A cornet player saved the day when he turned up on spec at Feltham’s remembrance service to find organisers had been trying to book him for months.
British Airways band member Michael Candler had performed the Last Post and the Reveille at last year’s service and was wanted for the same role at Sunday’s (10) event.
Despite preparations for the service - which took place at the war memorial beside the pond on Feltham High Street - starting in May no-one had been able to get hold on Mr Candler’s contact details.
A back up CD recording was all set to be used instead, however minutes before the parade from Victoria Road to the memorial began at 2.30pm, Mr Cadler turned up in full dress uniform and with his trusty cornet to hand.
He was warmly received and went on to play the vital role of signalling the start and end of the two minute silence which preceeded the laying of wreaths by assembled VIPs including the Mayor of Hounslow Councillor Sachin Gupta and Feltham and Heston MP Seema Malhotra.
Father Chris Vipers from St Lawrence’s RC Church Feltham led the service which also featured readings by Reverend Leslie Lawrence from St Dunstan’s Church Feltham.
More than 1,000 people packed round the memorial for the event which was marshalled by youngsters from the Volunteer Police Cadets Hounslow and featured various organisations including Sea Cadets, Scout and Guide packs and members of the British Legion.
The assembled dignitaries also took a march past which was led by the British Airways Pipe Band.
Afterwards everyone was invited back to St Lawrence School hall for refreshments generously provided by staff from Feltham’s branch of Asda.
Councillor Andy Morgan-Watts organised the event and said he was delighted Mr Candler had attended and had made sure he now had his phone number so he could arrange a proper invitation for next year.
