As a "Thank You" to the businesses and public of the Hythe community and surrounding areas for their support of The Salvation Army, Councillor Richard Carroll (who serves as the Bandmaster at the Hythe Corps) facilitated a visit from the Chatham Citadel Band on the weekend of 18–19 June 2005. This annual event is held to thank all those within the local community for their generous support over the course of the year, as well as to provide good music, inspiring messages, and opportunities to engage with those who come to listen.
Chatham Citadel Band parades through the streets of Hythe
Weather for the weekend was excellent, allowing the Chatham Citadel Band to parade through the High Street, perform two bandstand concerts, and play a mini-concert outside the Town Hall. Following a parade through the High Street on Saturday morning, the band was officially welcomed by Reg Belcourt, Chairman of the Hythe Chamber of Commerce, spotlighting the mutual understanding and bond between the Hythe Corps and the local community.
The band also performed on the Oaklands bandstand twice and provided a Saturday evening festival in the Methodist Church, led another parade around the streets and led the Sunday morning service in the Salvation Army centre in Portland Road.
Chatham Citadel Band during a bandstand concert
Councillor Richard Carroll organised the event on behalf of the Salvation Army. He said, "I was delighted with the whole weekend. On Sunday afternoon there must have been about 300 people in the Oaklands to hear the bands final concert."
Captain Phil Layton, Hythe Corps commanding officer, said, "On behalf of the Salvation Army I would like to thank all those who helped make this weekend possible, our sponsors, the Conrad and Celia Blakey Charitable Trust, Brooks Restaurant, Hythe Town Council for the use of the Oaklands and the Town Hall Undercroft, and the army of volunteers who worked so hard behind the scenes."
Sources:
Report on the Hythe Corps web site
Additional material and photos submitted by Bandmaster Richard Carroll