Thurrock Marching Brass Lead Remembrance Parade

The honour of leading the South Ockendon Remembrance Parade for the first time in 35 years fell to the youngsters of Thurrock Marching Brass on Sunday 9 November 2014, where they led hundreds of people, young and old, along South Road and passing our late Founder, David Loader’s house along the route.

On parades, there is usually one or two staff members who accompany the young band, playing alongside them, but today also marked another first for this up and coming talented group as they flew solo without any instructional support for the first time. They didn’t disappoint either, and played with a pride that befitted the occasion.

Adding to the occasion, Kelsea Mepham, selected from among the ranks of Thurrock Marching Brass to lay the remembrance wreath was also asked to lay a remembrance cross in honour of our late Founder, David Loader, whose daughter Christine was present with us.

Speaking of the achievement, Thurrock Marching Brass Chairman, Paul Morgan comments “With a group as young as ours, leading something that means so much to so many people, especially in this the centenary year, for me just solidifies the fact that we must and will never forget. To youngsters, who may not initially associate with what the occasion really means, we found ourselves talking to them about their grandparents and their great grandparents, almost all of whom would have played a part in WW1, and this helped them to relate more fully to the importance of what the day meant. The corps director and the staff here at Thurrock Marching Brass have done a remarkable job in preparing these youngsters for such a huge occasion, and they did themselves, and the great name of Thurrock Marching Brass proud today. Congratulations to everyone!”

Thurrock Marching Brass are proud to perform as much as they can within the community and you can keep up to date with all their engagements on our website below or by following their exploits on Facebook.