AN urgent £200,000 appeal has been launched in a last ditch bid to secure the future of Bolton Sea Cadets and other groups.

Bolton and District Combined Ex-Servicemen and Women's Association have launched the campaign.

Members of the association have voted unanimously to kick start the appeal with a donation of £1,000. The appeal has been launched following news that the Derby Barracks in Fletcher Street, home to many voluntary groups and associations, is to close.

The grim news was announced by the Government last year when it was revealed that the barracks had been selected for closure following a wide-ranging review of the Territorial Army.

Since then, groups that use the barracks have been desperately trying to come up with ideas to save their home, and make it permanent for the hundreds of people who use it.

Drama

Groups which use the barracks as a base include the sea cadets, a number of veterans' associations, a young people's drama group, line dancers, two orchestras and a gun club.

In total, almost 500 people will lose their meeting place if they fail to buy the barracks, which were opened in 1937 by the Earl of Derby, the honorary colonel of the 5th Battalion.

Patrons of the new appeal include Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon, HMS Dido veteran Eddie Commander, and Captain Bill Harris, patron of the Combined Ex-Servicemen's Association.

Ellis Bailey, secretary of the Combined Services Association, said securing the barracks was crucial for the "youth of the town".

He also revealed he had written to the current Earl of Derby spelling out the problems facing the Sea Cadets .

But the Earl of Derby has declined the offer to become patron because other commitments prevented him from having time to do the cause justice.

In a letter of reply to Mr Bailey, Lord Derby added: "I wish you every success with raising your target of £200,000.

"As things get under way, if you send me a little more information, I will put it to the trustees of my charitable trust when we next meet."

Last year Bolton Sea Cadets were in search of a new home, after being told they would have to move from their home in Kensington Place.

But fortunately they were not homeless for long when the TA offered its barracks on a temporary basis.

The idea was that the Sea Cadets could use the next couple of years to secure a new home.

Pat Stubbs, secretary of the Sea Cadets, takes up the story. "We only moved in last June so the fact that the place is to be sold off came as a bit of a shock. We'd only just settled in.

"Initially the barracks were a temporary measure while we looked for somewhere else, but nothing suitable has come up - and this place is just perfect for us.

"We are allowed to use the barracks rent-free because of the money they spent renovating the cottages which are now used by the army cadet force.

"But the TA moves out on April 1 and we desperately need a permanent home.

"If we could keep the barracks it would be a dream come true. They are ideal for us."

Mrs Stubbs said that she had been told that from April 1 the Sea Cadets would be leasing the building, and that they have been given 12 months to raise the £200,000.

She added: "It's a tall order but we are sure we can do it with the help of Bolton people.'

Donations to the appeal should be taken to any branch of Lloyds or TSB. The name of the account is Bolton Sea Cadets, TS Dido Development Fund. Sort code: 30 91 01. Account number: 01108928. Simply the best BOLTON'S Sea Cadets are among the best, if not the best, units in the country.

It boasts what is probably the longest continuous history of any British youth organisation, and evolved from the Naval Lads Brigade, established by sailors returning from the Crimean War.

Over the years, it has become a charitable organisation in its own right, rather than a feeder school for the Navy. And cadets today are just as likely to be female as male.

Nationally, there are about 16,500 cadets in around 400 units.

The organisation offers youngsters training in dinghies, motor boats, canoes and yachts, as well as instruction in seamanship, engineering, logistics and physical training.

Cadets also have the chance to learn subjects ranging from First Aid and meteorology to band music and expedition leadership.

Activities embraced include the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, community service, foreign exchanges, band displays and sports competitions. The theme of the Sea Cadets meetings is "serious fun".

Pat Stubbs, secretary, said: "The Bolton unit has received national credits in recent years, bringing the name of our town to the notice of people who would not normally have heard of it."

Last year, the unit's Marine Cadet Detachment won the Gibraltar Cup for best unit in the UK.

And this year the Sea Cadets have already won the Stephenson Trophy, for being the best out of the 64 North West units.

They have also been nominated for the Canada Trophy, which is a competition between the top six units in the UK, Malta, Gibraltar and Falkland Islands.

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