Fleetwood's Royal Marines Cadets go virtual to combat lockdown

Fleetwood's Royal Marines Cadets unit has gone 'virtual' in a bid to engage with potential young recruits with a love for adventure.
Fleetwood's Royal Marines Cadets are holding virtual meetings now but hope to get back to these kinds of  outdoor activities after lockdownFleetwood's Royal Marines Cadets are holding virtual meetings now but hope to get back to these kinds of  outdoor activities after lockdown
Fleetwood's Royal Marines Cadets are holding virtual meetings now but hope to get back to these kinds of outdoor activities after lockdown

The detachment offers a string of exciting activities for young people aged 13 to 18, but the coronavirus lockdowns have curtailed the usual programme of events, causing numbers to fall away.

However, like many organisations in these difficult times the unit, which is part of Fleetwood Sea Cadets, is using modern technology to fight back.

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The Marines Cadets have taken to Zoom to hold sessions and at these twice-weekly meetings, on tuesday and Friday evenings, they are still able to provide training and activities until lockdown ends.

Now the detachment is also using the digital platform to hold an open evening this month, taking place on Monday January 18 from 7pm

Joe Ashton, the detachment commander for Fleetwood Royal Marines Cadets, said: "Our numbers have been hit by Covid because we've not been able to meet up for our usual activities.

"We started off last year with 10 members and now we only have five.

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"Although we've never had huge numbers because we're less well known than the Sea Cadets, in a way we are like a combination of the Sea, Air and Army Cadets because of all the kinds of things we do.

"It is a great detachment for young people with a sense of adventure.

"It's the fact that we specialise in orienteering, field craft and weapons handling that makes Royal Marines Cadets unique and you can join from the age of 13 to 18.

"These are unprecedented times and we are all having to try these things for the first time."

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The Marines Cadets are using an online events organiser, Eventbrite, to gauge the numbers getting in touch and would-be Cadets and their parents need to click on that link to book a place at the open evening.

However, the event is free of charge. Those interested must sign up no later than noon on January 18 itself.

To sign up to this free open evening visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../virtual-open-evening...For more information visit: https://www.sea-cadets.org/royal-marines-cadets

the Isle of Man

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