BAND AT MENIN GATE

[Foureyes]

According to the programme, the Housie band was supposed to have played at the Menin Gate in Ypres on Monday 6th October and visited various cemeteries on the Tuesday. There has not been a single report on this, not even on the school web-site. Does anyone know if it actually took place and if so how it went?

[onewestguncopse]

The Band did perform and it was very successful. No idea when or if the pictures will appear on the Website. They will appear in the next edition of the Blue (not the Old Blue, but the school Blue), which is available to buy should you want a copy from the CHA.

[nastymum]

Both my children were at this event. My daughter said it was the best trip she had ever been on.My son couldn't stop talking about it. They both found it profoundly moving which I was delighted to hear. They were all given a cross and a poppy to place on grave and lot of the children tried to find a soldier with the same surname as their own. My daughter placed hers on the grave of a soldier from the Essex Regiment which was my father's regiment before he was sent to be a paratrooper and my son placed his on the grave of unknown soldier. The people of the town were really kind and gave them discounts in the shops and all turned out to hear them play.Mr Whittingham and all the other staff that were part of this can be relly proud of themselves and the children. The girl who said to my daughter that she couldn't see why they had to go to so many boring old cemetries has a lot of growing up to do.

[Momto2]

Yes, my son was there - said it was very moving.

[Alice Goble]

I wish I could have gone, but I missed out by a year. I talked to my friends who play snare drums and they said it was amazing!

They also told me that there is a rumour circulating that the band is going to see off the QE2 when it sets out on its last voyage to Dubai!

[Momto2]

11.45am Radio 4 this morning if anyone reads this before then!

[AKAP]

switched radio on now (11.42)

[AKAP]

Thankyou Momto2, there was only a short section with the band playing but it made me think: however many military bands you hear the CH band has a uniqe sound.

[englishangel]

there is also a picture in "Housey"

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I suppose that a young girl can be forgiven for being un-moved at the number of cemeteries in France.
Those of us who are older and perhaps have experienced Active Service, may feel disappointed, but I believe that the most important message which should be remembered is --- the sheer tragic incompetence an waste of life involved !
People get killed in wars, and in many cases, this is a required cost to achieve an objective, but to lose a quarter of a Million lives---- think also of the Germans--- taking a mile of mud, beggars belief !
I am visiting Northern France this year, return to Thiepval, where my Great Uncle won his VC, and the little river, where my Grandfather won his DCM for "Running away" as he put it. Neither of these had any illusions about the "Nobility" of War --- and neither have I