On the 8th and 9th of June The Massed Bands and Bugles of The Rifles will be Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards Parade, London in the presence of the regiment’s Royal Colonels. These sunset parades will be performed in front of the beautiful backdrop of St James's Park, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.
James Holland, the author, broadcaster, and military historian, will be narrating the story behind the evolution of the regiment from its origin in the Peninsula Wars. Napoleonic re-enactors will help bring some of the musical story to life.
The occasion promises to deliver two spectacular evenings of unique military music and pageantry that features the fastest marching bands in the world. Accompanying The Massed Bands and Bugles of The Rifles will be The English National Opera, The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Quirinus Band and Bugle Corps from Germany, Cadet Bands and Bugles of The Rifles and The Bugle Branch of The Rifleman’s Association.
In the regiment’s 15th year, the occasion is also being used to launch The Rifleman’s Association and bring together veterans from across the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as provide an anchor for more senior troops who served in the forming and antecedent regiments. In addition, it aims to shine a light on the Always A Rifleman Programme which was launched last year with the mission of providing crisis support for veterans during the most challenging of real-life problems.
With such a spectacle and large party that is also open to the General Public, tickets will likely sell quickly and so please do purchase early. Tickets are available at: tickets.theriflesnetwork.co.uk.