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Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Home Pobl Dewi: June 2025 All aboard!

All aboard!

Lynn Rees extols the benefits of volunteering with the Sea Cadets

Following service in the Crimean War, Revd Henry Barton returned to his ministry as Vicar of Whitstable to find increasing numbers of destitute boys orphaned by the war.

In 1856, to help these boys, he established an orphanage “which taught nautical skills”. In time further orphanages were established and became known as the Navy Lads’ Brigade. In 1910 the Navy League sponsored a small number of units and in 1919 adopted the name of the Navy League Sea Cadet Corps.

Sea Cadets

Today there are over 14,000 Sea Cadets and 9,000 adult volunteers in 400 units overseen by a national charity, the Marine Society and Sea Cadets, which follows the traditions and customs of the Royal Navy. St Davids Diocese has Sea Cadet units in Aberystwyth, Fishguard, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Tenby with a new unit planned for Carmarthen soon.

I have been a volunteer at Aberystwyth Sea Cadets since 2008 and was appointed unit Chaplain in 2016. Chaplains play an important role amongst the 9000 adult volunteers as a friend and advisor to all, of any faith or of none.

Involvement with the Sea Cadets provides a great opportunity to reach young people in our community and greatly broadened the scope of my ministry as well as providing opportunities to develop my experience and learn new skills.

I have recently returned from the annual Chaplaincy Continuation course at HMS Raleigh in Plymouth where 30 Sea Cadet Chaplains came together for a week’s training and fellowship.

Units in Llanelli, Tenby, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven do not currently have a Chaplain They also offer also a variety of different volunteer roles so if you are interested in finding out more, please contact Rev Lynn Rees at lynnrees@cinw.org.uk or the Sea Cadets webpage www.seacadets.org.