What a showpiece - Grenadier Guards capture everyone's hearts with another stunning Uppermill performance

They came, they played, and they captured everyone’s hearts.

That was the verdict regarding the ‘Royal Command’ performance by the Regimental Band of the Grenadier Guards in Uppermill.

The 45 chosen Kingsmen musicians, in bright red tunics and legendary bearskins, carved a regal passage to rapturous applause from delighted crowds lining the village High Street.

The band visited the community for the third time as guest of Saddleworth School’s head of music, Garrath Beckwith, a personal friend of some of the musicians and the Band’s conductor, Captain Andrew Porter.

After playing uplifting marches through the community, the band joined the school’s musical ensemble and played a memorable concert to a specially invited audience at the school.

The concert included the ‘Saddleworth anthem, ’Hail Smiling Morn’ and ended fittingly with ‘The British Grenadiers.’

Garrath, who organised the event, said: "It was a wonderful community event and Saddleworth really shone on the day.

“The spectacular Regimental Band’s elite military ensemble gave talented young school musicians a chance to perform at a teatime concert at the school.”

And he described conducting the grenadiers band at the school as like “driving a Farrari…it was an out of body experience. It was fantastic.”

Earlier he said: "The ethos of the music department at Saddleworth has always been to forge strong links with outstanding musical organisations and ensembles and to give our talented musicians the very best possible live musical experiences.

“It is another wonderful opportunity to see this phenomenal group of musicians under the guidance of their dynamic director of music, Captain Andrew Porter, in our own school community.”

Oldham’s mayor Cllr Zahid Chauhan said: “I was honoured to attend the live teatime concert by the Regimental Band of the Grenadier Guards at the school.

“This world-class military ensemble delivered an outstanding performance and it was a pleasure to witness their return to the Saddleworth community for the third time.

“A huge thank you to Saddleworth School and Garrath Beckwith for hosting such a fantastic event, bringing music, tradition and community spirit together.”

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