The band was invited to assist Northumberland’s ‘Partners in Mission’ Corps on the weekend of 29/30^th of June.  After an eight-hour journey the Band’s resources were used to the full commencing at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea with a March of Witness and a bandstand concert at the Quay Wall.  A drive further north to Alnwick was then undertaken to provide an evening concert in partnership with Bedlington Songsters.

The band’s principal second baritone player, Commissioner Alex Hughes received special recognition during the festival, three weeks before he retires from active service as the CO of Maidenhead, as faithful Soldiers from Alnwick Corps turned out to meet the Commissioner.  The Commissioner served as Commanding Officer at Alnwick, his first command in 1961-1963.

The Saturday festival included solos from the bands principal cornet player Andrew Gray, who played ”Serve Christ” on trumpet and Adam Hall, who sang two love songs, one in Italian, the other in German and delighted the audiences with his rich bass voice.  The second half of the programme started with an arrangement of “Come follow the band” from the musical Barnum featuring CSM Ian Kelly and then Liam Parker took the audience through an “open –air” type service finishing with the story of the growth of the Army using Emil Sodestrom’s travelogue “All round the world” which had a new finale especially written by the Bandmaster Stuart Hall featuring “Blaydon Races”.

On the Sunday morning the Band split into three groups providing musical support at Newbiggin, Alnwick and Cramlington Corps.  Cramlington were celebrating their Corps Anniversary led by Majors Ian and Christine Kennedy (Swinton).  This was a very special event for the Major’s as they entered full time service from Cramlington.

On the Tuesday night leading up to Easter weekend the band provided an evening reflection on the cross through music.  The theme "Except I am moved with compassion" was enhanced with items such as "Compassionate Christ" Goffin, and the evening concluded with "And they were heroes" Cheyne, dedicated to those from the emergency services who on the tragic 9/11 day in New York displayed courage and compassion.  The piece was further enhanced by a film display of the events during 9/11 and the days after complied and present by Bandsman John Renouf.

On Easter Good Friday the band joined with churches together in Maidenhead and lead a silent procession through the High Street. At selected venues the band provided the music to the congregational singing.  

Bandmaster Stuart has been re-appointed to the trombone section of the ISB. During 2007 Stuart was called back to help the ISB for a number of weekend engagements and a recording session.  For the past 5 years the ISB has been running with 3 trombones however, a decision to move back to 4 trombones has created a "chair" that Stuart will once again fill.  Stuart first joined the ISB in 1990 and served 10 years with the band.

"Salvation is our Motto" was the theme for the weekend at Guisborough. After six and a half hours in the coach the band received a warm welcome from Guisborough Corps starting with a feast of food before the band led an evening festival of praise. 

The band started the festival with "Fanfare & Celebration", before the Corps Officer Major Katerina Lennox (Sister of our Bandmaster) introduced the band.  The band featured a number of soloists, Andrew Collier, cornet "Clear Skies" Nick Collier, Eb Bass "1st mov E.Gregson tuba concerto".  Adam Hall, Bass sang two classical items. Before the interval the band played "The Great Salvation War" enhanced by a professional slide presentation by the John Renouf.  

Ian Kelly, sang an arrangement by our Bandmaster with band accompaniment of "Oh when the Saints". Which led into a number of light numbers before the band concluded the evening with "Salvation's Song". 

The Sunday morning meeting was led by Commissioner Alex Hughes after which the band did a march of witness through the town. In the afternoon festival the band featured a small ensemble of 11 players who have over the past 5 years moved up from the YP Band.

Simon and Taryn got married in Cape Town, South Africa on the 16^th June 2007.  Many of their band colleagues travelled to Cape Town to be there for the special day.   The reception was at Bloemendhal on the hills overlooking Cape Town bay and Table Mountain on a beautiful clear day in the middle of Cape Town winter….111 people where present at reception in Cape Town and a special cake featuring the South African and UK flag was made especially for the day. 

After the honeymoon Simon & Taryn returned to the UK with the South African in-laws in time for weekend away to Guisborough with MCB, what commitment!!  Then on the 7th July a special blessing ceremony led by Commissioner Alex Hughes was held in the garden of Graham and Gill Collier, when 96 people enjoyed a sit down wedding feast on a beautiful “English” summers day.

A new promotional CD with three tracks has been recorded by the band.

Ken Cuell has had a long association with Maidenhead Band, on many occasions marching in front of the band with the flag.  During 2006, his father Raymond Edmund John Cuell suffered ill health and the opportunity to record some of Ray’s marches was suggested.  Ray has supported of the growth of Maidenhead Band and as the former Bandmaster of Highgate Band has had first hand experience of building a Corps band from an initial strength of two players up to 21 bandsmen during the 1950s.

The band receorded two of Ray's marches, Scarborough Citadel published in 1946 and Field Service published in June 1951.

A third track is a cornet solo arrangment of Haera Ra, a Maori farewell song played by the band’s principal cornetist, Andrew Collier.

The band is keeping up links with Cape Town. Last year we were pleased to have David and Antoinette Roestoff from Goodwood, Cape Town join with the band in our Christmas caroling. Bandsmen Adam Hall spent 3 months in Cape Town last year and joined Goodwood Corps in their caroling activities. This year bandsman Simon Parker is working in Cape Town and has been only to happy to help out. Options for 2007: 1) You can play carols on a cold draughty London High Street location, or  2) Short sleeves, pool, sunshine! - any volunteers?

To a capacity audience (400 seats) the band took to the stage of the Newbury Corn Exchange with the John Rankin School Choir for the start of the Community Carol Service.  An annual event organised by Newbury Corps, this was the second time that the band has been invited to attend in the last 5 years.

The band played the overture “Proclamtion of Christmas” Bulla, before a fanfare introdcution to the first sung carol “Joy to the World”. The singing of the first carol was very subdued, but under the leadership of our Bandmaster, Stuart Hall he had the newly formed choir of the Newbury Corn Exchange in full voice by the end of the evening.

John Rankin School choir represented the local area and were featured in both halves of the programme with a mixture of Christmas spirit and childhood enthusiasm. The band featured two solosits in the first half. Andrew Collier played the cornet solo “Candelight Carol” Rutter arr Wainwright and Ian Kelly sang “What’s Christmas without a brass band” Wood.

Another soloist featured in the second half was Andrew Gray who played the Bolero rhythm in “Christmas Bolero”.  Before the final arrangment of “Jingle Bells” the band helped Captain Jim Cussen in his presentation of the message of Christmas.

The annual remembrance parade in Windsor was lead by Maidenhead Band. Although the number of ex-servicemen taking part in the march is diminishing each year, those that did participate were delighted to march behind the Salvation Army Band. 

Local Magistrates, Councillors and the MP for Windsor & Maidenhead the Rt Hon Teresa May laid wreaths before joining the contingents for a service at the parish church.

After the service the band lead representatives from the volunteer services and the Royal British Legion on a march past the town hall. Brigadier Dobbit (R) took the salute.

The long awaited visit of The International Staff Band to Maidenhead was to prove to be a truly inspirational weekend for all those fortunate to witness the band in action. The capacity audience at the Saturday evening concert in St Luke's church was treated to a top quality programme.

On Sunday afternoon 3rd September the band and songsters took part in the annual service at Easthampstead Crematorium. Major Maurice Ozanne instigated the service 16 years ago and Maidenhead Band has taken part in the service every year. The service provides a time to reflect on the loss of a loved one and is possibly the only religious service they may attend in a year.

The band played before and during the service. The Commanding Officer Commissioner Alex Hughes led the prayers in the ecumenical service. Over 400 people attended the service.