Hundreds attend marching band celebration

An event celebrating the magic of carnival bands, organised by the man behind the Moz’s Band documentary film project, has been hailed a success.

Hundreds of people attended the recently held Banding Together event at Borrowash Victoria Football Club, which was organised by actor and musician David Chabeaux, who himself is an ex-carnival bander.

Crowds came from all over the East Midlands came to enjoy a day of music and marching, including carnival banders past and present.

The carnival banding movement, which lasted for much of the 20th century, once saw many generations of the same families all practising, playing and marching together several times a week.

Banding Together featured performances by the Ambassadors of Derby and the Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers – two of the very few bands from a once thriving carnival banding scene that are still active.

They were joined by members of many bands including the Heanor Lions, Spondon Legionnaires, Derby Serenaders, Eastwood Arcadians, Breaston Highlanders and more.

The event was supported by a number of Marketing Derby Bondholders, including East Midlands Chamber, Derby Museums, Smith Partnership and Cosy Direct.

It was a fundraiser for David’s film project, which celebrates the magic of carnival bands and is a particular tribute to his grandfather, Moz Ward, who led the Derby Serenaders over many years.

David said: “It was wonderful, and very moving for me, to see so many people come to the Banding Together day and enjoy the music, marching and inter-generational bonding that brought so many of us together back in the day.

“I’ve never known a sense of belonging like I did when I was part of the Derby Serenaders and I want to spark a new social movement that brings this sense of connection and belonging back to today’s younger generations.”