Bands & Entertainment
In addition to the floral covered floats we have a number of Bands that come from the UK to take part in the Parade as well as having some excellent local bands/music which all adds to the excitement of the Event.
Below are just some of the Bands attending this year’s Battle of Flowers 2010:-
The Chesterfield Musketeers Show Band
The ’Chesterfield Musketeers Showband’ were formed in 1981 following the disbandment of the Chesterfield Toppers Carnival Band, since when, the band have won every major award available to them, including.
The World Showband Championship winners on three occasions and runners-up three times. The Sunrider Spanish Championships twice, The Darmstadt (Germany) and Troyes (France) Family Festivals and every Showband title across the UK.
The ’Musketeers’ have appeared before HM the Queen Mother, HRH The Prince of Wales, and HRH Princess Royal, together with over 400 delegates at the 30th Commonwealth Conference on the Isle of Man, other appearances overseas have included The Millennium Carnival and Milk Cup Festival in Northern Ireland, one of the World’s largest illuminated events the 2008 Bridgwater Illuminated Carnival (Somerset), this years - 2009 St Patrick’s Day Parade in the City of London and this year will be representing Chesterfield and Eastwood for the Fourth time in the Prestigious Jersey ’Battle of Flowers’.
The ’Chesterfield Musketeers’ main uniform takes its inspiration from the 1994 epic film ’The Three Musketeers’ and their second outfit from the Alexandra Dumas novel of the legendary heroes.
In January 2009 the band a registered charity (Registered Charity No 1122519) agreed to amalgamate with a new band from Eastwood (Notts.) to help sustain the membership for future years, with the only change being a combination of the two bands names to form the current heading:
THE DOLPHIN MARCHING BAND
The Dolphin Marching Band was formed on the 6th June 1996 by the present bandmaster Chris Godber. There were 10 members and the instruments were initially borrowed. By the end of the first season the band managed to buy some side drums and bell lyres of their own. By the end of the second year there were 30 members in the band and most of the instruments were now owned by the band. The band grew from strength to strength. The band’s achievements from that moment on began with a trip to Jersey for the Battle of the Flowers, from there the band ventured further afield and went to EuroDisney in Paris and ultimately DisneyWorld in Florida in 2001 and 2003 to play in their Magic Music Days Parade. The band have once again passed the auditions to take part in the Magic Music Days Parade at DisneyWorld in Florida for November 2005.
The bands runs a very busy season each year attending most carnivals locally and nationally. The band has also attended T.Y.M.B.A youth band competitions, always maintaining good standards in their results. Most recently the band has undergone a massive change in that, sadly, we lost older members and are replenishing with new younger members. This takes time but we are managing to maintain a good standard. The band has recently changed their uniform which has greatly transformed their image.
The Corcrain Flute Band:-
Corcrain Flute Band from County Armagh Northern Ireland, formed in 1879 is well known for its performances on the concert stage and as a marching band.
Its repertoire embraces a wide range of music from traditional Irish to classical pieces. The band looks forward to entertaining Jersey to its wide range of marches.
The band has performed at a wide number of venues in recent years, from on board a steam train en route to Dublin, to playing on a cruise ship on the Norwegian Fjords , as part of a visit to Norway for Constitution Day Parades.
Recent highlights were playing in Peers Dining Room in the House of Lords and participating in London Lord Mayors Show.
Corcrain,with 27 members across a range of ages, has waited with keen anticipation to playing in Jersey and is confident that resident and visitor alike will enjoy the toe tapping rhythm’s which a part flute band produces from the variety of instruments played.
JERSEY BANDS ETC
Our Jersey Bands included the following:-
The Band of the Island of Jersey
Perhaps our most famous Bands of all. The Band differs from traditional brass bands in that it has a Corps of Drums, members of which, over the years have received training by HM Royal Marines. Jersey is the most southerly of the British Isles, which makes the Band of the Island of Jesey Britain’s most southerly marching brass band with full Drum Corps.
The Band has always been proud to take part in Jersey’s Battle of Flowers and have done since the early 1950’s.
Photo of the Band of the Island of Jersey:-
Run for Cover
This will be the Band’s 12th Battle! Their band reflects their love of Irish/American Fold/Rock Music. Run for Cover are well known in Jersey and regularly play at various other venues so it is a delight to see them back in the Battle Parade.
Photo of Run for Cover:-
