Saturday 27th July
Wadebridge Carnival – 7.00pm
Pipers: Nigel, Alex, Tom G, Stuart, Miranda, Keith G, David, Chris, Ian, Steve
Guest Piper: Matt
Drummers:
Snare – James, Steve
Tenor – Andrew, Fred,
Bass – Guest Drummer: Kieran
Drum Major – Geoff
It had been threatening to rain on and off all day, but for the Wadebridge Carnival it held off until the very end. The Procession started at 19.00 hours and the town was ready to celebrate the event with hundreds of people lining the streets. The Band members had arrived in the Co-op Car Park by 18.00 hours and were ready for a warm-up by 18.30 hours. The Band teamed up with the Bideford Youth Pipes and Drums for a short practice session resulting in much public interest. Dress was No 1s with Glengarries and shirt sleeves and the turnout was good with 10 Pipers (including a guest piper) 5 Drummers (including a guest drummer) and Drum Major.
Included in the Carnival was the Bodmin Silver Band, a display of tractors, Roche Lions Club, and Carnival Queens from local villages. There was also the Avalon Youth Theatre which comprised a decorated vehicle playing lively music followed by a crowd of young dancers,
The Kernow Pipes and Drums led the Carnival Procession and the public showed their noisy appreciation as it passed along the route. The Band stopped twice to form a circle in the road and play a medley of tunes. The music played during the Carnival included the following – Green Hills/Battles O’er, Scotland The Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings/Bonny Galloway, Scotland The Brave/Mairi’s Wedding, Colin’s Cattle/Shoals of Herring, Cockney Jocks/Rainbow Country/Bluebells of Scotland. Music also played – Highland Cathedral and Last of the Great Whales.
At 19.45 hours the Band had returned to their starting point and after dismissal they watched and cheered the long Parade as it also reached the finish. One piper could not resist the foot tapping music of the Youth Theatre as it stopped nearby and to great amusement stepped out in the road to join the children in their carefree dancing.
It had been a colourful and entertaining Carnival with plenty of variety. At 21.00 hours the rain came down with a vengeance but it was too late to ruin the evening as the majority of people were on their way home.
