association with these musicians.
But there was to be a last hurrah. In the same press release the MoD announced there would be a ‘proper goodbye’ in May 2009. The day came round and careful planning seemed destined to be ruined by terrible weather. The forecast was for torrential downpours, and everyone prayed the day would not be ruined. Someone must have been listening. The special day of events on Wednesday May 20 was bathed in glorious sunshine which lent a special lustre to a terribly sad day for the town. Everywhere the band marched they were clapped and cheered. The sun shone down as the band marched out under the college gates for the last time, switched to play ‘Colonel Bogey’ as it passed the Ship in Dock Pub – in memory of its former landlord Bob Downes.
More than a thousand people watched them Beat Retreat on Coronation Park. The band gave a performance to be proud of as they marched in perfect time. All of them had called Dartmouth their home at some time or another, including Band Leader Capt Jon Ridley, who was married in the Britannia Royal Naval College Chapel in 2006. They performed faultlessly under blue skies, under the
The special day of events on
Wednesday May 20 was bathed in glorious sunshine which lent a special lustre to a terribly sad day for the town.
gaze of the college’s clock tower, and in front of the town’s residents who had taken the band to their hearts for more than half a century.
Capt Ridley then asked the town’s mayor, Debbie Morris,
for permission to march around the town, as per their right given in the Freedom Declaration. Sid Davis, ex-band leader and Dartmouth resident, carried the scroll ahead as they marched around the town one last time, and into the Royal Avenue Gardens. There the scroll was handed back to the town and then immediately given to the official museum of the Royal Marines for posterity.
‘A terrible loss - but what a wonderful goodbye’ was how the Mayor summed up the day, and few would have contradicted her. The route the band followed was packed: people fell over each other to catch a final glimpse of the group.
As the Band marched out of the Royal Avenue Gardens and down Duke Street, into Victoria Road and up to the Guildhall, every person felt the tide of history rolling past, and onwards.
As the Mayor led three cheers for the band, and they were told to finally stand at ease, there was not one person among the crowd who didn’t feel the emotion of the moment, and more than one person had tears in their eyes. It was the end, but what a glorious end to have.•
67
This article is a specially edited extract from The Chronicles of Dartmouth 1955- 2010 by Phil Scoble, published by Richard Webb. The book is available from White Sails Gallery, the Dartmouth Community Bookshop, the TIC and online at www.
dartmouthbooks.co.uk.
Taylor’s Restaurant
With its delightful views over the river Dart and across to Kingswear,
Taylor’s is easily one of the most picturesque places to enjoy fresh seafood.
*A la carte and fixed price menus available *Set Lunch 2 course £14.50 3 course £17.50 *Set Dinner 2 course £19.50 3 course £22.50 *Open for morning coffees, lunches & dinners Tuesday to Saturday*
*Parties for up to 70 and private function room for up to 45 available*
Taylor’s Restaurant, 8 The Quay,
Dartmouth TQ6 9PS
www.taylorsrestaurant.co.uk 01803 832748
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