15 March 2011

78th Fete du Citron - the Yorkshire Volunteers Band


I nearly fell over when I saw this band who could be nothing but British. This is the Yorkshire Volunteers Band who can trace its history back to 1860 when it was formed as a Volunteer Corps in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Today the band forms an integral part of the Yorkshire Volunteers Regimental Association, performing throughout the UK and Europe in both concert and marching band formations. It was great to see them at the Fete de Citron and I can tell you they were very well received by the crowd of over 25,000. The Director of Music, Major J Boden (photo below), explained to me that some members of the band are teachers and because it is term time, they were unable to attend so most of the musicians seen today are retirees.

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J'ai été très surprise quand j'ai vu cette fanfare qui ne pouvait venir que de Grande Bretagne. Ce sont le Yorkshire Volunteers Band dont on peut retracer l'histoire jusqu'à 1860 quand elle a été créée comme un corps de bénévoles de Leeds, West Yorkshire. Aujourd'hui, le groupe fait partie intégrante de l'Association des bénévoles du régiment du Yorkshire, se produisant au Royaume-Uni et en Europe aussi bien en concert qu'en défilés en fanfare. C'était génial de les voir à la Fête de Citron et je peux vous dire qu'ils ont été très bien accueillis par une foule de plus de 25.000 personnes. Le directeur musical, Major J. Boden, (photo ci-dessous) m'a expliqué que certains membres de la bande sont des professeurs et comme on est en période scolaire, ils n'ont pas pu participer. Aussi, la plupart des musiciens présents aujourd'hui sont des retraités.

8 comments:

  1. Love that first picture. Fantastic. wonder what his cholesterol level is like?

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  2. The red uniforms are certainly outstanding as are the medals and gold braid. A crowd of 25,000...my goodness; hardly room to turn around!!

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  3. Fabulous portraits!Great to imagine they have such a long history!

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  4. Every year you manage to bring a fresh eye to this event. The confetti girl and the tuba palm are two of my favorites in the last few posts.

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  5. A colorful band Jilly.
    Glad it entertained you.
    Costas

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  6. Lovely to see our county so proudly represented by the Yorkshire Volunteers band, I hope they played 'On Ilkla Moor Baht'at' Thankyou for sharing your visit to the citrus festival with us, we look forward each day to your lovely photos and interesting commentary.

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  7. Love that top shot!!! He looks very British...like Dr Watson from Sherlock Holmes (the ones with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock)...

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  8. This looks like a wonderful festival and the British band in its red and gold uniforms would add an exotic touch for a southern France festival. Hands across the waters, I guess. Nice series of photos, Jilly.

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