In the early 1960s, a fire destroyed all of the band's instruments. Taking this as an opportunity to start afresh, John Swindells borrowed money from his father, bought new instruments, and re-formed the group into a more structured organization. By 1972, the Scouts had grown into the UK national scout and guide champions. The corps gave up the traditional scout uniforms only in 1992.

In 2001, the corps embarked on a different direction in show concept, from heroic show music to jazz. They finished 2003 in second place at the Drum Corps Europe Open Class competition and fourth in the British Youth Band Division I contest.

John Swindells is still corps director.