Page 31 - Cadet Review Spring 2024

WATCH OUT LONDON:
YORKSHIRE’S COMING!
By Lt James Wood
In November the combined forces of Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force Music, comprising the Hull based Band and Drums and the Doncaster based Corps of Drums descended on London for a weekend of music and sight-seeing.
Saturday morning saw us in Chelsea where
we were treated to a guided tour of the National Army Museum before putting on a programme of outstanding performances in the museum foyer.
The Band and Corps of Drums each put on their
own performances which proved extremely popular with visitors to the museum, some of whom had planned their day specially to watch us perform! After following up with a combined performance showing how both units regularly work together,
the drummers of the Hull Band and Drums took to the stage and wowed everyone with their display of precision drum beatings which the Corps of Drums of the Royal Logistic Corps are so well known for.
The afternoon took the form of a well-earned
trip around The Tower of London which saw the cadets and staff exploring every corner of the Tower including the Crown Jewels, the vast collection of the Royal Armouries’ Tower of London site, and
the wonderful dusk views of the Thames from the Traitor’s Gate. Many of our cadets had never been to London before and the opportunity to visit such an incredible piece of British history is one that none of them will forget in a hurry.
Another early start on Sunday took us back to the (at that time of day) peaceful streets of Chelsea, but this time our destination was the beautiful Royal Hospital Chelsea: home to The Chelsea Pensioners. We repeated our performance from the previous day but this time in the dramatic setting of the Royal Hospital’s Figure Court in front of the residents and their guests before their Sunday Chapel Service. Despite a few challenges presented by blustery winds, the performances by all wings of HSY ACF Music were warmly received and once again the Drummers stole the show with a display which
The future
is bright for music, and we look forward to finding out where we will be going next!
echoed like thunder in the courtyard. We were all then treated to a guided tour of the Royal Hospital by the some of the Chelsea Pensioners which left all there in awe of both the location, and the incredible people who call it home.
Our thanks to City of London North & East Sector ACF for the use of their Cadet Training Centre for the weekend, and Callum Mellis: SO2 National Activities for his support in both the planning and execution of the weekend.
The future is bright for music, and we look forward to finding out where we will be going next!
CADET REVIEW SPRING 2024 31