Our History

17th Tonbridge Scout Band was formed by Brian Davison, 6 bugles, 1 second-hand bass drum, 1 pair of cymbals and 4 second-hand side drums purchased for £144.12.9d

Girls from 12th and 13th Tonbridge Guide Companies joined, and the Band became 17th Tonbridge Scout & Guide Band. Bell Lyres were added to the instrumentation.

The Band made its first foreign trip to Mons in Belgium to celebrate Thinking Day and stayed at SHAPE the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe.

The band made its second trip abroad to Weisbaden in Germany to represent Tunbridge Wells at its annual festival.

Links were formed with the Allerød Spejdernes Tamburkorps a Danish Scout Band from just outside Copenhagen and their first exchange visit was made to Tonbridge, staying in the homes of our members.

The band made a return visit to Denmark and stayed in the homes of the Allerød Band.

Membership topped 60, a Junior Band was formed and Ron Langridge became its Bandmaster. Fifes were introduced to the new Senior Band.

Second visit to Tonbridge of the Allerød Spejdernes Tamburkorps.

The band won Supreme Champion Drum Corps at the Albert Hall Competition and made a second visit to Denmark.

Third visit to Tonbridge of the Allerød Spejdernes Tamburkorps.

The 17th Tonbridge Reunion Band was formed for a one off performance at the final Albert Hall Competition.

The band took part in a European Youth Band Festival held in Breisach in Germany and were awarded the Gold medal for the most entertaining band at the Festival.

Membership of the band was opened to all Scouts and Guides in the Tonbridge area.

Drum Major Andy Holden became TYMBA Supreme Champion Drum Major and senior buglers helped Southwark Marching Brass to record an album.

The band combined with Waterlooville Youth Band and Burgess Hill Marching Band to provide a massed band for a tattoo in Rye. Brian Davison stepped down as Bandmaster and handed the leadership over to Martin Rapley.

Following a reduction in membership the Junior and Senior Bands were merged back to form one band, concentrating predominantly on parades.

An extensive recruitment campaign increased the membership from 20 to 40.

The band went on to the internet. Senior buglers played Last Post in the Fields of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on 11th November.

The band travelled to Paris and played in Disneyland and outside the Pompidou Centre during a three day stay.

The band travelled to Belgium and played at the Menin Gate, Messines Cathedral and Paschendale during a tour of the first world war battlefields and memorials.

The year started with the band performing it’s first ever concert called ‘Encore’ and finished with promotion back into the top competition class having won the Championship class league.

The band performed its second concert, this time jointly with The East Peckham Silver Band.

A year of large parades started with the New Years Day Parade in London and then we celebrated St Patrick’s Day in Limerick, Ireland and took part in an International Parade Band Contest.  In November senior members joined the National Scout Band to perform in the Lord Mayor’s Show, London.  Drum Major Steve Spicer became TYMBA Supreme Champion Drum Major and the band were TYMBA National Champions.

In April we led the National St George’s Day Parade at Windsor Castle for the first time.  Later in the year was another trip to France where we played in Disney and Fountainbleau.  This time we became the first band to ever march in Disney Studios.

We celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a number of special events throughout the year including our first ever camp and a party.  In July we hosted a tattoo at Tonbridge Castle which included four other bands from Romford, Redhill, Horley and Burgess Hill wich culminated in 150 musicians marching and playing together.  We had a tune written specially for us by BSM Gary George of the Princess of Wales Band called Ruby Tonbridge.  In November we joined with Enfield Scout Band to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show, London.