An age-old tradition of pomp and circumstance will be upheld in Oakham on Wednesday (September 10) with the Beating Retreat ceremony.
This year the Band of the Parachute Regiment will perform in the town centre.
Former town mayor Paul Beech said: "Over the past four years this ceremony has become a bigger and better event. This band promises to perform to the highest possible s
tandard."
Beating Retreat is a tradition that has its origins in the early years of organised warfare when the beating of drums and the parading of soldiers heralded a return to camp, the lowering of colours and mounting of the guard. Nowadays this ceremony is a theatrical twilight display of spirited music and marching.
The Band of the Parachute Regiment is based at Colchester in a state of the art rehearsal facility having moved there from the Band and Regimental ancestral home of Aldershot in 2001.
The band's principal task is to support the airborne units of the Army but it also supports the remainder of the Armed Forces as required.
This has led the band to travel extensively in recent years including to Iraq in musical support of the troops on deployment.
The band has a wealth of talent and a number of highly professional smaller ensembles. This includes a function band 'Ripchord' and an all girl Rock Band the 'Rubycons'.
The Band of the Gurkhas performed at last year's event in Oakham.
This year's parade takes place on Wednesday September 10 in Market Place, Oakham, at 6.30pm, where there will be a collection for the Army Benevolent Fund.
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