The Guildhall experience was "AMAZING". It was fun day and a great honour to be one of the 125 Queensmen attending the parade.
When we arrived at the Guild Hall, we had to walk round the corner to the Piazza, a square between Greshaw Street and Almondbury, for a uniform inspection and to fall in for the parade. I went with Tom from the 1st Market Weighton Company as he was the only person I knew. As we were both a bit nervous and unsure of what to do we had both said we'd stick together. However out of no where we were told to "get into height order" and split into two squads which spoilt our plan over with straight away.
Once we had all been inspected and given a momentum 125 badge to wear on our uniform, we marched from the square back round to the Guildhall where all the guests, officers and family and friends were sat waiting . I felt so honoured to have been chosen to attend such an important event. We were inspected by the Lord Lieutenant Michael Cooper of Greater London and also by the Brigade Secretary, with whom I was privileged enough to talk to during the parade. We stood for ages at attention, in the baking sun, but the importance of the event made the heat bearable.
After inspection, there was a march pass of all of the guests after which we marched into the Guildhall where we were served some posh nosh and speeches were given by the guests, including messages read out from the Queen and Gordon Brown.
I am privileged and proud to have been one of only six Queensmen from the District attending the event and it will be a day, which I will always remember.
Chris Sedgwick
5th Scarborough Boys' Brigade |
