Bands & Performers

The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) operates from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The mission of the RAF BBMF is to maintain the priceless artefacts of our national heritage in airworthy condition in order to commemorate those who have fallen in the service of this country. The RAF BBMF also serves to promote the modern day Air Force and to inspire the future generations. The Flight operates five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft (primarily for training). The aircraft are flown by regular and reserve RAF Aircrew. These aircraft can be regularly seen in the skies over the UK from May to September each year. They are flown to celebrate and commemorate public and military events from State occasions such as Trooping the Colour to major airshows and flypasts for public events. HISTORY The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) was inaugurated on 11 July 1957 at RAF Biggin Hill. It was initially called the RAF Historic Aircraft Flight and consisted of three PR Mk XIX Spitfires and the RAF’s last airworthy Hurricane, LF363. It was then renamed to be the Battle of Britain Flight before a final renaming in 1969 to what it is known as today, BBMF. Between 1959 and 1965 the flight had one Spitfire (PM631) and one Hurricane (LF363) on its strength. Now, as a ‘museum without walls’, it maintains eleven historic and irreplaceable aircraft: an Avro Lancaster, a C-47 Dakota, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes and two de Havilland Chipmunk training aircraft. The BBMF is a regular RAF unit which is funded by the Ministry of Defence. MOTTO “Lest We Forget” The Lest We Forget motto of the RAF BBMF reflects our mission and honours the thousands of men and women, in the air and on the ground, that gave their lives for this country in the noble pursuit of freedom.

Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band is a pipe band based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, performing under the direction of Pipe Major Rich Smith. Our motto: “Fortem Tempestatem” Strong Storm Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band originally formed in the early 1990’s in Portchester, founded by three former members of the Seaforth Highlanders. In our early days, we were known as ‘Tullock Ard’ – a Gaelic phrase meaning ‘big green hill’. We briefly merged with the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service band, before we re-established ourselves independently in Marchwood in the late 1990’s. Southampton served as our home base until our move to Portsmouth in 2023, where we remain, and continue to grow and thrive! For much of our history, we wore the Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan. In 2024, we proudly adopted the newly woven Kintyre Storm tartan. The Kintyre collection was inspired by the Kintyre peninsula on Scotland’s west coast. The Storm variation transitions from dark navy to soft greys, symbolising the seas and ever-changing skies, capturing the regions dramatic weather.

From the time of its formation in 1906, the Pipes and Drums formed an integral part of The London Irish Rifles, before coming under the umbrella of the Regimental Association in 1969. We welcome new members to carry on the proud tradition of the Regimental Pipes and Drums: remembering when they marched in the Allied victory parade in Tunis in May 1943, and at the Vatican during both June and July 1944. Evocative events, among so many, at which our Pipes and Drums have performed so memorably over the years. The Pipes and Drums perform annually at the parades to commemorate St Patrick, the Combined Irish Regiments’, Loos Sunday and Remembrance Sunday and also join the Combined Irish Regiments’ parade at the Cenotaph.

The Surrey Pipe Band is a friendly band, based in Woking, Surrey, whose purpose is principally to enjoy playing the Highland Bagpipes and Drums together as a group, and occasionally to share the music with an audience, either at our events or by attending fetes, carnivals and charity functions etc.

50 Years of Highland Pipes Since 1972, The Ringwood Pipe Band has been one of the leading marching bands on the South Coast of England. Dressed in MacKenzie tartan, we have been playing and promoting traditional pipe band music locally and across the world. Our members come from all over Dorset and West Hampshire.

The Royal British Legion Band & Corps Of Drums Romford are a marching band based in Romford, Essex. The Band was founded in 1952 by Mr Peter Richardson B.E.M and is one of the longest running independent youth bands in this country today, membership is usually 70+. They were the first youth band to appear at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and have performed alongside almost every band of Her Majesty's Armed Forces at many different military events both in the UK and abroad. In 2009 the band competed in the World Music Contest in Kerkrade and won two Gold diploma awards whilst representing the United Kingdom. This now leaves the band with a total of 10 World Titles awarded since first competing on the World stage in 1993.

At the Wiltshire Caledonian Pipes & Drums band, our mission is to bring people together through the power of Scottish pipes & drums music. We believe that this beautiful and traditional music has the ability to connect people from all walks of life, creating a sense of pride and community. The Wiltshire Caledonian Pipes and Drums band are an enthusiastic group of highly qualified, student and youth pipers and drummers from Wiltshire, Hampshire and the surrounding areas. They are dedicated to keeping traditional Scottish pipe and drums music alive for future generations, training young people in the wonderful and ancient musical craft. We pride ourselves on offering the finest tuition on the Scottish Highland Bagpipes and Drums, at our two training and assessment centres in Wiltshire, to anyone, from any background, and of any age who want to learn this wonderful musical craft. Our Pipers and Drummers come from a diverse range of backgrounds; from internationally renowned musicians to students located in Wiltshire, Hampshire and the surrounding area: Young or old, novice, experienced or lapsed; everyone is welcome to become a member, play, or to learn to play the Pipes or Drums with us.

The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Corps was established in 1984 as part of the Ceremonial Unit. It provides a different link between the fire service and the public. We adhere to the fire service core values and use music to spread community safety messages and also hope that our music is enjoyed by the many thousands that watch us each year. In 1984 Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service were invited by the Ypres Fire Service and The Last Post Association to take part in the ceremonies of remembrance at the Menin Gate. We had the privilege to sound Reveille there on the evening of 11th November. In the later years we have also been joined by many other Fire & Rescue Service bands, notably West Midlands Fire and Rescue, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and recently Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue service. We have also been well supported by pipe bands and individual pipers from across the country.

Horndean Band is a military style wind band and corps of drums originating from the small town of Horndean, six miles north of Portsmouth. The band currently consists of 40 members ranging from 14 to late 70s. People join not only as a hobby but also to socialise and improve their playing ability. We currently have 4 members of the Corps of Drums who always lead the band during marching events. The Corps of Drums welcome all abilities and they currently have musicians who have just started out as well as those who have been playing for some time.

It all began in 1997 in the back room of the Bear Pub in Hotwells. Jimmie McQueen, a piper of some distinction, had not long arrived in Bristol and used this room to play his pipes. He knew several local pipers and they gathered together to play and be tutored by Pipe Major Brian McRae. Within a few years, these pipers were joined by Army Bass Drummer John Morrison and drumming tutor Tom Patterson and two exceptionally good pipers, Bill Gass and Julian Smart. The City of Bristol Pipes and Drums band was officially constituted and affiliated to the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. The first engagement of the Band was to lead the Remembrance Day Parade in Bristol City. The band now meets weekly on Sunday mornings in central Bristol to practice under the current Pipe Major Julian Smart. We are always ready to welcome new members,

The Red Devils are an elite unit of the British Army Parachute Regiment. The 15 members are highly-skilled paratroopers chosen through a rigorous selection process. Competition for a place on the team is fierce, and it’s an honour to be selected. The team remain serving members of the Parachute Regiment and can be recalled to duty at any time. As the Red Devils’ motto goes, we’re always Ready For Anything. During the winter, team members complete mandatory military training to maintain our skill set.