Visit to Bexley and Lewisham Sea Cadet Corps

When fellow Liverymen Simon Ellis and Linda Palmer asked if we could visit the Bexley and Lewisham Sea Cadet Corps at one of their regular meetings, we were delighted to find that we would be accompanied by Mr David Easton, the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the Borough of Bexley, in full dress, complete with sword! Parents and relatives of the cadets were also invited.

After a divisional kit check, we were piped in by the Quartermaster and the whole Corps was ordered to fall in for Colours. The Master was invited to “inspect the troops” – definitely a new experience for the Broderers!!

Cadets fall in for Colours under the watchful eye of PO Hall

The Leadership team had asked the cadets to set up ‘stations’ where we could learn about the various experiences of being a cadet and as a result, the skills learned. Every cadet was immaculately turned-out including boots, that take hours to polish to a mirror shine – a demonstration of their pride in belonging to the Corps.

Numerous courses are available to the Cadets and we saw the DL present various certificates to different Cadets for their recent achievements. Some Cadets achieve their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, but every Cadet leaves the Corp with a cv that is a huge support to any application for university or an apprenticeship. Their enthusiasm is infectious and a real joy to see – an absolutely brilliant evening.

The Master being taught to tie knots. She is unlikely to be asked to help crew any sailing ship!

The Cadets teaching each other how to stow lines

Cadets highlighting their resuscitation skills to family members