The Dorset Youth Marching Band is celebrated 35th years of performing at Kingsbridge Carnival.

The band started coming to Kingsbridge following a visit from John Tucker and his daughter to Poole in 1982. A connection was born, and the rest is history.

The East Dorset Scout Band, as the band was then known, started making annual trips to the carnival, staying at John Tucker’s farm in Bigbury.

In 1990, Simon Wheeler, took over the Band when the previous bandleader died, and they changed the name to the Dorset Youth Marching Band that you know today.

Simon said: “During the changeover, I asked the children if they wanted to stay with me in the new band, and also what things would they like to do.

“They got together and asked me one question – will we still go to the Kingsbridge Carnival and camp? I assured them that I would keep it going, and we made the transition to the Dorset Youth Marching Band!”

“Over the years we have made many memories during the camps,” said Simon. “From ‘combine disco’, where John brought the combine harvester into the barn with the lights on for an impromptu disco party, to playing games such as ‘wake up grandma!’”

The members of the band can join at the age of seven, and all tuition, instruments and uniform are supplied, so members only have to give their time.

“Many of them have difficult lives and the camp gives them a chance to enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, socialise and entertain the public,” Simon said.

“We love coming to Kingsbridge Fair Week and have even taken part in the Christmas Extravaganza in the past.

“The event is a superb one and one that we hope to keep coming to for the next 35 years!” Simon added.