Treat pictures a real treat
I was very interested in the photographs of the Sunday School Walks or “Treats” as they were known for the children’s parties they had afterwards in the various church locations.
In the 1960/70s it was a huge procession and it wound its way from the Market Place via Castle Street, New Buildings, Upper and Lower Bond Street into The Borough and finished outside what is now the Borough Congregational church. It was so long that the first children finished the walk before the last children had started!
It was all very colourful with floats depicting scenes from the Bible and with huge silk banners representing the various churches. Hinckley Salvation Army band, being the lead band, would accompany the congregational singing before the churches wound their way back for the “treats” prepared for them at their church.
It was a very joyful occasion and drew large crowds to watch it with some people travelling miles to see it. This event raised much money for charity. I attended these walks as a child and later as a Salvation Army bandsman for many years.
Your article showed two photographs of what I think was Burbage Silver Band but there was also Sharnford Silver Band, Hinckley Salvation Army band, who at that time were at their peak, Nuneaton Salvation Army band and another brass band whose name escapes me at present.
Together with the Tally Ho! marching band from Melton Mowbray and the Church Lads Brigade marching band. It was a wonderful sight to behold.
Unfortunately, brass banding and Sunday Schools have fallen out of favour to be replaced with other “modern” amusements.
I believe to some extent that is why our country is in the state of confusion and chaos it is in now with people not pulling together to make compromises, whilst still upholding deeply held moral principles. Thanks for the many happy memories it evoked.