RN Volunteer Band HMS Collingwood

BdCSgt Paul Johnson BMus(Hons) ARCM(Hons) CTABRSM RM

As I sit behind my desk, here in HMS Collingwood’s new Volunteer Bandroom, looking out over all that I survey and wondering how to start this article, I am struck with the changes that have occurred since the Band took up residence here back in March of this year. It seems a world away since I was first confronted with the ‘blank canvas’ of a freshly painted open space that was formerly a cafeteria area known to all within the HMS Collingwood as ‘Jacque’s Snacks’. With the decision to demolish the old Band room brought forward, the Band’s scheduled move from a ground floor hut to a first floor building was always going to be a challenge; especially since Bands have never been known to ‘travel light’. Two flights of stairs, a great deal of ‘huffing’ and ‘puffing’ and the occasional expletive later, the move was completed in less than a week. Despite the inevitable upheaval that followed, the move has been a positive one for the Band. The new Band room and its adjacent areas are a vast improvement on the Band’s previous location.

With further renovation scheduled, I am confident that the finished Band room will be an asset to HMS Collingwood and a first class rehearsal facility and Band room for its Volunteer Band.

If the Band room has undergone changes since our last instalment then so too has the Band. On the ‘joiners and leavers’ front, I am pleased to say that those joining have outweighed those leaving. We say a fond farewell to Lt Cdr Chris Hurley who leaves the RN for a future civilian career in project management. All the best Chris; the Band room is a quieter place without you and the dulcet tones of your bass trombone. We also say a fond farewell to Lt Cdr Ian Thomson who, as well as leaving us to take up a choice assignment in Plymouth, also relinquishes his post as Band Officer. On behalf of the Band I would like to wish you all the very best in your new appointment as Weapon Engineering Officer on board HMS Turbulence. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you publicly for all your dedication and commitment in dealing with all Band-related issues as well as personally for the leadership, advice and friendship you have shown me during my tenure. I hope you will take every opportunity to join us whenever you are in the area.

This leads me to welcome Lt Stacey Tait RN into the ‘hot seat’ as the new, albeit temporary, Band Officer as she, in turn, leaves the service (though not the Band) in July following the RNVB Festival.
On the ‘gig front’, Collingwood Band and its members have continued to loyally represent HMS Collingwood and the RN within the establishment and in the wider community.

In May the Band once again provided musical support for the Fareham Mayor Making Ceremony, an annual event held each year in Ferneham Hall, Fareham. Mustering a ‘team’ of volunteer ‘bandies’ for a midweek, early morning engagement such as this is not an easy undertaking, especially since many of the volunteers taking part often have regular work commitments to consider. In light of this I would like to take this opportunity to specially thank all those who participated from Collingwood Band as well as those from Nelson and Sultan Band; once again, our efforts were greatly appreciated by all those in attendance.

LtCdr (rt'd) Rod Chadwick plays dinner call at the Ganges Association reunion

In May the Band also participated in The HMS Ganges Association Reunion Dinner that took place in the Sinah Warren Hotel, Hayling Island. This proved to be a fine setting with a large dining area, a designated area for the Band, as well as a conveniently positioned flag pole in the hotel’s forecourt. With the former Commander in Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent in attendance and guests numbering over 400, this event proved to be both high profile and well attended. Following the arrival of the guest of honour and a splendid dinner call from the ever reliable Rod Chadwick Lt Cdr (rtd), the guests proceeded to the main dining hall. On completion of dinner and a suitably nautical programme from the Band, all those present relocated to the hotel forecourt for the sunset ceremony that was to follow. With flag lowered to the musical accompaniment of the Band and the ceremony complete, the standard bearers were marched off to the strains of Heart of Oak: a fitting end to a fine reunion for a proud association.

CSgt Paul Johnson has port with adm Sir James Burnell-Nugent

Closer to home and to events more recent, the Band participated in HMS Collingwood’s own Field Gun Day. On this occasion the Band was called upon to alternate performances with a heavy metal Band, ‘Enochian Theory’, as well as a children’s entertainer dressed as a clown. Despite the somewhat surreal mix, the experience was an enjoyable one, especially as we were reminded once more that our very own Volunteer Band ‘diehard’ groupies can compete with the best of them.

In the wider volunteer Band community, members of Collingwood Band have made their presence known far and wide, participating in numbers at events such as BRNC, King Arthur and Sultan divisions as well as concerts alongside our Northwood counterparts in London.

With preparations for the forthcoming RN Volunteer Band Festival well underway, we look forward to the main event and the social to follow. Here we hope to catch up with a few old friends over a ‘cold one’, hopefully able to reflect upon the successes of the day and a performance well done.

Last updated January 2010