1036 (Bury) leads the way for Armed Forces Day 2010

The band of 1036 (Bury) Sqn joined forces with 2447 (Calder Valley) Sqn on Sunday 27th June in an Armed Forces Day parade through Todmorden in West Yorkshire. The parade, organized by the Todmorden branch of the British Legion, included two St Dunstaners, Mr Ronald Skidmore who lives in Sheffield and Mr Russell Halstead.


They took part in the parade as passengers in a 1940s Jeep while the St Dunstans standard was carried by Cdt Laura Iddles of 1036 Sqn. St Dunstans is a charity that assists blind ex-servicemen and women.


After a very successful example of cross border co-operation (Lancashire and Yorkshire that is), the band have been invited back next year. Flt Lt Liz Thomas, OC of 1036 Sqn, readily agreed on condition that the fabulous weather enjoyed for the parade would be arranged next time.


The band of 1036 (Bury) Sqn took part in the Armed Forces Day celebrations in Manchester on Saturday 26th June. On a very hot afternoon with not a drop of rain in sight the band led the parade onto Albert Square in front of Manchester Town Hall. Around the Square were exhibitions mounted by all three Services and all three cadet forces including an ATC flight simulator manned by cadets from a number of Squadrons in East Cheshire & South Manchester Wing. The Bury Squadron band played during the inspection of veterans and cadets by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Mark Hackett. The repertoire included ‘Sailing’ in honour of the First Sea Lord and ‘Dad’s Army’. The large crowd gathered in the Albert Square to watch the parade applauded after every piece. During the day there were also performances by the Band of the Lifeguards and the Greater Manchester Police Band and at the end of the afternoon, 1036 Squadron played again in front of a very appreciative crowd, to conclude the day’s events.