We will remember them

9th November 2008 - The band make an early start to attend the Rotherham Service of Remembrance. Striding out from the Police Station they made an impressive sight led by their 4 strong Corps of Drums.

Despite a cold and windy morning, the parade of veterans and service personnel is as big as ever.

0925 - Band by the centre quick march, saw Rotherham Town centre fill with the sound of the march Standard of St. George, followed by the marches Colonel Bogey, The Middy and Imperial Echoes. The first three marches are by the UK march king, Kenneth Alford (real name Major Rickets RM). These marches are coming up for 100 years old but are still some of the best marches we play.

In between each march, the corps of drums performed drum solos Black Bear, McAlpine and British Grenadiers. These drum solos give the band  time to change music and have a short break from playing. 

After negotiating a few potholes, bollards and roadwork’s, we safely delivered the parade to Rotherham Minster.

Sgt. Simon Davies plays the Last Post and Reveille in church, and repeats this signal of remembrance later at the Clifton Park cenotaph.

1030 - Parade reforms on High Street, the British Legion standards (branch flags) fall in behind the band and the band steps off up Doncaster Gate. This is a steep hill up to the cenotaph and the Corps of Drums save the day by providing a series of long drums solos to get the band up the hill in one piece.

The cenotaph in Clifton Park is packed with guests already and the band squeezes into a tight corner. Wreaths are laid whilst and the band plays Abide with me. We are conducted by 2nd trombone Craig Wolstenholme. Two minutes silence is observed after the Last Post is sounded and a bright rendition of Reveille makes a least one member of the band jump.

After the National Anthem , the band reforms on Doncaster Gate for the last leg of the march. Travelling back downhill is very tempting to lengthen stride and quicken pace. However the metronomic drum beat of bass drummer Glyn Boyington keeps the pace steady for the veterans following behind.

The town hall is now in sight and the lead the parade past The Worshipful the Mayor of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough and Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire is Mr David B Mood.