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In 1992 the band
was joined by 2
Australian
scouts who were
visting the UK
for a year.
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In 1995 Ann
Etheridge left
as Bandmaster
and was replaced
by Ian White and
later in 1997 by
Daraius Master.
Towards the end
of the 1990's
band numbers
declined and
finally in 2000
it was decided
to close the
band for the
time being.
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Closure was
short and in
March 2001 under
the leadership
of Robin
Wilkinson, as
bandmaster, the
band was
reformed with
just 10 members.
Membership was
again open to
members of the
scout and guide
movements in
Claygate and
since then the
band has grown
steadily and now
numbers over 50.
As numbers
increased and
the level of
musical ability
widended it was
decided in 2007
to split the
band into two. A
Junior band for
those who had
only just
started to play
an instrument or
had only been
playing for a
short time and a
Senior band for
more experienced
members. In
recent years the
band has
improved to the
point where the
Junior band are
now playing
pieces the
Senior band were
playing only a
few years ago.
This has made it
difficult for
new members
joining the
Junior band so
in 2013 a new
Training band
was formed for
members who have
just started to
play an
instrument.
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Since reforming
the band has
regularly
performed at
village events,
including
Remembrance
parades, the
Claygate Flower
Show and the
many Christmas
festivities in
Claygate. The
band holds its
annual concert
each spring and
in 2008, 2010,
2012 & 2014 it
has formed part
of the Claygate
Musical
Festival.
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At the end of
the summer term
the band holds
its annual
awards evening -
a chance for
band members &
parents to look
back at the year
just gone.
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Further afield
the band leads
one of the
annual St
George's day
parades held in
Esher scout
district, was
invited in 2013,
to lead the
Dorking district
St George's day
parade and in
2014 the bands
Drummers were
asked to take
part in the
National St
George's day
parade of Queen
Scouts at
Windsor Castle
in front of HRH
The Duke of Kent
(President of
the Scout
Association)
along with Bear
Grylls (Chief
Scout) and Wayne
Bulpitt (UK
Chief
Commissioner).
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In 2010 the band
took part in the
first Kingston
Borough Bands
Tattoo featuring
8 local bands
and took part
again in 2014
with a 20 minute
display to a
packed audience.
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In 2011 the band
celebrated its
10th
Anniversary,
since reforming,
and to celebrate
80 band members,
leaders and
parents boarded
2 coaches for a
4 day trip to
Paris the
highlight of
which was
leading the
musical parade
at Disneyland
Paris in front
of a large
cheering crowd.
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Each year the
band has to
undego an
inspection by
the County Band
Advisor who
assesses the
bands whole
performance -
how we play, how
we look and how
we march. All
scout bands have
to undertake
this inspection
and are graded
from Grade 'F'
(being the
lowest) to Grade
'A' (being the
highest). In
2008 the band
was graded 'C',
in 2009 it
improved to
Grade 'B' and in
2012 the band
was awarded a
Grade 'A' for
the first time
and has
maintained this
level in both
2013 & 2014.
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Grade 'A' bands
don’t just
happen - through
the commitment
and hard work of
the band members
themselves, the
dedication of
the band leaders
and adult
instructors and
the support of
many adult
helpers over the
last 25 years
the band
continues to go
from strength to
strength.
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