Following
the usual pick-ups along the route the band headed for Knottingley
Carnival to participate in the street parade only, with the members
having some trepidations about the exact length of this particular
parade knowing full well that it was stipulated has being around two
and a half miles in length with a break mid point of 20 minutes duration.
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After finding the starting point on Doncaster
Road in Ferrybridge the members were able to change nice and comfortable
before being taken to their position at the head of the parade by
Mark’s ‘Nemesis’ the Parades ‘Whistling’ Marshall in preparation for
leading off after the judging of floats by the dignitaries, with one
change in the ranks. Danny became official photographer for the day
due to a rib injury sustained late Friday night with Macey occupying
the role of side drummer in his place.
One sour point the band noted was, after being lined up ready to move-off
for about 10 minutes whilst the judging was completed alongside the
row of long vehicles, either the Police or Parade Marshall’s allowed
several cars to come running through the ranks of band members, this
making a mockery of our risk assessment and Liability insurance should
anything have happened to the personnel in line when supposedly ALL
traffic had been stopped and the ROAD Closed.....
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Eventually our lead Marshall started his stop watch
and gave Mark his orders to march on and the band commenced with their
rendition of ‘There Goes My First Love’ and as they progressed along
the route it was noticeable that the crowd were only evident in pockets
by the roadside with many bare areas to march past.
After what seamed like about two miles the band were stopped after
checking the stop watch outside a public house were the dignitaries
disappeared inside for liquid refreshments, quickly followed by half
the band, leaving several band members shoeless and in pain sat on
the pub wall from the long march on a very rough and potholed road.
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Twenty minutes later the parade continued again for
quite a distance until at last the entrance to the Killingley sports
ground could be seen and the parade destination. With a big introduction
the Phoenix Musketeers Showband entered the arena and concluded their
contribution to the event after one quick lap.
Swiftly changing out of uniform the members were able to indulge in
their preferred pack ups laid on the grass beside the coach glad that
no further marching was necessary for the day, before taking a look
around the site amongst the swelling crowd.
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