BREAKING NEWS !!!!!

The Chesterfield Musketeers will be back performing in Competitions in 2010. With an invitation from the Marching Display Band Association to perform as a Guest Band in a selection of contests, the band jumped at the possibility of performing at one contest. It was later decided by a unanimous vote to apply for another contest later in the year, subject to the MDBA's approval.

A Very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year, from everyone in the Chesterfield Musketeers Showband

December

The Spinney Residential Home Brimington 17th December

The final engagement for 2009 was undertaken at ‘The Spinney’ Residential Home Brimington, on Thursday evening for the residents who were comfortably seated around the warm lounge on a very cold and snowing night. About 10 members joined together to play a selection of seasonal songs and tunes from the bands 2009 programme of music.

The minimum of players were used to enable the music to be kept within reason for the resident’s entertainment and this was greatly appreciated by the foot tapping and clapping audience as the band progressed through the swinging programme.
After about 90 minutes of non stop playing the ‘Musketeers’ concluded their programme with … ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ before taking their leave, bringing the 2009 season to an close.

And finally……….. At the Bands recent AGM a resolution on the bands constitution was resoundingly recorded by the members vote, in favour of reverting back to the original name, which will now be re-adopted. The band will therefore once again be known as ‘The Chesterfield Musketeers Showband’.
This name change in no way affects the current relationship between members, the ‘Musketeers’ will forever be indebted to our friends who are still with us from the former ‘Eastwood Phoenix Band’ for their input into the ranks in 2006, as without this, both organisations may have suffered a similar fate to other movements around. The current band and its members are still committed to working for both our communities, Chesterfield and Eastwood in the future.
Our reasons for the return to our original name comes mainly through our Heritage and Honours down the years, and of late the official paperwork relating to our Charitable status and banking etc.
Following this declaration it is still our intent to continue striving together to maintain our high standard of performance and entertainment under the auspice of a united ‘Chesterfield Musketeers Showband’.

November

Following the 2009 A.G.M. a few changes have appeared all for the best hopefully, but the most notable change will be revealed officially next week.

Already there are 15 confirmed engagements for 2010 season including our 5th visit to Jersey. Next years visit will be a first for the band as we will be FLYING the 38 members over direct and spending a full seven days on the island.

Heanor Rememberance Parade Sunday 8th Nov

The ‘Musketeers’ Lined –up in the Market place car park ahead of the Civic dignitaries Members of the Armed Forces, local retired Servicemen, Old Contemptibles and many other organisations and members of the public ready to honour the fallen service members from the surrounding area in giving thanks for their sacrifices during the many conflicts down the years including the latest still on going in Afghanistan.

At precisely 10:10 the contingency moved off as planned heading for the memorials situated in the park. In very dignified fashion the Local church Clergy and the senior member of the Armed Forces conducted the reading of prayers during the service at the Cenotaph. There then followed a solo playing of the ‘Last Post’ and Reveille by band member Julie, before the procession moved along to the second memorial plaque in honour of the fallen heroes from the Falklands conflict were further wreaths were laid in commemoration. With these concluded the ‘Musketeers’ then led the parade around the nearby streets of Heanor, bringing the parade to a halt outside the gates to the Church.

As the time approached 11:00 am and the church clocked commenced its chiming of the hour once more Julies rendition of the ‘Last Post’ followed by Reveille was heard, the service outdoors was brought to a conclusion when various wreaths and poppies were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph by the Civic Dignitaries, Armed Forces and all other participating organisations including the laying of a wreath on behalf of the ‘Musketeers’ by the oldest and youngest members of the band Trevor and Joshua before the band were dismissed as the service continued inside the church.

Heanor Rememberence Day Parade 8th November

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Illuminated Carnival 6th Nov 09

Cases packed and everything ready for the long treck down the M5 to Bridgwater to perform in the WORLDS LARGEST ILLUMINATED PARADE.

October

'Derbyshire 'Excellence in the Community Awards 2009'

At an awards presentation evening held in the impressive Buxton Dome, a key member of the band was honoured by the Derbyshire County Council at the 'Excellence in the Community Awards 2009'.

Kevin Oldfield was presented with his award at this event for 'his unstinting voluntary work in the community over the past 33 years and in particular as the Bandmaster, Musical Director and Drill Instructor of the band

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Walesby Show 3rd October 2009

September

Wainsgrove Gala 13th September 2009

Following a weeks break the band headed for home teritory and the familar surroundings of "The Hollingwood" to support the community, Pub and the Residants Committee.

The Hollingwood Fun Day 12th September

August

IWA - Ratcliffe on Soar

The Band have just been honoured with an addition in the World Famous Wikipedia site, Check It Out Here

Phoenix_Musketeers_Showband on Wikipedia

Since swapping our Web Host Provider between September 3rd 2008 and August 18th 2009 our Main Web Page has received 339,230 Hits.

Jersey Battle of Flowers 2009

Check out the links for the full stories from the Fun & Social to the Day Parade to the Moonlight Parade. Read the fun, The Stress and the Entertainment.

With military precision and timing, the Band set off for the WEEK long Break in Jersey.

With a free weekend everyone is eagerly packing their cases and making final arrangements ready for the bands FOURTH visit to the World Famous "Battle of Flowers" Jersey

July

Sutton on Sea 26th July 2009

The Mystery is Solved

Eureka !!!!!

Finally the illusive missing Tabard has been found, strangely enough 70 miles away from where it was last sighted.

Cutthorpe 19th July 2009

and the Mystery continues

The mystery of the whereabouts of Mark’s Tabard still abound, but the show must go on and this is the day Trevor (68) has been looking forward to all season…. His one parade, per year off....

Bamford Carnival 18th July 2009

(or the Case of the Missing Tabbard)

Thanks to a fantastic effort the fund raising is nearly complete with just £375 needed to complete the full financing of next months Jersey trip. That includes travel, Van, Fuel, Ferry and Full English Breakfast for everyone, each day. Thanks and gratitude goes out to both Walt Mason and Marco again for their assistance and support.

Knottingley Carnival 11th July 2009

Despite a long parade over very rough and uneven road surfaces the band still performed it's dance routines along the parade.

After under going 4 Engagements in just 9 Days and performing with such brilliance the Practices have been cancelled this week to allow everyone to recharge their Batteries. ready for the second half of the season. 14 down and 13 to go including a Week in Jersey.

Warsop Carnival 5th July 2009

Having led the Parade the Band then set about entertaining the thousands of visitors.

Bakewell Carnival 4th July 2009

On a very Hot and sweaty Saturday the Band had the chance to meet up with local resident and Main sponsor Marco DiSora

June

What a fantastic weekend, full of fun, sun and two great shows

Ravensknowle Carnival 28th June

Mansfield Woodhouse 27th June

Grindleford Carnival 20th June 2009

Hasland Carnival 14th June 2009

New Mills Fete Sat 6th June 2009

What started a wet and miserable day turned into a bright and lively carnival day in the High Peaks.

The Band have been requested to perform at Silverstone race Circuit yet again but this time for the first week end in July.

May

Parade of Witnesses – Monday 25th May

The newly amalgamated band prepared to take to the town centre of Chesterfield for the Annual Parade of Witnesses organised by the United Churches.

Practices are well on course with a new display and new tunes all completed.

April

Enquiries still coming in at a fast rate with at least 3 enquiries a week.

Retford 4th May

Wem - Sept 5th Parade & Illuminated Parade

Spinney Fete - 11th Dec

Brimington Fete - July 18th

More Bookings are flooding in..... Check the Diary for a full list, 27 Engagements Already For The Year

Thanks to the extra support on our FACEBOOK Group

March

Congratulations on the facebook group, the 200th Member has joined.

St Patrick's Day Parade - London - 15th March 2009

On a beautiful morning the Band headed south for their first visit to central London........ With Five Freshmans, Four New Recruits and only four unable to attend the excited band head south.......

St Patrick's Day Parade

Band Practices are:

Weds - Corronation Park - Plumtre Way - Eastwood 6:30pm till 8:30pm
Thurs - Hollingwood Pub - Private Drive - Chesterfield 7pm till LATE

Sundays - Alternate at the above from 2pm

February

After performing at Eastwood Town FC the band returned home to find an INVITE to perform in Komptendorf, Neuhausen, in GERMANY for the 2009 International Music Festival.......

January

Eastwood Town FC Jan 31st

The newly amalgamated bands of Eastwood – Chesterfield turned out at the Eastwood Town FC v Witton Albion match at Coronation Park on Saturday 31st January.

Although under strength because of members prior commitments, the band gave a rousting number of tunes during the build up to kick-off to help get the New Year rust off and again at half time before exiting the ground with the home team cementing their position at the head of the Unibond Premier Division.

Hopefully the band can take a little of the credit from this with their musical contributions for the fans throughout the season.

COME ON YOU BADGERS (Boing Boing)

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FOR THE RECORD

Contrary to certain rumours we will be performing the forthcoming season with our own Matching Yamaha Brass Instruments and Premier Percussion Instruments, which were purchased following seperate grants from the National Lottery, Children In Need and the Coal Field Trust. At no point have the Musketeers Borrowed or Obtained any instruments from alternative organisations. Anyone needing clarification on this point may contact us.

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Freshly Updated and very popular is the

Phoenix Musketeers Showband - Facebook Group

Keep your eyes open because Photo's of members past and present will start to appear....

With the new year celebration well over the preparations for the coming season are well on the way.

Engagements are flooding in on a daily basis and the Diary is already filling up. At present there are 17 bookings confirmed.

December

Due to the long long season the scheduled Christmas Party has been delayed until January.........

Eastwood FC Town 13th Dec 08

Turning out at Eastwood Town Football Stadium for what we consider the bands final outing of 2008 to entertain the pre- match crowd at the match between the Badgers and the Bucks, everyone wrapped up against the drizzling rain, so no music needed that involves ‘dashing through the snow’ today.

Once prepared the members made their way to the usual half way point ready to entertain the filling stand before them, at the given point the band struck up with a varied programme befitting the venue before putting the instruments away till the half time whistle.

Launching into the final programme of music throughout the interval which included several seasonal tunes more apt to the Christmas time without mentioning the snow, the selection continued until the players emerged for the second half allowing the band to pick up the drum case which had accumulated quite a good amount of donations in appreciation of the playing which will help towards the bands running costs over the year, our thanks to all who have contributed to our charitable cause over the three matches attended, we’ll be back in the New Year.

Colliers Wood Sunday 6th December

Responding to the late call for the band to entertain at the Collier Wood Country Park where it was now an annual occasion to watch the local people turn up to place Christmas baubles on the tree each year since the slender tree was planted around ten years ago, now the tree is maturing, more and more baubles are required to make an impression.

Meanwhile the band with slightly less members present on another very cold frosty midday took up their positions in the auditorium area, which was surrounded with marquees of various charities selling their wares and with a nice crowd spread around, the band gave a mixed programme of seasonal and popular music for around thirty minutes which was greatly appreciated judging by the applause given at its conclusion.

It was then time to put the instruments away until next Saturday where we conclude this long extensive season through from early summer up to the Christmas season and one that the public and membership have enjoyed tremendously.