BAND OF THE 1ST (NI) BATTALION ARMY CADET FORCE ENTERTAIN IN GIBRALTAR

The Band and Drums of the 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force joined the Band of the Oxfordshire (The Rifles) ACF and the Corps of Drums from Clwyd and Gwynedd (Royal Welsh) to tour “The Rock” for a week in a bid to set up a Gibraltar Cadets Corps of Drums.

The visit was part of an initiative to encourage local cadets to learn music and during the week six local cadets learnt to play the drums and bugles. After a short practice the UK and local cadets set up their bands in different areas in Gibraltar including Casemates Square and St Michaels Cave and gave fantastic performances.

“What we are doing is working with the Gibraltar cadets to set up a Corps of Drums,” said National Training Officer for Army Cadet Force UK Lt Col Mike Neville.

 “We hope to make this an annual event to work with the Gibraltar cadets and we will work with them in the UK as well. It is also wonderful for our senior cadets to have the opportunity to come here.”

The UK cadets are all between the ages of 12 and 18 and were keen to be able to pass on their passion for military music to their Gibraltarian counterparts.

The cadets were hosted superbly during their visit by the Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

One of the highlights for the Northern Ireland cadets was Piper McAllister receiving the award for the best soloist from the Mayor of Gibraltar.

Also, Colour Sergeant Mathewson had the opportunity to present the Mayor of Gibraltar with a Ballymena Borough Council Plaque, commemorating the twinning of Gibraltar with Ballymena in 2003. Many of the evacuees from Gibraltar during WWII were accommodated in the Ballymena area. Greetings on behalf of the Mayor and Councillors of Mid and East Antrim were passed on and reciprocated.

The video below gives a short summary of the Bands’ tour: