A talented group of Sea Cadets has been selected to take part in a prestigious London parade tomorrow.

Six sea cadets from Portland will take part in a spectacular show of formal parading during the Trafalgar Day Parade.

The cadets will perform in an 80-person strong marching band which leads the parade and their commanding officer, Lieutenant (SCC) Rachel Harris, said the six were chosen on their musical excellence.

“We’ve had the band for five or six years and we’ve been building up and building up. The cadets have all been recommended by the band master to take part.

Euphonium player Will, saxophonists Rosie and Lillie, bugle player Blade, clarinetist Amber and Maddie, playing side drum and bugle set off for the parade on Wednesday afternoon. 

“We are delighted to be involved with this event, and our cadets have worked so hard to be there. It’s a big reflection of the hard work, dedication and passion these young people have invested throughout the year that they can deliver such a show-stopping parade,” Lieutenant Harris said.

The marching band will join around 400 sea cadets from across the UK at the iconic event.

For more than 100 years, the Sea Cadets have marked the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar with a parade on the Sunday closest to October 21 as on that date in 1805, Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson defeated the French and Spanish fleets of Cape Trafalgar in South West Spain, losing his life at the height of his most famous victory.

The parade is a chance for the young cadets to showcase skills and talents to London’s spectators and tourists, as well as high-profile guests.

Portland Sea Cadets latest achievement follows the unit’s success two months ago when it joined with the South West Area Massed Band to be crowned runners-up at Sea Cadets’ National Band Competition at the Tower of London.

Lieutenant Harris, said: “We have had a fantastic year in all our activities, both on the water and ashore, giving the cadets many opportunities and certainly lots of fun. We are really proud of them.”

The Portland Unit is part of the national youth charity, Sea Cadets, which offers personal development to young people aged 10 to 18 through water-based and land-based activities, at 400 units across the country.

The cadets offer sailing, rowing, power boating, rock-climbing, marine engineering, first aid, and many other activities, to boost young people’s confidence as they earn nationally recognised qualifications.

www.sea-cadets.org/portland for more information.