E-GuestBooks is shutting down July 19 2025

Dear Richard, in reply to Mick Hutton`s comments regarding the cancellation of Sunday`s concert on Walmer green I would wish to make the following remarks. There were many thousands of people very

upset that the concert was cancelled but the rain was torrential - probably as heavy as I`ve seen outside of a Singapore monsoon. There was no option but to cancel especially in this day and age with all the electrical gear the Bands use, the thunder and lightening posed a considerable danger.

How-ever, it was great to meet and reminisce with several, sodden old comrades.

Kind regards and as ever, a splendid forum. Thank you.

I am responding to John Dixons enquiry about the program for the 1965 Staff Band Tour to Canada and the USA. I have a copy which I am happy to lend you John if you want to get it photo copied. I would have to dig it out. I was the youngest person on the tour at 17 and a Bugler. I had only been in the Corps for two years joining in 1963 and hadn't any idea how to play a Drum or a Bugle when I joined. I was very glad I was a fast learner. The tour was just amazing and I was so lucky to get selected to go.

Let me know by email if I can help you John.

Dan Archer

The Band Concert that Never Was.........

I had traveled from Newbury with Son Simon for the Walmer Bandstand Memorial Concert and looking forward to meeting up with perhaps a few older colleagues - but it was not to be........The heavens opened with a vengence just as the young cadets were performing their introduction to events with bugle and drums....and that was it ! We were all soaked to the skin with a tremendous downpour while those young girls & boys got soaked to the skin. Then the announcement that there would be no concert. Fortunately we were rescued by my daughter Victoria who lives in Walmer and taken home for food and shelter. I think at getting on for 92 later this year I might have to call it a day as regards the Deal Concert even though Vicky lives there, but she does visit me at home often, so perhaps its farewell RM Band Concerts that can't play in the rain......After all, we have all done it before ...many times ...all over the world.....I remember doing a gig in Subic Bay with the All American Navy Band having been invited by their MD as guest conductor... The following day I beat him at Golf too. Farewell Bandy.....Michael.

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.