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Last Post for the Band
(October 17, 2014)
The town of Warminster and its surrounding villages in Wiltshire on the edge of Salisbury Plain has a strong military connection but this week it heard in no uncertain terms that it cannot have a band to lead the Remembrance Day Parade of regular soldiers.
"Our town council has been told that there is not a band available with less than a month to go to this unique centenary event," says Cllr. Paul Macdonald.
"This is said to be too late for this year although this message had been expected for apparently three years."
Cllr. Paul Macdonald has been talking to those who he remembers have taken part in the parade and asking them does it matter.
"Of course it matters. This is Warminster," said a retried Sergeant-Major. "How many of us went through the School of Infrantry and would take this as an insult!"
There are many groups that follow the parade from the Station Road to the War Memorial.
WI members, Cadets, Scouts, and many others along with the a special group of noisy Bikers are there making it an almost unique sight in the country..
"Oh What!" said one now 20-year-old who has marched behind the band as a Beaver, Cub and Scout. " That cannot be right especially this year of all years."
"You cannot have the march without the band." said a 22-year-old who is a civilian worker at a nearby army camp and always goes down to watch if they are not working.
"I am going to continue talking to local people for the next few days." promises Cllr. Macdonald.
"I talked to younger people first after my first thought was to be different after all it is going to be their Remembrance Parade in the future.
"I know that so many of us locals have strong connections with the military so this could be seen as a big kick in the teeth.
"Does it matter? I think it does and I now think I should make a fuss about it!"
*photo shows young people turning up to the Warminster WW1 Exhibition this year.