Monday
Two weeks off and the thought of fitness had come upon us once again. CSgt Curry took us to the athletics track and said he was going to take it easy and break us back in gently. 30 minutes running round a track, non-stop, didn't feel that gentle and we should be glad that he didn't make it a hard session. By 0845 we were in work all doing our personal practice.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning is always rounds morning. All our rooms were dust free, clean
from top to bottom, immaculate and shining like new pins! Today myself and Bugler
Mace were told that we were doing a surprise gig for the PDM on Thursday. This
was quite exciting; first week back and we already had a gig on. Tuesday night
was evening instruction. All 4 of we Buglers got together and looked at a bugle
fanfare, written by one of our instructors Sgt Boulton, called 'St Lawrence'.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning saw a slightly different Parade Band routine. Those members who were on the gig had to rehearse outside in the freezing cold whilst other members of Training Company not on the gig stayed inside nice and warm. Today was also a special day for our DOM(T) Major Phil Watson as it was his birthday . Yes, you guessed it, 21 again! Wednesday afternoon's RT was 5 a side football knockout in HMS Nelson's gym. This finished quite early, which was useful, as it meant that I could clean my ceremonials for the gig on Thursday.
Thursday
A good morning's work in the gym started the day off. A nice fresh circuit for us all to enjoy! yeah right! More practice went into rehearsals for the PDM's gig later on that evening and this all fitted in with our own practice. Today I had a bugle lesson with Professor Yates… our regular readers might know him as CSgt Jon Yates. We went through tonguing, slurring and breathing which are all important skills I must master. After evening instruction all those on the gig went to get ready whilst the rest went into town for some liquid refreshments after their hard day's work. We arrived at St Mary's Church, Fratton at about 2100 and were due to go on at 2120. The time came and we were there, stood at the back, ready to surprise the PDM. He finished conducting the last piece and as he turned round the order was given "By the Centre, Quick March" stepping off to the last 28 bars of 'Gibraltar', a march written by the PDM, the whole audience became alive and the atmosphere was brilliant. Speeches were given and we marched off to 'A Life on the Ocean Wave'.
Friday
Today we had a normal routine Parade Band… in the freezing cold. Straight after this I had another lesson with Professor Yates working through some of the many different bugle exercises. Today we also had to perform a selected drum piece in front of our Instructor and the rest of the buglers. 1420 came and we were secured to get ready for a lunch. Unfortunately we couldn't eat it as we had other plans... A surprise dinner had been arranged for the retirement of the PDM's driver 'Ted'. Unknown to 'Ted' he was picked up on the back of a "Harley Davidson Fat Boy", borrowed and ridden by WO1 George Tate the Bandmaster of Portsmouth Band, and delivered to a dinner hosted by the Corps Bandmaster in 'Teds' honour. This managed to go on quite late finishing off with the great hospitality of Mr Abdul at the local Indian Restaurant, all courtesy of the Corps Drum Major. On behalf of the Buglers in Training, we would like to thank the Corps Drum Major and Corps Bugle Major for making us feel so welcome.
Saturday
Saturday morning was spent going through all of the marches and other repertoire
we are required to know before we pass out of training. We finished earlier
today at 1100 and I managed to get away for the weekend to see family and friends.