REDHILL CORPS OF DRUMS
The Redhill Corps of Drums was an idea started in 1980 by Mr Anthony Earthy. Tony had been a musician in the “Queens Regiment” of the British Army and had been involved in banding since his youth and spent many years in the Church Lads Brigade as a playing member and ultimately Bandmaster of 406 Company St Matthews, Redhill. By January 1981 all was in place to start a new band in the town of Redhill. The first meeting as a band produced some 30 players, some with no experience of playing fully chromatic instruments at all. Over the first 12 months, uniforms and who was playing which instrument was sorted out, and by 1982 the Band was ready to perform in public.
As well as performing at numerous local carnivals, fetes, charity events and Christmas carol playing the Band has led the Remembrance Day Parade for the Horley Branch of The Royal British Legion every year since 1983. In addition to these events the Band has taken part in many band contests, major celebratory occasions, supported the Reigate & Banstead Twinning Association and has travelled to Europe. Below is a record of these many events.
1984
First visit to Eschweiler, West Germany in February to take part in the annual Karneval festivities. The Band was hosted by “Die Kaafsack” Trompettencorps Durwiss. A total of four carnivals/processions were completed over a long weekend.
1988
10 day tour of West Germany during August, again hosted by “Die Kaafsack”. Performances in Heinbach, Monschau and Cologne.
1991
10th Anniversary Tattoo, Redhill Memorial Park, Redhill featuring the Central Band of The Royal British Legion, East Grinstead Town Youth Marching Band, Surrey St John Ambulance Band and Reigate Sea Cadet Corps, TS Ark Royal.
1992
National Music Day Parade, HM Queen Elizabeth II 40th Anniversary, London. 140 Bands, 6000 performers, 114th Band to step off.
1995
Third trip to Eschweiler, Germany again to take part in the annual Karneval celebrations. On this occasion the Band was seen on German television marching through the streets of Eschweiler.
1998
14 members of the Band joined 200 other TYMBA Bandsmen and Band Women in the TYMBA massed Bands at the Birmingham International Tattoo.
2000
Traditional Youth Marching Band Association Contest Class National Finals Champions.
2003
Summer tour to Germany and France. Performances in Strasbourg and Selastet, France, and Baden Baden, Germany.
2004
Traditional Youth Marching Band Association Contest Class National Finals and League Champions.
2005
Bandmaster Tony Earthy retires and hands over to David Edge.
Dean Ongley TYMBA Champion Drum Major
2006
Silver Jubilee summer tour to Holland and Luxembourg. Performances in Valkenborg and De Eftling theme park, Holland and Place d’Armes, Luxembourg.
Affiliation with The Royal British Legion, Horley Branch.
Became part of The National Youth Marching Band performing at the Birmingham International Tattoo which continues to this day.
2008
Eschweiler 150 celebrations, Germany.
2009
Town Twinning 10th Anniversary trip to Brunoy, France.
Friendship visit to Wattrelos, France.
2010
Town Twinning 25th Anniversary trip to Eschweiler, Germany.
2011
30th Anniversary Tattoo, Reigate Priory, Reigate featuring Rubery Youth Marching Band, Thurmaston Scout & Guide Band, Spen Valley Scout & Guide Band and Morton Boys & Girls Brigade Band.
10 day tour to Lake Garda, Italy. Performances in Calavino, Sirmione and Garniga Terme.
Lord Mayor of London’s Show with the National Youth Marching Band.
2012
Eschweiler & Durwiss, Germany Karneval weekend, forging links with Brass on Spass. 3 carnivals/processions completed over the weekend plus performances in the Festhalle Durwiss, Burghof Sitzung and Eschweiler Rathaus (Town Hall). The Band takes part in this weekend to this day.
HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Parades in East Grinstead and Reigate including taking part in the National beacon lighting ceremony.
Bandstand marathon in Reigate Priory to mark the end of the London Festival and London Paralympic Games, one of 350 simultaneous events across the UK.
Lord Mayor of London’s Show with the National Youth Marching Band.
2013
Harrogate Easter Parade with the National Youth Marching Band.
Lingfield Silver Band Centenary Concert.
Lord Mayor of London’s Show with the National Youth Marching Band.
2014
Harrogate Easter Parade with the National Youth Marching Band.
WW1 100th Commemoration Parade, Horley.
2015
Harrogate Easter Parade with the National Youth Marching Band.
2016
Harrogate Easter Parade with the National Youth Marching Band.
6 day tour to Belgium. Performances at Nieuwpoort, De Haan, Cloth Hall, Market Square Ypres and the Last Post Ceremony, Ypres.