Cadets and Volunteers at the City of Bath Sea Cadets pushed the boat out at the weekend, as they celebrated the opening of their new headquarters in St John’s Road by Sir David Hempleman-Adams.
As Unit Chairman, former Royal Navy officer and charity trustee, Captain Peter Dalrymple-Smith, said: “We were tremendously excited about the opening of our modern and specially-designed new headquarters.
“Sir David was ideally placed to fly the flag for the next generation of cadets, as the first person ever to reach both Geographic and Magnetic North and South Poles as well as climb the highest peaks in all seven continents.”
Sir David spoke of his many adventures, as well as how volunteer instructors, like those at City of Bath Sea Cadets, inspired him to a life of adventure during his time at Writhlington School.
He also shared his considerable experience of youth charities, especially as a trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
On Saturday, a host of supporters of the Sea Cadets in Bath and local dignitaries, including the Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Ian Gilchrist, gathered to see Sir David launch the state of the art new facility, enabling the Sea Cadets to continue their work of giving young people from Bath the best possible head start in life through nautical adventure and fun, and in the spirit of the historic customs and traditions of the Royal Navy.
For many decades, City of Bath Sea Cadets have worked in the city, keeping Bath’s long-standing Naval heritage at the forefront of local people’s minds.
It is one of the oldest Sea Cadet Units, the 25th in the Sea Cadet Corps, with photo evidence of Naval cadets in Bath in the 1890s, and is exceptionally proud of its history. The earliest recorded meeting took place in September 1942.
The unit moved into its first permanent Headquarters in 1950 at Elmstead Lodge, 30 St Johns Road.
The property was bought for £2000 with funds from an anonymous donor for the use of the Unit in perpetuity or, in the event of the Unit disbanding, for the benefit of young people in the City of Bath.
The original bequest enabling the purchase of the site was a historic, and very generous, step in sustaining over 60 years of work in the local community.
Although linked closely to the Royal Navy, each Sea Cadet unit is an independent charity, and so cadets, volunteers and supporters still need to raise all the funds required to keep their Headquarters active, and their boats and equipment in good repair.
Sadly, in 2016 the original Victorian building was considered to be no longer suitable for training, owing to its material state. Draughty and uneconomical to heat and light, the old premises had unreliable plumbing, occasional issues with rats and other pests, a damp boatshed, and a number of potential structural problems that would have financially crippled the unit had they needed urgent repair.
A partner was sought to enable the re-development of the site for shared use, but incorporating a high standard of facilities for cadet training on and off the river, the new development is the next historic step taking the unit forward for 60 years, or more.
With the agreement of the Trustees of the original bequest, contractual arrangements were made for redevelopment with the ground floor and waterfront retained for the Sea Cadets, and upper floors for the accommodation of a small number of students. The project was delivered by RENGEN, the development arm of IESIS limited.
The main building contractor was IKON, and the Architects were Stride Treglown. This consortium of companies has been involved in a number of high-profile regenerative projects in the City in recent years, including at the Widcombe Social Club site, and at the Old Labour Exchange in James Street West. Work began in November 2016.
But as Officer in Charge, Lieutenant Tim West, was keen to point out, the charity’s long-running success isn’t just about buildings. “The entire project has been planned, managed and arranged by a small and dedicated group of hard working and professional Sea Cadet volunteers”, says the full-time teacher and former submariner.
“Volunteers are central to the Sea Cadets’ work and we couldn’t do it without them.”
Two nights a week volunteer instructors recruited from the local community deliver a training programme based on the core values of Respect, Loyalty, Self Discipline, Honesty and Integrity, and Commitment.
The building’s waterfront location means cadets can continue to spend most of the summer powerboating, rowing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Whenever cadets are not busy on the water they are learning useful skills in Seamanship, First Aid, Marine Engineering and Meteorology, as well as completing an impressive array of national qualifications including DofE, BTECs, RYA powerboating and BCU kayaking.
There are currently 25 cadets and seven members of staff and the intention is to expand the unit on moving into the new premises.
All youth organisations need a diversity of skills and backgrounds of volunteers and the Sea Cadets in Bath would be delighted to hear from anyone who would be interested in joining their staff, and from any budding new cadets.