Sea Cadets making plans for next 75 years of success

Ian Bunting

Airdrie and Coatbridge Sea Cadets have sailed through 75 years of ship-shape service to youngsters.

But the organisation that has brought so much joy, fun and qualifications to others is now looking for the community’s support to help maintain its high standards.

The group’s current home in the Mission Hall, on Airdrie’s Motherwell Street, is in need of “substantial work” and the cadets team are hoping to raise funds to bring the venue “up to standard”.

First officer Eamonn Gallagher, 69, told the Advertiser: “Our organisation celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, having started out as the Navy League before developing into the cadets.

“We used to be based in the old Wellwynd surgery and, before that, in a wooden hut on Bore Road.

“We’ve been in the Mission Hall for a few years now and though it has served us well, the building needs substantial work to bring it up to standard. It needs sprucing up and improved so we are trying to raise local support for funds and looking into the possibility of grants.

“We are a charitable organisation who depend on funding and would really appreciate any help we can get from local people or businesses.”

Chapelhall man Eamonn has also revealed that the organisation is keen to welcome along new members to its group of 25 cadets and six staff members.

And despite its name, the Airdrie-based cadets is open to people from all over the country, as Eamonn explained: “People can come from anywhere, not just Airdrie or Coatbridge.

“The next nearest unit to us is East Kilbride so it may be that our location is better suited to a lot of youngsters interested in joining the cadets.

“A lot of people don’t know we’re here as we used to be based closer to the town centre and more in the public eye.

“Being part of the cadets is an excellent opportunity for youngsters to have hugely rewarding fun.”

The sea cadets have two age groups – juniors, for 10- to 12year-olds, and seniors, aged from 12 to 18 – and offer a wide range of activities.

Eamonn said: “Our cadets can take part in boating, kayaking and windsurfing as well as engineering, first aid and archery; it’s a very immersive programme.

“They can also go away on courses and have the option of doing exchanges within Europe or places like Hong Kong and Singapore.

“Although our meetings are in the Mission Hall twice a week, we also do boating on Fannyside Loch in Cumbernauld on Sunday mornings.

“When cadets are about to turn 19, they can either leave or become adult members of staff, teaching cadets what they’ve been taught themselves.”

Eamonn is approaching his fourth decade with the Airdrie and Coatbridge Sea Cadets and maintains passionate enthusiasm for his role.

He said: “I’ve been with the cadets for 38 years, starting out in Wellwynd in 1980.

“I was on the committee and then joined the staff, eventually becoming first officer which was a great honour.

“I’m also the group’s kayaking and archery instructor.

“I still really enjoy what I do, particularly teaching the cadets and seeing them taking everything in.

“Watching them have fun and gain their qualifications is where I get my satisfaction from. It’s a very rewarding role.”

Airdrie and Coatbridge Sea Cadets meet in the Mission Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

● To register an interest in helping the organisation with its venue repair work, or find out further details about its activities, visit www.seacadets.org/airdriecoatbridge or www.facebook.com/ airdrieandcoatbridgescc/ or email airdrie007coatbridgescc@ gmail.com

Being part of the cadets is an excellent opportunity for youngsters to have hugely rewarding fun

Water load of fun Kayaking, boating and windsurfing are among the aquatic activities on offer