RN Volunteer Band HMS Collingwood

BdCSgt G Vaughan BMus(Hons) CTABRSM RM

'Allo 'Allo! Collingwood calling

The Summer term means one thing: gigs, and more gigs. The Band has been extremely busy since the last article and even after a well-earned summer leave we hit the ground running. We've only just reached the November lull and are all taking a deep breath ready for the commencement of the madness that is December. I've done a photo 'montage' of some of our highlights since the last issue. This isn't because I'm too lazy or bereft of imagination to write much. It's because my arms are knackered from too much parade band (how much is too much I hear you cry? Answers on a post card please). So, if you're sitting comfortably, I'll begin…

Royal Naval Volunteer Band Festival

Collingwood are delighted to be crowned Best Overall Band for the 2nd year running and even more delighted to win the party (again!).

Festival Fancy Dress party!


CSgt Graham Vaughan at the BBQ with his beer glasses on!

At the Summer Social BBQ a lovely time was had by all despite the traditional summer rain and Mr Jones trying to emasculate me with a softball! Following our Summer Social we found ourselves heading off to the Emsworth Food Festival which lasted two days and consisted of five marching displays and a Beat Retreat, but enough food and drink to sink a battleship. If you've never been, you should go next year and not just to see Collingwood Band.

Our next performance was at the Admiral’s Cup dinner when we beat retreat in Victory Arena with 2nd Sea Lord taking the salute. We were followed by a very impressive Field Gun display by the local Cadets and Bandy got a T-shirt. What more could you ask for? Littlehampton Bonfire Carnival was very impressive with a fantastic fireworks display and even more impressive fish and chips.

Bandy with his T-shirt

Joiners and Leavers

Once again we have been lucky to have plenty of enthusiastic young ‘thrusters’ to embrace into the loving bosom that is Collingwood Band and only a few losses. Leaving us (but only for a little while) are Lt Bryan Simpson who is at sea again and WEA Mike 'Elkie' Brooks who's gone to polish his mighty weapon in Iraq. Also leaving us, to get a haircut and get a proper job, are Joanna Nelson and Gareth Johnson who have gone to play with the big boys and girls at the School of Music. Big congrats to both of you, and we know you’ll do us proud in your new careers in the Band Service. Our impressive list of ‘newbies’ includes an awful lot of clarinet players, but we won't hold that against them! (Deep breath in): Firstly, we are pleased to welcome on oboe, Emma Dodge. Our six shiny new clarinettists are Bruce Booty, Peter Williams, Megan Smith-Josephs, Andy Hayler, Connor Hewitt and Barbara Hamilton who has moved across the water from Nelson. Sam Martin has joined us on cornet and Mark Metalko, Steph Widowson and Anton Knight have been seduced to the dark side as buglers in Jim Christopher's ma-hoo-sive Corps of Drums. Finally, a big CWD hello to ET Joseph Miles who is on board as a spare bass drummer in case Frank’s batteries run out. We hope that they will all enjoy their time with us.

Coda

Since the last issue, you'll be pleased to know that I've sold the bike that I mentioned. I was going to advertise a few other items that I could do with getting rid of, but I was concerned about the kind of enquiries I might get about the diving helmet and the chocolate teapot so I put them on E-bay instead. Until next time.

Donkey

Last updated May 2008