Unit and District Chairman
Name: Ivor Riddell
Occupation: Railway Worker
Sea Cadet Unit: Medway Towns
In his non-uniformed roles as Chairman of Medway Towns Unit, Kent, and Chairman of West Kent District, Ivor Riddell’s work is varied, to say the least. He helps organise the Parents & Supporters Association, assists the Unit CO and “gets involved with planning.” Like other Chairmen, he also works with his own Unit management committee. On a district level he advises other Units about Sea Cadet rules and regulations, charity law and training.
“I act as a link between the Unit and the Area HQ,” he says. “A Unit can start to feel cut off. I try to visit each Unit twice a year.”
Ivor’s involvement with the Corps started when his three children joined as Cadets. His commitment has since grown from a few hours as volunteer on the P&SA to approximately 45 hours a month. “Another week’s work every month!” he laughs. “Luckily, my employer is very flexible.”
“The purpose is to show potential volunteers what the Sea Cadets is all about and to try to persuade them to join the Unit Management Committee. Apart from their working contributions , volunteers also have fun and make friends – and we always need good people.”