Sat19th / Sun 20th Sep 26
On the eve of the National Brass Band Championships happening in York this weekend, we’d like to wish our Friends and fellow Foresters Bream Silver Band and our Gloucestershire neighbours Wotton Silver Band the very best of luck as they represent The West of England in their respective sections. We wish our own President and cornet player, Rojer Phelps a very good trip as he kindly agreed to help Bream for this contest. Our committee member and horn player Julia Powell will also be attending to support her partner Duncan Robertson with Bream. Good luck to everyone. 18/09/26
Sun 13th Sep 26 Forest Vintage Vehicle and Machinery Club
We brought our 2026 summer of music to an end with a double set at a rainy Forest Vintage Show today at the Speech House.
We introduced the hardy audience to our popular "Weatherman, Weatherman" programme and delighted them with our version of It's Raining Men and Bring Me Sunshine as the rain continued.
An umbrella was deployed by horn player Julia as the second set progressed - the trailer stage roof had sprung a leak over her head! Never fear, she brought her own sunshine as she is celebrating her 60th birthday this week
Photo credits:
John EB, Barry J
Coffee Morning Sat 5th Sep 26
It was lovely to welcome both familiar and new faces into our Onward Hall Building today. Sharing what we’ve achieved so far — and where we’re heading next — is always exciting, and it was great to talk it all through with everyone.
Our cosy new round tables were a hit, giving people the perfect spot to sit with friends, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and sample the delicious goodies on offer.
The range of cakes was fantastic, and a few treats were left over… which means the band rehearsal will be a little sweeter.
📚🍰 Next Sale: Saturday 3rd October
Pop in, browse for some new reading material, or pick up a slice of cake to enjoy later.
All we ask is a small cash donation in our buckets — every bit helps us continue the work we’re doing.
We’d love to see you there.
Parkend Carnival 2026
A busy day was had by all, it was fantastic selling out of burgers, cheese, bacon and only a handful of sausages remained. Thank you to everyone that visited us and after a little shower the weather was perfect. Hope to see you all again next year.
Thank you Parkend Carnival.
Community Brass Band
Wed 26 Aug 26
We had another splendid session with the Community Brass Band, Forest of Dean last night, led this time by the wonderful Nigel Galliott.
As we pack away the Community Band until next summer we offer grateful thanks to local legend Kevin Ford for leading the July session and thank all the musicians who attended the sessions - what super fun we have had.
Roll on Summer 2027!
We had a marvellous afternoon entertaining the audience at the splendid Bathurst Park Bandstand in Lydney on Sunday, overlooking the fishpond and fabulous formal gardens.
Thank you for having us, Lydney, we love it here.
Our summer season doesn't stop until we've been to the famous Forest Vintage Vehicle and Machinery Club rally at the Speech House on Sunday 13th September - see you there!
Photo credit A Holder.
Bathurst Park, Lydney Sun 23rd Aug 26
Ross on Wye Bandstand, Sun 9th Aug
Phew! What a scorcher!
A globetrotting and time-travelling programme was devised by MD Martyn Patterson to delight and entertain the appreciative audience who weathered (did you see what we did there?) the heatwave sheltering under hats, brollies and bushes.
We opened with the classic march Thundercloud - not one to be seen anywhere from the bandstand and so it remained for the whole afternoon.
We adore playing at Ross on Wye and can't wait to return next year.
The YMCA dancers and audience joining in really do deserve a post of their own!Look at them go
£2,000 Donation! Thank You
The band were overjoyed to receive an amazingly generous donation of £2000 from the Vassar Smith Lodge of Lydney. This donation will go a great way towards the cost of our intended accessible door - expected to be £3500.
The cheque was presented to band members Sharon Stratford (Treasurer) Rebecca Berrow (Chairperson) Marion Nash (Project Manager) by Neil Snook from the Vassar Smith Lodge at a recent rehearsal at the band's home, the venerable Onward Hall Stag Hill, Yorkley, Gloucestershire.
Neil's uncle Bryan Griffiths was a member of Yorkley Onward band, and in later life was a player in Forest of Dean Brass - he made the railings and gate to the Onward Hall car park too - so Neil presenting the cheque was a pleasing example of how strong links between people, families, communities and organisations can develop over time.
We are working hard to renovate our iconic green tin hut bandroom and kind donations such as this one are profoundly appreciated. We are so grateful.
The renovation project is enormous, so we are doing it in stages.
Please come along to one of our fundraising coffee mornings (with Books and delicious Home-made Cakes), held in the Onward Hall on the first Saturday of every month from 10.30 am to 1pm to see the progress for yourself.
If you are able to help with our renovations of this iconic old building and would like to donate please get in touch.
Sat 25th & Sun 26th July
We had a blast at the annual Welland Steam Rally this year performing to the crowds of people during two days of activities. The weather was fabulous.
Thank you Welland, till next year!!
Sat 18th Jul 26 - Private Event
We were excited to welcome a church group from Whiteshill Evangelical Church, Hambrook to our Onward Hall!
After a charming train ride on the Norchard Railway, they joined us for an afternoon prepared by us and then we finished with a few tunes from the band.
A march was conducted by Brian, Bekki our Flugel Players Dad .
Sat 20th Jun 26 Bugle Band Contest
Our thanks to
Barry Jessop
for these photos.
Sat 13th Jun 26
Coleford Festival of Brass
What a fantastic day we had on Saturday at the Coleford Festival of Brass. Lots of fun playing to great audiences in both the Baptist Church and on Market Place. Super to be able to sit and listen to other bands with such wonderful weather.
Garden Party at Two Rivers, Parkside, Coleford
Sat 30th May 26
GBBA Music Festival
Sun 17th May 2026
We had a great time at Forest Oak Farm performing with lots of local bands with GBBA
Forest Oak Farm, Lydney GL15 4LN
Fri 24th Apr 26
Veterans' Memorial Dedication
We were honoured today to be part of the Battle of Imjin River, Memorial unveiling at the Cyril Hart Arboretum. It coincides with the 75th anniversary of the deadly battle in Korea to defend hill 235 now known as Gloster Hill from capture. The new memorial is dedicated to the Foresters that served in the battle from The Gloucestershire Regiment. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Please take the time to go for a walk there, to see the memorial in the most stunning setting. Our thanks to Rojer Phelps our oldest member and ex Glosters veteran for playing The Last Post and Reveille. Our thanks also to Izzy Marriott for singing Land Between Two Rivers so beautifully.
Click on the link above to Shire News TV for a chance to see snippits of the event.
Congratulations Sophie & Ryan
We were delighted to provide entertainment for your wedding at Ye Old Ferrie Inn, Symonds Yat West. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.
Sat 14th Mar 26 - Torquay Area Contest
We are so pleased and proud of our performance at the West of England Regional contest yesterday in Torquay. We are disappointed with 12th out of 17 but that’s contesting. The adjudication remarks are extremely positive with very little in terms of criticism, which makes how to move forward, quite a challenge! We are also so proud of going as a full band, with no ringers, no deps, just our band, the same band you’ll see doing fetes in the summer. We are solid and secure and will fight another year.
A huge congratulations in their respective sections, to Pillowell Silver Band for their 6th place, Lydney Town Band for their 4th place and Bream Silver Band for the 2nd place and qualification to the National Finals in September in York. Good luck to our local championship section bands as they battle it out later.
Sun 22nd Feb 26
We were excited to travel across the border to Newport to compete in this year’s Welsh Open Brass Band Entertainment Championship. Performing last to a packed hall, we presented our programme featuring Weatherman, Weatherman.
While we weren't placed in the prizes this time, we were very pleased with our performance. 🎺
Sat 7th Feb 2026
What a wonderful turnout at the Coffee morning and book sale this morning, lots of new faces. The Coffee and Walnut cake went down a storm. If you missed out try next time.. . . .thank you to everyone who supported us and we look forward to seeing you next month!
6th Jan 2026
We’re very pleased to announce our Band Person of the year as George Stratford. Martyn Patterson said that his decision was not at all difficult this year.
George has been brought up in the band with both his Mum and Dad playing with us, so it’s been wonderful to be part of his musical journey. An all round fabulous individual and as it happens a pretty tidy Eb bass player. He can name that tune, well a march, usually in about 2! and has an encyclopaedic memory for test pieces! He makes a mean Brownie and we all think the world of him.
Well done George, we’re proud as punch for you.
