Sunday 13th November
Falmouth Remembrance Parade
Pipers: Nigel, Alex, Miranda, Keith G, David C, John C, Donny
Drummers: Snare – Chris, Eleanor, Sullivan, Tenor – Fred, Bass – Keith I
Drum Major – Andrew
Remembrance Sunday dawned sunny, bright and dry. It was a good turnout of 7 Pipers, 5 Drummers and Drum Major. The Dress code was full No 1 uniform with feather bonnets, medals and pipe ribbons. Band members had met in the Quarry car park for a tune-up before going into Weatherspoons for light refreshment before assembling on the Moor for the start of the Parade. At 10.30 hours the Kernow Band led the long procession of Standard Bearers, Mayoral Party and Dignitaries, Representatives of Services and Youth Organisations and Navy, Army and Air Force and Police Cadets up the road to the Kimberley Memorial Park.
After the Mayor, Mace Bearers and Dignitaries arrived at the Cenotaph the Parade was brought to attention and the Town Mayor’s Chaplain said a prayer and the Exhortation was said, followed by the Bugler playing the Last Post. 11.00 hours and two minutes’ silence was observed by everyone surrounding the Memorial. The Bugler sounded the Reveille and the Kohima Epitaph was said.
The Town Mayor laid the first wreath followed by many more from various services, organisations and members of the public. The Choir led off with a hymn and the congregation joined in as the wreaths were laid. After a reading from the New Testament the Chaplain started his address by reflecting on the time when he was a Theological student and among other points he mentioned he said how this year our minds have been focused on the Battle of the Somme, which took place 100 years ago this year.
After prayers were said the National Anthem was sung, Standards were raised and the Blessing and Dismissal followed and the parade reformed and returned to the Moor Piazza where the Mayor did his tour of the assembled services, and organisations. The Pipe Major spent some moments talking to the Band before dismissing them to make their way to the next assignment in Truro for that City’s Armistice Parade. It was still warm in the winter sunshine and not a breath of wind as the members made their way back to their cars.
