Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland

Director of Music: Captain J Ridley BMus(Hons) MMus(Perf) LRSM AMusTCL Royal Marines
Bandmaster: WO2 S Tripp BMus(Hons) LRSM AMusTCL CT ABRSM RM
Drum Major: Sgt Bug C Brown RM

Welcome to this update from the wintry wastes, where the music of Scotland Band pierces the post-Christmas gloom and sends concert-goers homewards with cheery smiles and a light heart to counteract the daily struggle to merely exist, never mind function, in a country where snow in winter-time seems to come as a whopping and not altogether pleasant surprise. We can’t really grumble, mind; we’ve travelled far and wide to escape the conditions, and if you want to know more, read on!

Christmas Greetings!

Our annual Christmas orchestral concert was replaced this Yuletide by a concert band extravaganza in the newly refurbished Alhambra venue in Dunfermline, and a roaring success it was too. From the carol-singing children of St. John's primary school in Rosyth, led by BdCpl Brian ‘Santa’ Lloyd, to the beautiful trumpet playing of Musn Warren Lindsay in Panis Angelicus, the music warmed up a capacity audience on a bitter December evening.

The stand-decorating/dress up as a numpty contest was won, controversially, by the saxophone section, whose Mexican/elf/Welshman theme clearly swayed the audience, leaving young Musn Adam Gore of the cornet section pondering on whether it was, after all, worth dressing up as a Christmas prostitute (I think) in pink spandex. I’m still not sure if BdCSgt Tim Watson has taken his elf-ears off yet though!

Down Under

As the snow swept in, so Scotland Band made a hasty escape to warmer climes. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney was the occasion, and along with the RAF College Band and the Coldstream Guards, we were to represent the British Armed Forces in the spectacular setting of the ‘Aussie Stadium’, a huge venue made all the more striking by the superb mock-up of Edinburgh Castle at one end!

Former RM Musician Martyn Handcock on parade with the Australian Forces in Australia

We were based at St. John’s College at the University of Sydney, where we stayed on our previous visit for this engagement in 2005. The cockroaches, bats and spiders greeted us like old friends, seeming as ever out of place in such a civilised, old-world setting. However, checking your shoes each morning for unwelcome guests was a small price to pay, as the college was the perfect base from which to explore every aspect of Sydney by day and night in our free time. With the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, river tours, the Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, and the gay quarter, whose bars stayed open until seven each morning (apparently), there was no lack of entertainment, but the real fun started with the lengthy rehearsals. In broiling heat, we donned floppy hats and toiled endlessly around various sports fields whilst Lt.Col. Graham Jones of the Guards manfully strove to knit matters together from his metaphorical podium.

Scotland Buglers in the finale position of the Edinburgh Tattoo in Australia

As ever, the hard work paid off and, despite some torrential downpours just prior to the show, everything was just about all right by opening night, when Captain Ridley conducted the opening fanfare in a blaze of fireworks and to a storm of applause. Our Drum Major, Sgt Bug Colin 'Buster' Brown, was instrumental in the drill involved in our tri-service display – apparently this was one aspect of the show that had been somewhat neglected until… er… the week before the Tattoo. Sadly we had little input as far as the music was concerned, but with Fingal’s Cave as a slow march followed by Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in quick time (obviously), all tastes were catered for in the floodlit humidity of these Sydney evenings.

As ever, our Corps of Drums took centre stage with impeccable bugling in the Sunset ceremony, bringing down the curtain on a juggernaut of a Tattoo – large, unwieldy, noisy but undeniably rather impressive. As the week progressed, musicians of all the nations began to descend on our little courtyard bar at the college, where, each night, they were cordially welcomed, in particular by Bugler Kerrie Silk whose rendition of Waltzing Matilda, whilst leaning Rapunzel-like over a convenient balcony, was enjoyed by an enthralled, multi-national audience!

Home, Home On The Range...

After two weeks of sun, sand, sea and semiquavers, a week of military training at Barry Budden ranges was just what the doctor ordered, if said doctor had a particularly sadistic sense of humour. Just in case the drifting snow and sub-arctic temperatures weren’t enough, the new annual weapons test was a bit of a shock to our numbed systems – the upside-down left-handed unsupported stance at 600 metres was a real leveller. As ever, though, the hypothermia was interspersed with moments of humour. On suffering the most unclearable stoppage of my lengthy career, Cpl Luke Wilson of the training team stepped in, eventually battered my cocking handle free with the aid of a large wooden post, and on cocking, hooking and looking exclaimed; “There’s a kit-kat wrapper in your shooter!” As a non-chocolate eater, may I take this opportunity to politely ask the chocaholics of the Band to ditch their gash in future!

Parish Sketches

We welcome into the fold some fresh young faces from the School of Music. A big Scottish hello to Musns Dan Carter (french horn), Lizzie Merrell (flute and saxophone) and Bugler Jo Nelson, whilst we bid a tearful farewell to Musn Warren Lindsay who has deserted us to join C.T.C. Band. He’s been a staunch member of our Band of Brothers here and he and his hooter will be greatly missed as well as his endless, yet accurate, quotes from ‘Still Game’. (Members of the Southern bands yet to discover this TV gem, ask a Scottish friend, but not Warren - you’ll be there all evening). We also say goodbye to Musn Sarah Curtis who has joined Collingwood Band. We wish her all the best in her new draft, or ‘appointment’ as I believe we call them nowadays. Hot off the press; Musn Graham Clark and his wife Gillian have been blessed with a wee baby girl! Her name is Tabitha Holly, and Graham is already knackered. Not sure about Gillian but I assume she’s quite tired as well. Congratulations and best wishes to all three! That’s all for now folks, read me again in late summer, all things being equal.

Musn PDW Hume

Scotland Corps of Drums

Welcome to another riveting article by the most travelled Corps of Drums (COD) in NATO. If only we could convert our miles to Tesco Club points we’d be laughing. On the personnel front we’ve had a few more changes since the last article with the Scotland COD stalwart Bug Adam Barber heading down to finish his time in the Portsmouth Band. We wish Adam all the best for the future. Secondly we have Cpl Bug Tim Needham who is heading a little closer to home and has flown the Scotland COD nest and landed at CTCRM. Straight out of the box we have our new coffee boat walla Bug Jo Nelson whose feet haven’t touched the ground. Next into our band of happy Buglers is Cpl Bug Chris Bray who has managed to escape the clutches of “The Royal Band”. Both have drawn their kilts and are settling in nicely.

The start of the year saw us heading down under for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Australia. This was a great trip with everybody accommodated in their own room, (safe!). Some of the acts were brilliant. We had the King's Guard from Norway, Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes & Drums and some drum corps who set their sticks on fire; I can’t remember their name as I didn’t take much notice of them! Although we weren’t given the chance to perform a static on the gig the COD still enjoyed themselves and made full use of the local area.
After finally arriving back in the UK it wasn’t long before we were on the ranges for our military training. What a difference from a few weeks ago - one minute we were on the beach covered in crisp ‘n’ dry the next we’re in the prone position covered in snow. The weather was so bad that for once we had to take windage into account. Strong wind 2 targets left was the order of the day. However, for our very own superstar Bugler Ritchie that’s exactly what he did. His idea of firing 2 targets left was actually 2 lanes left, clever bloke. Never mind, after the weather cleared up and the bacon butties were made everything else seemed to run a lot more smoothly.

Straight after military training and we were off to Portsmouth for MFM, and more importantly the Buglers' Reunion. This wasn’t any normal Buglers' Reunion but more of a dedication as the CDM had a Buglers' memorial board commissioned for all buglers who gave their lives in World WarI & World War II. I’m sure all who went will agree it was a great night and a fitting tribute to all the buglers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in both world wars. With a baggy head the following morning we all met in the buglers' changing rooms ready to start the week’s rehearsals. After some late nights and heavy heads the rehearsals and the shows went well with the Stomp routine getting the biggest applause each night. The highlight for me was watching Bug Perry… try and walk down to the stage without his legs bending at the knees, very funny. A thank you must go to Pedler Palmer for entertaining some of the buglers again in his box on the Saturday night.

As I write this article the COD are getting ready for another busy period. We’ve got a few days in Ireland for St Patrick's day then we’re off to Winterbourne Gunner for a week’s worth of NBCD Training, then as a look forward we're participating in the Voorthuizen Military Tattoo in Holland with our biannual inspection on our return. Joy! More about them in the next article. Just before I sign off I’d like to apologise to Cpl Bugler Neil Lowe who in the last article was referred to as a bugler! Sorry.

From all in Scotland COD we hope you all have a great Easter

Last updated 10 August 2010