The Past:

In the 1970s The Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF had a number of Detachments with their own Corps of Drums and Bugle Bands, some even extended to have Bell Liars to improve the melody. Band detachments were at :

• Romsey Detachment
  
  
• Montgomery of Alamein School Detachment (Now Kings School Platoon)
  
  
• Old Basing Detachment
  
  
• Bitterne Detachment
  
  
• Park Gate Detachment
  
  
• Totton Detachment
  
  
• Millbrook Detachment
  
  
• Cove Detachment
  
  
• Cosham Tudor (under ex County Commandant Gerry Canipel)
  
  
• Blackfield
  
  
• Fordingbridge
  
  

Ian Ferguson (ex OC A Company) has pointed out that 'at Salesian College Detachment (in Farnborough, now sadly no longer exists) we had a full Scottish Pipe & Drum Band, which for many years was one of the top bands in the County. When I first joined as a cadet I was a member of the band, first on the drums then on the bagpipes. As far as I'm aware, the band finally "disbanded" around 1979/80 due to lack of band instructors.'

(If you know of any others, or if you are a former member, please help us improve this site and send any information you wish to add to the webmaster)

As the years went by, more and more young people wanted to participate in ACF music. It was then proposed, by Major Mike Smith, that a County Band be formed. Discussions went on for a while and in 1990 it was decided, by the then Commandant, Colonel Gerry Canipel OBE, that idea was viable. The County Band was born, based at Millbrook TA Centre, in Southampton. Initially the Band was made up of cadets from the Bitterne Band - in fact this detachment band played its last engagement on a Sunday and the next day started playing as the County Band.

The founders, Major Mike Smith, RSM Les Curle and SMI John Churchouse began to piece things together. Their hard work and determination resulted in the membership growing, forming a thriving young cadet band. The Connaught Trust along with donations from the Royal Hampshire Comrades Association helped to buy instruments. The initial cadets were joined by a number of cadets from Bridgemary Detachment, bussed up to Millbrook by SMI Ron Pegram. Ron soon transferred from his role in Y Company to a full time member of the Band.

SMI John Churchouse managed to acquire a coach, donated by Le Court Cheshire Homes, which was in time repainted in the band colours. John Churchouse put in many voluntary hours to keep the coach on the road, and Ron spent many hours at the wheel taking the band to various engagements and rehearsals. The team had now been joined by SSI Eric Homer

The Band soon became a full military Marching Band. It quickly built its reputation by performing all over the South of England, culminating in participation in the Arnhem Marches in Holland on four occasions.

In April 1992, The Royal Hampshire Regiment was sadly amalgamated and formed The Princess of Wale’s Royal Regiment (PWRR); Major Mike Smith seized the opportunity and secured the donation of the old 1901 pattern uniforms. The Royal Hampshire regiment still lives, with The Hampshire & Isle Of Wight ACF Band still wearing the uniform to this day.

After the retirement of Major Mike Smith due to ill health, RSM Les Curle took up the role of Bandmaster. He began to increase the repertoire, which resulted in an increase in membership. The Band continued to perform and build for several years. With Ron at the wheel and John servicing the coach, also taking care of the admin and band bookings. New adults members joined the team, Susan Gay (a mother of two cadets) helped John Churchouse with the vast amount of admin, and thankfully is still with us as the band secretary, also assisting with the driving and cooking.

In 1998 the now Captain Les Curle resigned leaving the Band without a leader. Les was missed as he was, and still is, a very good musical instructor. Ron Pegram retired due to ill health, but continued with the Hants & IOW ACF as PMC Sergeants Mess.

Captain Ian Smith arrives:

In September of 1999 Captain Ian Smith (see note 1) volunteered to take over the band and was appointed the Officer Commanding. Ian did not have a professional musical background, but had some experience in the running of the Corps of Drums and bugle section (a bugler himself). Ian threw himself into it, to the extent that he even attempted to read music, taking up the cornet and spending much of his free time organizing various activities.

SMI John Churchouse left on retirement, but not before he was awarded the Lord Lieutenants Certificate for his work with the band. Although to this day he is still an active member of the Hampshire ACF. John still maintains the county vehicles and attends all the annual camps.

The musical side of the band was left to SMI Roy Bramwell who was drafted in from B Company. Roy gave instruction to the musicians and WSSI Michelle Flanagan with Drum Major Dave Milmore (both ex cadets) instructed the Corps of Drums. SMI Eric Homer, Jim Barrie (Ex B Company) and SMI Chris Bridle (Ex Royal Corps of Transport) assisted with the stores and driving the mini buses. Katie Wainright (also an ex cadet) looked after the Library and help to teach the beginners.

The bandmasters post was vacant for a while then Dick Auburn (Ex Queen’s Own Hussars band) took up the post, but due to traveling on cadets nights and work commitments found it difficult to make the training nights. He has since left us and we wish him well.

RSMI Steve Croney arrives:

In September 2002. Steve Croney (Ex Queen's Own Hussars band) took an interest in the band, and with some persuasion from Roy Bramwell and Michelle Flanagan, transferred, from the Berks ACF band in October 2002, taking up the post as Bandmaster.

Captain Ian Smith, a civil servant at Worthy Down, negotiated with Lieutenant Colonel Merdock AGC (Commanding Officer Worthy Down Support Unit) for premises at Worthy Down and in October 2002 the Band was co-located with the Band of the Adjutant Generals’ Corps at Worthy Down. RSMI Steve Croney began in earnest to build the Bands musical program with commendable success.

In late 2002 Captain Ian Smith secured funds from the Connaught Trust and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Trust (about £11,000) for new music stands, stand banners and accoutrements for the Band. In the latter part of 2003 Ian spent time designing music stand banners, with Steve adding the final touches. (These are the banners seen in the pictures on this site).

RSMI Steve Croney appointed OC & Director of Music:

In January of 2004 Captain Ian Smith, handed over the ropes to Steve, to take up a new role at County HQ. Shortly after Steve received his promotion to Lieutenant, and adding the final touches to the banner design was able to place an order, taking delivery just before they set off on their tour of Belgium in August of 2004.

Since being located at Worthy Down we have said farewells to:

• SMI Roy Bramwell who has semi retired, but still assists with teaching when he can and attends the annual camps.
  
  
• Drum Major Dave Milmoor who moved across to a company.
  
  
• Jim Barrie, who retired. Much thanks goes to Jim, for the hours he spent driving the cadets to and from cadets nights and band engagements we wish him well.
  
  
• SMI Chris Bridle Who also retired from the ACF and we thank him for running the band stores.
  
  
• WSI Katie Wainright who left due to traveling and work commitments.
  
  
  

Our new adult instructors are:

• WSI Lyn Croney (Steve’s wife) Lyn looks after the accounts and helps out with the stores and admin.
  
  
• SI Colin Moseley (Ex Queens band). Librarian and instructor
  
  
• SI Rick Powell (Ex Cadet) assist with corps of drums and band instruction.
  
  
• WSI Fiona Stones (Ex WRAC & AGC band - woodwind instructor).
  
  
  

The band is now a very competent Wind & Marching band, fully supported by the CEO Col John Clutson MBE and his staff at the County HQ and the County Commandant Col Mike Bradley MBE. The band has performed on various engagements, and attended many ACF camps as well as the Band national AFC camp, held at Leak in Staffordshire.


During 2004 the band took part in:

• The 150th anniversary of Aldershot. Inspecting Officer HRH. Princess Ann.
  
  
• The County annual camp Wreathem Norfolk.
  
  
• The Belgium trip to Ypres last year was a hugh success, which ended with a parade and service at the Menin Gate.
  
  
• The Festival theatre in Chichester (Guest of honour Dame Vera Lynn).
  
  
• The Fanfare Team has performed Several times for different functions attended by HM The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. Mrs. Mary Fagan (who is also The Hampshire county ACF,Honorary Colonel
  
  
  

The Band has now fully established itself in the National ACF musical scene and is going from strength to strength, a tribute to Steve and his team’s hard work and commitment.

Notes:

1. Many thanks to Major Ian Smith for providing the bulk of this history. Ian has four sons , three are at present in the band with the youngest looking forward to becoming a member in the future. He is currently OC of B Company (April 2005)

2. Many thanks to John Churchouse for his help with the early history.

If you would like to add any other information, that would improve this website, or you have any interest in becoming a band member, please contact the webmaster.