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Get the latest news and updates about our work and activities on-shore and off-shore, and hear from our spokespeople.

T.S Venomous Sea Cadets Live on BBC Leicester

28 April 2025

This morning, T.S Venomous Sea Cadets had the exciting opportunity to feature live on BBC Radio Leicester as part of our latest recruitment campaign — aimed at finding more incredible adult volunteers to join our team.

One of our cadets bravely told their story, and what it's like at Loughborough Sea Cadets and what a difference it's made to her life, and our Commanding Officer spoke passionately about the vital role that adult volunteers play within the Sea Cadets. Whether it’s helping to deliver fun, inspiring activities or supporting behind the scenes, our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do. By giving just a little of your time, you can help young people gain life skills, confidence, and unforgettable experiences that will shape their futures.

You can listen back to our interview by following this link:
🎧 BBC Sounds – Listen here (Jump to 1:13–1:22)

We’re proud to have the support of BBC Radio Leicester and are grateful for their permission to share this with our community. A huge thank you to the station for helping us spread the word!

Why Volunteer with Sea Cadets?

Becoming an adult volunteer with T.S Venomous Sea Cadets is an opportunity to:

  • Inspire the next generation

  • Learn new skills (including accredited qualifications)

  • Give back to the local community

  • Meet new people and build lasting friendships

  • Be part of a national youth charity with a proud maritime heritage

No previous experience is needed — just enthusiasm and a willingness to make a difference!

How You Can Get Involved

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering with us, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you can give a few hours a week or more, your time will be truly valued.

📧 Email us: admin@tsvenomous.co.uk

Join us and help support young people in reaching their full potential!

Cadets Say Thank You: Honoring Our Volunteers

16 April 2025

In a world where gratitude sometimes feels in short supply, our cadets have stepped forward to express theirs. A new video titled "I want to say thank you for" captures the heartfelt appreciation our young people hold for the dedicated adult volunteers and unit staff who shape their cadet experience.

The video, available at https://cloud.rfca.org.uk/s/nEFmrQrJecyodMj, features cadets from T.S Venomous sharing personal messages of thanks. These testimonials highlight the profound impact that committed instructors have on their development, both as cadets and as individuals preparing for future challenges.

Time and again, cadets mention how unit staff have helped build their confidence through patient guidance and encouragement. They express gratitude for the countless hours spent teaching essential skills – from fieldcraft and navigation to first aid and leadership principles. These skills, many note, extend far beyond cadet activities and provide valuable foundations for life beyond the corps.

The organisation of camps and courses receives special mention, with cadets acknowledging the substantial behind-the-scenes work required to create these formative experiences. They recognise that these opportunities don't happen by chance but through careful planning and dedication from adult volunteers who often sacrifice their own time to make them possible.

Perhaps most touching are the thanks for the patience shown by instructors. Learning new skills isn't always straightforward, and cadets sincerely appreciate the understanding and persistence demonstrated by staff who continue to support them through challenges and setbacks.

This video serves as a reminder of the two-way relationship at the heart of cadet organisations – adult volunteers giving generously of their time and expertise, and young people recognising and valuing that contribution. It showcases the mutual respect that develops and the positive culture this creates within units.

For anyone considering volunteering with cadet forces, this unscripted appreciation from the cadets themselves offers compelling testimony to the difference one person can make. For current volunteers, it provides well-deserved recognition of their ongoing commitment.

We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to watch this touching compilation. In these sincere expressions of gratitude, we see the true impact of the cadet experience and the special connection between cadets and those who guide them on their journey.

Introducing our new XO - PO Harrison

Introducing our new XO - PO Harrison

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with our T.S. Venomous community! After careful consideration and evaluation, we are proud to announce that PO I. Harrison has been appointed as our new Executive Officer (XO). This is a significant milestone for both PO Harrison and our unit, and we couldn't be more enthusiastic about what lies ahead.

PO I. Harrison brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role. Having been an integral part of our team for some time now, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a genuine commitment to the development and growth of our cadets. Her passion for the sea cadet programme and her understanding of the values we uphold make her the perfect fit for this position.

As the new XO, PO Harrison is set to infuse fresh energy into our training programmes and activities. She has a clear vision for enhancing our cadet experience, focusing on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every cadet can thrive. Under her leadership, we anticipate innovative ideas and initiatives that will not only strengthen our unit but also inspire our cadets to reach their full potential.

Please join us in congratulating PO I. Harrison on this well-deserved promotion! We are excited to have her at the helm as we embark on new adventures and challenges together. Her leadership will undoubtedly guide us toward continued success and growth as a unit.

We invite all members of the T.S. Venomous family to extend their support and encouragement to PO Harrison as she takes on this important role. Together, let’s make this a memorable and impactful journey for our cadets!

Here’s to new beginnings and the bright future of T.S. Venomous under PO I. Harrison's leadership!

Celebrating Excellence: T.S Venomous Triumph

Celebrating Excellence: T.S Venomous Triumph

The recent Eastern Area Drill Competition showcased the exceptional skills and dedication of maritime cadets, with T.S Venomous from Loughborough emerging as a standout team. Securing the third-place position is no small feat, and these young cadets have proven themselves to be a formidable force in competitive military drilling.

The competition is far more than just a display of precision and synchronization. It represents a comprehensive test of a cadet's abilities, encompassing team-building exercises, rigorous physical training, intricate close-order military drill techniques, and practical hands-on instruction. Each element requires discipline, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

For the T.S Venomous cadets, this achievement is the result of countless hours of practice, dedication, and mutual support. Their third-place finish is a testament to their hard work and the quality of training they receive. It's not just about the medal or the ranking, but about the personal growth, leadership skills, and team spirit developed through such challenging experiences.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations not only to the T.S Venomous team but to all participants of the Eastern Area Drill Competition. Each cadet who stepped onto that competition floor demonstrated remarkable skill, discipline, and passion. The true victory lies in the journey of improvement, teamwork, and personal development.

To the T.S Venomous cadets, your performance is a source of immense pride. You have represented your unit, your community, and yourselves with distinction. This achievement is just the beginning of what promises to be an impressive journey of personal and collective excellence.

A special mention must be made to the instructors and support staff who have guided these cadets, shaping them into the skilled and disciplined individuals we see today. Your mentorship and dedication are the cornerstone of their success.

As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of the T.S Venomous cadets in future competitions and their ongoing maritime training journey.

Celebrating 75 Years of Royal Naval Reserve

Celebrating 75 Years of Royal Naval Reserve

A Historic Celebration in Nottingham

This weekend marked a significant milestone for the Royal Naval Reserve in the East Midlands as HMS Sherwood hosted a special celebration commemorating 75 years of dedicated service in our region. The event, held at the prestigious Nottingham Council House, brought together service members, civic leaders, and the next generation of naval enthusiasts.

The evening's distinguished guest, Lord Lieutenant Veronica Pickering MBS HAC, was welcomed with full naval honors. As reservists formed an impressive honor guard, Commander Sacha Brooks, HMS Sherwood's commanding officer, alongside the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Carole McCulloch, greeted the Lord Lieutenant at the entrance to the Council House.

75 Years of Proud Naval Tradition

The Royal Naval Reserve has maintained a strong and vital presence in the East Midlands since 1949, when the first unit of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was established in Nottingham's historic Lace Quarter. Over three-quarters of a century, this tradition of service has continued unbroken, with HMS Sherwood standing as a beacon of naval excellence in our inland region.

While the RNR75 celebration commemorates this specific milestone, the event served a broader purpose—highlighting and strengthening the relationships between the Naval Service and the many organizations and individuals across the East Midlands who support its mission.

TS Venomous Cadets Step Up

In a particularly proud moment for our local community, cadets from TS Venomous (Loughborough Sea Cadets) played an active and visible role in the celebrations. As part of the Central District Sea Cadets contingent, these young people participated in special ceremonial and parade training at HMS Sherwood in preparation for their duties during the RNR75 event.

Three cadets from TS Venomous—LC Evans, AC Lester, and OC Elliott—represented our local unit with distinction. Their participation symbolizes the strong bonds between the Sea Cadets organisation and the Royal Naval Reserve, connections reinforced by the fact that several reservists also serve as staff members and instructors with TS Venomous.

Building Future Naval Leaders

This crossover between the reserves and cadet units exemplifies the dedication to naval tradition and service that RNR75 celebrates. It also highlights the important role that organizations like the Sea Cadets play in introducing young people to naval customs, skills, and potential career paths.

The weekend's events offered these cadets a unique opportunity to witness naval ceremony firsthand while actively participating in a historic celebration. For many, this experience may spark a lifelong connection to naval service.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward the future, the involvement of TS Venomous and other Sea Cadet units in the RNR75 celebration serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing legacy of naval service in the East Midlands.

The relationships formed and strengthened during events like these ensure that the proud tradition established in Nottingham's Lace Quarter 75 years ago will continue for generations to come.

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