A WELL-RESPECTED commanding officer wanted his farewell event to be a celebration of his sea cadets' achievements.

Lieutenant commander Ted Creighton bade farwell to Barrow Sea Cadets after nine years.

Mr Creighton has handed over the commanding officer reins to lieutenant Jason Zaccarini. The outgoing commander has a North West area role organising sea cadet competitions and events.

Barrow Sea Cadets has a junior section for 10 to 12-year-olds and general sea and Royal Marine cadet sections for 12 to 18-year-olds. There are 85 cadets in the unit.

Barrow Sea Cadets was named the best unit in the North West in 2010 and 2015. The junior section was introduced in 2009 and was named the best North West junior section in 2014 and 2015 and the best junior section in the UK in 2014.

More than 60 cadets went on parade at the celebration event held at the Barrow Sea Cadets centre, on Barrow Island, on Friday.

The evening was also attended by instructors, former cadets and families.

The unit welcomed 12 new cadets who have completed their familiarisation training and there were presentations of awards for qualifications gained in areas such as sailing.

The event also congratulated cadets and teams who achieved medals at North West and national competitions.

This summer Barrow Sea Cadets achieved gold, silver and bronze awards in rowing, kayaking and boat handling at the North West championships out of 52 units. Then at the national championships Barrow cadets won bronze in the rowing and kayaking events.

The unit has thanked Mr Creighton for his dedication and commitment and wished him well in his new role. They have also thanked Mr Creighton's wife, Lorraine Creighton, for her hard work as the secretary of the cadets parent and supporters association and support of the unit.

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