National Cadets Week

National Cadets Week comes to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Saturday 10 October, with the day's activities running from 10am to 4pm in Boathouse 4. It's a free public celebration of the Cadet Forces, and the Portsmouth day brings together cadets from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF under one roof for a day of displays, STEM demonstrations and activities for all ages. The whole thing is built for families, so it's as much for the kids as it is for anyone with a genuine interest in what the cadets actually do.

There's a bit of local history to it too. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Volunteer Cadet Corps in Portsmouth, which was formed at the Royal Marines Barracks in Eastney back in 1901. That's a long run for a city unit, and it's a good reminder of how deep the connection between the city and the forces runs around here.

Council leader Steve Pitt has spoken about what the cadets get out of it, saying they learn leadership, build confidence and pick up valuable life skills. He also pointed out the role they play in the city's bigger moments, like Remembrance and Portsmouth Armed Forces Day, so if you've seen them out on parade around town, this is a chance to see the people behind the uniform.

It's free to attend, and with the 10am to 4pm window, you can drop in whenever suits you rather than committing the whole day. You'll find it in Boathouse 4 at the Historic Dockyard.