SEA CADET WRITES TO THE KING

A 12-year-old Sea Cadet wrote to King Charles in a drive to do everything possible on his mission to save the planet. But eco-conscious Cadet Logan Smith did not expect a reply, so he was stunned when a letter from the King’s Secretary was presented to him at Long Eaton Sea Cadets. After learning about global warming at school and the global Earthshot Prize initiative at Sea Cadets, Cadet Smith was inspired to recycle more, pick up litter and do whatever he can to help the environment. 

Cadet Smith, one of 66 Sea Cadets at Long Eaton, off Oakleys Road, said: “I think it was my Mum who told me the King does lots for the environment, so I decided to write to him.  

“I just remember getting the letter back and feeling happy and excited that I’ve done something to help the environment and showed what is possible. I don’t have any more big plans, I just want to try and keep the environment healthy and try my best to keep the planet alive.” 

Protecting the natural world 

In a letter to Cadet Smith, the King’s Secretary wrote: “Thank you for your most thoughtful letter to His Majesty The King regarding the environment and your time at the Sea Cadets. His Majesty is deeply committed to protecting the natural world.  

“As King, His Majesty continues to support and celebrate global efforts towards a more sustainable future. It was very kind of you to share with His Majesty your enthusiasm for recycling, and he hopes that you continue to enjoy being a member of the Sea Cadets. The King would have me convey his warm good wishes to you and your family, and to thank you once again for taking the time to write to him.” 

Respect 

Cadet Smith’s desire to make a difference stems from one of the Sea Cadets’ core values: respect, and he isn’t the only one showing great care and appreciation for the environment. Exploring the Earthshot Prize has encouraged the youngsters at Long Eaton Sea Cadets to think more about the importance of respecting our environment, especially when it comes to dangerous plastics in oceans, rivers and lakes.  

This global challenge, supported by Prince William, Princess Kate and Sir David Attenborough, is about discovering, spotlighting and helping grow innovations that can repair and regenerate our planet 

Long Eaton Sea Cadets have made bug hotels and wildflower bee bombs. They have used their imagination to design litter-picking inventions. And in May they are planning to litter pick at nearby Attenborough Nature Reserve. That’s in between a mixture of sports on and off the water, drill, first aid and Cadet Smith’s favourite: sailing. For their green efforts, Cadet Smith and two of his fellow Long Eaton Sea Cadets have been also awarded special Blue Peter Green Badges. 

Petty Officer Andrew Maltby, who is also a Royal Navy Reservist with HMS Sherwood, said: “As a unit, we are really, really proud of Cadet Smith and the fact he wrote to the King on his own initiative. 

“He’s been a Cadet who’s always got involved. He’s always the one to say ‘right, we’re doing this’. We know that if we don’t do something to get these guys thinking about the environment, nothing is going to change. But I think we’ve made great leaps forward.” 

  

‘Our people add value’ 

Cadet Smith joined the Sea Cadets when he was 10-years-old and has ambitions to join the Royal Navy when he is older. He added: “I joined the Sea Cadets because I just wanted to do more with my spare time, to put it to use and do something different. It’s a good place to be and you’re really supported and learn a lot of new stuff. There are loads of things I can only do at Sea Cadets.” 

Not everyone chooses the same path, but all are helped along their way by the valuable life skills nurtured in the Cadets. Stuart Williams is the Chief Executive of East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, which exists to champion, support, and enable Reserves and Cadets in the region. He said: “Cadet Smith’s story is an incredible example of the positive impact Cadets has on young people and wider society. He is a fine role model for his peers and I believe we can all learn a thing or two from him. Our people in the Cadets add so much value.” 

A GREENER NATURE

 A New campaign by Erewash Borough Council aims to benefit people’s health and wellbeing, improve biodiversity in the borough, and reduce the authority’s carbon footprint across its 100-plus parks and open spaces. The mission to be more environmentally friendly is called “Wild about Erewash” and will also see the use of weedkiller greatly reduced – along with less formal planting and a greater focus on encouraging wildflowers and insects. 

Rewilding open spaces boosts people’s wellbeing by encouraging them to use their green spaces more and get closer to nature. Rewilding schemes also help to improve biodiversity and have benefits for the environment including additional habitat for wildlife including bees and insects. 

Councillor James Dawson, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says: “The council is adopting a new approach to managing its green spaces and is working towards a more sustainable environment. Protecting green spaces is essential for people’s wellbeing and enjoyment of their natural environment, whilst providing an ideal outdoor space to learn and study nature. We are launching a new campaign to rewild all the borough’s open spaces, which will improve local habitats for wildlife and support pollinators.” 

It is anticipated that the council’s carbon emissions will be reduced alongside the minimisation in the application of herbicides. Weedkiller such as glyphosate will be avoided on verges, which will be mown less 

often so wildflowers and grasses can flourish. There are eight mixed management rewilding sites in Erewash which will include informal play areas, at: 

• Petersham open space, Long Eaton, Bare Lane, Ockbrook, Dallimore Road, Kirk Hallam, Wyndale Drive, Kirk Hallam, Barling Lagoon, Ilkeston, Beauvale Drive, Cotmanhay, Granby Park, Cotmanhay, Larklands, Ilkeston. 

 In havens such as Ilkeston’s Victoria Park and Long Eaton’s West Park, which will not be rewilding sites but do include wildflower sites, visitors will notice a new more natural look as the emphasis moves away from formal bedding displays. 

 Play parks on all council sites will be mown around to allow a five-to-six-foot strip of separation from the long grass. There will also be grass ‘paths’ cut along popular desire lines in bigger open spaces. 

The following areas will continue to be maintained as they were previously: 

• Sports pitches, All cemeteries and churchyards, Noskwith play area in Ilkeston. Areas surrounding Chalons Way in Ilkeston., Sawley Community Centre., Belvoir Close, Breaston. Long Eaton Library.Waverley Street, Long Eaton. Town centre car parks. The grounds of the borough’s leisure centres. Erewash Museum grounds, Ilkeston. Ilkeston Town Hall and Long Eaton Town Hall. 

The council is also committed to planting more trees and plans to do this through securing external funding. Roots suck up excess water – while trees and meadows absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. It is also anticipated that flooding could help to be alleviated with rewilded areas absorbing more rainfall. More information can be found on the Wild about Erewash section on the council's website at Wild About Erewash