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.