Band of the Scots Guards gear up for Rotherham parade

BRITAIN’S most famous marching band is set to grace Rotherham with a special performance marking Burns Night.

BRITAIN’S most famous marching band is set to grace Rotherham with a special performance marking Burns Night on Saturday.

The Band of the Scots Guards—normally stationed in London—will march through the town centre to help celebrate the Bard of Ayrshire.

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Setting off from the Town Hall, their route will take in Moorgate Street, High Street, College Street, Bridgegate, Fredrick Street and All Saints' Square.

The colourful troupe of troops will finish with a fanfare outside Rotherham Minster.

Money raised from their performance will go to the Scots Guards Colonel’s fund, which supports soldiers returning from war zones.

The brass spectacular will be followed by speeches from invited dignitaries and the unveiling of a competition-winning mural to celebrate the event—part of Rotherham's Gallery Town initiative.

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The leader of the Council, Cllr Roger Stone, described it as an “absolute honour” to welcome the prestigious military band to Rotherham.

The band is famous for supporting ceremonial events in London and internationally, performing as far and wide as France, Italy, Australia and South Korea.

Along with six other foot and mounted bands, it makes up the fantastic spectacle of Trooping the Colour, held on Horse Guards Parade each year to mark the Queen's birthday.

The band will pipe and drum into Saturday evening at a Gala Burns Night celebration hosted by the Magna Centre. Doncaster-born war hero Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson—who lost both legs in 2006 when his Land Rover hit an IED in Afghanistan—will attend as guest of honour.

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Funds raised there will help PHASE Worldwide, a development charity working in remote areas of the Nepalese Himalayas.

The Band of the Scots Guards will begin their march at 11.30am from Rotherham Town Hall, giving their standing finale in All Saints’ Square at 12pm.

Tickets for the Magna centre event cost £70 each. For more information contact PHASE on 07774 223 228 or email [email protected].

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