It is with deep sorrow that the band announces the death of Roy Nowell MBE, a member of the 13th Coventry Scouts and Band Director for over 70 years.
Roy, who started teaching the band back in 1949, took them to levels no other Scout bands had ever attained. With no fewer than 34 Royal performances to their credit, appearing in such prestigious events and venues as Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Royal Tournament, Wembley Stadium, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, London’s Guild Hall, The Lord Mayor’s Show, Horse Guards Parade, Coventry Cathedral, The Spalding Flower Parade, London’s Easter Parade, The Jersey Battle of Flowers, etc.
Further to this, he led the band to be crowned National Scout Supreme Champions 9 times in 10 years.
Throughout his Scouting career, Roy received many awards, from the Silver Acorn to the Silver Wolf, the latter being the highest award made by the Scout Association for services of the most exceptional character. In 2004, he was awarded as part of the Queen’s Christmas honours list, an MBE for his work with young people, and only last year he received his 70-year award for Scouting!
Roy will be remembered by the thousands of young people that passed through the band and those that met him. We would like to help everyone record their fond memories and will shortly be setting up an online book of condolence.
Our sympathy goes out to his family.