Sultans marching prowess impresses at Volunteer Band Festival

HMS Sultan put on an outstanding marching display recently as they were awarded the Willis Trophy as the Best Marching Band at the 2017 Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association Festival.

Throughout the morning, VIP guests including Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock OBE watched on as nine ensembles showed off their marching and musical talent in the Guildhall Square, Portsmouth.

This was followed by an afternoon of high quality performances from the bands inside the Guildhall itself.

At the end of the competition a number of prizes were announced with Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock OBE, presenting Mr Dave Matthews, the band officer of HMS Sultan with the Willis Trophy for the Best Marching Band.

HMS Sultan Volunteer Band Officer Dave Matthews said: “The Festival is always great fun.

“It’s highly competitive, but also provides us all with a fantastic opportunity to promote the Volunteer Band Service.”

“To win the Willis Trophy is a massive achievement for us and shows how well we work as a marching band.

“A lot of hard work goes into preparing for the Festival and it’s great to come away with some silverware.”