Our Easter convention is now well underway and we welcomed the International Staff Band this evening. The week started with music from the band and songsters on Thursday evening - an evening of quiet reflection for all concerned. This was followed on Good Friday when our leaders for the weekend, Lt Col David and Sylvia Hinton joined us. The band's contrbution to the evening meeting was Morley Calvert's For Our Transgressions which ends with the apt song The wounds of Christ are open, Sinner, they were made for thee. We now look forward to Easter Day. Happy Easter everyone - Christ is Risen.

Its not every day that you get to recognise 100 years of loyal banding, but that is exactly what happened at Boscombe this morning when Maurice Smith and John Meredith were presented with books to mark the fact that they have each now completed 50 years of service in Boscombe Band.

Howard also recognised many other long serving bandsmen - including some with more than 50 years (our longest serving bandsman has over 70 years service behind him) - however, the fact that all of Maurice and John's service has been at Boscombe is particularly noteworthy. Here's to the next 50!

The first major engagement of the 125th Anniversary year was our annual open rehearsal and band reservist's night. This year it was combined with the launch of our new CD - Joy Through the Ages - and yet again the attendance was increased from previous years with many people coming along to hear the programme. This included the usual mixture of music old and new that is being added to our repertoire for this year and, of course, a couple of items that are featured on the CD itself - including the title track.

Everyone enjoyed the music, the fellowship and, of course, the buffet afterwards and many thanks must go to all who organised such a fine evening.

Plans are well under way for the bank holiday weekend at the end of May when we will host the Chicago Staff Band as part of their UK tour leading up to the ISB 120 Celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall. Tickets will be £10 in the gallery and £8 downstairs and are available from Derek Kittle (phone 01202 420410). This will be the only opportunity to hear the band in concert in this area, so please get your tickets as soon as you can.