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There is no finer sight than that of a military band in full regalia, and we are delighted to welcome the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas back to the Midland Game Fair

Main Arena by kind permission of Major Wayne Hopla, Director of Music. The Band of the Brigade of the Gurkhas was formed in November 1859 as part of an Indian Gurkha Regiment called the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment.

When India was partitioned in 1947 Gurkha Regiments chose their new affiliations to either Britain or India. Although the regiment choose Britain unfortunately none of the bandsmen did. In 1949 sanction was given to raise the band again and some 56 recruits began their training. By 1958 there were two flourishing Gurkha Bands. The two bands continued playing for 12 years until, due to financial stringencies, the two bands were amalgamated.

The Band has traveled extensively throughout the world. Australia, Brunei, Canada, South Korea and Malaya were visited in the 70's and more recently Solomon Islands, The Falkland Islands, France, Canada, Korea, Germany, Cyprus, Belgium and Australia again in 1995.

This year will be the Bands 11th appearance at the Midland Game Fair, which has become one of their favourite venues. So much so that the band even chose to rearrange their annual leave so that it did not clash with the date of the Midland, thus allowing them to perform for you!

Today, musicians are recruited into the band after their basic military training. Initial musical instruction then commences, first under the supervision of the Director of Music then after approximately four years, at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall in London. The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas perform twice a day in the Midland Game Fair Main Arena.