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It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing away of our dear friend Steph Reeves. Both Steph and her husband John were well known in banding circles until Steph became unwell and John became her carer. Steph was a superb back row cornet player and we will miss her smiling face.

The Band are enjoying being back to regular (covid safe) rehearsals and have some great music which we are practising. We have some concerts lined up with some great venues and themes. The events page has been updated to show you when these are so be sure to check it out.

This weekend we have been shocked and saddened to hear about the death of our Eb bass player Chris. Chris was one of the kindest friendliest men you could know and was always willing to help people out. Chris was a stalwart of the Salvation Army Band at Exeter Temple but was always in demand from local bands, helping out whenever he was needed. We were lucky to have Chris as a member of Riviera Concert Brass and loved having him driving the Band forward in the bass section. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris’ family at this sad time.

On Friday, we said a final goodbye to our dear friend Bernie. His ashes were laid to rest in Efford Cemetery, Plymouth; a lovely plot overlooking Dartmoor. A permanent plaque will replace the temporary stone. The small service was attended by June, her daughter Debbie with her husband, June’s sister and her husband and their daughter. The Band was represented by Mike Griffiths, Ray Lloyd and Kevin and Caroline Cunningham. A very informal service took place with Ray saying a few words to mark the sad occasion. Below is a picture of the spot with the Bandperson of the Year Cup, which Bernie proudly won on the last occasion it was presented.

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Well done to Samson who completed a sponsored walk in aid of the Save Our Seagrass Campaign. He walked from Beacon Cove in Torquay to Brixham Harbour taking in the 5 sea grass beds in Torbay. Torbay has seagrass beds the size of 2400 football pitches. As well as providing habitats for many sea creatures, it also helps to keep the sea clean, helps stop coastal erosion and holds twice as much carbon dioxide per hectare as a rainforest. He set off at 5:30am and reached Brixham 4 hours later. He was rewarded with a kiss from his sister and a hot chocolate and rocky road.

Mike and Hannah did two remembrance events last week. The first was to honour the memory of the local Home Guard members who were killed/ injured at Corbyn Head whilst on duty. This year the event also marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Torquay was one of the founding groups and has raised a great deal of money over the years for veterans and their families.

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The second was at the Cenotaph in Torquay and was for the HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales Association. It was very touching to see a 101 year old veteran stand and salute his fallen comrades and great to see children, grandchildren and great grandchildren still remembering the sacrifice of crew members of these vessels. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/79/a4217979.shtml#:~:text=The%20Sinking%20of%20HMS%20Prince%20of%20Wales%20and,worthwhile%20defensive%20support.%20About%201200%20men%20were%20lost.

Well, who would have thought it would take so long, but last night was our first tentative step back into rehearsals. Thermometers, risk assessments, chairs from home, spit rags and sanitiser are a bit of a pain but at least the weather stayed nice for us. A few missing due to illness which was a shame as we could have filled the whole playground but great to be back playing together.

Although the Band were not able to be involved in remembrance at Beacon Quay this year, our MD was asked to sound Last Post on the 6th of June to remember the troops who left from this slipway to take part in the landings in Normandy. It is quite a humbling thought to think that for many soldiers, this was the last piece of land which they stood on and as a Band, we hope that we will be able to keep the memory of these brave men alive for many years to come.