Somerset Army Cadet Force

Magic Moments at Montacute from Silver Bugles Band

Written by SMI Julie Halford

Click Here to see lots more images of the event

The Somerset Cadet Force Silver Bugles were invited to play in a military tattoo at the National Trust's Montacute House on the evening of Tuesday 6 September 2011. The event is held every year in aid of St. Margaret's Hospice, ABF The Soldier's Charity, SSAFA Forces Help and the Somerset Army Cadet Force Trust.

Despite the cold and blustery weather, nearly six hundred people gathered around the Cedar Lawn to listen to two and a half hours of marching music and regimental melodies. Also playing at the tattoo was the Band and Bugles of the Rifles, HMS Heron Royal Naval Volunteer Band and the Pipes & Drums of The Wessex Highlanders.

Much to the delight of the crowd, our band delivered a dazzling and flawless 30 minute performance on the floodlit grass arena as part of the evening's programme. Among the 14 numbers they played were 'Light Infantry', 'Regimental Double' and 'Jellalabad'. The Silver Bugles appeared again in the dramatic finale when all 130 musicians from the four bands came together to play some poignant closing pieces and perform the traditional ceremony of Sunset.

The band cadets were thrilled to have the very rare opportunity to march on and perform with the adults of the regular Band and Bugles of the Rifles. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Elizabeth Gass JP took the salute accompanied by General Sir John Wilsey GCB CBE DL a former Colonel of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, to bring the formalities to a close for this year.

Our Commandant, Colonel Paul Richardson who attended the event with his wife said "I am extremely proud of our Silver Bugles band. I have seldom heard them play better. They rose to the occasion and are a credit to themselves and to the Somerset Cadet Battalion."

Attached images by SSI Peter Russell:

Image 1: The Somerset Army Cadet Force Silver Bugles performing their main programme on the Cedar Lawn of Montacute House.

Image 2: A bugler from the Somerset Army Cadet Force Silver Bugles during the main programme performance on the Cedar Lawn of Montacute House.

Image 3: A drummer from the Somerset Army Cadet Force Silver Bugles during the main programme performance on the Cedar Lawn of Montacute House.

Image 4: The Somerset Army Cadet Force Silver Bugles marching off the Cedar Lawn of Montacute House after the finale.