The Old Basing Royal British Legion Corps of Drums are set to celebrate the purchase of a set of shiny new drums with a performance at the Armed Forces flag-raising ceremony.

In early 2022, The Old Basing Royal British Legion Corps of Drums band decided to look to the future, investing in new military side drums. Its previous drums had been used by the band since it was formed in 1985.

The band worked together, with some outside help, to design the emblazoning for the drums, sending a design across to MDUK - Marching Drums UK in Gosport. Eight weeks later, seven brand new drums arrived to the delight of the whole corps of drums.

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The drums are set to be used on June 19, where The Old Basing Corps of Drums will be holding a Military Drum Head Service at Basingstoke Civic offices to coincide with Basingstoke and Deane's Armed Forces flag-raising ceremony. Eight members of the Corps of Drums will be taking part on the day. 

Assistant Drum Major and recruitment coordinator for the Old Basing Corps of Drums, Paul Graham, said: "We are looking to recruit all abilities, whether you can play a musical instrument or not. We have a teaching program where you can gain experience, and if you don't have an instrument then we can loan one out.

Basingstoke Gazette: New set of military side drumsNew set of military side drums (Image: Old Basing Royal British Legion Corps of Drums)

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"The band is a good opportunity if you want to make new friends, gain musical abilities moving forward, or just get involved with a new hobby. We play a range of instruments such as military side drum, bugle, glockenspiel, saxophone, and the trumpet, just to name a few."

The band practice every Sunday at the Old Basing RBL Hall Crown Lane from 10am to 12pm. Anyone aged 10 or above can join.