Top of the Table for Local Band
After eight years in the Championship Division of the Traditional Youth Marching Band Association the 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band produced the goods in the higher National class, to which they were promoted last year, and currently stand top of the league following impressive results in the South of England Competition at Hornchurch on 17 June 2007 and at the Halesowen Competition on 24th June 2007.
Following weeks of hard but dedicated practice the Band travelled to Hornchurch confident but apprehensive of competing in the higher division. Their fears were groundless however; as they came away with a very creditable 2nd place overall gaining four 1st places and three seconds in the individual band disciplines. In addition, 17 musicians from both Junior and Senior sections also took part in the National Southern heats for solo buglers and drummers, gaining the top five places in both the Junior and Senior bugle and a second placing in the senior drum. For the second year running the 17th Tonbridge have seven soloists through to the National finals to be held later in the year.
An early start in driving rain saw the competition band travel to Halesowen to compete against similar Marching Bands from the North West of England and the Midlands. The experiences of the previous week put them all in good stead and they came away with seven 1st and two 2nd places in the individual band disciplines and the trophy for the overall winners. These two results currently put the 17th Tonbridge at the top of the League and they have set a standard that the other bands in this division will need to step up to. In addition, the Band walked away with an award voted for by the general public present as the most entertaining Band of the day.
The judges at both Hornchurch and Halesowen were drawn from a variety of sources and were either serving or retired military personnel, a number being instructors from Her Majesties Royal Marines Band, which made the results gained even more special. Martin Rapley, Bandmaster, congratulated the Band on a very fine performance. He added that the competition results to date confirm the 17th Tonbridge are one of the very best competing bands in the country and that everyone should be very proud of the achievements to date.
The next Competition date is Sunday 23rd September 2007 when the 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band will compete against expected strong opposition at Manchester.
The 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band will be entertaining the crowds in Tonbridge Sports Ground before the Tour de France comes to town on Sunday 8th July and will be performing their own brand of music later in the month at the Kent County Show at Detling on 15th July.
The 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide band was formed in 1970 and is a traditional Youth Marching Band of Drums, Bugles, Fifes and Bell Lyres. The band performs all over the country in fetes, parades, carnivals and shows and has made a number of trips abroad. The band is open to all Scouts and Guides in the Tonbridge area.
New members are always welcome and practice takes place at The Hayesbrook School, Brook Street, Tonbridge at 09:00 on Saturday mornings throughout the year.
Please contact the Band Master, Martin Rapley 07866 561603 for further information.