Page 54 - Mercian Eagle Year of 2023

and a marriage proposal by the Bandmaster. The firework finale featured the combined
bands of Royal Signals (Northern) Band, The Band of the Mercian Regiment and Lancashire Artillery Band, who, along with local choirs and a packed-out showground singing along, performed a traditional marching display, anthems and a flag waving, sing along. This event involved different bands all working together to support each other and adapting to produce a great experience for the visiting show goers.
Saxophones in Tunisia
The King’s Coronation celebrations encompassed locations around the Commonwealth and the world. The saxophone quartet were in Tunis, Tunisia,
to take part in events there. Their first engagement was at the UK Ambassador’s residence for the official celebrations for the Coronation where they provided musical entertainment for his Cocktail party. A visit to the American Cooperative School of Tunis followed, where they played alongside the school band. Further performances included the rededication of the memorial of the Fourth Indian Troop in St George’s Church, which was attended
Saxophone Quartet in Tunis, Kings Coronation, with the UK Defence Attaché Lt Col Nick Wood, following the service and reception, in front of the newly rededicated memorial set in the beautiful grounds of St Georges Church, June 2023
by the Ambassadors of India, Britain and Pakistan.
The group were involved in some spectacular, poignant and inspiring events during their time in Tunis
Reserve and wider Army and Cadet Family. 2023 has seen them on parade with:
The Band of the Royal Irish Regiment as part of St Patrick’s Day festivities in Shropshire, complete with Shamrock presentations and the Irish Wolf Hound Mascot.
The Massed Bands of the ACF, Gwent and
The final
engagement was at
the US Ambassador’s
residence. This was part
of the 80th anniversary
commemoration events
and was to remember
the American soldiers
who formed part of the
Allied Forces within the
North African Campaign. The group were involved in some spectacular, poignant and inspiring events during their time in Tunis and returned home having worked hard and been proud of their contribution to making these events memorable and special for all involved.
Powys ACF Band, and Band of the Royal Welsh in Brecon as part of the traditional Rorke’s Drift Concert showcasing cadet musicians, complete with pyrotechnics.
The Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, as part of the City of York’s Remembrance Commemoration
Collaborative Working
As with all Reserve Bands, The Band of the Mercian Regiment works closely with its colleagues from other bands Regular,
events, with Royal Artillery Guns, and representatives of the Armed Forces Family.
Derbyshire ACF Band, as part of the Mercian Annual Regimental Pilgrimage, complete with the Mercian Regimental mascot and the Standards of the Mercian Regiment for this year’s service at Crich Memorial Tower.
The Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment, as part of a last night of the Proms concert, complete with solos, audience sing-a-longs and fireworks.
And many, many more! These collaborations between bands provide experience, training and allow events to be performed on a larger scale to the delight of many audiences!
Last Posts and solum duties
Two of our cornet players, Corporal Wendy Robert and Musician James Wykes have been in demand for solemn Last Post
calls across the region. These included the dedication of new banners at the NMA, the remembrance weekend at Stoke City Football Club, and sadly many funerals.
Unusually this year, Cpl Robert has also had some less solemn duties. In February she was invited to perform the calls for the Lord Lieutenants of Worcestershire’s event which was a very positive evening, and in November she enjoyed a birthday cake, on the evening news, with 104-year-old Dunkirk veteran Cpl Jack Beavon, from the Worcestershire Regiment.
Personnel update
Musicians Ernest Appleby and Mikey Cooper have now completed their CEQ3. This is the first level of their specialist Army Musician qualifications. They will now continue this continuous professional development by working towards their CEQ2 along with other Musicians from across the Band. Congratulations to them both.
Market Drayton Concert, June
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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