On Friday 7th September, LGB Brass will be performing at the Kings Church, Eastbourne, to raise money for the Eastbourne Branch of the RNLI. Eastbourne has a new lifeboat, a new Tamar Class.  “Diamond Jubilee” was named by the Earl and Countess of Wessex on 6th July. Costing some £2.7 million, she replaces the old Mersey class lifeboat, The Royal Thames, which has been in service since 6 September 1993. In that time the volunteer lifeboat crew have launched her 960 times and rescued 1,520 people – of that number, 115 people were classed as ‘lives saved’ where, were it not for the lifeboat’s involvement, the casualties involved would have surely lost their lives.

LGB’s flugel player, Alex (Taff) Emberley is also a trainee lifeboat crew member.  He has been with LGB for about 14 years – since he was 8 years old.  Alex started off playing cornet; having played on most seats, including EEb Bass and bass drum on the march, Alex is now an accomplished flugel player.  When he’s not rehearsing with LGB, or Heathfield where his partner Natalie Sherlock plays, Taff is out on lifeboat drills, or training courses.  He’s now going out on shouts and is looking forward to a week’s course in Poole, to further his skills.

LGB hope that the concert will raise some serious money for the Eastbourne branch of the RNLI. Tickets costing £5, can be purchased from The Kings Centre, Eastbourne Lifeboat Museum, or by emailing secretary@lgbbrass.co.uk.