchurch Unit will do it's very best to accommodate any children with special needs. Please speak to the Commanding Officer if you have a child that requires special attention.
Your child will never attend a day/weekend/week activity without your prior written parental consent.
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