It was with sadness that we heard of the Promotion to Glory this week of Keith Varley - and our prayers go out to Kath and the family at this time. Although his illness had prevented him from taking an active part over the last few months, Keith was still very much a part of our Band right up until this week.

Keith made his way south to soldier at Boscombe in 1981 and quickly became one of the Band's great characters. He had a real love of banding and was, over the years, to occupy many seats in different sections of the Band, latterly being an important part of our second cornet section. Just as importantly, Keith had a strong faith that was evident right to his final days.

In his band bio, Keith recounts that one of his banding highlights was being part of the solo horn section of the Band at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984 when, under Bandmaster Geoff Otter, we performed The Holy War (a recording of this performance is on our website). It is good that he appears so prominently in one of the few pictures we have of that occasion.

Now God has called him home saying "Well done, good and faithful servant".

Keith's funeral will take place at Bournemouth Crematorium at 2pm on Friday March 9th.