Remembrance in Tewkesbury
On Sunday 12th November the Band led the annual Remembrance Day parade through Tewkesbury from outside the Roses Theatre in Sun Street down to the Abbey for the morning service at 10am before leading the parade back to The Cross. At the Cross the Band provided accompaniment for the hymn singing and for the laying of the wreaths. This was followed by the playing of the last post and reveille by Helen Walters to signal the beginning and end of the two minutes silence.
 

Remembrance Festival at GL1
On Sunday 5th the Tewkesbury Town Band and the Band of the Gloucestershire Constabulary combined under our musical director, Nigel Morgan, for the Annual Gloucestershire Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. The organisers were at a loss when four days before they did not have a replacement for the Band of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), who had been engaged, but suddenly had to go overseas on active duty. Neither Tewkesbury nor the Police band could muster a full strength team when asked at their respective Wednesday and Thursday rehearsals.  After some phone calls on the Friday it seemed as though a strong combined band could be formed and on Saturday morning Nigel sought the music for what was a highly organised and prescriptive event.

Opening with a fanfare [composed by our cornet player Robin Purser] for the Lord Lieutenant of the County the bands then played for the muster of the British Legion Standards and the entry of the various forces, the voluntary services and the cadets.  Each march being played just long enough to get each group into position and rapidily commencing the next: the British Legion March, Hearts of Oak, The British Grenadiers, RAF March Past and Tewkesbury's own march by Andrew Duncan. The UK and USA National Anthems preceded the military displays before the bands played a short programme to finish the first half including Amazing Grace, Mood Indigo and Marching Onward.  They then played for the community singing which started the second half before accompanying the worship and Act of Remembrance.  Helen Walters played the Last Post and Reveille as poppies showered down from the ceiling.

It was all edge of the seat concentration but the friendly combination of these two bands did the county proud and the Legion had their Festival with very few changes to the original plans.  The bands send their best wishes to the REME Band and wish them a safe return.

Busy In The Bandroom
Last weekend (4/5th November), some members of the Band and friends took time out from their weekend to clean up some more of the bandroom. Since we moved into the old rifle range several years ago, we have slowly been making improvements. This weekend we put a proper wall on the toilet room and cleaned and painted some more of the back of the bandroom where we store our cases etc. It all looks a lit brighter and more welcoming now so thank you to all those who were able to help out!

Throughout December the Band and its member will be found playing Christmas music at numerous other locations also. For more details visit our engagements page.