Ship shape in Bristol fashion at Port Talbot Sea Cadets

Despite being part of the UK's largest maritime youth

charity, the Port Talbot Sea Cadets were in need of some help to renovate their

centre at the old docks in Port Talbot. 

The large grade 2 listed building is a sight to behold with its ground

mounted anti-aircraft cannon standing proudly out front.  Inside the building however, things were not

as impressive!  With many cadets using

the facilities over the years, and little funding available, the centre was in need

of a new kitchen, range cooker, boiler and toilet facilities, as well as some decoration

work.

 

Mi-space, a South West based building contractors, are

currently replacing kitchens and bathrooms, and carrying out the associated

electrical, plumbing, and decoration work to NPT Homes' housing stock across

Port Talbot, bringing the properties up to Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS).

 

As a community focussed contractor, Mi-space heard about the

Sea Cadet centre's plight through the POWER (Programme of Works and Economic

Regeneration) Resident Group, and wanted to help.  Following some visits to the centre and a

number of calls to the Mi-space supply chain, sub-contractors and other contacts,

a team of willing and able volunteers were rallied, and a plan of action

devised.

 

Prior to the work commencing MSS carried out an asbestos

survey, this needed to be completed to make sure that the refurbishment work

was safe to do.  Once the report was

received, the work could commence.  With

electrical work, plumbing, plastering, kitchen fitting, tiling, decoration and

glazing all happening within the space of a working week, the Sea Cadets centre

was a busy and exciting place to be!  The

arrival and fitting of a new range cooker the following week completed the

kitchen refurbishment.

 

Situated on the dock, the centre can be battered with wind

and rain, or bathed in sunshine.  So,

whilst the kitchen area was undergoing its refurbishment, the outside space

underwent a transformation too.  A new

fence, grass cutting, and trimming of overgrown areas, all completed by ACROW, a

not for profit organisation which engages with local people at a local level to

provide extensive support, guidance and training to those most disengaged from the

labour market.

 

Mi-space Community Engagement Manager, Michelle Cole,

commented "As soon as were made aware of the Port Talbot Sea Cadets centre we

wanted to help, as it provides an excellent environment in which local young

people and volunteers alike can thrive. 

By working in partnership with our generous sub-contractors, suppliers

and other organisations, we have successfully refurbished the kitchen and given

a facelift to the outside space at the centre without them spending a penny.  It wasn't difficult to find volunteers to

help, quite a number of individuals who worked on the project had been based at

the centre as young people, including our Site Manager, John Lancaster."

 

She continued; "Massive thanks must go to our subcontractors

and supply chain who were so generous; GGL Electrical Ltd, Antlin Plumbing

& Heating Ltd, RPJ Builders, WR Jones Ltd, Advanced Waste Solutions Ltd,

Envirvent Ltd, Silverseal Ltd, MSS Group Ltd, Robert Price Ltd, Speedyhire,

Direct Supplies Ltd and ACROW de Cymru."

 

If you are interested in becoming a member or volunteering

at the Sea Cadets Centre (Port Talbot), please contact Commanding Officer Lt Alan

Thomas on 01639 887139.