Nearly 200 musicians from across the UK descended on the Tower of London last Saturday to show off their talents in the Sea Cadets’ National Band Competition.
Cadets from ages 12 to 17 will be represented on Saturday 4th August as nine bands compete for the bi-annual title of National Band of the Year.
Prizes were awarded in ten categories during the course of the day, including Best-Dressed Band, Best Marching Display and Best All-Round Band for which the coveted Easton-Barrett Goblet will be awarded.
10 soloists – some as young as 12 – competed for the honours in both Bugle and Drum competitions.
The best solo bugler, best solo drummer and best cadet drum major received gold medals, the runners-up received silver medals and the third place received bronze medals.
Musicians from across the country tok part, with bands from Poole, Grimsby & Cleethorpes, Ellesmere Port and Southport taking part.
Four other massed bands include a range of Cadets from areas as diverse as Campbeltown in the West of Scotland to Folkestone in the South East of England.
The Sea Cadets helps nearly 15,000 young people around the country to find their course in life and develop their self-confidence while providing opportunities for education, gaining qualifications and a love of the sea and water-based activities.
A recent survey by national charity Youth Music showed that music allows young people to connect with their friends and family and encourages teamwork, empathy and social bonding.
| BAND | AREA | BANDMASTER |
| Grimsby & Cleethorpes SCC | Eastern | Probationary Petty Officer (SCC) Declan Stephenson |
| Massed Bands of Yorkshire | Eastern | Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Daniel
Whiting RNR (Harrogate) |
| Massed Bands of
Northern Area |
Northern | Sgt (SCC) Mairi McEwan (Methil) |
| Ellesmere Port Sea Cadets | North West | Probationary Sergeant (SCC) Luke Hughes |
| Southport Sea Cadets | North West | Petty Officer (SCC) Sophie Feeney |
| Massed Bands of
Southern Area |
Southern | Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Adam Smith RNR (Folkestone & Hythe) |
| Poole Sea Cadets | Southern | Petty Officer (SCC)
George Whitwell |
| Massed Bands of
South West Area |
South West | Sub Lieutenant (SCC)
Rhys Tanner RN (Torpoint) |
| Weston-Super-Mare Sea Cadets | South West | Probationary Petty Officer (SCC) Emily Barton |
Massed Bands of Yorkshire included cadets from the following units: Harrogate, Barnsley and Sheffield
Massed Bands of Northern Area included cadets from the following units: Campbeltown, Dundee, Methil & Musselburgh, Inverness, Chester-Le-Street, Gateshead, Hebburn, Sunderland & Lisburn
Massed Bands of Southern Area included cadets from the following units: Folkestone & Hythe, New Romney, Herne Bay & Sheppey
Massed bands of South West Area included cadets from the following units: Torpoint, Padstow, Bridgwater, Portland, Llanelli, Hereford, Nuneaton & Bedworth
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