Corps of Drums Society

Newsletter March 2012

Some time has passed since the last Newsletter.  This has been in part due to our having to wait for Kneller Hall to confirm our proposed Meeting Dates for 2012.  This has now been done, so please see the first item and set aside these dates. Also in this issue there is encouraging news of several new Corps of Drums being established (looking for help), some requests for kit and information, and details of some forthcoming events

2012 Music Meetings

Saturday 7 April

Saturday 9 June (includes AGM)

Saturday 8 September

Sunday 28 October ( Dress Rehearsal for Lord Mayior’s Show)

You will have noticed that fewer meetings have been arranged for this year.  Although we receive a very favourable rate at Kneller Hall, it is still a significant cost.  At one meeting last year , only 13 people turned up, which made it a very expensive meeting per head.  The Committee have decided therefore to reduce the number of meetings in the hope that a smaller programme will be better attended.  Please make every effort to attend something in 2012, and please consider offering a lift to someone who might attend given such assistance.   If any member finds themself in this position, please let the Committee know and we will do our best to find a lift for you.

15 Coy SW London ACF Corps of Drums

This is a new Corporate Member of the Society: Company Commander Garry Jupp would welcome anyone who could assist the Corps of Drums at their Thursday evening practice at Kingston. Such helpers would not be required to enrol as ACF Instructors.  If you are interested, please contact Garry on

Gazzajupp@ hotmail.co.uk    or

Maj Garry Jupp, 15 Coy Commander, SW London ACF, Flat 3 TA Centre,Surbiton Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 2NB

Langley School CCF

Maj Chris Cooper, Contingent Commander, is presently setting up a Corps of Drums and is looking for a military drum instructor, on Monday afternoons

between 1440 and 1640 hrs.  Payment is £25 per hour plus travel expenses.  Langley School is situated south east of Norwich – see the link  http://www.langleyschool.co.uk/locationmap.   If you can help, please contact Maj Cooper on ccooper@langleyschool.co.uk

Drum Major/Drum Tutor

Required by the Farnborough Branch of the Royal British Legion, who are in the throes of setting up a Corps of Drums.  Practice sessions are from 1000until 1200 hrs every Sunday.  Please contact Vice Chairman Kevin Tomkins on  kevin@kayjaytee.co.uk

7th Bn The Hampshire Regiment

Researcher Ian Taylor needs to locate a colour photograph of a drum (side, tenor or bass) in the emblazon of the 7th Bn The Hampshire Regiment, which incorporates the “Rufus Stirrup” or “Dog Gauge”.  This predates the disbandment of the Bn in 1946 and its reformation in 1947 as 52A SL/LAA ((7th Royal Hampshires) RA TA.  Look mout for Ian’s article in the next Drummers Call.  In the meantime, if you can help him with a photograph, please contact him on ian.p.b.taylor@btinternet.com

Timpani required

Kellswater Flute Band are on the lookout for secondhand timpani (preferably pedal type, 26” and 29”).  If you can help, please contact Alistair Macdonald on ally.mcdonald@btinternet.com

Skipton RBL Band

For those of you visiting or living in the Skipton area, Skipton RBL Band have a full programme of events throughout 2012, the earliest ones being  Skipton Waterways Festival, Saturday 5 May; Yorks Air Museum on Saturday 26 May; Diamond Jubilee Day, High Street, Skipton on Sunday 3 June.  Further details from Tim Clarke on tim.clarkinet@yahoo.co.uk

Scarlet and Gold Concerts

Thursday 15 and Friday 16 November, at the Central Hall, Westminster, featuring the massed bands of 7 regiments of the Household Division.  Tickets from the Central Hall Ticket Office (0844 8717605) or from www.atgtickets.com  If you are interested, don’t delay as tickets are likely to go quickly.

Subs

These are now due for 2012.  Please remit as soon as possible if you do not pay by standing order.  If you would like to set up a Bankers Order for future payments, you can obtain a form from the website of from me.

Postage costs are mounting relentlessly, so if you receive this Newsletter in paper form but have email, please let me have your email address for future issues.