News | Corps of Drums Society

Newsletter September 2013

This issue includes information on the forthcoming AGM and the Lord Mayor’s Show. We have a good Corps lined up for the Lord Mayor’s Show, and ask that you make every effort to attend the AGM: it is your Society and it needs your input. Most importantly, there is also news of our next President : the Committee are delighted that he has agreed to take on the role and feel sure the Society will benefit hugely. Read on……………………….

Society President

Dan Snow, the military historian, has accepted our invitation to become the President of the Society. He considers himself hugely honoured to be asked to follow Prof Richard Holmes. As was his predecessor, Dan is heavily committed already – he is unlikely to be able to attend our meetings or other events, but will support the Society in other ways. There will be more in the next Drummers Call and at the AGM.

AGM 2013

This is now confirmed for Saturday 26 October, at the Kingston venue. It will be held during the Lord Mayor’s Show rehearsal day (please see item below).

The Committee members have all indicated that they are willing to stand for re-election, but all posts can be contested. Please let me have any other nominations as soon as possible. Also please send any points for discussion at the meeting – because of the need to spend as much of the day as possible preparing for our participation in the Lord Mayor’s Show, the AGM will run with a fixed agenda.

Present Committee:

Chairman : Peter Nightingale

Secretary : Christine Fairfax

Treasurer : James Goatcher

Parade Drum Major : Geoff Fairfax MBE

Training and Development : Major Mike Hall

Music and Training : Peter Foss

Editor Drummers Call : Peter Hart

Lord Mayor’s Show 2013 Rehearsal

This will take place on Saturday 26 October, commencing 1030 hrs, at

The TA Centre, Surbiton Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 2NB

The Centre lies at the junction of Surbiton Road and Portsmouth Road, and there are external car parks on both adjoining sides. Entrance is via a security gate in Surbiton Road. Nearest rail stations are Kingston and Surbiton. The Centre is 15 minutes walk from each. If arriving by car, approach from the A3 and head for Kingston.

Please note: this will be a dress rehearsal; attendance is essential for those intending to parade with the Society .

Corps leaders: please ensure that your members are able to play all their music for the show.

Lord Mayor’s Show Saturday 9 November 2013

As usual, we will be assembling at The Rotunda, West Smithfield, London EC1. You should aim to arrive in time to change into your uniform and make your way to the Society’s assembly point in the Rotunda before 0900hrs. Tea, buns and toilets are available at the Rotunda entrance but please go to the assembly point first , so that the Drum Major can organise the Corps for the parade. There will be ample time after this for the amenities. Musical instruments are not to be played underground.

Richard Holmes Award

The first recipient of this award was Jonathon Richardson, of~St Phillips Corps of Drums and presently at the University of Hull. Jonathon will be Senior Drum Major on the Lord Mayor’s Show this year. Jonathon received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the corps of drums world, not only training members in his own Corps in Liverpool, but through his work with the ATC in Haverfordwest. The Society would like to make the award again this year. Would all member Corps please consider their own stars, and submit a full citation for anyone they would like to nominate. If you consult Drummers Call 77, you can see Peter Foss’ submission on behalf of Jonathon.

Kellswater Flute Band

Some of you will remember having seen Kellswater on the Lord Mayor’s Show a couple of years ago. Alistair McDonald has put a clip on Youtube which shows this excellent band in concert mode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzk8ABj5C9Y