More than 200 people, mainly youngsters, have been members of the Hastings Corps of Drums since it was founded in January 1968.

At the peak of its popularity, membership levels rose as high as 55 and the corps played at engagements such as the Youth Band Salute to the Queen in 1977, at Beaulieu before Lord Montague and made several appearances at the Lord Mayor's Show.

As well as performances at carnivals in Hastings, the group also performed in French towns and cities including Hastings' twin town, Bethune.

But when numbers of regular musicians fell to below 10, it was decided that the marching days of the corps would come to an end.
Secretary John Harrod said: "It was very sad that we have had to disband because there just wasn't enough interest but we have had lots of laughs."

On Friday, nearly £26,000 collected from the corps's fundraising events and investments over the last four decades plus the sale of instruments was distributed among 15 local groups and organisations at Bexhill Royal Air Forces Association's (RAFA's) Albatross Club.

These were Hastings & Rother Crossroads (£1000), Hastings and Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind (£1000), British Heart Foundation (£1000), St Michael's Hospice (£8000), RNLI (£1000), 9th Bexhill Scout Group (£5000), Friends of Hastings and Rother Music (£3900) and a pair of cymbals, Hastings and St Leonards Guides (£1000), Hastings Rye and District Scouts (£500), Senlac District Scouts Council (£500), Hastings Sea Cadet Corps (£1000), 304 Hastings Squadron Air Cadets (£500), 2262 Bexhill Squadron Air Cadets (£500), Hastings Army Cadet Force (£500), Bexhill Army Cadet Force (£500).