Festival of Remembrance

RN HMS Nelson Volunteer Band, Hadleigh Temple Band, Songsters & Timbrels
Conductors: BCS Steve Green, Ken Hillson, Bram Chestney, Irene Ivory
Hadleigh Temple
Saturday 31st October

The Royal Navy HMS Nelson Volunteer Band, led by their Corps of Drums, entered the hall to the rousing sound of the Royal Naval March Past, “Heart of Oak”, played by Hadleigh Temple Band. 

The two bands then combined to present the march “Royal Salute” (Richard Waterer). A slower tempo was then set as the stately “British Legion March” (Bidgood) heralded the entry of the colours, representing the Royal British Legion, The Air Training Corps and The Salvation Army. 

There was a poignant moment when Robin Bryant, the event’s organiser, explained that the Hadleigh Temple Corps flag was not being paraded, but was mounted in a stand in memory of Colour Sergeant Steve West, whose funeral had taken place in the hall a couple of weeks earlier.

Under Two Flags

After the National Anthem, Major Dicker, Hadleigh Temple’s Commanding Officer, introduced the march “Under Two Flags” (Bramwell Coles), written to acknowledge the work of The Salvation Army alongside those fighting for their country. 

Steve Green, who had only taken charge of the HMS Nelson Band some five weeks previously, originates from Norwich Citadel Corps, and his grandparents were present for the occasion. His confident and assured direction brought a very detailed reading from the two bands, with contrasting dynamics and crisp articulation.

Varied tone colours

For their first solo spot, HMS Nelson Band opened with Sammy Nestico’s arrangement of “All Through the Night”, which made the most of the varied tone colours of the woodwind and brass combination, with unexpected harmonies that at times reflected his work in the world of dance bands.
 
The band was augmented by several members from HMS Northwood, including the welcome contribution of their Bandmaster on bassoon. This was followed by a selection from “Mama Mia”, featuring four of ABBA’s most popular songs, “Mama Mia” itself, “SOS”, “I have a dream” and “Dancing Queen”.

Songs in contrast

The Dedicated Divas was formed in 1996 as a group of female Salvation Army vocalists, under the leadership of Tina Shepherd. 

The absence of some of their number, struck down with swine flu, called for a little reorganisation, and also the co-opting of Hadleigh’s Carl Carter as accompanist. At this point in the programme, they brought two contrasting songs, “The Lord, my shepherd”, a setting of Psalm 23, and Ray Steadman-Allen’s lively “Gone my care”, possibly now better known for the double quartet arrangement for cornets and trombones than in its vocal original.

Comradeship and camaraderie

Amongst the special guests was Lt General John Dunkerley, who spoke of the importance of comradeship and courage, and of the experiences of men and women who spent time in Changi Prison during the war. 

On a lighter note, there was the opportunity for the audience to experience something of the wartime camaraderie as they sang along to some familiar favourites as the united bands played “Keep Smiling Through” (Darrol Barry).

Paul Drury was inspired to write the march “Jubilee” by the memory of the excitement engendered by rip-roaring contributions from bands at the circus. It certainly made for a sparkling accompaniment to the display by Hadleigh Temple Timbrels, with the band at full stretch to maintain the required tempo.

Hadleigh Band and Songsters

The band’s solo contributions consisted of Richard Phillips’ sensitive setting of “Who is He?” featuring the smooth cornet tones of Deputy Bandmaster Keith Johnston, and Dudley Bright’s “In Good Company”. 

For the latter item, which combines Henry VIII’s melody “Pastime with good company” with the contemporary worship song “Lord, we lift your name on high”, the cornets were ranged behind the trombones on the raised staging behind the band.

The Mayor of Castle Point, Councillor Cliff Brunt, who was recently pictured in the local paper with a bass on the occasion of the visit of Belfast Sydenham Band, introduced Hadleigh Temple Songsters, led on this occasion by Retired Songster Leader Bram Chestney. 

In Tom Fettke’s setting of Psalm 8, “The Majesty and Glory of your name”, the brigade displayed a rich, choral sound, whilst Keith Hampton’s exuberant “Praise His Holy Name” elicited a less formal, spirited performance.

Self-sacrifice and regeneration

Reverend Andrew Corness, Portsmouth’s Royal Naval Chaplain, opened his talk with a quote from a naval captain involved in the First Gulf War, who described war as “Mad, bad and sad”. 

He went on to remind the audience that each person who died was someone special, and spoke movingly of breaking the sad tidings to families who had lost loved ones. Recalling the words of Dietrich Bonhoffer (“God is for the suffering people”) he stressed the need for courage, conviction, determination and self-sacrifice.

The Dedicated Divas sounded a positive note with their final items: “What a wonderful world” spoke of the beauty of creation, the close harmony arrangement successfully dispelling any comparison with Louis Armstrong’s version, whilst John Larsson’s “It’s new” testified to the transforming power of God.

Impressive Corps of Drums

Following an expression of thanks offered by Band Sergeant John Ashcroft it was the turn for the Corps of Drums to take centre stage: marching in to Zehle’s march “Trafalgar” they proceeded to give an impressive display of drumming and bugle calls, particularly notable for the rippling side drum rhythms across the 5-man (although one was a woman!) front row, and for the secure intonation of the bugles when they split into chords. 

For their final item, Steve Green led the band in the “Concert March from 1941” (John Williams arr Steve Sykes) replete with the driving rhythmic figures so characteristic of the composer and with some excellent decorative work by the flutes and clarinets.

Closing sequence

The colour party and singers then resumed their places on the stage for a brief Service of Remembrance, which incorporated the building of a drumhead altar and the presentation of the Book of Remembrance. 

Navy buglers played the “Last Post” and Keith Johnston the “Rouse”, as poppies fluttered down from the ceiling of the hall. The standards were marched off to a reprise of the “British Legion March” before the massed bands played “Pomp & Circumstance No 1” (Edward Elgar arr Wright), with the audience joining in “Land of Hope and Glory” with enthusiasm. 

The evening seemed to have just the right mixture of solemnity and celebration, and was enjoyed by near-capacity audience. 

For the first time, the generous support of S. Stibbards and Sons Ltd helped to ensure the event’s success.

Peter Bale

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