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


 
 
Another Tragic Day In The Bands Calendar

It is with regret we announce the passing of Sylvia Brown on Wednesday 21st September 2011 after a long and brave battle against cancer. Sylvia was the first new member when the band reformed in 2006 as the Royal British Legion Band Christchurch. She played an active part in the band and could always be seen in the percussion section with a smile on her face. All our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Sylvia’s husband David her children Ashleigh and Kerri and all her family at this difficult time.

Sylvia Brown : Gone but not forgotten
A Tragic Day In The Bands Calendar

On 13/4/11 Ben Light passed away in Thailand - Ben was a great ambassador of "band banter" and wind ups and we can not express how much he will be missed, not only by everyone in the band, but by everyone who's lives he touched. If your life was touched even for a brief moment you will know how full of energy he was and you will never forget him.

Ben Light : Gone but not forgotten
Sunday March 27th 2011
A massive well done to the New Zealand group of runners who ran from London to Christchurch yesterday to raise money for their hometown, Christchurch New Zealand’s Earthquake Appeal. They set off at 4am Saturday 26th March 2011 and arrived into Christchurch, bang on time at 8pm.Christchurchpeople.co.uk and Christchurch Dorset Facebook Page were pleased to have coordinated the runners arrival into Christchurch with a welcoming committee which consisted of The Town’s Mayor and Mayoress, The Town Twinning Committee representatives, The Royal British Legion Band who we gratefully thank for giving up their time freely again for a community event and everyone who turned out to welcome the runners into our town. The Runners also signed the Book of Condolence in the Mayors Parlour before being invited to the Royal British Legion on Bargates. The Christchurch Royal British Legion Club and Branch were wonderful. They welcomed the Kiwi’s into the club, gave them dinks plus an anonymous lady from the club bought all the runners a fish and chip supper. To round the night off everyone in the Royal British Legion collected just over £200 for the runners to donate to the British Red Cross New Zealand Earthquake Appeal.What a wonderful event happened in our town last night, a real community spirit. Thank you again to everyone who turned out to cheer the runners in and thank you to anyone who helped out. PLUS, of course, a MASSIVE THANKYOU to the runners who took it upon themselves to do this run to raise money for their stricken hometown Christchurch, New Zealand. WELL DONE TO YOU ALL.You are all a friend of our town.If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross New Zealand Earthquake Appeal please visit http://www.justgiving.com/londontochristchurch
 
Friday March 25th 2011
Support needed for runners raising money for Christchurch earthquake appeal- excerpts taken from the article by By Katie Clark .
CHRISTCHURCH residents are being urged to turn out and support a team of runners pounding into the town centre on Saturday night to raise money for the New Zealand earthquake appeal. The group of people from Christchurch, New Zealand will be running relay-style from Westminster to Christchurch, Dorset, leaving London at 4am.They are raising money for the British Red Cross New Zealand Earthquake Appeal and will hopefully end up in Christchurch at 8pm outside the Mayor’s Parlour in the High Street.They will be met by the Christchurch Band of the Royal British Legion as well as the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Nick Geary, and will be able to sign the book of condolence set up by
 
Friday February 25th 2011
Feast of music to benefit New Forest Airfields Organisation (FONFA)
THE stirring Dambusters March will be among the varied programme of military and popular music provided by the Christchurch Band of the Royal British Legion on the evening of Tuesday, March 1. The concert is in aid of the Friends of New Forest Airfields and will begin at 7pm in Christchurch Royal British Legion Club, Bargates.Other music on the playlist includes: the RAF March, Lost Chord, Luftwaffe March and Aces High from the Battle of Britain film, Musket Fife & Drum, National Emblem, Cockleshell Heroes, Great Escape, Those Magnificent Men, 76 Trombones, Pirates of the Caribbean, La Mer, Tie a Yellow Ribbon, Sweet Gyspy Rose and Moonlight Serenade
 
Wednesday November 10th 2010
Christchurch Band of the Royal British Legion : Regent Centre, Christchurch. - by Roy Sharp
SINCE the end of World War Two our armed forces have served in no fewer than 18 wars and conflicts as veterans and younger generations paid tribute to them in this concert for the Armistice. Among the invited guests were representatives of the Bournemouth War Memorial Homes – Eldon E Roberts, Charles W Catley, Frederick Towler, Jo Towler and Leslie Gorge Kerswill, now aged 91, who was one of the rearguard during the evacuation at Dunkirk. He was taken prisoner and escaped six times – on his final attempt he walked 1,300 miles living rough to reach the US Third Army. He brought to the concert the same pair of boots he wore throughout the War.The programme included well-known marches, sea shanties and songs of the 40s. The Legion’s dance band, led by Geoff Glover, presented Glenn Miller hits and two couples demonstrated the jive and jitterbug dances.Brian Oliver was in fine voice, rendering No Man Is An Island, and 171 Squadron Christchurch Air Training Corps cadets demonstrated their skills on the drums.The evening was compered by David Burgess and the band conducted by Steff Emmett, Director of Music.
 
BAND ANNOUNCEMENT - Friday June 27 2008
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.
 
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
Royal British 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.