Description

The creation of the Heroes Band was the idea of David Vaninetti-Smart, its conductor. In October 2013 David had just completed 10 years as the Director of Music of Farnborough Concert Band of The Royal British Legion, leading it from a small band in to a large nationally well respected concert band, raising funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal through concerts etc.It was obvious to him that bands are a useful PR tool to the Royal British Legion by raising much needed funds through musical performances. David thought that it would be a good idea to create a concert band to support the Help for Heroes charity.

In the Autumn of 2013 David approached the Charity with his suggestion and the rest as they say, 'is history'.

Bryn Parry OBE, CEO and Co-founder of Help for Heroes says, “Help for Heroes is all about ‘doing your bit’ and we are delighted to have to the support of David Smart and his band. The Road to Recovery is a very long and hard path, these are young men and women today but they will grow old.We at H4H want to ensure that they have the support they need for life, they deserve the best and we are doing our best to get it.”

The objective of the concert band is two fold. Firstly, to raise donations for the charity through musical performances and secondly, to bring entertainment and enjoyment to listeners and band supporters.

In February 2015 the band were pleased to be officially awarded registered charity status.

Description

The bandstand in The Regent's Park is located on Holme Green, between the boating lake and Inner Circle. It was moved from Richmond Park to The Regent's Park in the 1970s.

The Regent’s Park combines large open spaces with tree-lined pathways, formal gardens, and four children’s playgrounds. It has excellent sports facilities, and contains central London’s largest outdoor sports area.

Walk through the elegant flowerbeds in the Avenue Gardens, see more than 12,000 roses in Queen Mary’s Gardens, or hire a rowing boat and join the ducks on the boating lake. Visit the Open Air Theatre and London Zoo, then take a stroll up Primrose Hill for excellent views of the London skyline.

The park also provides a warm welcome for wildlife. It has a large wetland area and is home to around 100 species of wild bird and a breeding population of hedgehogs.

In 1982, the bandstand was the target of a terrorist attack. The IRA bombed the bandstand on 20th July 1982, killing seven soldiers and injuring 24 others during a concert by the band of the Royal Green Jackets. The bandstand is sometimes called the "Memorial Bandstand" in memory of the dead soldiers. There is a plaque that commemorates the seven bandsmen who were killed.

Two years after the bombing, the composer George Lloyd wrote Royal Parks For Brass Band, the second movement of which, In Memoriam is dedicated to the bandsmen who died. The piece still features in many band repertoires.

Regents Park,

City of London,

Greater London,

England,

NW1 4NT.