SHIRLEY SEA CADETS is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year and is calling for former members to come forward with their memories.
Formed in 1956, the cadets want to hear from past cadets and staff to collect photos, stories and memories that borough residents would wish to share.
A special birthday celebration will be held in July to which ex-members are invited to attend.
The group is still as popular as ever and is looking to expand on their current home with a planning application already in place.
If successful, the expansion could see the cadets add another 25 members to their current 54 strong member base.
Simon Marland, unit chairman at the Shirley and District Sea Cadets, told The Observer: “I joined the cadets six years ago and haven’t looked back since.
“We meet two days a week and have great fun together – there’s plenty of laughs to be had.
“The cadets group is home to a great bunch of kids who feed off each other, our adult volunteers almost relive their youth.”
Home to 54 cadets and 32 adult volunteers – who take it in turns to volunteer with the group – Shirley Sea Cadets regularly travel out of the borough to Wales, the south-west and abroad to countries including France, Belgium, Holland and Spain.
Simon added: “The group is all self funded and we’re always recruiting – hopefully with the expansion to our new building we can gain even more members, that’s the plan.
“I’m sure that there’s been plenty of change since the cadets started 60 years ago.
“We’d love to hear from those involved with the cadets in bygone years and discover more about our wonderful team from the past.”
