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A brief history...

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When in 1981 a request was received from the BB Glasgow Battalion for London to send a massed bugle band to take part in the BB Centenary celebrations in 1983, it was soon realised this occasion would be very special and was a wonderful opportunity to bring together many boys from many Companies in London to be a part of a unique event.

On Wednesday 23rd September 1981 the first meeting of bugle band Officers was held at Brigade House, Parsons Green. It was agreed to accept the invitation and endeavour to form a traditional bugle band of 500 members under the title of 'The London Bugle Band'.

The band would be formed by 12 groups of Companies in Battalions, and Officers were appointed for each group. An outline of the music programme was agreed and rehearsal times suggested.

The agreed aim was for the band to give its first public performance at the London District display in May 1982. The display programme records, "This is another new venture for London - here's a look at what will be a 500 strong band when it goes to Glasgow for the Centenary Celebrations in August 1983".

The band was divided into five areas each with its own Bandmaster and Secretary and carried out their own rehearsals. Full band rehearsals took place at various venues throughout 1982 and 1983 the most notable and best venue being the disused banana warehouse in the London Docks.

On Saturday afternoon 27th August the band gave a thrilling performance at The Boys' Brigade Centenary Salute event held at the Ibrox Stadium. On Sunday the band took part in the parade and Thanksgiving Service. The band was involved in other events and was given a civic reception by the Monklands District Council.

The enthusiasm generated at this time was so great that before the trains had arrived back in London it had been accepted that The London Bugle Band should become part of London District's ongoing work amongst boys.

Between 1983 and 1992 the band took part in many prestigious events: The London District Annual Displays at the Royal Albert Hall most years, London Centenary at Copthall Stadium, Horse Guards Parade for the meeting of Brigade Council, The Lord Mayor's Show, The Royal Tournament in 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1996, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Conference Centre, Leisure Centre, Port Talbot, South Wales in 1986, Queens Park Rangers F.C., Battersea Park, Beating Retreat at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, Sawston College and Duxford Air Display in 1992, etc. etc.

By the end of 1992 the Officers of the London Bugle Band were aware of the number of girls of The Girls' Brigade taking an active part in BB Company bands. A change of policy was agreed and girls from The Girls' Brigade or other Girls' Associations would be welcome to play in the band. This change has proved to be most successful and continues up to the present time.

From 1993 onwards the band has continued to perform at many of the venues already mentioned on a regular basis with the addition of playing along the route of the London Marathon.

Under its title 'The London Bugle Band of the The Boys' and Girls' Brigades' their first overseas tour came in May 1996 when they travelled to Grotemarket Town in Belgium. After the band had given a display they went on to the Menin Gate for the Ceremony of Beating Retreat. A visit to the war graves in the area was followed by a band performance at Euro Disney. The next day the band marched to the Champs de Mars giving a display with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop.

In 1998 the Band again toured France, this time centering on the Somme area. The band performed at Albert & the Menin Gate.

In June 2002 came the celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee with a Festival of Music and Dance. The band gave performances at St. Catherine's Dock, Ceremony of "Sunset" aboard HMS Belfast, Trafalgar Square and finally marched up the Mall leading the National Voluntary Uniformed Youth Organisations passing Buckingham Palace on their way to dismissal.

One of the highlights of 2003 was a very successful tour of Holland, over the May weekend. The band played at the war cemetery at Arnhem and before the British Ambassador in The Hague.

In October 2006 the band toured North West England playing at the Camelot Theme Park then onto Liverpool to lead a parade to the Cathedral followed by a service. The next stop was Blackpool to perform close to the famous tower. The following day saw a parade through the streets of Southport for a civic welcome by the mayor, then a band display ending with the Retreat Ceremony.

During the band's 25 years existence many hundreds of boys and girls have passed through its ranks. The thrill of playing in a massed band at so many prestigious venues and the Christian fellowship they have enjoyed will undoubtedly remain with them for the rest of their lives.

The work of the London Bugle Band would not have been possible without the commitment and expertise of those dedicated Officers who train the boys and girls and plan the involvement in events. Whilst changes in the leadership of the band have inevitably occurred over the years several Officers have been active within the band throughout the past 25 years. To all those who have been a part of the band and supporters during the past years, a sincere thank you is due for their dedication and successful achievements.