Sea Cadets set for pageant role (From Western Telegraph)

Sea Cadets set for pageant role

10:10am Saturday 2nd June 2012 in News

Sea Cadets from Milford Haven will be taking the lead when they join others from across the UK to lead the Queen’s Jubilee barge Gloriana down the Thames tomorrow (Sunday)in celebration of the diamond jubilee.

Cadets have trained hard in preparation, as they will be the focal point in a huge flotilla of more than 1,000 vessels.

The vessels will crowd the river to honour the Queen’s Jubilee as part of a huge Thames pageant, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since 1717.

Cadets aged 12 to 18 are part of a 55-strong team of cadet boats from all over the country, each one carrying a flag to represent a commonwealth nation, sailing in a diamond formation on an 11km route from Wandsworth to Greenwich.

The boats, Trinity 500s, were specially designed last year by Olympic dinghy medallist Jo Richards and will be fitted with an outboard motor supplied by Suzuki GB.

Sea Cadets Capt Mark Windsor said: “This is a great honour for us, not least as the Queen is our patron, but it also offers our cadets an incredible opportunity to take part in a once in a lifetime event, to be part of history.”

Commanding Officer Sub Lieut William Elliott said: “This is a fantastic opportunity and a great honour for us to be part of the diamond formation on the Thames.”

Sea Cadets is the UK’s largest maritime youth charity, working in 400 towns with 14,000 cadets aged between ten and 18.

Cadets learn vital life skills like leadership and team working and can earn extra qualifications which help boost confidence and give young people a head start in life.