Read all about it!

 The keen eyed amongst those at the Band Compeition this year would have noticed a camera crew and also a keen photographer who took professional photographs, published in todays Argus newspaper.

With thanks to CPJ Field and to pro Photographer Jim Holden please click here for a full selection of professional photographs taken on the day...

NTC Band Competition 2012

This year the NTC Band Competition was a busy day packed full of music and marching, with 11 NTC and 3 guest bands competing for top honours in a day long battle across four separate classes. A variety of music and technique were on display from film themes, marching tunes, fanfare and even intricate drum and stick work aiming to impress...

Cadets from as young as 8 years old represented the talent the Corps had to offer including new entrants for this year, Pagham based ship, TS Montrose, who boasted a win in Novice Class after wowing judges. 

 The contest also attracted a TV crew from ITV Meridian News, who filmed the day and broadcast a report on the evening news, featuring interviews with cadets and corps Patron, Rear Admiral John Lippiett (CB MBE) who commented "This year has seen yet more brilliant performances and a tremendous turnout. What has impressed me the most however, is that ships have been helping each other." 

 Certainly, this has seen some great results, with the bands of TS. Explorer and TS. Unity competing together.  Also, with the help of local units, TS. Resolution managed to put forward an impressive display which marked a comeback for the ships band after some twenty years. 

The NTC was also proud to be visited by the Olympic torch, with bearer Elsena Marsden, who kindly allowed photographs to be taken with the torch raising money for both the NTC and cancer charity Grace (grace-charity.org.uk )  

The contest saw effective displays and arrangements from a number of different bands, including 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' by TS. Intrepid and an exceptional performance of music taken from the recent Batman movies by Copthorne based TS. Swiftsure; which bagged top honours in the Championship class. 

Competition within the classes had been fierce, producing some phenomenal music.  Judge Steve Hars, commented "standards had definitely improved, after last years great performances" ensuring that the task of the judges had been harder than ever before. 

  Perhaps the biggest cheer on the day was reserved for TS Sturdy, who despite some difficulties, put in a passionate  performance, with the crowd clapping in encouragement and rightfully awarding a standing ovation to complete their display.

As the day drew to a close, awards were presented to many of the deserving bands and individuals. Recognising all the hard work, Commodore Dave Wright  was keen to stress that "everybody has worked incredibly hard to deliver such a high standard this year, without each and every one of the cadets there simply wouldn't be a competition. A fantastic effort."  

This year, the Corps were honoured to have the support of sponsor CPJ Field. Director, Charlie Field particularly enjoyed the day and commented. "I am delighted to attend and support the NTC. This was a great demonstration of the reach of this organisation... an inspiring performance by everyone involved."

Many thanks are due to a number of Officers, Cadets and volunteers who worked alongside NTC Director of Music, Commander Craig Knight, to make the day a success.


Essential to the smooth running of the day is 2nd Officer Steve Mayburry, who sadly will be retiring from the NTC and the band competition this year, after many years of tirelessly replacing distance markers that end up being knocked across the arena and to whom particular thanks are due. 

Winners by class:

Novice – Training Ship Montrose, Pagham

Open – Training Ship Superb, Crawley

Contest – Training Ship Ambuscade, Merstham, Surrey

Championship – Training Ship Swiftsure, Copthorne

Colour – Training Ship Implacable, Littlehampton

Fanfare – Training Ship Implacable, Littlehampton

Full Photography of the event is available by clicking here

Or you can watch the ITV Meridian News report below.

Band Competition 2012 in the News!

On the 28th October 2012, the NTC was joined by ITV Meridian news for a special report on the Band Contest... enjoy! 

Or, click here to watch!

Sheffield 2012

Implacable head up the Worthing Rotary Carnival

Today saw TS Implacable lead the Worthing Rotary Fair Carnival parade across Worthing seafront.

The parade marched off from Grand Avenue at 12:30, completing a mile long march at Steyne Gardens.  TS. Implacable had been asked to lead the display, which saw a variety of different floats, charities and youth organisations put together some impressive displays, from a truck based bar and party to a Star Wars display complete with Darth Vader and even an X-Wing fighter.

TS Implacable had pulled together a very impressive band, on what had been very short notice and battled the wind and showers to put on a great performance and kick the carnival off in style...

More pictures available here

TS Intrepid Welcomes Olympic Torch

On July 16th 2012, the Olympic Torch made it's way across from Chichester to Brighton, accross the South Coast and through Lancing. 

TS Intrepid played to welcome the torch and entertain the crowds of people that lined South Street and Grinstead lane as the torch passed through. A unique, once in a lifetime opportunity that will most certainly be remembered for years to come...

More pictures here (Click me!)

Saturday 30th June 2012 saw TS Indomitable celebrate its 50 year anniversary at its Burgess Hill base.

Originaly formed in 1961, TS Indomitable had to postpone it's 50 year celebrations until this summer due to some much needed refurbishment with help from the local Lions, volunteers and trades people. That's not to say that the unit didn't make up for the slight delay with celebrations! Having been greeted by Officers and Cadets, I was escorted 'on deck' where photographs and memoribilia from the ships history was on display, including pictures of the original comissioning.

A number of key members from the units history and guests were also in attendance, including Frank Easton, who served onboard namesake HMS Indomitable during the Second World War. Mr. Easton told me with a smile told me that it was 'nice to be here to be able to see the 'ship', cadets and all the activities that they get up to!'  Corps Commodore Dave Wright was also pleased to attend and lend his support and wish the continued success of TS Indomitable. He was very pleased with the development of the unit and all its facilties and was quick to praise the 'Hard work and dedication, given by so many to help make the unit a success. Particularly to Ann Tyrell, who has been with TS Indomitable since the very beginning!' 

Indomitable has been happy to recieve the help of support of the Burgess Hill District Lions who have funded the refurbishment of the units facilities to incluse disabled access. The result of which has meant that the building will be available for children of all abilities, both in the NTC and in Burgess Hill in general. The work has already won fans and hearts. Indomitable's Chief Officer Ann Tyrell, was keen to pass on a message from one young man who had made a point of coming to say thank you, 'it means so much that I can do this for myself and not need somebody else to help me.'  Lions President John Thomson expressed that it was comments such as these that made it all worth while. 'We know how this facility was and we knew the work would be benefit people and groups from across the area and open the building to local youth groups of all abilities.' Big thanks indeed are owed to the Lions, without whom the refurbishment would not have been possible,

Cadets and Corps officers were keen to present skills learnt and perfected in the NTC, including Mark Gator's impressive demonstration building fire using dry grass and flints, certainly there was no shortage of volunteers willing to give it a go. The results are most certainly effective!

The fantastic cakes made to celebrate the event also won many fans, one detailing the ships insigina, the other, a 3D representation of the building itself, although contrary to it's lifesize countapart, it was quickly 'demolished' and enjoyed.... and rightly so! Well done TS Indomitable, here's to another 50 years!

For more photos, please click here