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Bridgwater Sea Cadets have been crowned the UK's Overall Best Band after an outstanding performance at the Sea Cadets National Band Competition in Greenwich.

The national competition, held this year at the National Maritime Museum, brought together hundreds of volunteers and sea cadets from across the UK to compete in music, marching and ceremonial display.

Bridgwater Sea Cadets won six national titles, including Overall Best Band, Best Marching Performance, Best Musical Performance, Best Corps of Drums Section, Best Dressed Band and Joint Best Bugle Section.

Guy Holloway, CEO of Marine Society and Sea Cadets, said:

"The National Band Competition is the pinnacle of what our young musicians work towards and aspire to achieve. It has been a fantastic celebration of talent, commitment and teamwork, and we are immensely proud of every cadet who took part."

The victory marks the culmination of months of hard work for the Somerset unit, whose 21 cadets improved on a third-place finish at the previous national competition.

The competition showcased not only musical excellence but also the confidence, leadership and friendships young people develop through Sea Cadets, with hundreds of cadets taking part from units across the UK.

Cadets and volunteers from across the UK have celebrated a major milestone for the Sea Cadets Physical Training Branch, proudly passing out from the 2026 Sea Cadets Physical Training Qualifying Courses at HMS Temeraire, Portsmouth. 

The Passing Out and Awards Ceremony, attended by Captain Hannah MacKenzie VR RN, recognised a week of achievement, resilience and teamwork, with qualifications presented alongside special awards and a PT display. 

The event forms part of Sea Cadets' celebrations marking 70 years of the Physical Training Branch, which has helped generations of young people build confidence, resilience and leadership skills through sport and physical activity since 1956. 

The ceremony provided a fitting opportunity to recognise the dedication and achievement of those completing their courses, as well as the commitment of the volunteers and staff who delivered the training. 

Twenty six Sea Cadets from across the UK will take to the international stage this summer as part of the Tall Ships Races, forming one of the youngest crews in the entire fleet.

Sailing aboard TS Royalist, the charity’s flagship training vessel, the cadets will join ships from around the world in Northern Europe, with stops including Harlingen, Antwerp and Stavanger. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to attend.

With an average age of just 17, and the youngest crew member turning 15 just days before their race leg, the group reflects the youth focus at the heart of the event.

Built in 2015, TS Royalist is designed for hands-on sail training, giving young people the chance to develop seamanship, teamwork and resilience in a demanding offshore environment.

The races, organised by Sail Training International, celebrate their 70th anniversary this year. For Sea Cadets, 2026 also marks 60 years since first taking part.

Cadet Corporal Evan, from Maidenhead Royal Marines Cadets, said: “It’s about leadership, teamwork and being part of something bigger than yourself. You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”

Alongside those on Royalist, nine more Sea Cadets will join an international crew on the Portuguese tall ship Vera Cruz.

Together, they will represent the UK while developing skills that last a lifetime, both at sea and ashore.

Sea Cadets’ flagship vessel TS Royalist features in a new film created with Ubisoft and Red Bull, ahead of the release of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced in July.

The film follows historian and former Sea Cadet Dan Snow and Olympic sailing champion Ruggero Tita as they step on board the brig alongside cadets, experiencing the teamwork and skill needed to sail a tall ship.

From hauling sails to working aloft, it captures the realities of life at sea and highlights how discipline, coordination and trust are essential to operating Royalist.

The collaboration showcases the unique experiences Sea Cadets offers young people, bringing nautical skills and life at sea to a global audience.

Watch the film here
 

Sea Cadets is proud to share that a trustee and two volunteers have been recognised in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding service to young people, their communities and the wider cadet movement.

• Jeremy Penn, Chair of Marine Society & Sea Cadets, has been awarded an MBE for services to young people, recognising his leadership in strengthening opportunities for cadets across the UK. (Pictured left)
• Ruth Verner, Northern Area Chair and non uniformed representative on the National Sea Cadet Advisory Council, has been awarded a BEM for services to the community in County Antrim. In 2023, she was also named one of just 500 Coronation Champions, recognising exceptional voluntary service.
• Lieutenant (SCC) Joshua McDermott RNR has been awarded an MBE for his exceptional leadership and impact as Commanding Officer of Ellesmere Port Sea Cadets. Under his leadership, Ellesmere Port has more than doubled in size and achieved Gold Burgee status, recognising both exceptional growth and the highest standards of training.

These honours reflect the extraordinary commitment and impact of Sea Cadets volunteers, whose dedication creates life changing opportunities for young people every day.

Congratulations and Bravo Zulu to all recipients.