AS National Cadets Week 2026 gets into full swing across the country (Oct 5-11), UK Docks Marine Services is celebrating its connections with South Shields Sea Cadets and looking to get involved with more Sea Cadet groups in the future.
The company, headquartered in South Shields, has long supported TS Collingwood (Unit 315) of the South Shields Sea Cadets Corps, based on Wapping Street, a short distance from UK Docks’ River Drive HQ.
UK Docks’ founder, Harry Wilson MBE, is honorary president of TS Collingwood,
Over the years, he has offered both funding and friendship to the thriving unit, with his latest contribution being to provide £10,000 for the construction of a new boat, Pickle, which was launched on the Tyne for the first time this summer.
New boat Pickle, at its official launch day into the River Tyne this summer.
The boat, which was named after the famous Royal Navy ship that brought news of the Battle of Trafalgar victory and the death of Lord Nelson back to England, was built by the North East Maritime Trust.
John Eltringham, chairman of TS Collingwood, said: "The project was initiated by our President, Harry, working alongside the Trust, but it soon became a family affair, with directors and managers at UK Docks very much offering advice and support.
“We’ve always been very grateful for Harry’s support over the years - his wise counsel, as much as his funding - and we would never have had Pickle were it not for UK Docks.
UK Docks founder, Harry Wilson, MBE, is also the honorary President of TS Collingwood, (Unit 315) South Shields Sea Cadets.
“As well as being a wonderful addition to our training fleet, its construction helped keep traditional boat building skills alive and its development was a great experience for our young cadets.”
Among UK Docks’ community goals in the years ahead is supporting more units, as the company has bases on Tyneside, Teesside, Gosport and Cremyll.
Across the country, Sea Cadets are a vital part of our maritime heritage and play an important role in inspiring the next generation to get involved in the marine industry.
South Shields Sea Cadets gained insights into boat construction during the building of new boat Pickle.
During National Cadets Week, units across the UK open their doors to schools, families and local communities, with activities including first aid demonstrations, STEM challenges, climbing walls, fieldcraft demonstrations and more.
This year, Cadets Week is being used to launch the Cadets Action Plan - a guide to how the cadets intend to achieve the government’s ambition of a 30% increase in Cadets by 2035.
The organisation is divided into age groups and sections from entry level at age nine to 18, although Cadets typically range from 12 to 18.
The history of the Cadets dates back to the mid-19th century when a number of orphanages were established to look after children orphaned as a result of the Crimean War.
Sailors returning from the Crimea helped run them.
An organisation was then formed called the ‘Naval Lads’ Brigades’ and over the following 50 years or so, 34 Brigades of Boys were established.
They were granted recognition by the Admiralty in 1919 and the title ‘Navy League Sea Cadet Corps’ was adopted.
Today, the cadet forces are very different to those early groups of young people.
The focus now is on developing tomorrow’s citizens by providing challenging and interesting activities, while using the values and ethos of the armed forces to achieve this aim.
Up to 40% of a cadet’s time is spent on adventurous training activities.
Cadets not only have the opportunity for self-development but they also get involved with volunteer and charitable work in the community.
Cadet activities can lead to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or vocational qualifications. Adult volunteers can also gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Many cadets go on to join the Armed Forces, but cadets are not pressured to pursue military careers.
The Ministry of Defence accepts that cadet force organisations add value to today's youth and, for this reason, continues to support them wholeheartedly.
For more information on TS Collingwood, South Shields Sea Cadets, go to https://www.sea-cadets.org/southshields.