The bands running costs are around £20,000 this covers the bands building, expenses, utilities and insurances.

The instruments are another issue. The cost to replace the full set of instruments is around £120,000+ this has to be raised over a 20 year period, as this is how long generally the instruments last.

This is an impossible task with out the support of the community! 

The band is very lucky to have the support of its own supporters club and the local community.

The band is very appreciative of the Town Council, who every year give the band a large donation.  One recent donation from the council and a donation from our town crier Mr Watham has purchased the Junior band their uniforms as well as purchasing a couple of instruments. This has really helped to push the expansion of the junior band who managed their first contest in 2009.

The band also appreciates the support by the general public at the bands concerts. This not only raises a large amount of money but also gives the satisfaction to the players who enjoy a good crowd to play for. The band also would like to thank the local bussiness’s who advertise in the concert programmes.

Due to every increasing costs the band has had to look at other ideas to raise money and one of these ideas is sponsorship. For 2009 and 2010 the band has been lucky to be sponsored by Winning Smiles, This has given us the oportunity to be able to bring a guest solist from a top band to join the band in a concert, not only giving the band a way of generating more money but also alowing the supporters a chance to see a first class soloist from a top band.

The bands main income apart from the above is from

Carnivals, Concerts, Shows, fetes, weddings, quiz nights and donations.

The band of course likes to do its bit for the community, and plays at many events with out charge in the town. Such as the remembrance parade, the Beer festival for the British Legion, the civic Parade, Christmas parade and lighting a light ceremony as well as many other events!

Thank you to all who have supported the band!

For 2010 the band is looking to bring another soloist from the Black Dyke band to Gillingham.

This will soon be announced and is likely to be on the 6th of June.

The money raised will go to the bands instrument fund, where it will be put towards replacing some of the bands ageing instruments.

The sponsorship will allow us to bring to Gillingham another soloist to perform in a concert with the band. We are hoping that this will happen in June.

 Winning Smiles Philosophy

Dental decay and gum disease are both bacterial infections (just like pneumonia, tetanus and typhoid). We believe that treatment should be directed towards fighting the bacteria responsible rather than just treating the symptoms by drilling away decayed tooth. If the bugs are eliminated and appropriate treatment provided then teeth and gums can often be restored to health without the need for drilling, filling or surgery. Once the mouth has been restored to its natural healthy state then regular preventive treatment can prevent the return of disease.

01747 826222

http://winningsmilesgillingham.com

If you would like to sponsor the band please contact Nigel Perrin at nigel-perrin2@tiscali.co.uk 

The band has decided that the main chosen charity fundraising event for this year will be for, Gillingham’s NEW! Community Centre “RiversMeet”, last year the band played for the Air Ambulance.

The band is in comunication with the Three Rivers Organisation and is keen to perform to raise money for this good cause.  The band needs a venue in the town to perform! And this could be it!

The band will soon be announcing a Concert this year in aid  of the new Community Centre! 

Please support this worth while cause!, this is for our community which needs as much help as possible to raise the necessary money for the project to succeed! Lets all do our bit to help get this facility up and running!

Gillingham needs you!

The band will also be raising money for its own needs, as there is a great need to replace ageing instruments. A concert is already planned at the begining of June for the instrument fund!

These visits started in 1983 and we celebrated 25 years of exchange visits in Hille last year.

The band is already planning for this weekend of activities trying to dream up some new and exciting things to do.

No doubt there will be a planned visit some where, the normal large concert a little bit of eating  with the odd party or four thrown in and this time we are thinking of may be chucking a few Dorset knobs about and beating a ball with a lump of wood. Cant say to much you know what i mean!

 Of course we will have to practice this and change the rules a little to suit the occasion.

If you would like to get involved with this weekend or if you would like to be a host please contact me  at nigel-perrin2@tiscali.co.uk

Nigel Perrin

Principal Cornet, We are looking for a player who has the comitment and ability to lead the cornet section and perform solos to a high standard. 

2 nd Horn

Percusion, this person can be experinced or some one who is willing to learn, ideally the person should read music.

All players are welcome please contact Nigel Perrin at

nigel-perrin2@tiscali.co.uk or 07968097081

At the Olive Bowl 6.00pm start!

Featuring the Gillingham Imperial Silver Band and the Gillingham Junior Band.

Please come and enjoy a festive concert.

Although they did not collect any trophy’s they can be very proud of the performance they gave.

They played

Tower trumpets, followed by a hymn, o Solo mio played by Bennedict Raymond, Youth in brass, and finished with Pirates of the Caribbean. Excellent playing by all!