History of the Knights: 1979-2010
The history of the Knights dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century, 1909 to be precise, as this is when the 2nd Brighton Scout Band was formed (see a brief history of Scouting in Brighton here).
Click photo to enlarge. 18th Brighton Scouts around 1909 - 2nd Brighton would have looked like these happy chappies when they began.
How were they to know that over the years this unit would manifest itself to become one of the United Kingdom's most successful Youth Band / Drum Corps / Colour Guard organisations, and that since the late 1970s it would have won almost every major UK trophy available and that over 90 years later it would still be going strong. Below are the performances through most the years from 1979 - if you know of any video from 1982, please contact us and let us know
For more information on the current Southern Knights please visit the website at: http://www.southernknights.co.uk
Performances 1979-2009
1979 - 2nd Brighton Scouts (at 2:48) - (BMBC Champions)
1980 - 2nd Brighton Scouts (2nd BMBC)
1981 - 2nd Brighton Scouts (2nd BMBC; 2nd DCUK)
1982 - 2nd Brighton Scouts (BMBC Champions; 2nd DCUK)
1983 - Imperial Knights (3rd DCUK)
1984 - Imperial Knights (DCUK Champions)
1985 - Imperial Knights (4th DCUK)
1986 - Imperial Knights (3rd DCUK)
1987 - Imperial Knights (9th DCUK)
1988 - Southern Knights (DCUK Champions)
1989 - Southern Knights (5th DCUK)
1990 - Southern Knights (DCA European Champions)
1996 - Knights Alumni Concert
Over the years this organisation has had a huge following and in 1996, in an attempt to cater for the growing number of past members / staff and supporters who not only wanted to remember the "good old days" but also wanted to support the current organisation in it's endeavours, the Knights Alumni Association was formed.
2009 - Southern Knights (WGUK A Class Champions)
Bringing things up to date, the Knights have never stopped competing and have been very successful on the Winterguard circuit. After struggling for nearly 10 years to field a competitive summer Drum Corps, coupled with the fact that we had been very successful within the Winterguard Circuit, the decision was taken in 1999 to just concentrate on the Colour Guard side of the activity. In 2000, to offer an additional service the membership and to ensure we remained an all year round organisation, we included Cheerleading as an additional activity.
For more information on the current Southern Knights please visit the website at: http://www.southernknights.co.uk
2010 - Knights Alumni 2010 Project
After a very promising start the Knights Alumni 2010 Project disbanded in August 2010 due to lack of numbers. Those who did get involved were privileged enough to experience some of the old magic but alas it wasn’t meant to be...that year...
Knights Abroad
Since the mid 1980s many members have travelled to the USA to compete within either the Drum Corps International or Winterguard International circuits and a number of past staff and members have, and in some cases still are, providing judging services to Drum Corps United Kingdom, Winterguard United Kingdom and British Youth Band Association. The chart below needs updating so if you know of any Knights members who have marched in the States or Europe please let us know.
