Northwood HQ Volunteer Band

BdCSgt M Robinson RM

Having spent the best part of my first term settling in at Northwood HQ, I think that most people are just starting to get used to the fact that ‘Bandy’ does not always need to be called Dave! Having moved away from the seaside to be the only landlocked member of the Band Service, things all seem to be running smoothly.
The term commenced with a handover week covering all matters Volunteer Band and involved meeting a lot of people and trying to remember their names and what they do (and what I would need them for once I no longer had Dave by my side!). We also managed a handover concert at the Band’s local concert venue at St Thomas’s Church in Harefield which went very well; all credit to Dave for working the Band hard in preparation. During the concert, the ‘Elizabeth Gething Trophy’ was presented to the most improved player, this time going to Mr Tony Hunter on Bassoon. I did wonder if it was a bit of favouritism as a bassoonist had voted for a bassoonist, but I have already seen that Tony has a great deal of dedication towards his music and serenades me regularly during lunchtimes. The concert also saw the Band’s other newest recruit being showcased as the solo feature on Violin; Helen Barnes playing a fantastic rendition of Ashokan Farewell, not once but twice, as Dave invited her back to do the encore.

BdCSgt Dave Boorer (left) hands over the Northwood HQ Baton to BdCSgt Michael Robinson

As Dave departed towards new found happiness in his double cell at RMSoM, both the Band and I wish him well for the future and thanks for looking after me! Now, I must try and learn some people’s names! So with a bit of time to settle in before the first gig on Saturday! It was, however, a very relaxing and somewhat surreal venue, beside the Rickmansworth Canal. Playing to people on riverboats, sat around a lock would have seemed a strange venue for a Band, but I must admit that it all worked well and the Band played exceptionally with a special mention to Jane Anderson for her beautiful Cornet solo in Les Misérables.

Marching up and down

My first Volunteer Band gig done, it was now time to begin the dreaded ‘M’ word, with the next gig being Abbots Langley Carnival. After spending a few evenings trying to lull the Band into a false sense of security, rehearsing as normal, then walking them to the gym (itself a scary process for some) at half time for some good old ‘trying to walk in time and playing and breathing practice’. The gig came and we had a little assistance from the Collingwood Volunteer Band, who provided nearly half of the Band. A big thanks to the guys who came up to help, especially the CoD who stood in for the current Northwood HQ CoD who are on a sabbatical. After a good march around the rather undulating Abbots Langley, it was all back to Robin and Carol’s for a slap-up lunch, which was something else indeed. It was so impressive that I’m sure I was promised a whole Band from Collingwood for next year’s carnival!

As the summer continues, the Band is looking at a gig a week on average at the moment with plenty of chances to perform both in public and within the unit. The Band performed for Waterloo night in the Officers’ Mess and then lunchtime the next day on the lawn for US Independence Day (and NO, I do not know why we did it on 24th June?). But with a few more gigs in the pipeline, the Band can then start looking towards the festival in September (fancy dress already sorted or so I’ve been told?!).

The Band performing during American Independance Day celebrations

Other stuff

Having witnessed my first ‘Messy play’ with Mums and Tots and being now a fully integrated member of the Community Team, regularly seeking refuge with the Chaplain and his trusted team, Northwood is a great place to work. I have managed to find some new musicians; most of them are starting from scratch, but all are very keen and working hard. I will continue to recruit both within the unit and out in the big wide world, but if anybody knows any Bass players or Drummers in the London area, please send them my way!

Leavers

As with all ever-revolving units, the Band has got a few departing members in the very near future. Firstly Peter Laszlo, who is moving away to Bristol, and the Band wishes him well in the move. I know that Peter will miss the Band and I am sure he will be on the look-out for some new musical output when he moves. Secondly Bryan Marshall, a retired RN Officer who moved up to Enfield a few years ago with his wife, and Northwood was lucky enough to invite him in from HMS Nelson Volunteer Band. Bryan has done the 50 mile ‘round trip’ weekly since and it is a shame that he lives so far away as it is only due to the perilous drive that he has had to hang up his hat for the final time. I’m sure I can say from the entire Band, and other Volunteer Bands that have been lucky enough to have him, that we wish Bryan all the best for the future. I hope that neither will be strangers to the Band in the future and I know that they will both be supporting from the sidelines at the forthcoming festival.

Finally

That leaves little else to say from Northwood for now; we are all looking forward to plenty of Band chat at the festival and it is time for everyone to do lots of marching up and down the square!

Last updated 14 December 2011