Latest News

It is a special, one-off, category of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which was established in 2002 as part of the UK honours system to recognise the work of grassroots organisations at a local level. During the past ten years, over 1000 community groups and local charities have received this prestigious honour.

A representative selection of recipients attended a special reception in Whitehall on Tuesday evening, while Buckingham Palace will hold a reception next year for recipients of this Award and to recognise ten years of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Sixty organisations which have successfully harnessed the hard work, commitment and generosity of volunteers to change the United Kingdom for the better have been recognised with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012.

The list of recipients reflects the diversity, optimism and excitement of a national year of celebration. The Award recognises well known voluntary groups which have made a contribution throughout Her Majesty’s sixty-year reign, alongside newer organisations that engaged volunteers specifically to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games and to build on the sporting legacy of London 2012.

Sea Cadets is thrilled to announce, the Charity won this year’s one-off; The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012, for their continuing contribution to volunteering.

To mark the Diamond Jubilee, sixty recipients were announced, through a joint Buckingham Palace and Cabinet Office Press Notice. Sea Cadets nomination was endorsed by The First Sea Lord, highlighting the amazing support Sea Cadets enjoy from the Royal Navy.

This Award is recognition of the great work that Sea Cadets and its volunteers do, cadets and adult volunteers of the Registered Charity are immensely proud and honoured to be recognised in this way.

Captain Sea Cadets, Captain Mark Windsor, M.A., B.Sc., Royal Navy said, “This award is the icing on the cake for what has been an incredible year for the Sea Cadets, culminating in our fifty-five boat diamond formation of boats carrying the commonwealth flags in the Sea Cadets Patron, Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Thames River Pageant in June.”

Former Second Sea Lord now, Trustee of the MSSC, Sir Alan Massey K.C.B., C.B.E., said “I'm absolutely thrilled for all those who have made this happen through their tireless efforts.”

The President of The Marine Society and Sea Cadets, Admiral Sir Peter Abbott G.B.E., K.C.B. said "This is wonderful news and so well deserved, a grand way to end a grand year. Many congratulations to you all.”

Martyn Lewis C.B.E., Chairman, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012 Committee, said: The sixty organisations honoured today with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for Volunteering 2012 have built their success on the dedication and generosity of thousands of extraordinary people, each of whom has devoted their time and energy to the simple aim of making their communities – and their country – a better place. "Day-in, day out volunteers are making a contribution to every aspect of our society – working with the elderly, supporting young people and reaching out to those in need. Volunteering is as fundamental to British life as rain at Wimbledon or the local pub – and what better way to recognise it than with an Award from Her Majesty in her Diamond Jubilee year."

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said: The list of recipients of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for Volunteering 2012 reads like a Who’s Who of some of our most important charities and voluntary organisations. It is a testament to the enduring strength and immeasurable contribution of volunteers over the past sixty years. "The 2012 Olympics brought volunteering firmly, and deservedly, into the spotlight. The stories behind these Awards show what people can achieve when they come together and I hope they will inspire more people to come forward to contribute, and gain from, all that volunteering offers."

On the 2nd. June 2012, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, conferred on T.S. DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets, The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award - The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the M.B.E. for volunteer groups.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognises and rewards excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community, the Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement by groups of two or more people in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man who volunteer their own time to enhance and improve the quality of life and opportunity for individuals or other groups in the community.

The citation reads; T.S. DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets - Providing quality nautical engagement and adventure training to young people with fun and community inclusion.

In this, the seventieth anniversary year (established 1942) of TS DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets, the Unit continues at the forefront of work in the community, serving no less than five council areas - Coleraine, Londonderry, Limavady, Ballymoney and Moyle, as well as assisting many others - further afield.  It is the only Unit in the Sea Cadet Corps to have been awarded the QAVS.

Headquarters:

16, Dunluce Avenue, Portrush, BT56 8DW

Web-site:
sea-cadets.org/portrush

Telephone:
028 708 25 999

E-mail:
portrushseacadets@btconnect.com

Unit open:
Every Monday and Thursday 19:00 - 21:30

T. S. DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets are part of a national fundraising campaign to build a new ship to replace the charity’s iconic flagship, T.S. ROYALIST - now over 40 years old – the Portrush Sea Cadets would very much like your assistance raising the much needed funding.

http://www.sea-cadets.org/new-shipappeal

A voyage in T.S. ROYALIST is the pinnacle of the Sea Cadets' experience – a once-in-a-lifetime off-shore adventure that literally puts the sea in Sea Cadets! T.S. ROYALIST is available to all 14,000 Sea Cadets throughout the United Kingdom, every year ROYALIST takes around 650 cadets to "Live the Adventure" . . . . . . across all of the Sea Cadets vessels, about 1,500 cadets "Come on Board" to go to sea, having fun and learning nautical skills.

This sail training ship has helped cadets develop their individual teamwork skills, gives the young people confidence, allows each to face challenges in an exhilarating environment.

The national charity (The Marine Society and Sea Cadets) has worked hard over the past two years, already raising £3.8m of the £5.6million target. Now Portrush Sea Cadets need your assistance, in one last push, the Unit Chairman, Mr. Ian McCullough, made a plea during a Drill night in the Unit Headquarters, please help us by showing your support, making a contribution, whether small or large, will assist thousands of young people, to keep sailing with Sea Cadets!

Sea Cadets is a national nautical youth charity operating in 400 units across the United Kingdom. It supports 14,000 young people aged 10 – 18; offering them a unique opportunity to learn vital life skills via a range of nautical adventure activities. This helps to boost confidence and inspire young people, giving them the best possible head start in life.

Almost every week of the year, twenty-four Sea Cadets, Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) and a single week of Air Cadets from all over the United Kingdom, join the ship and spend the week on board working as part of the crew.

There are 8 permanent members of crew who instruct the embarked cadets on a weekly basis and also carry out the maintenance / winter refit. These are the Captain, Sailing Master, Engineer, Boatswain, Coxswain, 2 Watch Officers and the Cook.

Trips abroad are also taken regularly, such as to the Channel Islands and to France, Belgium and in some cases, the Netherlands and Germany. Also, during the Tall Ships race period, Training Ship ROYALIST can visit other countries of Europe. Every four years ROYALIST is a guest at the Brest Traditional Sail Festival in southern Brittany, a spectacular event, welcoming over two thousand classic vessels and tall ships from all around the world.

For around four or five weeks of the year, for The Tall Ships' Races ROYALIST becomes a racing ship. During this period, only cadets who are over 16 years of age are allowed to crew her, it usually involves a crew taking her to the start of the race (1 week duration). Then, the race crew come on board, and race 'Royalist' against other Class A ships in the race, which are from all over the world (2 week duration). When the race finishes, yet another crew come aboard, and bring her back home (2 week duration).

Cadets can gain various qualifications when they complete a week on board TS ROYALIST, which are Offshore Hand 1, Offshore Hand 2, Offshore Seaman, and Offshore Watch-leader. The only way to gain any further qualifications, is by getting day skippers, onboard TS 'Vigilant' or the sister TS 'City Liveryman'.

To find out more visit: New Ship Appeal

Headquarters:

16, Dunluce Avenue, Portrush, BT56 8DW

Web-site:

sea-cadets.org/portrush

Telephone:

028 708 25 999

E-mail:

portrushseacadets@btconnect.com

Unit open:

Every Monday and Thursday 19:00 - 21:30

The internationally respected qualification delivered to Portrush Sea Cadets via the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO) mixes theory and practical elements with an emphasis on leadership, teamwork, communications, problem solving and fitness. The syllabus includes professional CV preparation, interviewing techniques, communication, first aid, adventure training, health and nutrition.

Membership of the Portrush Sea Cadets has helped young people acquire a diverse range of practical skills, giving them opportunities to develop self-discipline and teaches the cadets how to work independently, as part of a team or, indeed, to lead others. 

CVQO offer cadets the chance to earn independently recognised qualifications which will be of real value to them as they enter college or university or step into the world of work.

Achieving BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council, a British body which awards vocational qualifications - which, are themselves still known simply as BTECs) / CVQO standard in Public Services is no mean feat, particularly when the work is juggled with school, family and social commitments, cadets welcome the challenge and work hard to achieve this valuable award.

Congratulations to the adult volunteer instructors who work tirelessly to ensure the success of BTEC / CVQO – and every other element of Cadet life and, the many families and schools who support Cadet membership. This is team work at its best, these high-achieving Sea Cadets are the result!

W. Graham McLaughlin, a stalwart of T.S. DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets - after nearly fifty years in the Unit - as cadet and adult volunteer, Graham stepped aside on Wednesday 31st. October 2012 at the 70th. Annual General Meeting of the Unit.

With his wife, Moira, Graham is accompanied by the Unit Chairman, Mr. A. F. Ian McCullough - in receipt of a farewell nautical token from the Unit, a specially commissioned, handcrafted woven willow sculpture of a 'fouled anchor' - a befitting boating card, reading: "Graham, We often take for granted, the people that most deserve our gratitude. A gesture of appreciation for your many years of commitment to T.S. DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets."

BUCKINGHAM PALACE                              -                              Saturday, 2nd. June 2012

Today, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, conferred on T.S. DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets, The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award - The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognises and rewards excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community, the Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement by groups of two or more people in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man who volunteer their own time to enhance and improve the quality of life and opportunity for individuals or other groups in the community.

The citation reads; T.S. DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets - Providing quality nautical engagement and adventure training to young people with fun and community inclusion.

In this, the seventieth anniversary year (established 1942) of TS DUKE OF YORK, Portrush Sea Cadets, the Unit continues at the forefront of work in the community, serving no less than five council areas - Coleraine, Londonderry, Limavady, Ballymoney and Moyle, as well as assisting many others - further afield.

1942 Portrush Sea Cadets, was formed in Portrush. In the same year; the first Committee Meeting was held and enrolment of cadets. The Unit Headquarters was at Portrush Harbour, on the quayside where Portrush Yacht Club has its premises today. Portrush Sea Cadets had the top floor of the building, the ground floor, it was used by the local coal merchant. Coal was shipped into Portrush Harbour, the horse-drawn carts were loaded 'below deck', resulting in considerable black coal dust percolating through the gaps in the timber floorboards. There was a horse-trough outside the building, not only used to quench the thirst of the horses, also 'exercised' - to 'christen' newly enrolled cadets!