It doesn't seem two minutes since the Grimethorpe Colliery Band were in London for BBC's Proms in the Park, but back they are again to take part in the Lord Mayor's Show and celebrations for the new Lord Mayor of London (Robert Finch) as he makes his way to the Royal Courts of Justice to Pledge allegiance to the Crown.

The band was not marching as part of the procession but had a prominent seat just outside the south transept (East Side) of St Paul's Cathedral immediately next to the main grandstand seating area. There were many military and amateur bands performing as they passed by, then Grimethorpe's musical director, Garry Cutt, was given the cue for the band to play its first piece, Pomp and Circumstance Nr 4.

The band finished just as the New Lord Mayors beautiful red and gold carriage pulled by six magnificent black horses arrived outside the Cathedral. At this point he pauses for a few moments to receive the blessing of the Dean of the Cathedral, then a song is sung by members of the Cathedral choir before the band played Elgar Howarths arrangement of The Bells of London, then the Lord Mayor continued on his journey to the Royal Courts.

The band retired back into the basement of St Paul's while a service was carried out in the Cathedral. When this was over the band re-formed in the Great Circle directly under the huge Dome of St Paul's.

There was always the thought that the booming acoustic of St Paul's maybe a problem as the band kicked off with Gustav Holst's Moorside Suite. The sound of the band reverberating around that great building was electrifying as the music just blended perfectly together.

This could be seen on the faces of the audience as they revelled in the performance.

The band continued with many great "British" tunes arranged by Elgar Howarth which were used as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee including Men of Harlech, Bonnets of Dundee and The Bells of London. The band continued with Salut D'Amour and two movements of Howarths Elizabethan Suite before really getting full use of the acoustic with Holst's Jupiter from the Planet Suite. It was a wonder when the sound was going to stop as the final ff crotchet filled the building. Finally the band finished in proper "pomp" fashion with Parry's Jerusalem.

The audience loved the performance and the sounds that filled St Paul's. Many people offered up enthusiastic praise for what they had heard with a few saying hopefully it won't be to long before Grimethorpe could return to give a full concert in this magnificent Cathedral.

Written by Mark Arnold.  Photos by Mark Arnold & Terry Webster