Young musicians honour the fallen
ATEAM of 30 brass band players from Stockport performed at the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony during a tour of Belgium.
Stockport Schools’ Brass Band (SSBB), made up of musicians from the organisation’s senior and intermediate bands, played in Bruges and Ypres.
Ruby Hill, the youngest musician in the band at the age of 11, laid a wreath at the Last Post ceremony on behalf of the Stockport Association of Normandy Veterans.
She said: “It was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Her older sister Phoebe added: “It was overwhelming to see all those names of the missing and truly humbling to play at such a beautiful memorial.”
The band’s tour included visits to the In Flanders Fields museum and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery.
There was also time for social activities and the young musicians were able to play cricket and tennis on Ostend beach and take part in a quiz which included a brass band music round and a test of facts learnt on the Bruges Canal tour.
SSBB managing director Iain McKnight said: “The whole trip was memorable in so many ways, but the Menin Gate ceremony will live long in the memory for all our players.
“It is a special honour to have participated in this centenary year.
“I was especially proud of the band who coped admirably with the incredibly hot weather, 32 degrees Celsius plus in Bruges.
“We had lots of lovely comments from all those listening to us, including a couple on holiday from Evesham who described band as ‘phenomenal’.
“That kind of feedback certainly makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
The band rehearses every Saturday morning at Stockport Music Service in Offerton.
Brass or percussion players of any standard are welcome, from age six to 18. For more information, call 07976 672241.