1972
The Little Heath & Potters Bar Scout & Guide Band was established by Mr Jack Rawlings.
.png)
1973
In April the Little Heath and Potters Bar Scout & Guide Band made their debut performance at the District Scout Headquarters on Hawkshead Road. Their first public appearance to 30 parents and friends also included the investiture of Mr Nelson and Mr Rawlings as Scout Instructors and Band Masters.
1973
Following their debut performance, the band were triumphant at the Hertfordshire County Scout band Championships. A spectacular result from their opening contest!
1976
Heading to the Royal Albert Hall, the Little Heath & Potters Bar Scout & Guide band prepped for their first National Youth Band Championships.
1978
The band, along with the Metropolitan Police Band and the Royal Marine Band, were invited to entertain the crowds before the Firework Display for the 25th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's Coronation.
1978
An all-female band returned to the Royal Albert Hall for the National Youth Band Championships. Leaving the Scouts behind, the Rangers & Guide band returned home winners of the “Smartest Band”.
1987 - 1993
Starting in the Novice Class, the band competed annually at the National Youth Bands Championships. Led by Drum Major Bill Simpson, they progressed through the classes and finished off their competitions at the Royal Albert hall as National Supreme Champions.
1989
In the late 80s, the band significant grew!
A merger with 14th Southgate band and a transition to valved instruments significantly increased the bands reportoire. A transition also followed with the band being known informally as "The Marching Blues".
1989
Drum Major Sue Crane boarded the "Sir Eric Sharp" to lead the band in playing on the cable-laying ship, for the joint venture between Cable and Wireless and the Scout Movement.
1991
The band headed to Cornwall for the wedding of Musical Director Andy Bilham
1993
A royal performance: Little Heath and Potters Bar Scout and Guide Band bringing their spirit to Windsor Castle.!
1993
Following the bands success at the Royal Albert Hall, they featured on BBC Blue Peter!
1993
Centenary celebrations for Christ Church Little Heath were heralded by the Marching Blues who paraded along Darkes Lane entertaining shoppers and residents.
1993
Our World Music Contest journey begun with our first competition in Kerkrade, Holland, winning ourselves a Bronze medal. This also marked our first Disneyland Paris Main Street pre parade performance.
1994
The band travelled to Paris for the New Years Day Parade accompanied with a trip to Chateau de Chantilly
1994
We headed to Earls Court for The Royal Tournament under the Musical Direction of Fred Croft.
1995
In a visit to Gillwell Park, Junior Drum Major, Nicholas Partridge met Queen Elizabeth. The 80 strong band, who were selected out for 400 scout bands, played a selection of rousing tunes during the royal visit.
1995
Continuing our screen appearances, the band starred in the new TV advert for South Mimms Welcome Break Services.
1997
A spectacular performance at Queenswood School, featuring old favourites such as My Girl and Mac the Knife. This was the bands last concert before heading to their 2nd World Music Contest in Holland in the summer.
1999
With band members not wanting to leave, the band deregistered as a Scout & Guide Band and formed their own Charity and Constitution as “The Hertfordshire Band Academy”. Not wanting to lose their legacy, the band continued performing as The Marching Blues.
2004
The band travelled to Bournemouth to compete in the finals of the World Show Band Championships in Bournemouth. Competing against 20 bands from across the globe, the band returned home with their heads held high after a tough competition, with high standards across the five day championships.
2006
Another year of success winning Gold medals at both the European Open Concert Championships and European Senior Parade Band Championships.
2006
The Fanfare Team perform at the House of Lords Dinner.
2006
A momentous shift for the band with a rebranding and new name! The Hertfordshire Showband was born!
2007
In March the band headed to London to perform in the St Patricks Day Parade.
2008
The band won Gold with an astonishing 86 points at the World Association of Marching Show Bands championships in Roeselare.
2008
Taking to the streets of london, the band joined an half a million people at the ninth annual Regent Street Festival.
2008
Leading the Mardi Gras Parade and Half Time Show at Wembley Stadium, the band performed at the UK’s only NFL game.
2008
Buckle up for this performance! Taking to the starting grid at the 8th DTM racing day at Brands Hatch, the band played in the presence of Lewis Hamilton.
2009
Under the Musical Direction of Brian Rance, the band ranked 9th in the world in the March 1st Division at World Music Contest and 13th in the world at the World Association of the Marching Show Bands
2010
With new uniforms on the way, we donated our old tunics to Lord's Grace Youth Brass Band (LOGYBB) in Katutura, Namibia.
2010
The band kicked up the tempo at Wembley Stadium ahead of the Saracens v Leinster rugby match, followed by an indoor performance conducted by Music Director Tish McDermott.
2012
Performing to over 40,000 people, the band was priveleged to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.
"This was one of the proudest moments" - Bandmaster Terry Barnes.
2013
Eleven members travelled to The Pie Factory in Manchester to film for the BBC children's show ZingZillas.
2013
The last competition for Drum Major Ian McDermott, as he retires the mace. With 2 silver medals (just missing out on a Gold by 0.09 of a point) at the World Music Contest, Netherlands. The Hertfordshire Showband are the top UK band at the contest.
2014
The band travelled by coach to the Olympic Copper Box stadium for a performance at the National Basketball Tournament.
2015
In April, we became Three-time performers at the Silverstone 24hr Britcar Race.
2016
Victory at the South England Parade Band Contest in Tonbridge, UK under Drum Major Tom Clark.
2017
A huge milestone as the band celebrate Terry Barnes and his 30 years as Bandmaster!
2017
In March, the Hertfordshire Showband travelled to London's Trafalgar Square to take part in filming for ITV's Britain's Got Talent. The band, joined by dancers, gymnasts and many other performers, were filming the opening sequence alongside the show's hosts Ant and Dec!
2017
Since first entering the World Music Contest in 1993, the band have been chasing their dream of Gold.
Following a change in focus, the band entered the March Parade 1st Division contest for the first time, finally bringing home the long awaited GOLD medal!
2017
The band performed in their Initial Christmas Parade, sparking an annual season of festive parades across the County.
2018
Following their success in 2017, the band worked in collaboration with the British Youth Band Association (BYBA) and Traditional Youth Marching Bands Association (TYMBA) to bring the same style of contest to the UK.
The style was showcased at the Summer Rhythm Contest in Northamptonshire, UK and the band returned with another Gold medal!
2018
The band had a blooming good trip, to Zundert, Netherlands, where they took part in the world's largest Flower Parade!
2018
Taking part in the BLV Taptoe Show in Beauvais, France the band showcased an adaptation of their GOLD medal winning routine.
2020
Pivoted to online rehearsals and social events and eventually back to restricted rehearsals with many processes and procedures to comply with.
2022
We're going from strength to strength!
We returned home with two GOLD medals and divisional Double World Champions at the World Music Contest, Netherlands!
2022
To mark 50 magically musical marching years, members and supporters, past and present, came together for a wonderful Gala Dinner.
2023
The Hertfordshire Showband appeared in the Netflix series "The Perfect Couple" staring Nicole Kidman. 20 members took to the screen, as an American High School Band.
2023
Featuring on the London Band Week honours list, the band headed to London in July to perform at the ExCel and Hampton Court Palace. The finale at the ExCel included a massed band performance with bands from across the USA and UK, including the Bands of HM Royal Marines.
2023
To celebrate our successes, we put on a Showcase Concert demonstrating our "Journey to Double World Champions" under the direction of Vicki Carter.
2024
The band once again performed at Hampton Court Palace following Welwyn Festival Parade the day before.
2026 and beyond
We are currently preparing our routine and application to participate in our 9th World Music Contest.
Archives
Why not have a scroll through our archives?
