Kirkbymoorside
Town Brass Band led the Armistice Centenary Commemorations in Kirkbymoorside
and across the world yesterday, 11th November 2018.
As always the band lead the town procession from the British Legion
to all Saints Church where Principal Cornetist Jeanette Kendall played
the Last Post. A Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band cornetist has played
the last post there since the first Armistice in 1918, indeed for 44
years it was John Sails who has since moved to the Soprano Cornet position
in the band. After the Church service the band lead the procession
back to British Legion where they played a concert for the town and
guests, including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Philip Ingham, Brigadier Michael
Perret Young, Parade Master Rupert Foster and the Town Mayor Angus Ashworth.
At the concert they played Flanders Field by Gavin Sommerset,
the piece was particularly poignant as 2 members of the band went to
Flanders, John Bowes unfortunately died of wounds he suffered there
and Tom Medd (pictured, 3rd from right in full uniform) who returned.
Infact 5 members of the band fought in World War I, as well as John
Bowes and Tom Medd there was Bugler George Medd, Charles Rickaby, who
survived and carved the memorial cross in the graveyard and Joe Hugill.
It was with these past “Kirkbybanders” in mind that the Band gathered
at Pump Hill at 6.55pm to lead the world in the Official Battle’s Over
Commemorative Last Post.
Battle’s Over, is an international commemoration marking 100 years since
the guns fell silent at the end of World War I . Organised by Pageantmaster
Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, it saw events throughout the United Kingdom,
Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and at scores of locations overseas,
including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Bermuda, France, Belgium,
Canada, the United States and Germany, to name but a few.
Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band was one of 1000 locations sounding the
Last Post and with 34 Players from all 6 of their bands (aged 7 -80+)
was the single biggest group in the world to play together. Emma Smailes
from the Band:
“We are so proud to be playing a part in this historic international
event to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War, and
to recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by the men and women
of Kirkbymoorside. We particularly remember those members of Kirkbymoorside
Band who went to fight. We hope they would be proud that the band they
played in is leading these commemorations”
The event was again attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Philip Ingham,
Brigadier Michael Perret Young, Rupert Foster and Nigel Richardson from
the British Legion. It is particularly poignant as the band move forward
with their new Hall in Manor Vale as 2018 also marks the centenary of
the Band being there. Whilst some of its number went to fight the remaining
band worked for the war effort at home and played numerous fund raising
concerts, in 1918, fearful for the future of the band, they personally
dismantled and moved the Bandroom to Manor Vale by hand where the band
has been ever since. Emma Smailes “We hope that that Kirkbymoorside
Banders such as Bb Bassist and Wheelwright Dan Maw, who secured the
home of the band in Manor Vale, would be delighted to see our new hall
being built there 100 years on”
Battle’s Over – A Nation’s Tribute was devised and planned by Pageantmaster
Bruno Peek. He has organised major royal celebrations and international
events for more than 36 years and has been working on Battle’s Over
for more than four years.
“It’s wonderful to see the event being embraced by so many organisations
and communities in this country and around the world. The centenary
of the end of the Great War is an opportunity to acknowledge the enormous
sacrifice made the millions of men and women who died or were wounded,
as well as those who worked tirelessly at home in our fields and factories.
It has been a privilege to work on this project with the support of
so many amazing organisations said Peek.”
THE
LAST POST - KIRKBYMOORSIDE 11-11-2018
Sommerset,
the piece was particularly poignant as 2 members of the band went to
Flanders, John Bowes unfortunately died of wounds he suffered there
and Tom Medd (pictured, 3rd from right in full uniform) who returned.
Infact 5 members of the band fought in World War I, as well as John
Bowes and Tom Medd there was Bugler George Medd, Charles Rickaby, who
survived and carved the memorial cross in the graveyard and Joe Hugill.