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Royal Marines concert Marines on the Green at Deal cancelled for second year over Covid concerns

An annual concert that remembers Royal Marines murdered by the IRA and is attended by 10,000 has been cancelled - days after it was confirmed 30,000 will descend on a nearby town for golf's Open.

It is the second year that the Marines on the Green spectacular in Walmer, Deal, has been called off because of Covid.

Come rain or shine, the Royal Marines perform every year - but Covid has interrupted the 30 year tradition. Picture: Alan Langley
Come rain or shine, the Royal Marines perform every year - but Covid has interrupted the 30 year tradition. Picture: Alan Langley

Derek Lindars, chairman of Deal Memorial Bandstand trust, which organises the annual show, said: "The Royal Marines Band Service contacted me yesterday, Wednesday, May 26, to inform me that due to the uncertainty relating to any Coronavirus restrictions that may remain in place after June 21, they are unable to perform on the Bandstand this year."

He added: "Although it is regrettable and disappointing, it is a decision that I, the trustees and committee agree with because the safety of the very large audience that comes along to listen and support this tremendous concert is our highest priority.

Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust chairman Derek Lindars
Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust chairman Derek Lindars

"Therefore, we now look forward to July 2022 when we will welcome the Band of HM Royal Marines back to Deal on a date to still be confirmed."

It comes as 30,000 people are expected to descend on Sandwich in July for The 149th Open which has been rescheduled at Royal St George's Golf Course.

Walmer Green plays host every year to the concerts in honour of the 11 musicians killed when the IRA detonated its bomb at the barracks of the Royal Marines School of Music in Canada Road on September 22, 1989.

Ten young bandsmen were killed that day and the 11th succumbed to his injuries in the weeks that followed.

This picture of the aftermath of the IRA bomb was taken by Mike Pett.
This picture of the aftermath of the IRA bomb was taken by Mike Pett.

Nobody has ever been brought to justice.

The first of the concerts was in June 1991. This was before approval was granted for what is now Deal Memorial Bandstand at the end of that year.

With a raft of public support and donations, work started on August 18, 1992 and the opening concert at the 'living memorial' was on May 2, 1993.

The structure was built with 11 sides, each of which remembers a victim with a plaque.

More recently the concerts have been held on a Sunday every July at the bandstand - usually in glorious sunshine to a crowd of about 10,000 townsfolk and visitors from all over the world.

Thousands turned out to see HM Portsmouth Band led by Lt Col Jon Ridley in July 2018. Picture: Alan Langley
Thousands turned out to see HM Portsmouth Band led by Lt Col Jon Ridley in July 2018. Picture: Alan Langley

The concerts are a celebration of the lives lost and the music they made. A section of the day is for the rededication.

And a private ceremony allows loved ones and families to mourn the loss at the site of the bomb, now a memorial garden, on the anniversary every year.

The concerts are a celebration and chance to rededicate the bandstand. Picture: Alan Langley
The concerts are a celebration and chance to rededicate the bandstand. Picture: Alan Langley

The School of Music left Deal in 1996 on financial viability grounds.

Now based in Portsmouth, the Band Service sends one of the town's two bands, Portsmouth and Collingwood, to Deal each year to perform the concert.

Royal Marines Band Collingwood parades from Jubilee Gate to Walmer Green to join Portsmouth Band at the concert. Picture: Tony Flashman
Royal Marines Band Collingwood parades from Jubilee Gate to Walmer Green to join Portsmouth Band at the concert. Picture: Tony Flashman

On special occasions, such as the 25th anniversary in 2014, both bands return to Deal and a marching band processes from Jubilee Gates at the South Barracks.

In addition to Marines on the Green, the trust stages a series of free public concerts on the Bandstand between May and September each year.

Mr Lindars and the committee are planning to commence these from August 8. However, the planning is provisional and dependent on any Coronavirus restrictions that remain in place after 21st June.

He said: " At the end of June, we will make our decision in consultation with the bands and we are hopeful that we can safely hold Sunday concerts from that date."

The marching band happens on special anniversaries. Picture: Tony Flashman
The marching band happens on special anniversaries. Picture: Tony Flashman

Donations and sponsorship collected at these help keep the bandstand going, paying for maintenance and necessary insurances.

Where concerts are suspended, there is not the same opportunity to collect donations.

To support the bandstand during this time, click here.visit the website dealbandstand.org/about-us/support-us

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

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