THE SQUADRON BAND

THE BAND AT RAF HALTON 2006

The band of 1312 (Southend-on-Sea) Squadron Air Training Corps has been in almost continuous existence since the early 1940’s. Over the years the band has performed both home and abroad and taken part in appearances at the Southend Airshow and many charity events.

In late 1996 the band won the UK National Corps Band Championships. In 1998 the band won both the Essex Wing and London and South East Region Band competitions and then proudly went on to represent the Region in the UK National Corps Band Championships taking the trophy for the best turned-out band and again becoming the UK National Band Champions.

As well as undertaking engagements related to the squadron’s own activities,

such as the squadron’s family and open days, the band has also taken part and performed at many public events. The band has led through the City of London to St. Clements Danes having the privilege of performing in front of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and has led the Royal British Legion Remembrance Parade at Epping on several occasions.

The band has also performed at a number of ‘opening ceremonies’ for local organisations and also taken part in the Lord Mayors Parade in London.

Over the years the band has had the fortune of leading Battle of Britain parades, the Shoeburyness Remembrance Day parade, the Southend-on-Sea Royal Naval Association Pearl Harbour Day parade and the Society of St. Georges Day parade. It has also given a display in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Dr. Michael Clarke MP.

In 2004 the band once again become the Essex Wing band champions. In 2005 the successfully defended the Essex Wing title and went on to represent the Wing in the Regional Competition

2006 was another very successful year for the band. As well as performing at yet more high profile events the band again won the Wing Band Competition, then went on to win the full marching band an percussion disciplines in the London and South East Region competition. This earned them a place in the National Band competition at RAF Halton. Here the band performed another breathtaking routine and walked away from the competition with the Best Drum Major award, first place in The Solo Bugler discipline, the Best Turned Out Band award and the overall trophy for the Full Marching Band Competition. This concreted Southend Squadrons Bands place back as the best ATC marching band in the country