Appeal After Sea Cadets Left ‘Homeless’

The future of Market Harborough’s Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets unit is in doubt after it was made homeless.

An urgent appeal has now been launched to find new premises for the thriving group, which has 60 cadets aged 9 to 17 and over 20 dedicated adult volunteers.

The TS Fernie unit has had to vacate from its long-standing home at the St Dionysius Community Hall on Coventry Road with immediate effect, due to safety issues within the building and forthcoming changes in how it is used.

Penny Marr is part of the group’s management team and spoke to HFM:

The unit can no longer use it long-standing base

The unit has secured a temporary meeting place for the next few weeks, thanks to Core Dance Company in Market Harborough and is appealing to councils, schools, businesses and landlords to offer suitable venues for a new permanent home.

If you can help—whether by providing a space, making a suggestion, or connecting the unit with someone who might be able to assist— email treasurer@mhseacadets.org or call 07970 663 003 or click  www.mhseacadets.org

The 5th Market Harborough Brownies were also given notice to leave the building, but have now secured a new home from September.

A spokesperson for the Leicester Diocesan Board of Education said: “It has recently come to light that St Dionysius Hall is held on educational trusts having formerly been a church school. The Leicester Diocesan Board of Education (LDBE) has a statutory duty (under section 554 of the Education Act 1986) to seek an Order from the Secretary of State to ensure that the value of the site can be applied for the benefit of education in the Diocese.

“As part of this process, a formal consultation was held by the Secretary of State for Education and all local parties were invited to contribute their views. The Secretary of State has yet to decide whether to issue an Order.

“Consequently, the hall remains under the ownership and management of its trustees and has not transferred to LDBE. The LDBE is therefore not in a position to make any decisions about the use of the Hall.

“Earlier in the year, with an imminent expected outcome of the Order, the trustees served two months’ notice on those groups that use the Hall, including the local Brownies and Sea Cadets, who both negotiated to stay longer on the understanding they would leave when necessary, and with short notice.

“Given that the Hall now requires considerable and immediate investment to maintain safety, the trustees have offered the Brownies and Sea Cadets the use of St Dionysius Church building.”