At a packed public meeting, Poole Sea Cadets outlined their expansion plans to more than a hundred interested parties that included the public, families, Councillors, and an MP.
The background is that Poole’s popular Cadets are attracting record numbers of potential recruits but are confined by their existing Headquarters Building – TS Drax – parts of which date back 85 years. A proposed new building would enable the existing Unit to expand from sixty cadets to ninety girls and boys.
Following a display by the Unit’s award-winning marching band the audience were given the opportunity to ask questions and to record their views.
The business community in Poole has been incredibly supportive in the design process. The new building makes use of the existing site in Sterte in Poole, and its proposed replacement has been designed by Forum Architects, for whom Tim Gough was on hand to talk through and explain the intricacies of the design. Planning concepts have been eased by advice from Gavin Hall of Savills. Poole structural Engineers Calcinotto, represented by Mark Dawson, have been intimately involved too. Poole Harbour Commissioners and the Port of Poole provided the venue for the meeting.
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Pete Miles, who is an active Patron of Poole Sea Cadets, gave a very enthusiastic and rousing supporting speech whilst Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said, “It was fantastic to visit Poole Sea Cadets and receive an update on plans for a new HQ. The team they have put together has designed a great space that will enable them to grow and continue their fantastic work with young people. I was especially thrilled to hear the Cadet Band play; they are incredibly talented.”
Picture: (Left to Right) Lee Hardy, Chair of Poole Sea Cadets, Cllr Richard Burton, Cllr Pete Miles, Mayor of Poole, Cllr Paul Slade, Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole
