20th July 2007

Rhoda Priestley

Celebrating a Coming of Age

One of the founder members of the Derby Midshipmen Band, Rhoda Priestley, celebrated her 90th Birthday in style with a party which included the band playing and some past and present members of the band.

24th June 2007

300 Years of Warwick Race Course

The band was led by horse and guard from Warwick Market Place through the streets to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of Warwick Race Course.  The band later entertained the crowd by performing their show and playing an array of music on the famous race course.

17th June 2007

Supporting a Local Charity

The band took part in a voluntary fund raising event at the County Air Ambulance base at East Midlands Airport.  The band supported the Air Ambulance at their last Cabaret evening in 2005 and chose again to support a very worthwhile cause.

16th June 2007

1st Win of the 2007 Season

The Middies took 1st place competing in our first contest of the 2007 season at Long Eaton.

12th April 2007

Starting the 2007 season

Our first Engagement for of the new season will be at
Spalding Flower Parade Saturday 5th May 2007.

6th February 2007

NEW SHOW

The new show is starting to take form with some new moves and different tunes.  At the end of January the band had completed 9 minutes of performing time albeit some tidying up needs to be done!!

16th July 2006

Carnival Band Secretaries League
Champions 2006

Following the completion of an unbeaten 2006 contest season The Derby Midshipmen are the CBSL 2006 overall League Champions for the 6th consecutive year

15th July 2006

Horsley Woodhouse Contest home to the
Amber Valley Championship

7th year running....... 

The Middies retain the title of Amber Valley Champions for the 7th year running and in their 4th consecutive win of the 2006 season.

8th July 2006

Newton Contest home to the
Midlands Counties Championship

The Middies take 1st Place in the Midlands Counties Championship at Newton this weekend. This is their 3rd consecutive win of the 2006 season.

17th June 2006

Long Eaton Contest

Middies take their second 1st Place of the season

30th April 2006

Spalding Flower Festival and Contest

Middies take 1st Place at Spalding as part of the Spalding Flower Festival Weekend held at Springfields Spalding this was their first contest of the season

23rd April 2006

The Derby Midshipmen Band are on final count down for the 2006 season.

Our first contest of the year is on the 30th April at the Spalding Flower Show.

2nd April 2006

The new show for the 2006 season is now complete.

January 2006

A new home for the Derby Midshipmen Band.
 

The New Year saw a new base for the Middies having moved from the
Derby Engineers Club to the Rolls Royce Club Moor Lane.

The Derby Midshipmen Band practice

on Wednesday and Friday evenings
7.30 pm – 9 pm
Rolls Royce Club
Moor Lane
Allenton
Derby
DE24 9HY

and outdoor practice on
Sunday mornings 10am -12 noon
Noel-Baker Community School and Language College
Bracknell Drive
Alvaston
Derby
DE24 0BR

20th November 2005

Cold start to preparation for the 2006 season.

Members of the Derby Midshipmen Band starting work on the show for 2006.

14th November 2005

Carnival Band Secretaries League Champions 2005
(5th Year Running!)

Following yet another successful competition season the Derby Midshipmen Band have gained the CBSL overall League Champions for the 5th consecutive year. This is the Midshipmen’s 6th season in the League which has seen them also gain the titles of “The Amber Valley Championship” (6th year running) and Midlands Counties Championship.

10th November 2005

2005 Draws To A Close

The band's final booking this year is on Remembrance Day (Sunday 13th Nov)
at Aston-on-Trent in Derbyshire.

Following this the band will then be starting work on the new show for the
2006 season. 

6th November 2005

County Air Ambulance Trust

Following the Cabaret night members of the Derby Midshipmen attended the County Air Ambulance base at Nottingham East Midlands Airport and had a guided tour of the facility being  were shown what their fund raising efforts would go towards.

For more information on "The County Air Ambulance Trust" visit there website
www.airambulance.co.uk

29th October 2005

Cabaret 2005

The Cabaret Night on 28th October was once again a huge success and the band managed to raise £1000 for the County Air Ambulance.

27th August 2005

Forthcoming Cabaret

With this year's season drawing to a close the Middies are turning their attention to the up and coming Cabaret Night.  This year's cabaret will be held on Friday 28th October at the Rolls Royce Welfare Club, Moor Lane, Derby.  Anyone who has attended one of the Middie's past cabarets will tell you they are a night of music, fun & entertainment for the whole family. 

20th August 2005

1st Place at Kettering

Derby Midshipmen take 1st Place at Kettering to complete another unbeaten season and crowning them the CBSL overall League Champions for the 5th consecutive year.

16th July 2005

Horsley Woodhouse Contest home to the
Amber Valley Championship

6th year running....... 

The Middies retain the title of Amber Valley Champions for the 6th year running and in their 5th consecutive win of the 2005 season.

9th July 2005

Newton Contest home to the
Midlands Counties Championship

There's no stopping them....... 

The Middies storm to victory by taking 1st Place in the Midlands Counties Championship at Newton this weekend.  This is their 4th consecutive win of the 2005 season.

30th May 2005

Lichfield Carnival and Contest

The Middies had a triumphant win at their 3rd contest this season.  They took 1st place by an 11 point lead at Beacons Park, Lichfield, Staffordshire. 

21st May 2005

Long Eaton Carnival and Contest

Middies take 1st Place at Long Eaton as part of the Long Eaton Carnival held at West Park.

1st May 2005

Spalding Flower Festival and Contest

Middies take 1st Place at Spalding as part of the Spalding Flower Festival Weekend held at Springfields Spalding this was their first contest of the season.  

19th April 2005

2005 Show Complete

We've just finished work on the music and show for 2005.  The following weeks will be spent polishing it up ready for our first contest on Sunday  1st May at Spalding Flower Show.

6th February 2005

New Show

This season's show is now well underway.  At the last practice we had done two thirds .... only 5 Minutes left to crack!!  Booking enquiries are coming in thick and fast - please see the Engagements area for further information. 

17th July 2004

 The Amber Valley Championship

The Middies are now the
Amber Valley (Horsley Woodhouse) Champions
for the 5th consecutive year.

10th July 2004

Newton Contest home to the
Midlands Counties Championship

Middies storm to victory by taking 1st Place in the Midlands Counties Championship at Newton this weekend.  

26th-27th June 2004

Blackpool / Lytham St Annes

Lytham was an enjoyable albeit wet return for the Middies.  This has always been one of the band's favourite venues and a great weekend was had by all.

5th June 2004

Epsom Derby Day

This year saw the Middies return to the Epsom Derby Day following a one year break from this prestigious event.

31st May 2004

Lichfield Contest

Middies take 3rd Place to Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers and Wellingborough Redwell at Lichfield in what was a very close contest.  

2nd May 2004

Spalding Flower Festival and Contest

Middies take 1st Place at Spalding as part of the Spalding Flower Festival Weekend held at Springfields Spalding this was their first contest of the season.  

19th April 2004

First Contest

This year's show is now complete we are just in the final stages of smartening it up ready for our first outing which will also be our first contest for 2004. This year sees the return of the Derby Midshipmen at the Spalding Flower Show after a break of 5 years. 

15th January 2004

New Show

This season's show is now well underway.  At the last practice we had done two thirds .... only 5 Minutes left to crack!!  Booking enquiries are coming in thick and fast - please see the Engagements area for further information. 

23rd November 2003

Middies Cabaret Success

After two successful Cabaret evenings with the Derby Midshipmen, the band raised £1000 for the Derby Cancer Appeal "Magic Million".

9th - 10th August 2003
South East Midlands Counties
Championship at Lowestoft. 

Saw bands belonging to the Carnival Band Secretaries League (CBSL) competing in the South East Midlands Counties Championship at Lowestoft. This is an extremely prestigious competition which Lowestoft has been hosting for a good many years.

The competition took place on the Royal Green, Lowestoft on Saturday 9th August which was rounded off with a superb display of CBSL Mass Bands, the main parade through Lowestoft taking place on the Sunday afternoon.

This was the Derby Midshipmen’s fourth year at the Lowestoft contest having been runners up for the last three years. This year the Derby Midshipmen took 1st place with Wellingborough Redwell Band coming 2nd and the Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers in 3rd place.

Lowestoft was the bands’ last competition for this season, which they have achieved an unbeaten record, this has gained them the CBSL overall League Champions for the third consecutive year. This is only the Midshipmen’s fourth season in the CBSL. The Derby Midshipmen are also the current holders of “The Amber Valley Championship” (fourth year running) held at Horsley Woodhouse in July this year.

2nd of August 2003
Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade

The Derby Midshipmen band took part in the
Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade (lead band 1st section).
The parade opened with the entire cast of
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo followed by ten
sections each led by a Marching Band and
comprising five to eight items made up of
Festival and Fringe Groups, promoting their festival
 event, together with similar groupings from Community
and Commercial organisations, this event is viewed
by an audience in excess of 100,000.

19th July 2003
The Amber Valley Championship

The Middies are now the
Amber Valley (Horsley Woodhouse) Champions
for the 4th consecutive year.
This was the band's 4th contest win this season.
Four out of Four contests so far ....
Just one more to go
South East Midlands Championship (Lowestoft)
here we come....

12th July 2003

Newton, nr Alfreton

The Contest at Newton, nr Alfreton this weekend saw the Middies take their third 1st Place of the 2003 season.

28th June 2003

Contest at Great Wyrley Carnival

Middies take joint 1st Place at Great Wyrley Carnival in their second contest of the season.

15th June 2003

Hinckley Contest

Middies take 1st Place at Hinckley in
their first contest of the season.

Up the Middies!

8th March 2003

Bookings Update

We have recently confirmed a number of bookings for 2003. Please click on Engagements to view.

Members and Patrons can see more information by logging into the members area and viewing the band calendar.

2nd March 2003

New Show Nearly Complete

This season's show is almost complete we are just in the finishing stages.

18th January 2003

New Show

This season's show is now well underway.  At the last practice we had done one third .... only two thirds to go!!  Booking enquiries are coming in thick and fast - please see the Engagements area for further information. 

13th January 2003

Year Book

The Editorial Team has already met this year and it looks like we have even more stuff for the 2003 year book than last year.

This Years Editorial Team is

Mark Atkins (Editor)
Jane Atkins
Terry Duxbury
Talsa Middleton

2nd November 2002

2002 Cabaret

Friday, 25th October saw the Middies 2002 cabaret held at Derby Engineers Club.  This year's cabaret was a complete sell out and a huge success raising monies for both band funds and this year's chosen charity Breast Cancer Research.  

Further updates to follow. 

20th September 2002

Members & Patrons Secure Pages

Work has been completed to create an area of this web site for access by band members and patrons. The members area will have access to items such as internal Contact info, Year Books, Committee info, 200 Club Winners, Social Events and band documents like The Band Constitution.

If you are a Band Member or Patron and have not received a login name and password or have forgotten yours please e-mail Bongo@midies.org.uk

14th August 2002

Carnival Band
Secretaries League
Champions 2002

Following another successful competition season the Derby Midshipmen Band have be awarded the CBSL Champions for 2002. This is the second year on the run that the Middies have finished overall champions.

10th August 2002

The South East Midlands Championship

and the band's last contest for 2002 in Lowestoft.  Saw the Middies fight off strong competition from the leagues top band's to take 2nd Place by 1 point behind the Wellingborough Redwell.

20th July 2002

The Amber Valley Championship

and the band's 4th contest win this season.
Four out of Four contests so far ....
Just one more to go
South East Midlands Championship (Lowestoft)
here we come....

13th July 2002

Newton Contest
and the band's 3rd contest win this season.
The Middies are still on track !! 
Three out of Three contests so far ....

16th June 2002

The band's 2nd contest this season and the first time we've won at Hinckley.  Two out of Two contests so far .... the Middies are on their way!!

8th June 2002

Middies make their 2nd appearance at Epsom Derby Day.  This year the band played on the race course in front of the Queen's stand.

3rd June 2002

Middies take 1st Place at Lichfield in their first contest of the season.

2002 Show Is Now Complete

The Band has been working very hard on this season's show which is now Finished.

5th January 2002

The Derby Midshipmen Band (The Middies), has established a Patron's Scheme. For an annual donation, supporters and friends of the Band can become "Patrons" and be more involved in the life of the band as well as helping to secure our future.

For further information please visit the Patron area.

12th November 2001

The Derby Midshipmen's
New Web Site is up and running.

We hope you enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!

Any comments to
Bongo@middies.org.uk

11th August 2001

The Derby Midshipmen, stormed to victory at the South East Midlands Championship which took place at Lowestoft, Suffolk on Saturday 11th August.

The Derby Midshipmen took 2nd place in the contest, only one point behind the Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers, but by virtue of this contest they were crowned the 2001 Carnival Band Secretaries League Champions. This is only their second season with the CBSL (having taken 3rd place in their 1st year) and the band are overjoyed with their success so far. The Middies beat off tough competition from the Ambassadors of Borrowash, Wellingborough Redwell and Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers to name but a few to achieve this prestigious award.

The Derby Midshipmen have not been out of the top 2 positions this year, having entered 6 major contests, they have achieved three 1st place and three 2nd place awards, making the Middies the Amber Valley Champions for the second year running and the runners up to the South East Midlands Championship. This has been a memorable year for all members but most of all for the Middies retiring Drum Major, after 30 years of loyal service, Mr Peter Warrender of Chelleston, Derby who will be putting away his mace for the last time following the Remembrance Day parade in November this year at Aston-On-Trent. Warro as he is lovingly known joined the band as a side drummer in 1971 and later was asked to take on the proud role of Drum Major. The band presented him with a wall clock and watch for his service to the Derby Midshipmen over the years.

Mr Peter Gibbs, Band Master/Secretary/President, has the unenviable task of working out a new routine each year for the band, which involves devising an intricate marching display and teaching a wide range of popular music. The band practice three times per week during the winter months to learn the new show and this award is credit to all the hard work put in.

21st July 2001

The Midshipmen take 1st place at Horsley Woodhouse with a 5 point lead against Confederates of Derby, Ambassadors of Borrowash and Long Eaton Militaires,

Making the Midshipmen the Amber Valley Champions for the second year running.

14th July 2001

The Midshipmen take 1st place at Borrowash.

23rd June 2001

The Midshipmen take 1st place at Breaston.

17th June 2001

The Midshipmen take 2nd place at Hinckley.

9th June 2001

Middies goto the Derby.

A strong start to the 2001 season.

  On Saturday, 9^th June 2001 the Derby Midshipmen Band (Derby Middies) performed at one of their most prestigious events to date. The band was invited to perform on the Main Paddock in front of the "Queens Stand" at Epsom Race Track (Derby Day) in front of the Royal Family. The band performed two 20 minute Displays on the Paddock in front of the Queen Stand, The Queen and Queen Mother arrived just before the band's second arena show. The band also played for the event sponsors "Vodafone" in front of the members' enclosure directly beside the racecourse.

28th May 2001

The Midshipmen take 2nd place at Lichfield being beaten by only one point.

A strong start to the 2001 contesting season. 

12th May 2001

 Year Book 

2001 Year Book is now on-line use the Yearbooks link then go to 2001.

2001 Show Is Now Complete

The Band has been working very hard on this season's show which is now Finished.

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