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You are here: Home / Arts / The 14th Eastleigh Scout And Guide Band

The 14th Eastleigh Scout And Guide Band

February 27, 2014 By chippy minton 7 Comments

Eastleigh is home to one of the top scout and guide bands in the country. The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band –  “The Spitfires” – is a concert and marching band that was founded in 1968 by the then group scout leader of the 14th Eastleigh scout troop.

The band membership has expanded from its original base and is now open to members of both the Scout Movement and Guide Association from all over Hampshire – and beyond, in some cases.

Chandler's Ford St. George's Day Parade 27th April 2014. Image credit: Richard Moss.
Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade 27th April 2014. Image credit: Richard Moss.

As you would expect for a band that has been going for that long, its history has had high and low points. In the 1980s its numbers were so depleted that it might have folded were it not for the dedication and perseverance of a few members. The standing joke at the time was that the band only knew one tune. Since then, the band has gone from strength to strength. Its membership, skill, and repertoire have increased astronomically. Today it is probably the strongest it has ever been. In fact, in addition to the main band, today they have a training band, a saxophone quartet, a corps of drums, and a dance band.

Brass image by Dukas.ju via Flickr.
Brass image by Dukas.ju via Flickr.

They have played at a number of prestigious events and locations, including the national St George’s Day Parade at Windsor, the National Indoor Arena, and the Royal Albert Hall. Oh, and, of course our very own Thornden Hall where I saw them two weekends ago (in a joint concert with The Band Of The Hampshire Constabulary).

The band plays something for everyone. The weekend’s concert included “Over the Rainbow”; “Eve of the War” (from Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds); excerpts from Les Miserables; and “Music” by John Miles. All played with tremendous expertise and enthusiasm.

Chandler's Ford St. George's Day Parade 27th April 2014. Image credit: Richard Moss.
Chandler’s Ford St. George’s Day Parade 27th April 2014. Image credit: Richard Moss.

Don’t miss “The Spitfires” shows!

If this has whetted your appetite and you would lie to see the band for yourself (and I can thoroughly recommend it) you can catch them playing at the Butter cross in Winchester on 29th March, or at the St. George’s Day Parade in Eastleigh on 27th April. Later in the year they will be playing at the WW1 Commemoration Event in Eastleigh on 7th September, at Thornden Hall on 17th October (with the Thornden Community Wind Band), and the Carol Service at All Saints’ Church on 19th December. Here is a list of their performances this year.

Oh, and they no longer play that one tune from the 1980s. They don’t need to – they have so many more tunes to choose from.

Let’s enjoy the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band’s performance on St George’s Day 2012 parade in Chandler’s Ford.


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The Spitfires 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band "The Spitfires" 2016 St George's Day concert Chandler's Ford Methodist Church.Review: The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band St. George’s Day Concert 2016 Review: The Spitfires in Concert – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band Review: Thornden Community Wind Band Concert Thornden Community Wind Band Christmas Concert Review: The Spitfires: Last Night of the Proms 2016 – the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band
Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, concert, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, music, review, scouting, social, St. George's Day

About chippy minton

I've lived in Chandler's Ford and Eastleigh for most of my adult life, having recently returned after seven years in north-west Hampshire (though remaining a regular visitor to the area).

I work in IT, and my hobbies include bell ringing, walking and cycling. I volunteer with St John Ambulance and am also a self-confessed “born-again runner” having discovered parkrun in 2015.

I enjoy watching live theatre and music, and try to watch many of the shows that are performed in the Eastleigh area.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diane Allen says

    November 18, 2018 at 10:09 am

    We went to the band’s 50th Anniversary concert last night at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church. It was fantastic. It also brought back memories as I was in the 4th Eastleigh Guides when the Scout band and majorettes’ troupe was formed in 1968. Their founder would be so proud if he was still alive.

    Reply
    • chippy minton says

      November 18, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      I was there too, and it was indeed a great concert.

      Reply
    • Janet Williams says

      November 18, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Diane.

      We’re so luck to have “The Spitfires” – their performance is always top class! Hugh musical talent!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. St. George’s Day Parade 27 April 2014 - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    April 25, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    […] 2.30pm, the whole of Chandler’s Ford District Scouts, led by the Spitfires Scout Marching Band, will parade with flags through Chandler’s Ford from Merdon Junior School to the Methodist […]

    Reply
  2. Splendid St. George's Day Parade - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    April 28, 2014 at 12:32 am

    […] The brilliant 14th Eastleigh – Spitfires Scout Marching Band. […]

    Reply
  3. St. George's Day Parade Chandler's Ford 2015 says:
    April 26, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    […] The 14th Eastleigh – Spitfires Scout Marching Band will arrive at 2.26pm. The St. George’s Colour Party will arrive at 2.28pm. […]

    Reply
  4. Chandler’s Ford Scout District St. George’s Day Parade and Service 2017 - Chandler's Ford Today says:
    April 23, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    […] The parade was led by the brilliant 14th Eastleigh – Spitfires Scout Marching Band. […]

    Reply

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