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HISTORY

The Dolphin Marching Band was formed on 6th June 1996 under the leadership of the present Bandmaster, Chris Godber.
At first there was no backing for instruments or funding for any uniforms. Instruments were borrowed from another disbanded marching band, and the uniform was based around a standard school uniform. However, as the ranks swelled quicker than expected funds were raised at an unbelievable rate. New and old ideas were used for further fundraising resulting in the band owning it's own instruments and coach within two years.
The band still looks to raise funds whenever possible as the needs of a 35 strong marching band never stops
1997, Rushmoor, and we took part in our first competition. Chris Godber, deciding not to give the band an easy route into the contest circuit, entered us into the Championship Class. We came third, justifying Chris's decision to enter us where he thought we'd be the most competitive.	Aldershot 1997
Since that first contest the band have entered many others and in 1999 at Canknock in Staffordshire we won Best Championship Class Band with a first place trophy for every discipline.
	Fame! Chris on The Big Breakfast Mayday 1999.
2000, and into a new millennium and we start again in the higher and top class "National"
Each year the Bandmaster has taken us away for a busman's holiday and in 1997 we went to Disneyland Paris to perform in the fifth birthday parade at the park.
	Click image for a larger view
In 1998 our holiday took the form of a 4-day trip to Jersey, to perform in the, Battle Of The Flowers. Taking the opportunity whilst there to do Quazar, fun fairs, visits of local sites and of course a let your hair down Bar-B-Q.
1999 saw a return by request to Jersey, this time for a ten-day visit, once again to perform in The Battle Of The Flowers. But this time the last four days were pure holiday ending with one of the biggest "Supa Soaker" fights ever seen on the island.
In 2000 the band went back to Disneyland Paris and once again performed in the main street parade. 2001 came and it was decided to parade the band at Disney again, however to pop over to France for a week would not be a real challenge so to give us something along the lines of impossibility we decided to take the band to perform at Disneyworld Florida. Did I mention we needed 2 weeks out there as a holiday for travelling so far! 2002 and we are considering Jersey but 2003 is the USA again.
Parties and Bar-B-Q's have always been a big part of the bands social life. Winter Christmas Parties and Summer birthday parties are now annual events. On top of this the band always seems to manage a get together for a party of some sort every couple of months. Because this is a fun band too!!