E-GuestBooks is shutting down July 19 2025

As far as I know Ginge Feather is still with us.....

The Heading of the Guest Book comes as quite a shock, but, I suggest that there is a good reason for this to be enacted. So, with that in mind, having done a few searches for Don Peerless and Don Feather, anyone in the Deal/Folkestone areas have any idea if they are still around, I would much appreciate your letting them know that I have tried many times to contact them without success.

Kind regards to one and all and thanks in anticipation of a reply with any news.

Thank you Richard for keeping this Site and Guest Book running for as long as you have done.

Bill Hartland

[Editor] Indeed I was alerted by David Mutter then I took a look for myself. I have had rapid response from e-guestbooks to assert that this is true due to a conflict between them and Google, the details I shall not say here. I'm working on something to replace and as ever do my best to keep important dialogue twixt our family going. Take care all.

Hello there everyone,

I hope this finds you all well, especially the few of us that are left from back in the day.

This is a bit of a long shot request, but I am wondering if anyone knows how or if i could get hold of the colour brochure/programme of the US Tour that we did back in 1965. I seem to have lost mine at some point during my travels through life but I remember it being quite a comprehensive cover of what we were doing. I know there was us, a Scottish pipe band, some Scottish dancers from Canada, the James Bond Aston Martin car and a motor cycle display team. We perfomed in all the main arenas, taking in about forty five towns and cities from the east , mid west, starting in Canada, through the US, down to San Antonio, Texas over about three months. It was quite a tour.

I do check out this wonderful website regularly and is good to hear what people are up to, or not, as the case may be! I am keeping pretty well, touch wood,So, might see some of you at the Ripple reunion if it is on this year...fingers crossed.

Cheers for now,

Best wishes to all

John Dixon.

In response to Michael Hutton the first concert after the tragic event in 1989 was probably in 1990. I can remember going to Deal on Sunday morning to a rehearsal in the concert hall in East Barracks yes wiith Paul at the helm. We did not have uniform back then the first two or more we wore dress or lounge suits and it was performed at the Winter Gardens in Margate. I think the RMA Concert Band came a few years later.

Regards to all

Hi folks,

To anyone who knew Lewis Sykes, his cremation is at 1200 today, Monday 9th June. I cannot be there to support his family but will raise a glass in his memory and will be thinking of him and the good times we had together. I am sure others who knew him will do the same,

RIP Shipmate

Just a quickie. I have sent a photo of the 'All Stars' in Ramsgate or was it Margate ! conducted by Paul Neville to the Blue Band, but am not sure of the date of the very first one !! Is there anyone out there who could help as the BB are rather keen to have the correct information about when it was taken. Thanks - Michael.

The arrangement of Sunset for MFM 2025, was originally composed by Albert Elms (ex-RMB) for the 1974 Royal Tournament.. It's the final part of The Battle of Trafalgar.

Hi everyone,

I have just watched the 2025 MBF of music on youtube and am somewhat disappointed that the traditional arrangement by A C Green of Sunset was dropped in favour of a new arrangement. Shame!. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Best wishes ,

Gerry

Dear Richard

Sad news re Ray Woodfield crossing the bar. What a great man he was. A brilliant Boss. A fantastic Musician. Many many memories of serving under him at Whale Island . Heather and I had regular chats with him. RIP Ray you will be in good company

Barry

Very sad to see the loss of Ray Woodfield. He was one of my contempories, a fine musician and a great asset to the Band Service. I do recall a special moment when the Staff Band were returning by coach from a gig at Greenwich and Ray and I were sat together and he was busy writing the march 'Cavalry of the Steppes' but couldnt come up with the middle change bit ! so I suggested a bit of Tchaikovsky's 4th....and thats how it happened. I also recall dear Ray on the rostrom conducting the Orchestra in fits of laughter when I was performing the 'Drinking Song' on the 'SERPENT' way back in the good old days.....Sorry to be a pain, but there were many many good days. Michael.