Schoolchildren from across Redcar and Cleveland are invited to a performance by the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards Corps of Drums, live outside of Tuned In! on Redcar seafront next week, Wednesday 20 July.
The event is designed to introduce the children to the Corps drum school based at Catterick Garrison with the possibility of creating a young people’s Corps of Drums band in Redcar and Cleveland.
Residents are also welcome to attend the event which will see the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards perform outside Tuned In! at 7.00pm.
Cllr Bill Clarke, Armed Forces Champion for the Council and Ward Councillor for Guisborough Ward, explained how the opportunity came about:
“Both myself and Cllr Billy Wells were on a visit to Catterick Garrison recently and asked if it would be possible for the Corps of Drums for the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards to come and visit Redcar and Cleveland and put on a performance for our residents.
“They kindly agreed and then we thought it might be a good idea to form a local Corps of Drums youth band with the support of Captain Chris Hoggard and the regiments at Catterick Garrison.
“Forming a local youth band all depends on whether there is enough interest from our schools and young people but we are really hopeful we can get it off the ground and enjoy performances by our very own youth band in the future.”
Captain Chris Hoggard, (RIFLES) Infantry Training Centre, said:
“This will be the first time since the royal tournament in 1999 that a massed Corps of Drums of this size has come together to ‘Beat the Retreat’ a public display that can only be performed by the Corps of Drums.
“We decided to try and use the opportunity, to offer people in the local area a chance to see some of the bands perform and to generate interest in military music.”
Deputy Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Cllr Malcolm Head, who will be attending added:
“I would personally like to thank Captain Chris Hoggard, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Huxley and the Corps of Drums from both the Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards for putting on this performance and providing the opportunity for our young people to receive professional training in playing the side drums and flutes.
“Cllr Clarke and Cllr Wells also deserve a special mention as they have been instrumental in making this all possible.
“I would encourage as many of our young people to get involved and come along and see for themselves. If we can generate enough interest it would be fantastic to form a youth band for the area and forge even closer links with our incredible armed forces.”