Sea Cadets Tamworth & Lichfield

16/06/2026

Great to host those who give to us so generously and was so good to allow them to see what we are about.
Thank you Co-Op

13/06/2026

❗National Drowning Prevention Week

Sea Cadets take water safety seriously.

As part of our water safety training we help young people learn how to stay safe in and around the water.

🙌Here are some Top Tips to keep you safe around the water:

📌If you suddenly fall into cold water, try not to panic or swim hard straight away, especially if you’re not wearing a buoyancy aid.
💙Cold water shock can make you gasp and feel out of control for the first minute or two.
✅Instead, float on your back, keep your head tilted back with your ears in the water, and use your hands to help you stay afloat while you calm your breathing.
❗Once the shock has passed, call for help or swim to safety if you’re able to.

❗Remember: Float to Live – it could save your life.
Help keep your friends and family safe by sharing this message and talking about it together❗

Links to Learn More:
https://rnli.org/safety/float
https://www.rlss.org.uk/Listing/Category/summer-water-safety

READY, AYE, READY!


South West Area Sea Cadets
London Area Sea Cadets
Eastern Area Sea Cadets
Sea Cadets North West Area
Sea Cadets Northern Area
Southern Area Sea Cadets

08/06/2026

The End to Volunteers Week

This weekend had been our District Rowing Regatta so I’m finishing volunteers week with some of the most important people in the unit.

The UMT

Vic Van Der Burgh is our outgoing Chair. He is a retired vicar and has been with the unit for many years. He still does do work in and around the community and different events like at the NMA.

He is also padre for many other organisations so a busy fella.

He Christened my Jack and Jamie using the Ships Bell as the font in St Editha’s church.

Luckily will be staying on as our unit padre.

Victoria Forry is the incoming chair and is mum

To Aiden. Has been involved with the committee only for the last year but has supported Aiden at many events over his few years. Victoria is the organiser and also the feeder of cadets 🤣.

She also runs the Pathway Project support sessions in Tamworth and has lots of safeguarding experience.

Stella Priseman had been our treasurer for a couple of years but had been with us in the unit since her now adult twins were cadets in the unit many years ago. She takes care of the money side especially the Stand Easy bank. Is a regular cleaner which is a job that usually goes unnoticed but we thank you x

Paige is our committees secretary since turning 18 as she was a cadet beforehand. So has also been with us now for a while. Helps to organise the events like Bingo. She has a busy full on job and often travels away with work.

New member Malcolm Machin is actually my dad and has been my biggest fan (obviously) since I was born so now being able to support me as a committee member to help run events and it’s become very much a family affair.

Was in the Army before being a Miner and was actually staff in Army cadets when I was young.

Soon to be members hopefully are Zoe and Tina (Rita’s mom and Dougie Mom) who are in the process of joining 🤞

The committee do all the work in the background and their main role is the Health, safety and maintenance of the unit and to make sure we are running in a safe environment.

06/06/2026

Come down and meet some of our cadets and staff at the Armed forces day on the 27th in the castle grounds. Find out what we do and how you can be part of our award winning team !

Armed Forces Day, Saturday 27th June, 12pm-4pm, Lower Lawn, Castle Grounds. Lots of stalls, Bouncy Castle, food, tea and coffee. Please support your local branch Royal British Legion, Tamworth Branch and those who have served and are still serving. LEST WE FORGET.

05/06/2026

Volunteer Week
We start tonight with SAF-O Officer Cadet Josh Mandefield RFA. He joined us in October 2015, and in 5 years 4 months, achieved the rank of PO Cadet. It is fair to say he embraced the Sea Cadet Experience undertaking 2 offshore voyages on Royalist, and becoming the first Cadet Seamanship Instructor in the South West Area. He was also Lord Mayors Cadet and undertook many civic engagements.
On becoming staff in 2021, he moved seamlessly into the role of an adult instructor, and becoming a regular face at District and Area training, joining the Area Seamanship team of instructors.
He has now embarked upon his dream role, combining study and practical training as he undertakes a degree with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a deck officer. We met him recently while he was learning on the job docked in Portland.

Next we have SAF-OR URNU Grace Wilson-Dyke. She joined the unit in May 2022, aged 15. In her 3 years as a cadet, she became an AC, and actively participated in everything the unit had to offer from first aid to windsurfing, and enjoyed competing in district and area boating competitions. As a cadet, she also attended a Royal Navy Medical careers webinar, leading her on the path she follows to this day.
As an adult, she has supported competitions, displays, fundraising and engagement events both with the unit, district and area.

PPO William Baxter is our assistant Junior Training Officer, and supports PO Hackett with the training of our JCs. He spent his 7 years as a cadet entering drill competitions each year, together with community events, fundraising and rowing. He went from junior to Able Cadet, and remained with us through those tricky COVID years.
As an adult, he has supported JC STEM delivery, district regattas and remembrance parade. He continues to develop his skills to help him to deliver to our cadets.

PPO Brooke Dicker is our assistant stores officer, and enjoys supporting the many events that we attend. She was a cadet from the age of 15, and has been an adult volunteer for just over a year. She is completing her adult modules, while continuing to support the delivery of the cadet experience.

PPO Adam Kemp also assists with the stores team. He was a cadet for just over 3 years, becoming an able cadet. He attended summer camp, parades, waterborne and shore based competitions. He is settling to becoming an adult instructor, juggling this with his studies.

Finally, our newest PPO, Daniel Hayes. He joined us as shy and reserved 13 ½ year old, and through his dedication and constant badgering to his mother to undertake every course available, he achieved the rare rank of PO Cadet. He was also a cadet drill instructor, cadet seamanship instructor and a paddle sports instructor. He has brought these skills with him as he has become a volunteer.
He undertook 3 offshore voyages, and competed at district, area and national competitions, where he attended national sailing regatta in windsurfing, and qualified for the cancelled national combined regatta in cross stream. It is fair to say that he absolutely epitomised the cadet journey, and continues to now do that as an adult supporting fundraising and delivery of both paddle sports and rowing.

04/06/2026

Volunteers Week

Tonight we have

Jon C (CI Carter) who joined us last summer and has already become a cadet firm favourite winning the staff trophy on December. Jon came from Scouts and has a rack load of qualifications, knowledge and experience.

Name a few are DofE exped leader, First Aid Instructor, Mountain Leader, Climbing instructor, Advanced Powerboat Instructor and shore based such as Radio.

He works for himself teaching First Aid among other things, and has his own RYA Centre Accreditation.

Jon D (PO Doggett) joined sea cadets in 2007 as 10 year old Junior at Hinckley stayed there till turned 18 and finished as LC, where he Transferred to Nuneaton and stayed there for 3 years. Now he is with us here in Tamworth.

He has his Intermediate seamanship instructor, Mounting biking instructor, First Aid and WWYP Instructor. Rowing and Safety boat qualifications.

Looking to do his promotion to Chief this year.

He Currently works as an operative for an engineering company and has 2 little girls.

Carl (PO Wilkins) only joined us in 2024 when Isla joined. Got through his modules quickly to become PO and has his L2 in Powerboating.

Currently on leave and hope to see him back again soon. 😜

Oli (PO Castle) joined in 2014 as a junior and got all up to POC. Is a total water baby obtaining qualifications in most water disciplines but mostly Sailing and Kayaking. Is a Paddlesport instructor, Sailing Instructor, powerboat instructor.

He assists Elliot with the training programmes over the winter. Also helps with maintenance of the boats.

Conveniently works at Excel Marine who service our powerboats.

Taz (PO Theresa Hackett) came to join us here in Tamworth ( cause we are awesome 🤩) from Mercia District and has been in cadets since 2023.

Taz is our Catering Instructor and our OIC Juniors. She does the training programme for the juniors and helps complete modules etc.

Is mum to Jorge (currently a cadet) and has recently been Offshore.

She works in a school and is also CCF (Combined cadet forces) as some schools have these so she doubles up on sea cadets at cadets and at work. Winner.

03/06/2026

Volunteers Week

Today I introduce The Chief and The Deeley’s

Ales (Chief) joined us as a Civilian Instructor in 2016 when his oldest child joined.

Eventually into uniform, now gaining the rank of CPO (they know everything 🤣). Ales is an advanced Seamanship Instructor, as well as our MET guru and our Paddlesports Coach.

Also holds an Area role as Assistant Area Staff Officer for Windsurfing (SW).

Works in IT. He loves a musical and to take Gary Skiing!

Oldest of the Deeley is Eleanor who joined as a cadet in 2014 and got up to LC before turning 18. Stayed on with us and became our Junior Instructor, is a Catering Instructor and a Rowing Coxswain.

When at the unit is usually involved in some sort of fun activity for Divisional nights.

Works as Entertainment management on the Cruise ships and is currently cruising somewhere nice and hot (no jealousy here 😜)

Tom joined in 2016 and got to LC before aging out to become one of our dedicated instructors.

Tom is our Competitions Manager in the unit. Is the Rowing Coach and Physical Training Instructor. He also holds an Area role as Area Staff Officer Physical Training.

This is why he is always jumping around 🤣

Becca is the youngest of the trio and joined in 2017 at the age of 11 and fell in love with Rowing.

She is the unit’s Welfare Officer, having her Mental Health First Aid level 2. She looks after the Mental well being of our cadets and provides support and advice.

She works full time as a Performer so not at the unit as often as she would like.

Viv (no photo as she’s shy!) is mum to the trio above and is a Unit Assistant. Attends events and provides help if required. Been the support for the Deeleys as they went through as cadets.

Fun fact - Deeley’s Grandfather taught me when I was a cadet! 🤣not showing my age at all! 😱🫣

Tomorrow - Jon C, Jon D, Karl, Ollie and Taz

02/06/2026

Volunteers Week

Today we have Nicola, Elliot and Terry

Nicola (aka Mrs Castle) is our Admin Officer having joined back in 2015 when her children were cadets.

She looks after the background admin duties that often go unnoticed but are very important for our URs, such as modules, baiting hours and attendance.

Also organises a lot of the fundraising stalls like the St George’s and the soon to be Armed Forces stall.

Works full time as Manager at Argos as well as a foster carer.

Elliot (Sir Smith) joined as a youngster in 2010 moving up through the ranks and rates and was a Mayors cadet. He is our head of Admin and Training. So all organising of training plans, weekends, letters and posts usually come from Elliot. Also my go to for tech support.

Elliot has his Gold DofE, is Peer Ed and Working with Young people instructor as well as a Rowing Coach.

Elliot has an district role as Westminster Support and is National Staff Officer of VQ.

He works full time in the week and is often doing all manner of cadet events over weekends.

Terry (Sir Powell) was CO previously and is now Head of Stores. He joined us here when he was posted to Whittington Barracks when he was in the Army.

Is a Peer Ed instructor and a Catering Instructor as well as a Rowing Coach.

Terry also helps out at the cadet advancement boards and is a great resource full of knowledge and experience.

Now retired from the Army but still works at the Barracks.

Tomorrow - The Chief and Deeley’s

01/06/2026

Volunteers Week

During this week I shall post about all our volunteers. Get to know us all a little bit better.

Starting with Me (CO) and Gary (1st LT)

I joined as a cadet at the age of 14 in 1993 and here I still am. During my time I have done a variety of specialisation’s starting with PT but now it’s all about seamanship. I am one of the powerboat instructors and a paddleboard instructor. I am also Area Staff Officer for South West Area for Seamanship.

Been through all the ranks and rates.

I have 4 children (Holly, Harry, Jack & Jamie) and a fur boy (Toby). ! We love to go away in our caravan when not working or cadeting.

I do work full time (which is why I always look so tired 🤣) as a PC for Staffs Police on a shift pattern of 6on4off7on4off. So if I’m not at the unit it will be because I’m working a late.

Gary joined in 2012 only helping out but soon realised he loved it as much as me. Has moved up quickly in cadet roles and ranks since.

Is one of the First Aid Instructors and is the main Sailing Instructor as well as windsurfing. Gary looks after the RYA Centre accreditation and just had an inspection yesterday which we passed with flying colours.

Gary is also the National Staff Officer for Sailing means he runs the National sailing regatta in the summer as well as helping with district and area regattas.

Married to me so share family responsibilities although doesn’t spoil the dog as much as I do (🤔).

Gary also works full time for Staffs Police (although a little bit higher up the hierarchy than me) also working an opposing shift pattern.

We have a very busy life but wouldn’t change it.

Volunteers for life!

Tomorrow - Elliot, Terry, Nicola

31/05/2026

Well… what an amazing and busy weekend for the unit…

- Supported the unveiling of the White Ensign Lodge memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum

- Mess dinner for the dining out of Lt Terry Powell

- RYA Safety Boat course (3 passes!)

- Successful RYA Recognised Training Centre centre inspection

Time for a rest now ahead of our upcoming regattas…!