RN Volunteer Band HMS Nelson

BdCSgt S Green BMus(Hons) LRSM AMusTCL RM

Welcome to another update from us here at HMS Nelson. Things have been busy and not just on the playing front; we have been breaking our Bandy into the social side of volunteer banding and making sure he keeps the beer fridge and coffee boat well stocked. However, the boss seems to be fitting in well and doesn’t seem to be too traumatised by our induction efforts.

As well as doing our normal mess dinners in the run up to Christmas, Steve decided that we needed to do a more formal concert. He set about organising St. Anne’s Church as a venue and ensuring we had all the right important people in attendance. We had the normal mix of concert band and drummers, but also included the talents of our band singer ‘Sarah’ to do some good old Christmas classics. Oh, and the Band were entertained themselves by Uncle Deli’s flashing Christmas tree hat which kept popping up at the back! It was a really successful night raising over £700 for our local lifeboat station at Hayling Island.

This year we were also lucky enough to be asked to do two carol services on HMS Victory; one for the HMS Nelson Base Commander and one for the 2nd Sea Lord on consecutive nights. What was, as normal, a lovely event with mulled wine and mince pies was only hampered by the freezing weather. I think most of the Band wished they had worn thermals!

With our final Christmas do on HMS Warrior looming we turned up at the band room to find Bandie trying on his Father Christmas costume. We thought he was joking when he said he was going to conduct in it, but complete with two cushions stuffed down his front for effect, that’s what he did. Arriving on HMS Warrior with its very icy decks, we wondered if Santa was going to show us how to fly without his sleigh. The audience loved it and the Band couldn’t stop laughing at the frequent ‘Ho ho Ho’ ing’ and being told ‘if we were naughty little Vollies, Santa wouldn’t bring us any presents’. (I only wish I could have been there to see it - Fairy)
With all the Christmas concerts done and dusted it was then time for the Band to let their hair down and the Christmas do. This year we decided to forgoe the normal Turkey and trimmings and go Latin American. It was a record turnout and I think the amount of money spent on beer and cocktails, showed everyone had a good time. Especially our normally quiet and demure Princess, who came into her own after a couple of pitchers! Not to be outshone, Bandy wore his tiara all night and waved his pink wand with gusto. Planning is already starting to make next year’s even bigger - how will Gunwharf cope?

Since Christmas things have been a little quieter. Well, apart from the group of eight of us who went to Cologne with HMS Heron Band, not forgetting Wendy and Paul who went with the pipers. We just want to say a BIG thanks to everyone for a fab trip. We had a great time and most people already want to put their names down for next year!

Volunteer Bands in Cologne

Since then, the marching band had its first outing with the Royal Navy Vs RAF football at Fratton Park this week. With a little help from our friends from Collingwood and Sultan we provided a large band who played well from the centre spot, despite the cold and the imminent danger of being hit by a passing warm-up football!

Nelson Band at Fratton Park

Finally, we need to say hello to some new joiners into the band. Auntie Gromit has joined us on tenor horn after moving up from HMS Heron, Fi on flute, Andy on Cornet, Tommo on Tenor Sax, have I forgotten anyone…? Oh yes, our players in training… Congratulations to Heather and Mike on the birth of baby Alice and to Russ and Helen on the birth of baby Thea. We’ll see them both on the counter march in a few years I am sure.

Last updated 10 August 2010