Cranleigh School band plays at memorial service

On a fresh, sunny November morning the Cranleigh School Symphonic Wind Band, under the baton of Bandmaster Councillor Bob Wilson, played at the open-air service round the War Memorial in Cranleigh village.
Cranleigh School join village memorial service SUS-141211-122403001Cranleigh School join village memorial service SUS-141211-122403001
Cranleigh School join village memorial service SUS-141211-122403001

The band played a selection of music including folk songs and airs from around the British Isles, Rule Britannia, Heart of Oak, David of the White Rock, Oft in the Stilly Night, and Men of Harlech to name just a few.

Attendance at the open-air service has grown in numbers and this year it was well over 1,000.

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Headmaster, Mr Martin Reader, laid a wreath on behalf of the School. Once the parade was over the Cranleigh School Big Band played a selection of WW2 hit songs back in the Cranleigh Village Sports and Social Club. Melodies such as A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, In The Mood and Sing, Sing, Sing.

Before taking a well-earned break Bob played a singalong of War songs, with full audience participation, It’s A Long Way to Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Roll out the barrel – the atmosphere was electric and the club was full to capacity.

On Thursday the School created a field of poppies in the quad.

Report and pictures contributed by Cranleigh School.