Last weekend the band enjoyed some downtime as they took part in the annual ‘Band Camp’ in a field near Tintinhull. Games were played, plenty of food and drink was consumed and much fun was had by all. It gave us the opportunity to thank our outgoing Bandmaster, Tom Griffin, and what better way than to design some t-shirts with his face on! A big thank you must go to those that made the event so successful; Marie Emmerson, Tom and Karen Page and Dave and Hilary Grabham!

The band had a fun, if not slightly warm, day performing for RM Band Service adjudicators and public crowds at the RN Volunteer Band Festival on 7 July. We returned to Somerset with a couple of trophies too; Best Fleet Air Arm Band and Best Drum Major!

In preparation for the RN Volunteer Band Festival we performed a ‘Night at the Movies’ concert at Yeovilton’s Church to help raise money for SSAFA. It gave us the opportunity to do a timed run of our concert section for the festival. We were a minute or two over so our Bandmaster will have to cut down his speaking - thank goodness! At the interval, a lovely selection of refreshments were provided for the audience and band in the wonderful, summery grounds of the church.

On 22 June, we provided background music for a cocktail party for the local RBL branches in the lovely setting of Heale House in Curry Rivel.

We marched through Dorchester on 16 June in support of the carnival. Starting near Brewery Square we meandered down the high street, squeezed through Antelope Walk and finished at Borough Gardens.

On 9 June we were honoured to provide background music for a wedding reception very local to the Air Station. We performed ‘Congratulations’ as they bride and groom arrived, our hosts looked after us very well and a good time was had by all.