This past weekend, three of our volunteers — PO K. Buncher, PO J. Cross, and PO Cadet A. Redford — successfully completed their British Canoeing Paddle sport Safety and Rescue Course, gaining vital qualifications across kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). The course, which took place over an intensive Sunday, focused on practical skills including self-rescue, group safety, and effective paddlesport supervision — all of which are essential for delivering fun, safe, and adventurous experiences for our cadets on the water. “It was a brilliant course — hands-on, challenging, and really rewarding. I feel much more confident now taking cadets out on the water.” said PO K. Buncher. Thanks to the continued efforts of our fundraising team and the incredible generosity of our supporters, we’re proud to say that this course was fully funded — meaning our volunteers didn’t have to pay a penny. This investment in volunteer development directly translates into more qualified staff, which means more sessions and more opportunities for cadets to enjoy paddlesport training in a safe, supported environment. “The course was really practical, and the instructors were excellent. It’s great knowing we’re better prepared to keep cadets safe while having fun on the water.” added PO J. Cross We’re especially proud of PO Cadet A. Redford, one of our senior cadets, who trained alongside our adult volunteers and demonstrated great leadership throughout the course. “I learned so much about rescues and working as a team on the water,”  said PO Cadet Redford. “I can’t wait to help run sessions this summer!” With the summer boating season in full swing, these new qualifications will help us safely expand our paddlesport programme — giving more cadets the chance to get out on the water, build confidence, and develop new skills. Want to get involved? Whether you're an experienced instructor, total beginner, or just looking to give back to your community, we’re always looking for enthusiastic adults to join our team of volunteers. Full training and support are provided, and opportunities like this course are just one of the many ways we invest in our people. Get in touch through our Facebook page  or visit www.navycadets.co.uk  to learn more and start your journey with us. #LeicesterNavyCadets #VolunteerSuccess #BritishCanoeing #PaddlesportSafety #YouthDevelopment #SkillsForLife #OnTheWater #NavyCadets #CommunitySupport #VolunteerWithUs #SUPTraining #Canoeing #Kayaking

As part of our Portsmouth 2025 adventure, the Leicester Navy Cadets stepped aboard the awe-inspiring HMS Warrior – Britain’s first iron-hulled warship and one of the most powerful naval vessels of the Victorian era. Launched in 1860, Warrior revolutionised naval engineering with her combination of sails, steam power, iron armour, and heavy guns, making her the pride of Queen Victoria’s Navy. 🔱 Today, HMS Warrior stands tall in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, offering an immersive experience of life at sea during the 19th century — and our cadets absolutely loved it. 🗣️ One of the most memorable parts of the visit was the live-action interpreters stationed around the ship. From the blacksmith to the ship's master-at-arms, these passionate actors brought history to life through vivid storytelling, demonstrations, and engaging Q&A sessions that made every deck feel alive. 🎭⚙️ 💬 “The live actors were brilliant – they made it feel like the ship was still in service. We learned so much about what life was like for Victorian sailors,” said one cadet. To add to the experience, cadets took part in the Warrior stamp trail, collecting a stamp on each deck of the ship. Not only was this a fun and interactive way to explore the vessel, but it also helped cadets take in key information from every corner — from the gun decks to the captain’s cabin. 📖🔍 Key Highlights from the HMS Warrior Visit: ✅ Exploring the armour-plated gun decks ✅ Learning about steam-powered propulsion and hybrid naval design ✅ Interacting with professional re-enactors ✅ Collecting stamps across every deck of the ship ✅ Gaining insight into 19th-century naval warfare and daily sailor life Experiences like this go far beyond the classroom. They build naval knowledge, spark curiosity, and reinforce our core cadet values: Discipline, Respect, Pride, and Service. 📍 HMS Warrior | Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 📆 Summer 2025 Round-Up Visit 👥 Leicester Navy Cadets, Volunteers & Staff Stay tuned — more photos and stories from our Portsmouth trip are coming soon! 🌐 Explore more on our blog: www.navycadets.co.uk/blog #LeicesterNavyCadets #HMSWarrior #PortsmouthHistoricDockyard #NavalHistory #VictorianNavy #RoyalNavyHeritage #CadetExperience #CadetLeadership #CadetsUK #UKCadets #NavalEngineering #STEMAndSea #CadetLearning #HMSWarriorVisit #InteractiveHistory #YouthDevelopment #Portsmouth2025 #NavyCadets

On Sunday, 15th June 2025, two members of the Leicester Navy Cadets team—Petty Officer Buncher and Petty Officer Cross—were honoured to attend the Civic Service at Leicester Cathedral, welcoming Councillor Teresa Aldred as the new Lord Mayor of Leicester. Held in the beautifully restored Leicester Cathedral, the ceremony brought together civic dignitaries, local leaders, faith representatives, and community volunteers to mark the beginning of Councillor Aldred’s term as The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Leicester. The event showcased the unity and spirit of Leicester, a city known for its rich heritage and strong community values. Also in attendance was Lieutenant Mike Kapur OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, who continues to be a great supporter of youth development and community engagement initiatives across the region. His presence reflected the importance of the service and the deep ties between civic leadership and voluntary organisations like ours. “It was an honour to represent Leicester Navy Cadets at such a distinguished event. These occasions remind us why civic pride and community involvement are at the heart of everything we do with our cadets,” said PO Cross. As a youth organisation committed to developing leadership, discipline, and citizenship in young people, Leicester Navy Cadets are proud to participate in city events like this, reinforcing our connection with local governance and public service. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lord Mayor Teresa Aldred and look forward to seeing the positive impact of her term in office.

As part of our unforgettable Portsmouth round-up trip, our cadets embarked on an exciting harbour boat crossing to reach HMS Alliance, the Royal Navy’s last surviving WWII-era submarine — and what an experience it was! 🔱🧭 🚤 The journey began with a harbour crossing by boat, giving our cadets the chance to see the working Portsmouth Naval Base from the water, just like sailors of the past. Once we arrived, it was time to step below the surface and into the world of submariners. 💂‍♀️🌊 Inside HMS Alliance, our cadets explored: ✅ The torpedo loading bay ✅ Engine rooms and control systems ✅ The ultra-cramped living quarters ✅ Authentic Cold War and WW2 tech ✅ Real stories from submariners who served beneath the waves This immersive experience showed our cadets the incredible resilience, discipline, and teamwork it takes to serve aboard a submarine. The tight corridors, echoing machinery, and low ceilings were a stark contrast to the ships we’d seen — and gave a real appreciation of life beneath the surface. 🫡💡 📸 Look through to see photos from the harbour boat ride and inside HMS Alliance, where history, hardship, and honour live on in steel and silence. These kinds of unique experiences are what the Leicester Navy Cadets are all about — building future leaders through real-world exposure to naval heritage, STEM education, and team-based learning. 🌟 📍 HMS Alliance | Royal Navy Submarine Museum 📆 Summer 2025 Round-Up Trip 👥 Cadets, Volunteers & Staff 🚢 Keep an eye on our next post featuring even more from our Portsmouth adventures — including hands-on exhibits and time at Action Stations! 🌐 Read the full experience at: www.navycadets.co.uk/blog #LeicesterNavyCadets #HMSAlliance #SubmarineExperience #RoyalNavySubmarineMuseum #PortsmouthTrip #NavalHistory #CadetAdventure #CadetsUK #ColdWarHistory #STEMLearning #CadetLeadership #PortsmouthHarbour #BoatRideExperience #UKCadets #CadetLife #LifeBelowTheSurface #NavyCadetsUK

As part of our ongoing commitment to community action, environmental responsibility, and youth development, Leicester Navy Cadets proudly took part in the Big Paddle Clean Up — a national initiative spearheaded by British Canoeing to tackle plastic pollution and remove litter from UK waterways. 💪♻️ Armed with paddles, litter pickers, gloves, and plenty of determination, our cadets, volunteers and parents launched into action from the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre. Navigating by kayak and bell boat, they targeted hard-to-reach banks and floating debris, collecting multiple bags of rubbish and making a real difference to our natural environment. 🌿🌊 💬 “It’s amazing how much rubbish ends up in our rivers. Being out there cleaning it up while kayaking made it feel even more rewarding,” said one cadet. This hands-on day out was more than just a clean up: ✅ It developed vital paddle sport skills in real-world conditions ✅ Counted towards environmental awareness modules ✅ Built teamwork, leadership, and water safety knowledge ✅ Opened eyes to the impact of pollution on aquatic ecosystems For many of our cadets, it was the first time combining conservation with adventure, and it left a powerful impression. From learning how litter affects local wildlife to understanding the importance of sustainability, this was cadet training with a purpose. The local community shared words of thanks and encouragement as the cadets worked hard along the waterways, proving once again that cadet spirit is alive and strong — where service, pride, and action go hand in hand. 👏🌍 📸 Check out some of the amazing photos from the day — and the piles of waste we removed thanks to teamwork and a strong sense of duty! 🌐 Find out more about our environmental work at: www.navycadets.co.uk/blog #LeicesterNavyCadets #BigPaddleCleanup #BritishCanoeing #PaddleForThePlanet #CadetsForChange #WaterwayCleanup #YouthInAction #EnvironmentalResponsibility #PlasticFreeRivers #KayakCleanup #BellBoating #STEMandSea #CadetAdventure #CommunityService #EcoCadets #NavyCadetsUK #OutdoorLearning #SustainabilityInAction

A few weeks ago, our cadets had the incredible honour of stepping aboard HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, during our Portsmouth round-up trip! 🏴‍☠️🌊 From the moment we set foot on the historic decks, we were immersed in the rich Royal Navy heritage that continues to inspire generations of sailors and cadets alike. Our cadets explored the various decks, marvelled at the ship’s iconic rigging, and stood where heroes once commanded with courage and discipline. 💂‍♂️📜 📸 Check out some exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of our visit to HMS Victory — a ship that stands as a living tribute to British naval history, discipline, and tradition. Highlights included: ✅ Touring the Admiral’s Great Cabin ✅ Learning about 19th-century naval life ✅ Seeing Nelson’s battle tactics on his own ship ✅ Experiencing the cramped but powerful gun decks ✅ Reflecting at Nelson’s memorial spot aboard the ship This visit brought our cadet values to life — Respect, Discipline, Commitment, and Pride — all rooted deeply in the traditions upheld by the Royal Navy for centuries. We’re proud to give our cadets unforgettable opportunities like this, helping them grow in confidence, leadership, and historical understanding. 🌟 📍 HMS Victory | Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 📆 Portsmouth 2025 Round-Up Trip 👥 Cadets, Volunteers & Staff 🫡 Stay tuned for more photos from our action-packed Portsmouth visit — including the National Museum of the Royal Navy, The Mary Rose Museum, and much more! 🌐 Read more about our adventures at: www.navycadets.co.uk/blog #LeicesterNavyCadets #HMSVictory #PortsmouthTrip #RoyalNavyHistory #Trafalgar #NavyCadets #CadetLife #NavyCadetsUK #HMSVictoryVisit #PortsmouthHistoricDockyard #YouthDevelopment #LeadershipTraining #NelsonLegacy #CadetAdventure #UKCadets #STEMandSea #MaritimeHeritage