The Guards Division Corps of Drums Association
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Updated 12th July 2007
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NEWSLETTER NUMBER 7.
JUNE 2007.
Gentlemen,
Welcome to Newsletter Number 7, I’m sure you retired members must feel the same as I do, where does all the time go, and however did we manage to find time to go to work? Nevertheless, a feeling that our younger working colleagues will be able to reflect on in due course.
This year to date, things have been a little quiet, with General Practices in January, February and April, with an invite and a good turnout to the Coldstream Guards Drummers Reunion, held in Victoria Barracks, Windsor on Saturday 12th.May. A very good time was had by all, and thanks to our good friend, the Drum Major, Tony Taylor, and Peter Nightingale, the organisers. We look forward to a repeat performance sometime in the future.
PAST ENGAGEMENTS 2007.
SATURDAY 12th.MAY. THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS LONDON BRANCH DINNER.
This was the first indoor engagement we have taken on since our formation, and although some of us had played in similar surroundings with other Corps of Drums in the past, we soon realised that acoustics and volume were all important, and the required action was taken to ensure an acceptable level of decibels was achieved for the comfort of the diners. We played for the duration of the Dinner, which proved to be a long blow, and in hindsight, should have had at least one break part way through, however, the lesson has been learned. Our ensemble was just about right in terms of Players, with 6 Bb Flutes, 4 F Flutes, 4 Side Drums, 1 Base Drum and 1 Cymbals, although slight in numbers, the output could not have been better, with perhaps some of the finest Flute Players and Side Drummers around today. Our deputy Silver Bugler Martin Scott,sounded the required Dinner Calls, and Peter Nightingale took on the Musical Directorship.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY 9th/10th.JUNE. THE HACDA BISLEY WEEKEND.
As usual, the weekend was a great success, with around 40 attendees from the HACDA, the GDCDA and the YCOD. Many thanks go to Martyn Pearson, the HACDA Chairman who organised the accommodation and messing. This is an annual event, and I am informed will take place again next year over the 2nd weekend in June 2008. So please make an entry in your diaries, although Martyn will send out final details a little nearer the time.
SATURDAY 23rd.JUNE. WALSALL SSAFA VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS.
After much anxiety in terms of making up sufficient numbers to form a viable Corps of Drums, we finally managed to turn out nineteen, made up of, 6. Bb Flutes, 1. 2nd. Bb Flute, 5. F Flutes, 4. Side Drums, 1. Base Drum , 1. Cymbals and 1. Drum Major. Of those attending, it was a pleasure to have Peter Foss (F Flute and ex Scots Guards Drum Major) from Liverpool, John Wall (Bb Flute. Ex Coldstream Guards) from Leicester, and Bob Cooper Drum Major and Bb Flute (From Yorkshire). Our grateful thanks to them for traveling so far to be with us, and hope to see them all again soon. The Logistics for this engagement was something else, and hopefully, not to be repeated in a hurry! Our Cymbal Player Bill Edwards, hired a Mini Bus, and traveled up to Windsor on Friday 22nd.June collecting David Bell on the way. Five of us plus Instruments, Music Stands and Music were collected from our base, the Windsor Club, and by 6.15pm we set of on the M4 to Bristol picking up Stuart Sutton at Wooton Bassett, we then continued along the M4 and M5 up to Parsons Barracks, Donnington, Nr. Telford where we met up with Peter Nightingale and John Wall. Free Bed and Breakfast was had at the Barracks by kind arrangements by Walsall SSAFA. We met up with the remainder of the Corps in the center of Walsall on the Saturday morning. Despite the inclement weather over the pre-ceding days, and possibly weeks, we had a fine day with not a drop of rain. After Marching on to the town center quadrangle, we played a couple of sessions during the afternoon, setting off for the return journey home at about 16.00hrs. We were very well looked after by both the staff at Parsons Barracks, and also the SSAFA organiser, Roy Aldridge, for which we are most grateful.
FUTURE ENGAGEMENTS 2007.
SUNDAY 1st.JULY. SUFFOLK SSAFA VETERANS DAY PARADE.
Regretfully, this engagement was cancelled by the organisers due to a lack of funding on their part.
SUNDAY 8th. JULY. GRENADIER DAY AT LILLE BARRACKS, ALDERSHOT.
All information has been sent out under seperate cover to all those attending. Due to Brian Lane being on holiday in Canada, our guest Drum Major is to be Bill Scattergood (Ex Grenadier/Welsh Guards Drum Major) and a fine Bb Flute Player, Bill also plays Bagpipes in a Guildford area Pipe Band. A short report of this event will appear in the next Newsletter.
NB. THERE WILL BE NO PRACTICE OR ENGAGEMENTS DURING AUGUST.
SUNDAY 9th.SEPTEMBER. MUSIC SESSION THE ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA.
The RV at the Hospital for this event is at 12.00pm and I suggest you bring haversack rations. If you have not already signed up to attend, and would like to go, please let me know as soon as possible.
SUNDAY 14th.OCTOBER.
General Practice at the Grenadier Club, Windsor. Start Time 10.45hrs.To be confirmed.
SUNDAY 11th.NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE PARADE BRISTOL.
Further details to follow at a later date.
SUNDAY 18th.NOVEMBER.
General Practice at the Grenadier Club, Windsor. Start time 10.45hrs. To be Confirmed.
FRIDAY 14th. DECEMBER. BRICK HANGING HM TOWER OF LONDON.
Further details to follow at a later date.
SUNDAY 20th.JANUARY 2008.
AGM and General Practice at the Windsor Club.
This is a revised date for the AGM, further details will be sent out at a later date.
SUNDAY 17th.FEBRUARY 2008.
General Practice at the Windsor Club. Start time. 10.45hrs.To be Confirmed.
NB. All practice meetings are to be held in the Grenadier Guards Association Club Windsor (Unless otherwise stated) by kind permission of the Branch President.
INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
We now have a full compliment of percussion Instruments with cases, and 12 Music Stands. We still await the delivery of 6 Limpet Practice Pads from Potters, who at present are having difficulty with supply. I hope we will be in possession by the November Practice at Windsor.
MUSIC LIBRARY.
The Library now stands at 234, with several more pieces due to be added once they have been given the thumbs up by the Stand Seniors. I am delighted that Mick Davis has volunteered to be Assistant Librarian, and at present he is busy setting up an effective 2nd Bb Stand with relevant Music.
FINANCES.
Our Treasurer Stuart Sutton informs me, that our Finances are still very healthy, and the Bank Balance stands at £1526.20.
HADRIANS WALL CHALLENGE 2007.
In September 2007, 22 former and serving Coldstream Guardsmen, including our own Treasurer, Stuart Sutton, will walk the approximate 90 miles along Hadrian’s Wall in the North East of England. They plan to walk between 16 and 24 miles each day until completed, supported by a Logistics Support Team. The aim of this challenge is to raise £25.000 in aid of the newly formed Coldstream Kids Charity, which supports the children of Coldstream Guardsmen who have become victims of misfortune or unforeseen circumstances. The Charity was established in 2006 following the sad deaths of Guardsman Anthony Wakefield and Sgt Christian Hickey, tragically killed whilst serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards in 2005. Each member of the Walking Team hopes to raise £900 through sponsorship and donations. Should you wish to participate by sponsorship or donation, please contact Stuart at home, his number will be listed at the end of this Newsletter.
For a similar purpose, the Grenadiers are selling wristbands, and no doubt there will be sellers at Grenadier Day on the 8th.July, so please give generously for this worthy cause.
THE AGM JANUARY 20th.2008.
As previously mentioned, due to various reasons, we have decided to change the date of the AGM from the 24th.November 2007 to the 20th.January 2008. Final details will be posted in the next Newsletter, along with details of the next Bugle Competition, so I suggest that all you good buglers should start to get your lip in again and give Chris Evans and Martin Scott a run for their money.
WELFARE.
Regrettably, Bob Bennett died earlier in the year, the Funeral was held in Woking, the Church was full to overflowing, indicating the popularity of Bob, and the organizations he was associated with. Jim Norris Played a fine Last Post and Reveille, with Stuart Sutton and Peter Taylor playing the Grenadiers Return on Drum and Flute. Peter Hodgkinson, Brian Lane and others played a big part in Bob’s welfare during the last weeks of his life.
For those people of the HAC and Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums that knew Malcolm Walker, more affectionately known as VIRGIL, sadly passed away two weeks ago, the funeral being on Friday 29th.June in Suffolk, our thanks to Dick Terry for his involvement.
Keith Barrington has finally had his Knee Operation, and is now on his way to a full recovery.
CONTACTS.
For your information, the Telephone Number of the Grenadier Club, Windsor is: - 01753 851506
Peter Taylor. Hon.Secretary. Brian Lane. Chairman/Welfare. Stuart Sutton. Treasurer.
“Lynton,” Drome Path, “Rhooti,” 10, Fortrose Close, 13, Vowley View,
Winnersh, College Town, WOOTON BASSETT.
WOKINGHAM. SANDHURST. Wiltshire.
Berks. RG41 5HB. Berks. GU47 0XF. SN4 8HT.
Tel: H. 0118 9793372. Tel: H. 01344 778255 Tel: H. 01753 852969
M. 07890 875966. M. 07961 926434 M. 07831 179766
Peter Taylor, Hon. Secretary, The Guards Division Corps of Drums. Peter.taylor65@btopenworld.com
JUNE 2007.
Gentlemen,
Welcome to Newsletter Number 7, I’m sure you retired members must feel the same as I do, where does all the time go, and however did we manage to find time to go to work? Nevertheless, a feeling that our younger working colleagues will be able to reflect on in due course.
This year to date, things have been a little quiet, with General Practices in January, February and April, with an invite and a good turnout to the Coldstream Guards Drummers Reunion, held in Victoria Barracks, Windsor on Saturday 12th.May. A very good time was had by all, and thanks to our good friend, the Drum Major, Tony Taylor, and Peter Nightingale, the organisers. We look forward to a repeat performance sometime in the future.
PAST ENGAGEMENTS 2007.
SATURDAY 12th.MAY. THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS LONDON BRANCH DINNER.
This was the first indoor engagement we have taken on since our formation, and although some of us had played in similar surroundings with other Corps of Drums in the past, we soon realised that acoustics and volume were all important, and the required action was taken to ensure an acceptable level of decibels was achieved for the comfort of the diners. We played for the duration of the Dinner, which proved to be a long blow, and in hindsight, should have had at least one break part way through, however, the lesson has been learned. Our ensemble was just about right in terms of Players, with 6 Bb Flutes, 4 F Flutes, 4 Side Drums, 1 Base Drum and 1 Cymbals, although slight in numbers, the output could not have been better, with perhaps some of the finest Flute Players and Side Drummers around today. Our deputy Silver Bugler Martin Scott,sounded the required Dinner Calls, and Peter Nightingale took on the Musical Directorship.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY 9th/10th.JUNE. THE HACDA BISLEY WEEKEND.
As usual, the weekend was a great success, with around 40 attendees from the HACDA, the GDCDA and the YCOD. Many thanks go to Martyn Pearson, the HACDA Chairman who organised the accommodation and messing. This is an annual event, and I am informed will take place again next year over the 2nd weekend in June 2008. So please make an entry in your diaries, although Martyn will send out final details a little nearer the time.
SATURDAY 23rd.JUNE. WALSALL SSAFA VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS.
After much anxiety in terms of making up sufficient numbers to form a viable Corps of Drums, we finally managed to turn out nineteen, made up of, 6. Bb Flutes, 1. 2nd. Bb Flute, 5. F Flutes, 4. Side Drums, 1. Base Drum , 1. Cymbals and 1. Drum Major. Of those attending, it was a pleasure to have Peter Foss (F Flute and ex Scots Guards Drum Major) from Liverpool, John Wall (Bb Flute. Ex Coldstream Guards) from Leicester, and Bob Cooper Drum Major and Bb Flute (From Yorkshire). Our grateful thanks to them for traveling so far to be with us, and hope to see them all again soon. The Logistics for this engagement was something else, and hopefully, not to be repeated in a hurry! Our Cymbal Player Bill Edwards, hired a Mini Bus, and traveled up to Windsor on Friday 22nd.June collecting David Bell on the way. Five of us plus Instruments, Music Stands and Music were collected from our base, the Windsor Club, and by 6.15pm we set of on the M4 to Bristol picking up Stuart Sutton at Wooton Bassett, we then continued along the M4 and M5 up to Parsons Barracks, Donnington, Nr. Telford where we met up with Peter Nightingale and John Wall. Free Bed and Breakfast was had at the Barracks by kind arrangements by Walsall SSAFA. We met up with the remainder of the Corps in the center of Walsall on the Saturday morning. Despite the inclement weather over the pre-ceding days, and possibly weeks, we had a fine day with not a drop of rain. After Marching on to the town center quadrangle, we played a couple of sessions during the afternoon, setting off for the return journey home at about 16.00hrs. We were very well looked after by both the staff at Parsons Barracks, and also the SSAFA organiser, Roy Aldridge, for which we are most grateful.
FUTURE ENGAGEMENTS 2007.
SUNDAY 1st.JULY. SUFFOLK SSAFA VETERANS DAY PARADE.
Regretfully, this engagement was cancelled by the organisers due to a lack of funding on their part.
SUNDAY 8th. JULY. GRENADIER DAY AT LILLE BARRACKS, ALDERSHOT.
All information has been sent out under seperate cover to all those attending. Due to Brian Lane being on holiday in Canada, our guest Drum Major is to be Bill Scattergood (Ex Grenadier/Welsh Guards Drum Major) and a fine Bb Flute Player, Bill also plays Bagpipes in a Guildford area Pipe Band. A short report of this event will appear in the next Newsletter.
NB. THERE WILL BE NO PRACTICE OR ENGAGEMENTS DURING AUGUST.
SUNDAY 9th.SEPTEMBER. MUSIC SESSION THE ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA.
The RV at the Hospital for this event is at 12.00pm and I suggest you bring haversack rations. If you have not already signed up to attend, and would like to go, please let me know as soon as possible.
SUNDAY 14th.OCTOBER.
General Practice at the Grenadier Club, Windsor. Start Time 10.45hrs.To be confirmed.
SUNDAY 11th.NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE PARADE BRISTOL.
Further details to follow at a later date.
SUNDAY 18th.NOVEMBER.
General Practice at the Grenadier Club, Windsor. Start time 10.45hrs. To be Confirmed.
FRIDAY 14th. DECEMBER. BRICK HANGING HM TOWER OF LONDON.
Further details to follow at a later date.
SUNDAY 20th.JANUARY 2008.
AGM and General Practice at the Windsor Club.
This is a revised date for the AGM, further details will be sent out at a later date.
SUNDAY 17th.FEBRUARY 2008.
General Practice at the Windsor Club. Start time. 10.45hrs.To be Confirmed.
NB. All practice meetings are to be held in the Grenadier Guards Association Club Windsor (Unless otherwise stated) by kind permission of the Branch President.
INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
We now have a full compliment of percussion Instruments with cases, and 12 Music Stands. We still await the delivery of 6 Limpet Practice Pads from Potters, who at present are having difficulty with supply. I hope we will be in possession by the November Practice at Windsor.
MUSIC LIBRARY.
The Library now stands at 234, with several more pieces due to be added once they have been given the thumbs up by the Stand Seniors. I am delighted that Mick Davis has volunteered to be Assistant Librarian, and at present he is busy setting up an effective 2nd Bb Stand with relevant Music.
FINANCES.
Our Treasurer Stuart Sutton informs me, that our Finances are still very healthy, and the Bank Balance stands at £1526.20.
HADRIANS WALL CHALLENGE 2007.
In September 2007, 22 former and serving Coldstream Guardsmen, including our own Treasurer, Stuart Sutton, will walk the approximate 90 miles along Hadrian’s Wall in the North East of England. They plan to walk between 16 and 24 miles each day until completed, supported by a Logistics Support Team. The aim of this challenge is to raise £25.000 in aid of the newly formed Coldstream Kids Charity, which supports the children of Coldstream Guardsmen who have become victims of misfortune or unforeseen circumstances. The Charity was established in 2006 following the sad deaths of Guardsman Anthony Wakefield and Sgt Christian Hickey, tragically killed whilst serving in Iraq with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards in 2005. Each member of the Walking Team hopes to raise £900 through sponsorship and donations. Should you wish to participate by sponsorship or donation, please contact Stuart at home, his number will be listed at the end of this Newsletter.
For a similar purpose, the Grenadiers are selling wristbands, and no doubt there will be sellers at Grenadier Day on the 8th.July, so please give generously for this worthy cause.
THE AGM JANUARY 20th.2008.
As previously mentioned, due to various reasons, we have decided to change the date of the AGM from the 24th.November 2007 to the 20th.January 2008. Final details will be posted in the next Newsletter, along with details of the next Bugle Competition, so I suggest that all you good buglers should start to get your lip in again and give Chris Evans and Martin Scott a run for their money.
WELFARE.
Regrettably, Bob Bennett died earlier in the year, the Funeral was held in Woking, the Church was full to overflowing, indicating the popularity of Bob, and the organizations he was associated with. Jim Norris Played a fine Last Post and Reveille, with Stuart Sutton and Peter Taylor playing the Grenadiers Return on Drum and Flute. Peter Hodgkinson, Brian Lane and others played a big part in Bob’s welfare during the last weeks of his life.
For those people of the HAC and Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums that knew Malcolm Walker, more affectionately known as VIRGIL, sadly passed away two weeks ago, the funeral being on Friday 29th.June in Suffolk, our thanks to Dick Terry for his involvement.
Keith Barrington has finally had his Knee Operation, and is now on his way to a full recovery.
CONTACTS.
For your information, the Telephone Number of the Grenadier Club, Windsor is: - 01753 851506
Peter Taylor. Hon.Secretary. Brian Lane. Chairman/Welfare. Stuart Sutton. Treasurer.
“Lynton,” Drome Path, “Rhooti,” 10, Fortrose Close, 13, Vowley View,
Winnersh, College Town, WOOTON BASSETT.
WOKINGHAM. SANDHURST. Wiltshire.
Berks. RG41 5HB. Berks. GU47 0XF. SN4 8HT.
Tel: H. 0118 9793372. Tel: H. 01344 778255 Tel: H. 01753 852969
M. 07890 875966. M. 07961 926434 M. 07831 179766
Peter Taylor, Hon. Secretary, The Guards Division Corps of Drums. Peter.taylor65@btopenworld.com
THE GUARDS DIVISION CORPS OF DRUMS ASSOCIATION
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News Letter No 7