Band and Bugles of Durham ACF

05/06/2026

Looking for something to do this Saturday? 👀

We’re encouraging residents to join the 8th Battalion the Rifles, and their military band and bugles, for a fun-filled day of military music at Wharton Park.

It’s all part of the Rifles Freedom Concert which will be to celebrate ten years since the park’s reopened following a significant revamp.
Starting at 11am, visitors will be treated to :
🎵 Durham Music Wind Band morning workshop with the Rifles
🥘 Food and drink stalls including Caps Off Brewery, Grandpas Fish Bar and Street Coffee Co.
🔫 Paint ball and exhibition stalls
🪡 Craft activities for families
💪 Fitness coach from L K Health and Wellbeing
🥁 At 1pm, the 68th Society will be performing and carrying out re-enactments in memory of the Durham Light Infantry in the parks amphitheatre.
🎺 Residents will then be able to enjoy the concert from 2.30pm until 3.30pm.

There is no need for visitors to book, and seating will be available in the park’s outdoor amphitheatre on the grassed banks.

The concert comes at a poignant time as the day marks 82 years since D-Day. To mark the occasion, the cultural, heritage and registration venue, The Story Durham, will be lit up in commemoration.

05/06/2026

Why not come along and watch us this weekend! 🎶

Looking for something to do this Saturday? 👀

We’re encouraging residents to join the 8th Battalion the Rifles, and their military band and bugles, for a fun-filled day of military music at Wharton Park.

It’s all part of the Rifles Freedom Concert which will be to celebrate ten years since the park’s reopened following a significant revamp.
Starting at 11am, visitors will be treated to :
🎵 Durham Music Wind Band morning workshop with the Rifles
🥘 Food and drink stalls including Caps Off Brewery, Grandpas Fish Bar and Street Coffee Co.
🔫 Paint ball and exhibition stalls
🪡 Craft activities for families
💪 Fitness coach from L K Health and Wellbeing
🥁 At 1pm, the 68th Society will be performing and carrying out re-enactments in memory of the Durham Light Infantry in the parks amphitheatre.
🎺 Residents will then be able to enjoy the concert from 2.30pm until 3.30pm.

There is no need for visitors to book, and seating will be available in the park’s outdoor amphitheatre on the grassed banks.

The concert comes at a poignant time as the day marks 82 years since D-Day. To mark the occasion, the cultural, heritage and registration venue, The Story Durham, will be lit up in commemoration.

13/05/2026

The Rifles in the Northeast and Yorkshire 26

This June, The Rifles and communities across Yorkshire and the Northeast will bring our regimental five pillars together to celebrate our shared heritage, service, and community spirit all topped off by a Sounding Retreat performed by The Band and Bugles of The Rifles.

We would like to invite YOU to come along and show your support for the regiment across a series of FREE family-friendly events taking place throughout the region.

The Yorkshire based events also act as a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLIs) being awarded the Freedom of both Wakefield and Doncaster.

Expect performances from the Band of Bugles of The Rifles, cadets, military displays, engagement stands, community activities and much more.

Event Dates

📍 Doncaster Market Square DN1 4FJ
🗓 3rd June
🕕 18:15

📍 Pontefract Castle WF8 2JF*
🗓 4th June
🕕 18:15

📍 Sunderland City Centre, Keele Square SR1 3DZ
🗓 5th June
🕕 18:15

📍 Wharton Park, Durham DH1 4FJ
🗓 6th June
🕕 From 11:00 until 16:00

The Durham event will also feature:
• 68th Durham Light Infantry Re-enactment Group
• Durham Army Cadet Force Band
• Food vendors including Grandpa's Fish Bar
• Family activities and displays

Save the dates and join us to celebrate the proud military and community heritage of Yorkshire and the Northeast.

*All events are FREE however to attend the Pontefract Castle event you MUST register at :

www.ticketsource.com/wakefield-museums-castles/koyli-freedom-of-the-city-of-wakefield-80th-anniversary-sounding-retreat/e-zpxmoo

Swift and Bold

Doncaster Pontefract Sunderland MilitaryHeritage CommunityEvent FamilyEvent

21/04/2026

Last Saturday evening, members of the Band and Bugles performed as part of the National Band, Bugles, Pipes & Drums of the Army Cadets UK and RAF Air Cadets on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, where the Band and Bugles were led by our very own Bugle Major Hoy. VIP guests, locals and tourists gathered to watch the Beating Retreat, showcasing the very best of music in the Army Cadets.

This is just one of the many fantastic opportunities the Army Cadets offers young musicians. If you fancy giving it a try, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

📸 J Smith & J Ash

10/04/2026

Join us in Edinburgh this Saturday evening - for FREE!

A Beating Retreat musical showcase featuring the massed bands, drums, and pipes of the cadet forces 🎶

11/03/2026

The Band and Bugles would like to congratulate three of our adult volunteers who received Lord Lieutenant Certificates for meritorious service. Congratulations to 2LT Davison, WO2 Watson and Sergeant Henry 👏

24/12/2025

With Christmas break upon us, we’ve been reflecting on our Christmas Concert and the fantastic opportunity it gave our cadets to showcase their talent and spread some festive cheer 🎺🎄

A huge thank you to our families, friends and followers for your support this year. We’re wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and we look forward to getting back out with more performances in the new year.

03/12/2025

Don’t miss out on a festive afternoon of music and celebration with us and the Band and Drums of Northumbria ACF!

📅 Saturday 13th December
🕝 2:30pm
📍 St Cuthbert’s RC Church

Durham Army Cadet Force
Northumbria Army Cadet Force

09/11/2025

0900hrs this morning, The Rifles have arrived!

09/11/2025

Our bugles sounding the last post at Stadium of Light remembrance match yesterday.