Polished performances
The National Drill & Piping Competition was a magnificent display of what months of teamwork can achieve
Almost 500 cadets and volunteers travelled to Torpoint in April for the 2025 National Drill & Piping Competition. Performances demonstrated the results of hundreds of hours of dedicated preparation – helped by the volunteers, parents and carers who had given up so much of their time to support cadets through months of training.
Adding to the atmosphere created by 180 enthusiastic spectators, the presence of VIP attendees inspired cadets to deliver to the best of their abilities and make their units and area teams proud. Among some very impressed special guests were: Brigadier Ged Salzano MBE, Commander Royal Navy Cadet Forces; Captain Sea Cadets, Captain Neil Downing RN; and Captain Jane Roe ADC, Captain HMS Raleigh, whose unwavering support (along with her Royal Navy Team) is key to the success of the competition.
As ever, the winners were delighted to receive their medals and trophies from MSSC President, Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL, who hailed the event as “a wonderful demonstration of cadets’ skills, qualities, training and commitment.”
Congratulations to the overall victors from Southern Area, who won the Continuity and Unarmed categories and achieved joint-first place in the Armed Guard Arena Display. A major part of their success was down to the efforts of the cadets of Warsash Unit, who provided the gold medal-winning Continuity Team and also achieved silver medals in the Colour Party. “Mastering those intricate sequences with such proficiency was incredibly rewarding,” said the Continuity team’s Drill Commander, Ordinary Cadet Charlie, 14. “Each member played a vital role in the overall team performance, using discipline and focus after countless hours of practice.”
The overall 2024 champions from Eastern Area provided some serious competition, with Northampton Unit triumphing in the Armed Guard and Petty Officer Cadet Toby named Best Armed Guard Commander. In the Piping Competition, Scunthorpe Unit took the team event and Cadet Corporal Rafael of Flitwick & Ampthill Unit was named Best Individual Piper for the second year in a row (read more about Rafael in Corps Showcase).
Among other winners, a remarkable effort from Northern Ireland’s cadets saw them confirmed as the Colour Party champions.
BZ to all those who took part for showing such determination and teamwork.
Photos: Sea Cadets
