6th South Essex Boys’ Brigade Band at Poppies: Wave

May 23, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

On Friday May 26th, the 6th South Essex Boys’ Brigade band will be performing a short selection of military marches and hymns at Poppies: Wave, Barge Pier, Gunners Park, Shoeburyness.

The nine-piece brass ensemble, whose players range from 12 to 16 years old, will begin at 6.40pm, and will conclude with a cornet trio performance of ‘The Last Post’ at 7.00pm.

The ensemble is composed of six cornets, one euphonium and two e-flat horns.

Graham Hurrell, who leads the brass ensemble, said: “The boys are delighted to be able use their talents to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers of WW1 whilst the Poppies sculpture is in Southend.

“They are a hardworking group of young musicians who have been practising to create a solemn and memorable experience for visitors this Friday.”

Scott Dolling, Director of Culture, Tourism and Property at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “This performance is free of charge and is a wonderful opportunity to hear some of the wonderful musical talent we have here in Southend-on-Sea.

“If you have already been to see ‘The Last Post’ – which is performed at Barge Pier, Shoeburyness every evening at 7.00pm whilst the sculpture is here - you will already appreciate how touching a tribute this is to all those who lost their lives during WW1. If you have not seen it yet, you have until 25 June to experience it.”

Over 60,000 people have so far visited the Poppies: Wave sculpture in Shoeburyness.

The presentations by 14-18 NOW - the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary - will give people across the UK the chance to experience the impact of the ceramic poppy sculptures in a range of places of particular First World War resonance. Wave is from the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red – poppies and original concept by artist Paul Cummins and installation designed by Tom Piper – by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces. The installation was originally at HM Tower of London from August to November 2014 where 888,246 poppies were displayed, one to honour every death in the British and Colonial forces of the First World War.

Southend-on-Sea was the scene of one of the first air-raids attacks on the UK, and the Garrison at Shoeburyness was home to the first British ‘School of Gunnery and a test site for artillery gun shells used during WW1. In common with the rest of the country, many people from Southend-on-Sea also fought or acted as nursing staff, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.