Page 159 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

THEBAND Foreword from the Director of Music
I am delighted to be contributing once again to ‘The Bugle’, marking another year brimming with activity for The Band and Bugles. Since the last issue went to print we have carried out 138 engagements around the world and have travelled over 19,000 miles, no mean feat with much of the calendar year still to push.
The theme of this year has undoubtedly been travel, as you will see from the soldiers’ contributions to this article, with duties carried out across Africa, Cyprus, France and Germany. However, we have also enjoyed much activity in support of the Regiment at home, including 1 RIFLES Homecoming Parade and the Freedom of Chepstow, a tour of both Yorkshire and Dorset Schools, Cadet Forces and Music Services, alongside the Freedoms of Doncaster and Dewsbury, Winchester Military Museum Open Day and the Freedom of Winchester. I’m pleased to report also that our annual Colonel Commandant’s Inspection and Battalion Bugle Competitions were well received this year by Lt General AMD Palmer CB CBE with a very high standard of Bugling on display. Most recently we were delighted to perform at the Guildhall Of cers’ Dinner Night, saying farewell to our Colonel In Chief. We followed this with a Sounding Retreat at the Ri emens’ Gathering in Allianz Park where we welcomed colleagues from both 6 RIFLES Band with their Bandmaster WO1 L Clayson and 7 RIFLES Band led by Major P Clark.
As I write this article The Band and Bugles are preparing for Adventure Training in both North Wales and Bavaria, and looking slightly further ahead will be performing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the Formation Parade for 8 RIFLES, both highly anticipated activities for the Unit.
I hope you will enjoy our article showcasing just a few of the highlights from the past year, written by members of The Band and Bugles. I would like to close with a heartfelt thank you to those who have supported us throughout 2016 and 2017 and we look forward to seeing you out and about during the coming months.
Major J Grif ths BA (Mus) LRSM CAMUS Director of Music
THE THEME OF THIS YEAR HAS UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN TRAVEL, WITH DUTIES CARRIED OUT ACROSS AFRICA, CYPRUS, FRANCE AND GERMANY
THE RIFLES THE BAND AND BUGLES OF THE RIFLES 157
Major J Grif ths, Director of Music
&
BUGLESOFTHERIFLES