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The Loughborough Sea Cadets held their bi-annual Royal Navy Parade (RNP) at TS Venomous, marking a significant milestone with the formal opening of a newly constructed jetty. This event, which drew esteemed guests and community members alike, celebrated the unit’s achievements and its commitment to nurturing local youth.

The Parade saw the inspection of 28 cadets and staff by distinguished guests, including Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire Colonel Martin, Lieutenant Colonel (SCC) Prollins (Senior Staff Officer), the Deputy Mayor, and the Member of Parliament for Loughborough. Families and friends of the cadets also attended to witness the proceedings. The inspection not only highlighted the unit's dedication to upholding the values and discipline of the Royal Navy but also showcased the personal development of the cadets, aged between 10 and 18.

Following the formal parade, the official opening of the new jetty took place. The jetty, a critical addition to the unit’s waterfront facilities, was made possible through the generous support of local businesses and donors. 

Notable contributors include: 

• Sandwork, for their expertise in building the structure. 

• Tarmac, for providing the foundational stone for the jetty. 

• Travis Perkins Ltd, who supplied cement supports, ensuring strength and durability. 

• Mick George Ltd, who offered discounted cement, allowing the project to maximize its resources. 

• George Walker Ltd, for their essential donation of timber. 

• The Martin Trust & Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons, for their vital financial contributions.

• Mr Hutchinson who kayaked from London to Loughborough, and Mrs Elliot who conducted a sponsored swim.

• William Davis Homes, for providing the final donation enabling us to purchase the cement to complete the construction. 

This collective community support allowed the Sea Cadets to enhance their training facilities and ensure that cadets continue to benefit from hands-on, practical experience. 

After the jetty opening, visitors toured TS Venomous' classrooms, where cadets demonstrated a variety of skills, including STEM activities, knot-tying, and shared personal stories about the impact of Sea Cadet training. These demonstrations reflected the core mission of the Loughborough Sea Cadets: to empower young people with the confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills that prepare them for their futures.

Commanding Officer of TS Venomous Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Paul Browning RNR, said, “This jetty symbolizes the dedication of our team and the unwavering support of the Loughborough community. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and this new facility will provide invaluable opportunities for our cadets to continue growing and developing.”

As part of their broader commitment to youth development, the Loughborough Sea Cadets provide a wide range of nautical and adventurous activities designed to build discipline, resilience, and leadership. Through their involvement in the cadets, young people from the local community are given a unique opportunity to embrace the values of the Royal Navy and prepare for their future in a supportive, structured environment, enabling them to thrive and prepare them for the world ahead.

In a ceremony marked by tradition and camaraderie, the Loughborough Sea Cadets bid farewell to one leader and welcomed another as the torch of command was passed from Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Kyle Wilson-Kean RNR to Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Paul Browning RNR. The change of command ceremony, held amidst family and friends, signified a pivotal moment in the unit's history.

Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Wilson-Kean, who has steered the ship of TS Venomous with dedication and passion, reflected on his time as the commanding officer. "It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the commanding officer of TS Venomous. The dedication and commitment of our cadets and staff have been truly inspiring," he remarked.

As Wilson-Kean steps down from his role, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a strong foundation upon which TS Venomous can continue to thrive.

Stepping into the role with enthusiasm and determination, Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Browning expressed his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity. "I am immensely proud to be entrusted with command of TS Venomous. This unit has grown in my short time here, and I am so proud of the amazing staff and cadets that make the cadet experience possible," said Browning.

With a commitment to fostering leadership, teamwork, and personal development among its members, TS Venomous looks forward to a bright future under the guidance of its new commanding officer.

The change of command ceremony serves as a reminder of the continuity and resilience of the Sea Cadets, embodying the values of service, honor, and leadership that are central to their mission. As TS Venomous charts its course forward, it does so with gratitude for the past and optimism for the journey ahead.

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, St Bartholomew’s United Church in Quorn hosted a heartfelt memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Quorn. This Hunt-class destroyer, tragically lost on August 3, 1944, while supporting the D-Day landings, was honored in a reflective gathering that underscored the bravery of its crew and their enduring legacy.

The service was enriched by the participation of cadets and staff from local Sea Cadet units, including TS Venomous of Loughborough and TS Tiger of Leicester. They took an active role in the proceedings, delivering readings and leading parts of the event. Their contribution extended to lining the entrance of the church, forming a ceremonial guard of honor that added dignity and poignancy to the occasion.

The congregation included representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Leicester Senior Service Club, members of Quorn Parish Council, and veterans' associations like the Type 42 Destroyer Association. Dennis Marchant delivered a thoughtful address, highlighting the sacrifice of those who served aboard HMS Quorn.

The ceremony was a testament to the community's commitment to remembrance, fostering a shared sense of history and respect. Attendees had the opportunity to reflect together and honor the legacy of the ship and her crew, with refreshments served afterward to continue the spirit of camaraderie.

This annual event at St Bartholomew’s demonstrates the lasting importance of remembering the sacrifices of the past and the unity it inspires within the local and naval communities.

I am delighted to announce that Loughborough Sea Cadets is now able to reopen its doors and welcome back the staff and cadets.

The coming months will see the cadets return to boating activites as well as the chance to attend courses locally.

If you are interested in joining us as a cadet or a member of staff please dont hesitate to contact us using the contact us form on this website. We are always looking for new  additions to our ships company.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 27 extraordinary people from across the UK are being recognised with the coveted British Citizen Award. One of them is Paul Browning, from Loughborough, Leicestershire. Due to the current lockdown, the usual grand medal presentation ceremony at The Palace of Westminster is unable to take place. For only the second time in its history, Paul and the remaining 26 medalists received their BCA medals by courier, together with video messages of congratulations together with an invitation to the House of Lords at a date yet to be determined, when it is safe to do so.

The British Citizen Award (BCA), in association with One-Stop, is now in its sixth year and recognises exceptional people who positively impact their communities. Paul Browning is honoured with a BCAh for Services to Healthcare.

Paul has been involved with clinical sciences for over 20 years, with the last seven being focused on wound care. He has made over 12 publications in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and lectured clinicians globally in wound care.

Through prior engagement with Parliament from his academic studies, Paul applied his learnings into practice when he became aware of the huge variation in wound care and cost-saving initiatives which did not put the patient first. He found this to be ethically unacceptable and contacted peers - most notably Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - who supported the issues around patient care. Paul realised that we needed a National strategy to address the huge costs and variations in wound care.

Several written questions in the House of Lords were tabled culminating in securing an oral debate in 2017, resulting in the Government creating a National Wound Strategy. This programme continues to support improvements in patient care. Chronic wound care costs the NHS in England over £8bn a year. With Paul identifying the variation in care, researching political support, using the parliamentary processes to secure awareness and debate, then working with a UK trade association, this has changed national policy, proving one person can make the difference.

Jonny McQuarrie, Managing Director from BCA partner One Stop said: “Each time a new group of medalists are selected it reminds us of how great the people of this nation are. We serve many communities up and down the country through the One Stop convenience stores, and these particular individuals being recognised now, especially at this time of extraordinary circumstance, reflects all that is good about community spirit. It’s a privilege to play a small part in helping them to be recognised. Our congratulations go to all 27 honourees”.

Dame Mary Perkins, who would have usually presented Paul with his medal personally, said: “British Citizen Award recipients are very special people. They all go above and beyond for others with selfless acts of

kindness and community spirit with no thought or expectation of praise or reward. These awards are a great opportunity to shine a light on their good works and give them the recognition they so thoroughly deserve. They are the nation's true unsung heroes and, in a year that has been so very challenging for everyone, their contributions have been even more valuable than ever. I look forward to seeing all the recipients recognised in person as soon as is possible.”

Messages of support were sent via video from TV personalities Michael Underwood, Matt Allwright, pop superstar Kimberly Walsh of the Pussycat Dolls, and popular comedian, actor and Patron of the BCA Bradley Walsh. Messages of congratulations were also sent by the wider sponsor community including from representatives of Experian, Places for People and Objective HR who have all continued to support the BCA throughout the pandemic.

The British Citizen Award was established in 2015, to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly making a positive impact on society. The BCA recognises true pillars of the community, whose divergent endeavours deserve honouring, but might otherwise likely be overlooked.

Dubbed the People’s Honours, each Medal bears the words ‘For the Good of the Country’ and are presented to only a small number of exceptional individuals twice annually. The British Citizen Award is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday people for exceptional endeavor and are truly representative of today’s multicultural Britain