Gavin and Stacey star's dad joins musicians meeting for RAF Massed Bands practice

More than 100 RAF musicians have met up for a mass practice at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham.

The Massed Bands workshop saw 130 people come together at the base in Swindon to practise their musical talents with their counterparts.

All eight of the RAF Voluntary bands gathered for the rehearsal, with personnel travelling far and wide, from RAF Lossiemouth to RAF Akrotiri, to take part in the workshop.

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Voluntary bands have been part of the military for more than 100 years, with Space the theme of the most recent workshop.

One of those in attendance was Malcolm Corden, the father of TV star James Corden, who said after serving in the RAF Music Services for 22 years, he left with no intention of playing – but was pulled back in and now he loves it.

"When I retired from the RAF, I didn't even listen to music on the radio," he said.

He said after standing in with the band he "was hooked".

"I absolutely love it. It's making music, it's keeping your mind active, it's great."

He added that he was enjoying playing all the space-themed songs, saying "the Jedi one is fantastic" and the  Star Trek rendition is a fantastic arrangement. 

When asked if we would "put our fingers in our ears" if actor and entertainer son James were to pick up and play an instrument, he agreed.

"That's what he would say," he admitted. "He knows the fingering for the cornet, that's about it."

Also in attendance at the workshop was Wing Commander Richard Murray, the Principal Director of Music for the RAF, making an assurance visit to be sure all was up to scratch.

"They're putting on the uniform and representing the service," he said. "My job here is to just assure the levels that they are performing at and that they are good to support the RAF stations in the local community.

"It's been a lot of hard work putting everything together, some very challenging music.

"It's exciting stuff to play and [I'm] really looking forward to bringing it all together too."