LONDON & SOUTHERN COUNTIES REGIONAL CONTEST
Information: Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band will be heading to Stevenage for the London & Southern Counties 3rd Section Regional Championships. This year will see Betteshanger compete in Sec 3, hoping to retain their winning streak, taking the 3rd Section Title and securing a place at the National Finals in September.
Date/Time: Sunday 22nd March 2026 at 09:00
Address: The Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ.
DEAL MEMORIAL BANDSTAND
Information: Traditionally, Betteshanger Band opens the summer season concerts at the Bandstand.
The Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust stages a series of ‘free’ public concerts on the Bandstand between May and September each year.
The aim of the concerts is to keep alive the memory of the 11 Royal Marines Musicians who were killed by the bomb. The Deal Memorial Bandstand is seen as a ‘living’ Royal Marines Memorial to those who died.
Eleven sides of the twelve-sided Bandstand structure have engraved tablets bearing the names of those who lost their lives.
Date/Time: Sunday 3rd May 2026 – 2.30 – 4.30 pm
Address: The Strand, Walmer, Deal, Kent. CT14 7DY
DEAL MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Information: A Celebration of Music and the Arts. Welcome to the 2026 Deal Festival, an annual celebration of music, creativity, and cultural heritage in the historic coastal town of Deal.
This year, Betteshanger Band have been asked to formally open the Deal Music and Arts Festival at St George’s Church, St George’s Road in Deal.
Date/Time: Friday 3rd July 2026 – 7.30 – 9.30 pm
Address: St George’s Church, St George’s Road. Deal. Kent. CT14 5BA
NATIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS OF GREAT BRITAIN
Information: For the second consecutive year, Betteshanger Band will appear at the National Finals in a bid to ultimately secure promotion to Section 2 as well as becoming National Brass Band Champions.
Having been crowned Third Section Champions at the area qualifying contest in Stevenage earlier this year, the band go head to head with other bands who won their regions from Scotland, Wales and the North of England to thrash it out for the prestigious title of National Brass Band Champions.
Date/Time: TBC
Address: The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury, Cheltenham GL50 4SH
DEAL MEMORIAL BANDSTAND
Information: Traditionally, Betteshanger Band concludes the summer season concerts at the Bandstand.
The Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust stages a series of ‘free’ public concerts on the Bandstand between May and September each year.
The aim of the concerts is to keep alive the memory of the 11 Royal Marines Musicians who were killed by the bomb. The Deal Memorial Bandstand is seen as a ‘living’ Royal Marines Memorial to those who died.
Eleven sides of the twelve-sided Bandstand structure have engraved tablets bearing the names of those who lost their lives.
Date/Time: Sunday 27th September 2026 – 2.30 – 4.30 pm
Address: The Strand, Walmer, Deal, Kent. CT14 7DY
FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE- ST GEORGES CHURCH
Information: The band will be hosting its 2nd Annual Festival of Remembrance at St George’s Church, Deal, to honour the service and sacrifices made by the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces.
This will be a poignant event, and we will be joined again by The Military Wives Choir Shorncliffe. Standard bearers from the Royal British Legion, Royal Marines Association, Salvation Army, Kent Fire, as well as representation from the cadets of each of the services, will be in attendance.
The evening culminates with a short remembrance ceremony to be officiated by TBC
Date/Time: Saturday 7th November 2026 – 19:00 – 21:00
Address: St George’s Church, St George’s Road. Deal. Kent. CT14 5BA
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE – WAR MEMORIAL MASON DIEU HOUSE, DOVER. CT16 1DW
Information: At 11.00am on Sunday 8 November 2024, 108 years on from the signing of the Armistice in 1918, Dover will remember all the service people who have given their lives in the service of their country.
A parade of standards, veterans and other organisations will assemble and march to the War Memorial in front of Maison Dieu House where two minute’s silence will be observed at 11.00am. The Memorial Service will be conducted by Reverend Peter Sherrad and will be followed by the laying of wreaths. The Right Worshipful Town Mayor of Dover will take the salute at St. Mary’s Church.
Date/Time: Sunday 8th November 2026 – 11:00am
Address: The War Memorial, Maison Dieu House, Dover, Kent. CT16 1DW
St Georges Church – Christmas Concert
Information: Betteshanger Band will perform its first Christmas Concert at St George’s Church, Deal, given the success and support received from the first Festival of Remembrance held last November. Tickets will be on sale at our Festival of Remembrance concert in November.
Date/Time: Sunday 6th December 2026 at 7.30 p.m.
Address: Betteshanger Sports & Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN.
Betteshanger Sports & Social Club – Annual Christmas Concert
Information: Part of the Bettes Bar series of Friday events and entertainment, Betteshanger Band will perform their Annual Christmas Concert and will be sure to keep all the regulars and supporters entertained. You don’t have to be a member to attend, just pop along for a listen. The concert with feature all the usual Christmas favourites and lots more.
Date/Time: Friday 11th December 2026 at 7.30 p.m.
Address: Betteshanger Sports & Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN.
Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band 