My
musical hobby started at a very early age, with the Ratby Silver Band,
who are still very active today.
In
1938 I transferred to the North Evington Working Mens Club Band. My
first contest with this band was in 1939 at the DeMontfort Hall, Leicester,
on Easter Monday. It was the day my brother William purchased the
post horn for me as a birthday present. I proudly took it to the next
band rehearsal, and who surprised us with a visit but none other than
the famous cornet virtuoso Mr. Harry Mortimer. I proudly opened my
case and in a flash, the music was out and the band played the 'Post
Horn Galop' with Mr Mortimer performing superbly on my very new post
horn... (just a little piece of history I treasure).
The
North Evington W.M.C. Band later amalgamated with the Leicester First
Battalion Home Guard, at the Humberstone Lido. This was the time the
band started to play for the Leicester City Football Club, and the
start of my regular "Post Horn Galop" affair.
Eventually
the Home Guard was disbanded...We were then invited, by the Chief
Constable O.J.B. Cole, to join the City of Leicester Special Constabulary
(as sworn in members) and what a fine band that turned out to be.
We continued entertaining the football supporters at Filbert Street.
It
was during 1948 I met my wife-to-be, also a musician and the only
female in the band. In November 1949 we were married, the band playing
for the whole of the service, A wonderful day was had by all.
Putting
all things aside, if I was asked, "What is the most memorable
occasion I can recall", it has to be the time I held up the game
at Filbert Street...,Imagine if you will...The band have completed
their entertainment, the teams are waiting in the tunnel, the conductor's
baton is raised...and I am struggling to free my post horn from the
truncheon pocket of my greatcoat. (it was in there to keep it warm),
but I had inadvertently placed it in bell-end first and it was refusing
to come out. My wife recalls waiting for the down-beat from the conductor,
couldn't understand the delay and then noticed all the supporters
standing with mouths wide open, roaring with laughter and looking
towards me, struggling. But then a camera man put down his camera
and saved the day with his penknife - only to curse himself afterwards
for missing a good picture. I wonder if there are any supporters out
there who remember that little episode back in the 1950s???
Of
course I have had other engagements where the post horn has come in
useful, such as at Christmas time. Lewis's store, late of Humberstone
Gate, Leicester, had engaged me to be the Herald on their Christmas
float. we would tour the City and County on Wednesday, Thurs and Friday
evenings. Early on Saturday morning we would visit the childrens ward
at the Royal Infirmary, then on to Lewis's store in time to open the
Christmas Grotto at 9:00am.
Eventually
with the arrival of the new Chief Constable Robert Mark, the band
were notified our services were no longer required and would be disbanded
at Easter the following year. And so it was. This was very dissapointing
after playing the post horn for so many years it had come to an end.
I
would like to say thank you to Mr Mace and Mr Birchenall for the opportunity
to have played the Post Horn Gallop again, and wish success to the
team. |