Josh Dunning and Sam Booth play for royalty

2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band playing in Windsor

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Josh Dunning and Sam Booth, who attend Whitworth Community High School, travelled to Windsor with their band to play in a concert in front of royalty.

The 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band was invited to play at Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s scouts celebrations.

Prince Michael of Kent inspected the groups, Prince Philip was spotted and the Queen watched from a castle window.

Year 7 students Josh Dunning and Sam Booth, who are also both scouts, were delighted to have the opportunity to play in such a prestigious setting.

ICT technician George Hanson plays tuba and bass trombone with the band and was also at Windsor.

Sam, 12, who plays third cornet, said: “The Duke of Edinburgh came out and he looked at where I was and said, ‘hello,’ and so I said, ‘hello,’ back. He was driving a horse and carriage.

“When we marched into the quadrangle at Windsor Castle playing New Recruit there was a massive lawn and everyone started clapping.”

Josh, who is also 12 and plays baritone, said: “It was a scary feeling walking in and seeing all those people. I never thought I would be playing for the Queen.”

They also played Punchinello and Slaidburn and led the parade through the streets of Windsor from St George’s Chapel after the service.

The band also earned high praise from fellow scout leaders who were attending and the Royal Scots Guards Band, who also played.

Sam said: “They told us we were the best scout band they had ever heard.”

The band stayed in Bracknell and rehearsed on the sixth floor car park of a shopping centre and in a small Salvation Army hall.

They performed a concert on Saturday night at the Garrison Church in Windsor as well as Sunday’s celebration of St George with Royalty.

The band has been rehearsing and practising by marching and playing in all weathers, snow, rain and wind and on all terrain.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls was in attendance and addressed the groups assembled in the quadrangle.