The 500 year story of the More-Molyneux family and their home at The Medway Band
The Medway Band is with no doubt the best brass band in Kent and one of the best in the whole of the London and Southern Counties Area. Made up of a dedicated team of between 27 to 30 players, the band performs a full calendar of events each year and contests widely with success.
The Band is currently directed by Melvin White and graded as Championship section by the British Federation of Brass Bands.
The band is run as a registered charity and all players are voluntary.
Band History
The band was formed in 1928, originally as the Chatham Town Band. Although there have been various changes of name, the band has always been based in the Medway Towns area.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, the band became part of the Home Guard, under the title of 12th Bn. Royal West Kent Guards Band.
When the band was reformed in 1945 it was, for the next twelve years, known as Medway Imperial Silver Band. It then amalgamated with the City of Rochester Band and became known as the Medway Towns Band.
The band enjoys ongoing support from Kent Messenger Group Newspapers and for a while was known as The KM Gillingham Band, also reflecting valuable support from the now defunct Gillingham Borough Council, where the band is based.
When Medway became a Unitary Authority in 2000, the band decided to change its name back to the KM Medway Band to reflect its roots in the area.
The Medway Towns Band organisation also includes KM Medway Concert Brass, a band that follows a more relaxed approach to banding.
This picnic style event is a great opportunity to get out the hamper and rug or simply bring along something to sit on and take advantage of our on site caterers.