The band had very clear and precise plans set out for their London trip in this their 175th Anniversary year. Months of planning had gone in to ensure that the trip was a success. The final preparations were began on Tuesday 13th April 2010. The band arrived to practice with all their luggage, uniforms and instruments, which were being transported by road. Everything was loaded into a trailer that would take the sailing to Liverpool and drive to London. The rest of the band would follow by air, only needing hand luggage.
Wednesday saw a slight reorganising of the kit in the trailer, to make everything more secure for the journey. Everything would reach the Capital the way it left Londonderry. Thursday was an early start. To be there in time for the 1030 sailing we left Limavady at 0700 and proceeded to Belfast Port. An announcement on the radio that flights were cancelled from both George Best City Airport and Belfast International spelt possible problems ahead. There was still no word on City of Londonderry Airport, but things were not looking good. As we travelled up the road things began to unfold that Iceland was erupting (and not the frozen food store - although I got a few texts blaming them!!) The ash cloud given out by a volcano in Iceland was rendering flying unsafe, so airspace over the UK had been closed. Arriving at Norfolkline’s Ferry terminal some time after 0800. A short time later I received a texts from some of the band to see if I had heard about the Airports. Then a couple of calls.
We boarded the ‘Lagan Viking’ just after 0915 and headed to our cabin to catch a few more hours sleep. The cabin had one slight downside. Absolutely no mobile signal. Getting some sleep now and then during the crossing, the 8 hour sailing seemed long enough. When we got up however, around 1700, as soon as I stepped out of the cabin my phone started to go crazy with missed calls, voicemails and text messages. As the boat came into dock I managed to get a chat with some of the band stranded back at home. Things weren’t looking good. Standing on deck I learnt of how a crisis meeting had been called. To be held at 1830, the same time we would be driving onto English soil. Several options were considered by the band, including hiring a bus from Scotland or Northern Ireland. Unfortunately there was little I could do in a car in England away from internet access, so all left to do was wait and see what the remainder of the band decided.
1830 and we departed the ferry, out through the industrial estate in Birkenhead and onward for the Motorway. Sat Nav leading the way (much needed as well, I might add). As the hours went on it became more unlikely that the band would get a way over. I had even tried to get the mobile internet to work with the laptop but to no success. The last I heard the band would await Friday morning and see how the flights were working out. Having stayed in Hitchin North of London on the Thursday night we travelled into London on the Friday. Saturday morning and it was time to get all my polishing done to the uniform. Having taken a wreath to lay at the Cenotaph in Whitehall two members of the band decided to complete the parade we were there to do. We left the hotel at 1430 catching a cab outside in Bedford Avenue. Delivering us to Palace Street the only people there apart from us were the Police, and a huge police presence. Then we met with a couple of the local Orangemen that came round the corner in suits. We had a chat about the whole situation and they said they appreciated the difficulties the band found themselves in and how much they had been looking forward to having Churchill leading the parade.
The Parade formed up, led by the District colour party and officers followed by Corby Purple Star Flute Band, with us at the front of them. The parade moved out of Palace Street onto Victoria Street, Round Parliament Square where a wedding was just exiting Church and the Bride and groom had pictures taken with the parade in the background. Then onto Whitehall. The Parade stopped just before the Nation’s Cenotaph. The wreath party were called out. Myself and the other Churchill member on parade joined them. Three members of the Orange Order, along with the two members of the band. The Orange party stepped forward, the Master laid the wreath, stepped back then the 3 members bowed. All the watching tourists applauded as this happened. Then I was told, ‘Drum Major your turn’. I had now taken the wreath from Doc. Stepped up the two steps, Laid the wreath, returned down the steps, came to Attention and gave a salute. Again the congregated tourists applauded the act of remembrance. The party turned to the right and marched back to their positions at the front of the parade. At the same time a party moved from the parade with a letter for Downing Street.
The parade got underway again, with an ‘eyes right’ observed passing the Cenotaph. We passed Downing Street, Horse Guards, and onward to Trafalgar square where some sort of music concert was in full flow. Left onto Pall Mall and up a small street, U turned and down back onto Pall Mall. Then into St James’ Square and into the privately owned Garden in the centre. Inside this Garden is a statue of William III, Prince Of Orange, and it was under this statue a short religious service was held. The days official events then concluded with the playing of the National Anthem. That concluded the main purpose of the bands trip.
The next day was a case of packing up and making the trip back to Birkenhead for a boat home on the Sunday night. Although it turned out very different than planned, it was still a good weekend in London, and a great honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the band.
I would like to thank all those in the Orange Order involved in bringing the Band to London, for their hospitality during our stay there. Also to the Officers and Members of Corby Purple Star Flute Band. It was a pleasure to parade with them. In total only 5 of the original party to travel made it to their destination. The rest had to make do with a trip to Portrush!

Trevor
(London Correspondent, Churchill Flute Band)