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Yet again Harrogate TS Cleopatra sent 4 cadets and 1 staff member to take part in the Annual National Trafalgar Day Parade at Trafalgar Square in London. 2 days training in the company of other cadets from all over Britain culminated in a very colourful and immaculate parade under the watchful eye of Admiral Lord Nelson in the square. They then all paraded down The Mall and past Buckingham Palace. Its another example of the wonderful prestigious opportunites that are given to Sea Cadets.

The Highlight of the Sea Cadet Calendar is the Trafalgar Day Parade where all units in each district gather together for a parade in one of the towns in that district. This Year Harrogate hosted the parade and over 120 cadets and staff from 5 units assembled on a rainy day on Harrogate Stray, paraded to St Peters Church in the Centre of Harrogate and after the service paraded through the town to the council offices on Crescent Gardens. The sun eventually shone, all the cadets were complimented by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant on their turnout, Harrogate Sea Cadet Band led the parade and once again were complimented on their display and lots of Harrogate folk stopped and applauded as they marched past.

This year the venue was Bridlington rather than Scarborough but that made no difference. The sun was out, standards fluttered in the breeze and everyone stopped to applaud the band as they led the veterans through the town centre and along the sea front.

Harrogate Unit (along with some cadets from Grimsby, Lincoln and Immingham Units) took part in the National Band Competition in the prestigious setting of The moat of The Tower of London and represented The East of England area. Despite having the mix of cadets and only 3 days of combined practice the unit performed very well and enjoyed their time with cadets from all over Britain.

Harrogate Sea Cadets provided the Band, and the equipment for the Drumhead ceremony and the buglers for The Last Post  (you can just see them in the Balcony of the Town Hall.) Cadets entered tri cadet competitions so we got to know the other cadet forces and we were glad to be able to play our part in remembering the debt of gratitude we as a nation owe to the men and women in our armed services. The day finished with a wonderful fly past by a Spitfire and a Hurricane - magic!