About the man

About the man | In memory

Dave Rogers

Dave Rogers had always been keen on music and was once part of a duo comedy act known as The Crackerjacks, an association which lasted 18 years. His interest in music began from an early age when he decided to teach himself to play the piano, guitar, banjo and piano accordion, before being able to busk his way around some of the pubs in Bristol. His musical influences came from the Big Band era. Prior to his connection with the 'Jacks he was a Royal Marine, serving with HMS Anson and HMS Vanguard. Dave was also in the County of Avon Fire Brigade from which he retired after 30 years of service. Whilst serving in the fire brigade Dave became an accomplished trumpet player and formed a dance band called the Blue Flames which was made up of other musicians from the service. In 1969 Dave took over as bandmaster of the 234th Northwinds Scout Band, before leaving in 1979 to create the Bristol Unicorns Youth Marching Band. In 1975 he was diagnosed with cancer and consequently had to undergo five years of operations on his tongue. As a result Dave had no choice but to give up playing the trumpet. He was awarded the British Empire Medal for his service in the Fire Brigade and for his contributions to youth.

"My main ambition was to win the British Championships. I had often dreamed of winning the title with the scouts, but after receiving the invitation to compete we unfortunately had to turn it down because of another scouting commitment. It was in 1978 whilst I was still with the Northwinds that I began to formulate a plan to create a youth band. After informing the scouts of my intention to terminate my association with them I decided that 1979 would be the beginning of my dream........"

Tony Fuller who was the chairman of the scout supporters committee told me that he would love to play a part in this new venture and offered his services. This was really exciting for me as I knew he had potential for a good business manager. I asked him to take on the job and he accepted with pleasure. With the help of Tony and his wife Pam, who took on the role of band secretary, we then spent the next year going into top gear to get things organised. I think without Tony or Pam life would have been very difficult for me. It was Tony who organised the fundraising, practice facilities and all the background work that we needed in order to get ourselves established. The team that did all the work to make January 1979 a success were, my lovely wife Betty, Pam and Tony Fuller, my brother Keith and myself. Without them I don't think that the Bristol Unicorns would ever have materialised. I was also lucky that my son Pete and daughter Lynne left the Northwinds to assist me. Tony asked Grace Bracey and June Watkins, two of the supporters from very early on to make the uniforms which they did by hand and all in their spare time.
Obviously my dream of becoming British Champions came true later with the Unicorns when we eventually won the championship for the first time in 1984. Another ambition of mine was to win the World Championships. Having gone to Kerkrade I never expected to win because of the high standards set by the other competing bands, but once we'd entered the arena and put on that show I knew that the band would be in for a fighting chance.

In 1985 it was with great regret that I was informed by Tony and Pam Fuller that they had decided to leave the band. I was so disappointed as they had been one of my biggest supporters, second only to my wife Betty.
However, out of the blue I had an unexpected surprise when one of my friends from the scouting days approached me and offered to take over from Tony. Dave Fear teamed up with Judy Church and they were an excellent replacement, spending many hours organising the business side of the band. The trips to Canada, USA, Holland 1986 and 1989, Ireland, the booking of the Colston Hall, our association with Bristol City Council, the sponsorship deals with British Aerospace and Alexandra Workwear are just some of the many things that can be attributed to Dave Fear and Judy Church.
Unfortunately Dave passed away after a heart attack just after the band finished. I will always remember and be thankful to them both for all they did.

I think the band was so successful because of the way it was run. Unlike other bands we didn't have a committee to tell us what we could or couldn't do, so any decisions that needed to be made came from myself. Many of the other bandmasters around the country rarely have a say in the running of their bands because of rules and regulations set down by their committees.
The time I spent with the Royal Marines certainly had an influence on the discipline I applied over the years, and the members were able to accept it which is another reason why the band did so well.
I have had the opportunity to work with youth and have come to enjoy the companionship of young people. The band has kept me young at heart from the influences of these youngsters and it's given me the opportunity to travel and meet many new people.
Being able to work as part of a team is perhaps my greatest feat.
You need to enforce discipline without going over the top and I think it's equally important to take an interest in the member's personal lives.
Any bandmaster must be prepared to accept all responsibility even when things go wrong and will only earn respect by fulfilling whatever it is they have promised the band members."