The Royal British Legion Band
Christchurch, Dorset
 
 
 
 
Interesting Links
Christchurch Website
171 Sqn Christchurch ATC
Honour the Covenant
 


 
 
It is with regret, we announce that Band Bugle Major, Ian Godwin passed away suddenly on Friday 27 June 2008 while participating in the Iserlohn Musikparade in Germany. All our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Ian's family at this difficult time. Ian had been involved with many local Bands over the past 35 years and has made a significant contribution to marching bands throughout the Christchurch and Bournemouth areas, he will be very much missed by all who knew him.
The Band and all involved with the Royal British Legion, Christchurch Band would wish to acknowledge the total support given by the Iserlohn Bürger-Schützen-Verei and the people of Iserlohn who were wonderful.
Any messages of sympathy and or enquiries can be addressed through the Bandmaster, via the contact us page.
 
Wednesday June 11th 2008
Village pride for veterans - excerpts taken from the article by By Katie Clark .
Villagers in Burton will line the pavements to see veterans proudly marching through the bunting-strewn street for the village's first veterans' parade. The event, which takes place on Sunday, June 22, is open to any ex-serviceman or woman and Cllr. Colin Jamieson is hoping it will prove popular among villagers and veterans in Christchurch. The parade will be lead by the Christchurch Royal British Legion band and will march from Burton Primary School along Campbell Road, down Priory View Road towards Woodstock Road. The veterans will then march past the deputy Lord Lieutenant John Young and MP Chris Chope at the village green before they form a hollow square for the service at the drumhead alter led by Vicar Malcolm Surman from St. Lukes Church. Once the service is over refreshments and entertainment will be provided on the village green and in the grounds of the church until 5pm. Cllr. Jamieson said: "We want the village to turn out in force and enjoy the day but also to remember the importance of the message behind the event."
 
February Edition 2008
The Royal British Legion Dorset County Newsletter
The Band of the Royal British Legion, Christchurch will be joining with five other local Bands and a visiting Band from France in support of the Dorset Youth Marching Band at a Massed Band Concert at Canford School, Wimborne during the evening of Sunday 17th Feb commencing at 7.00pm. Each Band will undertake individual concert sets together with solo and ensembles during the evening. The concert will conclude with a Massed Band finale featuring all six bands.
The RBL Band will be presenting a number of new members who have increased membership since last year. Dorset members are invited to join in this exciting musical experience in the very comfortable surroundings of the purpose built Canford Theatre. Tickets are available through Mr David Burgess, Bandmaster RBL Christchurch at £6 per person Tel: 01202 428175. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
 
  Saturday 11th August 2007
Christchurch Annual Carnival
The Royal British Legion Band Christchurch, were awarded the Marching Band Trophy at this years Christchurch Regatta and Carnival. Despite the blazing hot day the Royal British Legion Band looked and sounded superb. Wearing their distinctive green tunics and plumes the band was a real crowd pleaser.
 
Monday 18th June 2007
Legion parade for 80th anniversary - By Bob Jolliffe

OLD SOLDIERS, young Scouts and cadets marched in step to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Royal British Legion in Christchurch. Eight decades of loyal service by and for generations of former servicemen and women was marked with a parade and band concert on the quay. Legion standards which had led the previous day's Falklands anniversary parade were unfurled again for Sunday's afternoon of military pomp and ceremony. Led by the Christchurch Legion branch's own band formed only last year the parade of veterans and uniformed youth groups marched from the Priory to the Quay. At the bandstand a large crowd including Mayor Cllr Josephine Spencer and local Legion top brass was entertained with an afternoon of music from the RBL branch band and Christchurch Scout Band. Branch committee member Gordon Crisp said: "It's a good advert for the Legion, which we could do with, because we need more members." Among the audience was the last surviving founder member of the Christchurch Legion branch, long-time Bargates barber Cyril Clapp. Now in his 90s Mr Clapp was already a Territorial when World War II broke out and he later served in the Far East theatre of the conflict. Christchurch is among the longest-established Royal British Legion branches in the country. Members first met in the town's Scout headquarters before moving to the Legion hall in the former Rialto cinema.