Colour Sergeant: Ms Joanne Claeys

 I joined the band in 2003 when I was fifteen. A few of my friends and I decided to come down to Richardson’s Hall to have a look, following a talk we had in school by the Band Director. I had been playing the trumpet since I was ten, but no other musical groups I had been in could compare to what I saw.

When I first saw everyone march up and down the hall I was very impressed, and never thought I would ever be good enough as a player to join them. The first time I went out in full uniform I was terrified, but everyone was more than happy to help me out and give me advice on anything I needed to know. I have had some amazing experiences in the band, been to some really special places around the world, and have made some brilliant friendships.

I am extremely proud to be a part of something that has been going on for so long and to work with such a great bunch of people.

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Sergeant: Mr Wayne Adams

I joined the Band in May 2005 after attending the Band’s St George’s Day Disco. I have previously been a member of many Band’s including Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps and Havering Marching Militaire. Throughout my time in the Band I have been awarded my Badge & Star and Brass Player of the Year in 2006. I was promoted to L/Cpl in 2007, Cpl in 2008 and Sgt in 2009. My first instrument was the Bass, but I now play the Euphonium.

On joining the band, I met Sarah Adams (previously Milbank) on the night of the Disco. At the World Marching Championships (WMC) in Kerkrade in 2005, I proposed to her in front of all the band, parents and supporters. We married on the 7th October 2006 and the next day we took part in the TYMBA competition based in Manchester, and for the finale we wore our wedding outfits. A week after our wedding, we went to Calella in Spain for Oktoberfest as our honeymoon.

On Christmas Day 2008 we had our first child, Jessica, and in May 2010, we had our second daughter, Hannah. I enjoy the social life within the Band and hope that Band will be a big part of my children’s lives, like it has been for Sarah and Myself.

Sergeant: Mr Tom Ansell

Profile to follow 

Sergeant: Mr Tommy Clayden

Tommy joined the Band in 1999 aged 14.  During his time in the Band Tommy has been awarded his Badge & Star and Drummer of the Year in 2000.  He was promoted to L/Cpl in 2004, Cpl in 2005 and Sgt in 2008.

Sergeant: Ms Amanda Freestone

I was initially asked to help out in the library in 2003 as one of the library assistants to Officer Mark Ellis (my Fiancé), and then agreed to help the Band out for World Marching Championships (WMC) in Kerkrade in 2005. I had previously been a member of the Haverettes Girls Band for nearly 18 years playing Mallet Percussion and Euphonium and decided to hang up my plimsoles in 2001.

Once I had agreed to help out, I can remember the Band Director Ian Yeoman saying “well you might as well do the show before the Worlds (July) just to get back into the swing of things”

Well my first show was Aulnay-sous-Bois, a hot parade and then a tattoo, I thought I was never going to make it, I was used to a little white skirt and plimsoles, and now I had a full black uniform, with extra weight … a belt, music bag, pith helmet. WHAT HAD A DONE! I am still in the Band and feel like that on every Band show that I do!

In December 2005, Mark and I announced that we were expecting our first child, due 14th June 2006, so I thought my time in the Band had come to an end. I had a great pregnancy and was still marching in uniform at 7 ½ months, much to the amusement of one gentleman on a show one evening, who called me a “lazy cow” for sitting down whilst the rest of the Band was standing in concert formation. He was very apologetic once I had informed him I was 7 ½ months pregnant. Lily-Rose arrived on 14th June 2006, and very quickly became the newest member to the Band family.

In October 2006, the Band travelled to Calella in Spain for Oktoberfest, this was to be my first show back in the Band after having Lily-Rose, and it was spectacular … I hadn’t been feeling too good on the day of the first show, but put it down to the hangover from the night before (being pregnant and a young baby alcohol and I hadn’t seen each other for quite a while J). As we formed up to march through the town for our show that evening, still feeling rough, I don’t remember a thing until I found myself surrounded by people in a shop! I seemingly had blacked out and fell into a shop without, I hasten to add damaging my helmet or instrument! Little did we know at the time I was pregnant again! So in December 2006 we announced we were expecting our second child on 5th June 2007. WOW, this was surely the end of my time in the Band. Poppy May was late and born on 12th June 2007, and as Lily-Rose did, she then became the newest member to the Band family.

During my time in the Band I have been awarded my Musician’s Badge and Star and promoted to L/Cpl in 2007. In 2008 I was promoted to Corporal and awarded the Peter Richardson Endeavour Award, and in 2009 I was promoted to Sgt, and in 2010 I was awarded the Sgt of the Year Award.

With lots support from my Mum, Dad and his wife Charlie and Scott, I am still able to continue to play in the Band, and the girls even come out on a few shows through out the year and enjoy being looked after by the staff of the Band.

 I one day hope to see my daughters maybe follow in our footprints, and get as much enjoyment out of begin part of such a great organisation as I do.

Sergeant: Ms Charmaine Golding

Profile to follow

Sergeant: Mr Paul Gould 

Paul joined the band in 1992 aged 10.  During his time in the Band he has received his Badge & Star, Ten Year Service Award and was promoted to Sgt in 2002.  Currently his career takes priority, and is often working abroad but Paul enjoys coming to Band when he has time in his busy work schedule.

Sergeant: Ms Hayley Sullivan

 Hayley re-joined the Band in 2005 aged 28. During her time in the Band, she has been promoted to L/Cpl in 2006, Cpl in 2009 and Sgt in 2010 Hayley enjoys the social life within the Band.