ON September 5, members of the Royal Naval Association were invited to attend a presentation night hosted by the York Sea Cadets at their unit in Skeldergate.

Throughout the evening we were given an insight as to why these young people joined the cadets, what they have achieved by being in the organisation, and what their aspirations are for the future.

From 11-year-old juniors to 17-year-old petty officers, they displayed enthusiasm, good-humour and self-confidence as they addressed an audience many years older than themselves with anecdotes of their cadet training and activities.

This covered topics such as: qualifying as a boat coxswain, achieving a communication and information systems pass, experiencing a night passage aboard a square-rigged sailing ship and fast yacht handling.

The evening was rounded off with hot beverages, home-baked cakes and a quiz that pitted combined teams of cadets and veterans against each other.

A superb night was had by all, and the Cadets’ commanding officer, Lt Cdr Roy Tanner, should be proud of the way his crew represented the unit.

On behalf of York and District RNA, I say Bravo - Zulu to all the cadets involved. You certainly earned it.

Shipmate Dave Cox, Branch PRO, York and District RNA.