Special EventsNewAccess to the Railway Timetable Tel: 01825 720825Bluebell Railway Band

The Bluebell Railway Band

Chairman: David C. Holland, E.R.D.
Director of Music: John M. Gowers, M.A.(Cantab), M.Mus., A.L.C.M., F.R.S.A.

In association with the East Grinstead Concert Band
Founded 1974

Band at Sheffield Park, 2006

The Band photographed at Sheffield Park in 2006.

The Band continues a long tradition of railway bands going back to the mid-Victorian era, among which was a band at the Brighton Works of the LBSCR. These were nearly always brass bands, at one time found in nearly every town and village in the country.

Band at HorstedBand at Horsted

The Bluebell Railway Band is really a non-marching military band with a full complement of woodwind as well as brass. This enables them to play a wide variety of music including arrangements of the classics, jazz, show music, pop & rock tunes, and of course traditional marches, so there is something to please everyone! In addition to concerts through the year, the Band turns out for the December Carol Service at Horsted Keynes Station, attended by a loco and a few hundred people, always a popular occasion. You are welcome to attend, but don't forget to wrap up well!

Any wind players of reasonable standard who would like to play in the Band should ring the contact number below for details.

Band at Horsted Band at Sheffield Park - 23 Sept 2007 - Derek Hayward

Band at Horsted The Bluebell Railway Band are seen here (right) playing at Horsted Keynes (back in 2003) as part of our annual Music Festival weekend.

During 2008 the band will be playing at Sheffield Park Station from 2 to 4 pm on the following dates: The band will also be playing for the Carol Service - Saturday 6th December 2008, 7.30 pm at Horsted Keynes

Band in Belgium, May 2004

The Band photographed at their concert on 1st May 2004 at the Steam
Centre Maldegem in Belgium, which was followed by a concert in the Town
Square of Brugge, and a second concert for the steam railway.

The conductor in the Maldegem photo was Tony Corio, who played in army bands for 27 years, finishing with The Welsh Guards Band on the big bass drum and the oboe. After leaving the army he taught music in local schools and became Musical Director of The East Grinstead Concert Band from 1977 to 1997, later acting as a deputy conductor. He died on the 7th March 2007 after a long struggle with cancer.

Making Music - The National Federation of Music Societies

The Bluebell Railway Band is a performing title of The East Grinstead Concert Band and associated groups. Please direct enquiries for information and bookings not associated with The Bluebell Railway to David Holland by phone, 01342-822427.

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Valid HTML 4.0 Transitional! Page last updated 26 Febraury 2008 by Richard Salmon with material kindly provided by David Holland, and one additional photo from Derek Hayward.
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