Friary musicians take part in King's birthday parade

Amongst the 400 musicians taking part in the recent King’s Birthday Parade were Friary players Jack Beer (cornet) and Morgan Marston (tenor horn).  Jack, in the Band of the Coldstream Guards, commented:  “It’s always a great time of year and one of my favourites at work, just because of the spectacle of it and how much of a big deal it all is. It’s a good couple of months of rehearsing and the actual parade is hard work but it’s all worth it in the end!” 

Despite the very warm weather, Morgan (far right in photo) who plays French horn in the Band of the Grenadier Guards, acknowledged: “I really enjoyed taking part in my third trooping of the colour, especially as it was a Coldstream troop, which was my previous band and Jack's current band. There was an excellent turnout again and it was brilliant to play in front of the King and an appreciative crowd!”

Earlier in the week, Jack had also been part of the Regiment’s 375th anniversary march through Berwick.  The journey north was to walk in the footsteps of their forebears who were raised by Oliver Cromwell in 1650 from the border coastal town during the Commonwealth of England.  One hundred soldiers from Number 3 Company, ‘The Spotty Dogs’, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, accompanied by the Band of the Coldstream Guards, marched smartly across the station concourse at King’s Cross in London shortly after 6am to the surprise and delight of early morning commuters. 

Explained Jack:  “This was a new one for me and for many members of the Coldstream Guards Band, however it was a good experience to be part of.  Setting off at 4am in full uniform and not taking it off till 9pm was a bit emotional but seeing how much it meant to the Regiment and the people of Berwick was great,” he added.