RN Volunteer Band HMS Heron

BdCSgt J Morrish BMus(Hons) Royal Marines

Welcome to sunny Somerset and the events of HMS Heron Band this term. Although we’ve had some really nice sunny hot days, it's Glastonbury weekend so it’s got to be raining!

The Band has been very busy this term and continues to be right up until summer leave. Some of the highlights of this term included a Welcome Home parade for Commando Helicopter Force from Afghanistan, which took place in Wincanton. Wincanton? I hear you ask. It was arranged by the British Legion, due to the fact that Wincanton sends goodwill parcels out to the squadrons on deployment. There was such a sense of pride when we stepped off with the 3 troops from the squadrons taking part. As we came around the corner to the centre of the town there was a huge crowd and lots of dignitaries. There was so much clapping and cheering as we went by, the union flags and banners, it was quite unbelievable. There was coverage of the band on the local TV news that evening and pictures in the local papers, but as it has been said the day really was for the squadrons returning. It was quoted in the local paper, ‘It’s a wonderful day. Well done lads we are very proud of you’. The Band led the march through the town and did themselves and the Volunteer Band world proud. Even the new VBI Johnny Morrish was impressed with how well we played. The parade was all up hill and the locals among us cannot remember it being that steep, but then again it never is when you are in a car! To be part of something like that makes everyone proud, such a momentous occasion.

Heron Band at the Welcome Home parade for Commando Helicopter Force from Afghanistan, Wincanton

The second event was a concert at Pensford Church held on the anniversary of D-Day, our new VBI's first concert with us, and the programme of music reflected that. It was for the church fund, raising a total of £800. We have played at the church before and are always made welcome, this year having a marquee put in the grounds with a fabulous spread of food and drink. Thanks must go to Karen Page’s mum and the women of the church who arranged it, and it was just for us even the sign on the marquee said ‘Performers Only’; such dizzy heights of showbiz! The concert was a real hit with plans for another concert next year in the pipeline.
We must officially mention the fact that we have a new VBI. A change again so near to the Band Festival, we are sure that’s what happened last year! Anyway welcome to CSgt Johnny Morrish, it’s nice to have a brass player as VBI; we haven’t had one of those for a while. Well done to Johnny for taking part in the sponsored Bikeathon in memory of John Kelly and Andy Thomson, although he only managed to do the last part! We were sorry to say farewell to Tim Carter, who left us after just 12 months, we weren’t that bad, surely! Best of luck Tim, and thank you for letting us play in your band. We welcome new members to the Band: Lt Cdr Ray Brock, who has become our new Band Officer, Catie Brock on flute, Ryan McGregor in the corps of drums and Julian Williams on trombone. It is also nice to see previous members return to the Band, Dave Perryman on trombone and Sharon Jacobs on Bari Sax. We have said a temporary farewell to Peter and Marjolijn from Holland; Peter got drafted to sunnier climes for 6 months so Marjolijn went back to Holland; we miss you both and hope you will be back soon. Apologies if anyone has been missed, will try harder next time. It should be noted that Ray Brock is a crucial part of our Corps of Drums and as far as we are aware he is the first Lieutenant Commander to do so, does anyone know of any different?

The dedication of this Band is quite amazing. There we were Thursday night rehearsing for a marching display we have to put together for some festival in Portsmouth, out in the open on the airfield, (closest we have to a parade square), when a thunderstorm descended in the distance. The lightening was quite spectacular on the hills and getting closer, yet we kept marching up and down, apart from one who stayed in the band room. We won’t name and shame but he’s a large chap who plays tuba and is not very keen on thunder! Johnny also asked if we could do a run through of our marching display in rig before the Festival. Unfortunately Kerry, the drum major, misheard when it was supposed to be and turned up on the wrong rehearsal night in her jacket, gauntlets, mini skirt and fishnet tights. Suddenly all the men in the Band were very keen to obey the drum major's instructions. Men are so easy to dominate! Our thanks go again to Sgt Bugler Mark ‘Deli’ Snell for his assistance with the drill and Corps of Drums and to Musician Dan Page for helping out with percussion.
Best of luck to all the bands taking part at the Festival.
Kerry Edwards HMS Heron's Volunteer Band Drum Major

Sonya Whiteburn

Last updated January 2010