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The Flowers Band -
The Flowers Band now based in Quedgeley, Gloucester , formed as a result of the Royal Gloucester Hussars (Territorial Army) Brass Band being disbanded. After negotiation with the Ministry of defence the instruments were purchased and most of the former Gloucestershire Hussars Bandsmen , together with other local players , formed the City of Gloucester Band.
Since then the band has had a variety of sponsors , the most prestigious being Whitbread Flowers. Much success has been gained under the name in the contest field , the band having risen rapidly to the Championship Section where it has established itself in the top 10 of the Brass Band World Rankings table.
In 1998 the Flowers Brewery in Cheltenham closed and with Sponsorship intact the band had to look for new rehearsal premises and recently moved to a new headquarters at the old RAF Quedgeley site in Gloucester. The rehearsal facilities are second to none : an accousticised band room with ancillary rooms for private practice , player's lounge , a library for the band's large repertoire and a committee room.
In competition the band has been successful. Apart from winning the 2000 West of England title , it also won the title of champion band of the West of England in 1991 , 1994 & 1997. In 1993 it became both the Southern Open Champions and the inaugural winners of the Harry Mortimer Memorial Championships held at Pontins. Its continued success has led to six appearances at the All England Masters Championships held each year at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.
In 1998 the band won the title of the Grand Shield , which gained it a place at the British Open Competition held in the Symphony Hall , Birmingham. The following week Flowers took first prize at the Wychavon Festival of Brass in Pershore - a title it has now held five times - with the soloists award being given to its solo cornet. The band regularly records for Radio 2 's Listen to the Band, and appeared in BBC1's Songs of Praise.
The band has performed a series of theme concerts in Cheltenham included Brassed Off , A Night at The Movies I & II , A Russian Spectacular Concert , ( See concerts coming up for more detail )
During 2000 , Whitbread sold its breweries to the Belgian brewing giant Interbrew which brought to an end to a successful 15 years partnership with Whitbread in the Community & Flowers Brewery. Currently the band is seeking new sponsorship from the local business community.
The band recently gained a creditable 5th position at the All England Masters competition (for the 3rd time in a row!) at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge. The band is now rated in the top 10 bands in the country (Source : Brass Band World) .
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(Notes by Roger Thompson)
