Bournemouth Youth Marching Band (BYMB) are celebrating the news that their volunteer group has received the King’s Award – the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK – equivalent to an MBE.

Bandmaster, Andrew Kinch, said: “I am absolutely thrilled and delighted that the incredible efforts of our volunteers have been recognised by The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

The traditional style youth marching band play the full range of brass, woodwind, percussion, bugles and bell lyres. They perform in a wide range of events including concerts, parades, arena displays, carnivals and ceremonials.

Andrew Kinch said: “We play great music from a broad range of genres in a traditional military style. Our repertoire is regularly refreshed for our various events throughout the year.”

A registered charity, BYMB is volunteer-led, run and supported. The management team has vast experience in running youth bands and youth groups.

“Our youngest musicians are just eight years old and many new recruits join the band with little or no previous musical knowledge or marching experience,” said Andrew Kinch. “We teach them everything they need to know in a friendly and supportive environment. We have our own BYMB Academy Programme to train beginners in playing an instrument, band drill and understanding music.”

In addition to the band, activities are provided with facilities expected of a youth organisation. There is a band supporters group called the Friends of BYMB made up from the parents and families of the band members. The Friends of BYMB support the band by fundraising and helping in many different ways.

Andrew Kinch said: “During the last few years, four of our members have been accepted into military bands. One is serving with the Band of the Household Cavalry, one is with the Band and Bugles of the Rifles and two are with Royal Marines Bands.”

In August, the band had the honour of playing in the Disneyland Paris Parade as well as in Drielandenpunt (Three Countries Point) in the Netherlands and Konigswinter in Germany.

BYMB is one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the UK and Channel Islands to receive the prestigious King’s Award this year.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Following the King’s accession, His Majesty emphasised his desire to continue the award. Recipients are announced annually on 14 November, The King’s birthday.

Other award winners this year include a social support network for disabled adults in Banffshire; a charity using a refurbished pool as a community hub in south Wales; volunteer doctors providing pre-hospital care across rural Cumbria and a village renewal organisation promoting sustainability, equality and social inclusion in County Antrim.

Representatives of BYMB will receive the award crystal and certificate from Angus Campbell, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset.

Andrew Kinch said: “It is a great honour for everyone involved in the band. It’s a tribute for all their hard work, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment.”

The band rehearses every Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 9pm usually at the Bourne Academy in Hadow Road, Bournemouth and once a month in Poole on a Sunday. To find out more visit www.bymb.org or email bymband@aol.com

More information on the recipients of the King’s Award can be found at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/ Nominations for the 2025 awards will open on 1 June 2024.