Friary Remembers

photo: Michelle Presley

With several of its current and former players in HM Forces, Remembrance has particular significance for Friary, and the Band as well as a number of individuals were heavily involved in ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, and at the Royal Albert Hall on the previous Saturday.

As usual, Friary led the Sunday parade in Guildford from Holy Trinity Church to the Castle Grounds, with Richard Straker playing the Last Post and Reveille.  Simon Persin was on duty at Guildford Rugby Club, whilst Ian Stewart played no fewer than three different instruments in separate events :  Eb bass for Friary, baritone for West Chiltington Silver Band and his usual trombone for Cobham Band.

Armistice Day saw Hannah Taken and Hannah Richards playing to mark the two minutes silence at their respective schools, and Lauren Straker playing at employers EDF Energy with a live stream to some 10,000 colleagues across various sites.  Richard was once again in Guildford, on the balcony of the Guildhall, while their daughter Ayla (aged 9) performed in front of her school.

Coldstream Guard Jack Beer was part of the annual Festival of Remembrance, appearing with Rod Stewart, and Richard’s Armistice Day performance was the soundtrack to a round-up of Remembrance events on BBC South East which can be viewed here.

Chairman David Wicks commented: ‘It’s a great honour to be part of such an important occasion, especially with the Band’s connections with the Forces:  we will remember them.’