Rain On The Parade
Sunday 18th Jul 2004, late evening
So, there we were, assembling at Gorse Stacks, ready to take part in a sun-drenched Lord Mayor’s Parade. Well, we certainly ended-up drenched, but in rain not sunshine! We should have known that the Parade was not going to go well when, right at the start, we had to watch our step to avoid some strategically placed horse manure. Things went from bad to worse as we marched down Frodsham Street and the heavens opened. Within seconds our uniform jackets were soaked through, the basses’ expensive hair-dos ruined, and the black dots were dropping off the music. Nevertheless, we persevered and made it intact to the Roodee, despite a close shave on the slippery road surface as we were heading down Watergate Street. On arrival at the racecourse the result of the Band’s Wet T-Shirt competition was announced – a tie between Bill Stronach and Paul Goldbourne (the prize is a course of flu treatment). Having said all that, it’s always a great honour to be asked to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Parade – it’s such a shame that all the participants had to endure such dreadful conditions. Never mind, next year the weather will be better, I promise!
