SEA cadets from Portland are celebrating after scooping nine top national music awards.
The Sea Cadet National Band Contest was held within the grounds of the Tower of London.
The South West’s band consisted of 25 members chosen from across the area and 16 were from Portland.
Other young musicians selected were from Bristol, Sutton Coldfield and South Wales, so practice sessions were conducted over Skype and YouTube under the musical direction of Sea Cadet Chief Petty Officer David Louch and Chief Petty Officer Damien Hawkins, both from the TS Penn unit based on Portland.
The band scooped nine of the awards – the biggest trophy haul ever for one band at the national band contest.
Medals and trophies were awarded by high ranking naval personnel.
The band have also been awarded the honour of performing in the Royal Naval Association parade through Whitehall, London in September.
The band won: Best solo bugler – Able Cadet Tom Cox, TS Penn, Portland; second place solo drum – Able Cadet Thomas Louch, TS Penn, Portland; third place solo drum – Able Cadet Tom Cox, TS Penn, Portland; best bugle section, best corps of drums, best musical display, best drum major, best original composition and the coveted best all round band.
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