RN Volunteer Band HMS Heron

BdCSgt J Morrish BMus(Hons) Royal Marines

The end of last term culminated in our Christmas Dinner and social. It was a lovely evening attended by nearly everyone in the band and a great time was had by all. Everyone was dressed in Dinner Jackets and ball gowns/cocktail dresses and the evening commenced with a mess beatings from the Royal Marine Corps of Drums, quite an impressive sight and a great start to a lovely evening. A big thank you to Sgt Sean Donahue from the entire Band at HMS Heron for providing such a wonderful display. Thanks to CPO Tom Page who was the evenings photographer and took some lovely photos during the evening of couples and groups. Music after the dinner was provided by the Dance Band based at Plymouth, as the Volunteer Band all put on their dancing shoes and danced the night away! Thank you to Musician Dan Page for organising the Dance Band.
As with all bands, the first few weeks of this term were rather slow after Christmas leave, but have started to pick up now. Our first gig after leave was the Royal British Legion County Conference held at the air station. A fun filled morning, started by entertaining the conference attendees for 45 minutes at 0845! Then march in the standards! We then had a break for about 2 hours, finishing off the morning entertaining the attendees whilst they had their lunch. It was quoted that other counties are rather envious of Somerset's conference, due to the fact of HMS Heron’s Band's presence!

Prior to Cologne, we started marching again, not for Cologne, but for a prestigious Military Tattoo being held at Bracknell for Help for Heroes. This was a joint venture with the Army Band and Bugles of the Rifles, and the Reading Scottish Pipe Band. There were many other acts there including, The Army Physical Training Corps Display Team, 95th Rifles display, Liquid Lunch (a pop group) and a contingent from Reading Air cadets. HMS Heron Band performed Beat the Retreat, culminating with the finale piece Lord of the Dance in a matinee and evening performance. There was also a Massed Band finale which featured pieces such as Highland Cathedral and Loves Farewell. It was a fantastic gig and day out for all who took part and well in excess of £3000 was given to Help the Heroes. The only downfall is we missed our annual outing to go and see the MFM at the Albert Hall!

The Band’s Corps of Drums are starting to be well recognised. They have now taken on a couple of their own gigs. Our first gig was last term for the Corps Birthday, and as a result we have two more bookings for mess beatings in the near future. The first being a Commando Helicopter Force cocktail party being held in the Wardroom and the second for the Wardroom’s Summer ball. As Tim did such a good salute last time for the Corps Birthday. (see last edition to remind yourselves of the episode!) we decided we’d take it in turns, so who’s turn is it this time…? We are indebted to Bugler Dave Birt for giving up his time to help with instruction and choreography of our drum displays.

The clocks go forward soon and in a few weeks, after Easter Leave that invariably means it’s out on the hard standing for marching rehearsals, then before you know it its Band Festival time!

Big congratulations must go to Emma Cullen and Musician Dan Page on their engagement. They both joined Heron Band when they started secondary school, with Dan making a career of joining the Royal Marine Band Service. They are planning to get married in November this year. After all the years in the Band they should have known that November is the busiest time for the band! Where are your priorities!

Welcome back to Claire Gillies on euphonium and our other new joiners Jane Bursak on trombone, Mel Lovat on oboe and Julie Shepherd on cornet.

Have a lovely Easter leave and see you all very soon, in 18 weeks for Festival!

Sonya Whiteburn

Last updated 10 August 2010