News
November 11th 2013
Air Cadet Band Plays at Leicester City Football Club Poppy Match
Twenty three Air Cadets from 1084 (Market Harborough) Squadron Air Training Corps played a major part in the Leicester City Football Club’s Remembrance Commemorations at the annual ‘Poppy Match’ on Saturday 9 November.
City played against local rivals, Nottingham Forest and some 30,000 supporters filled the terraces as the cadets formed a guard of honour along with Army Cadets and RAF Cadets from 1181 (Syston) Squadron as the match ball and a wreath was delivered by helicopter from RAF Shawbury.
The wreath was handed over by Sergeant Chris Parker RAF, a helicopter crew instructor at RAF Shawbury. Sergeant Parker is an ex-cadet of 1084 Squadron and one time lead drummer in the squadron band.
At half time the 1084 Squadron Band led the parade of Royal British Legion Standards, veterans, serving personnel, Army, RAF Cadets and children round the pitch to the cheers and applause of the large crowd.
This was the squadron band’s first participation in the event and the cadets were very nervous about playing in the stadium in front of so many people but their fears were unfounded as they put in a faultless performance.
As Drum Major Josh Cail commented afterwards: “This was my first time as Drum Major and to do so in front of such a large crowd was quite nerve wracking, however once we got under way the nerves disappeared as I focussed on the job in hand. The band behind me sounded really good and we all agreed it was a day to remember, in more ways than one”.
