News Story
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Line-up announced for Windsor Castle’s Royal Tattoo
Over 600 Soldiers. Sailors and Airmen will perform at the third Royal Tattoo at Windsor Castle (12-15th May 2010)
Encompassing acts from all three services, this year’s Tattoo is in honour of our servicemen and women. The military’s very best ceremonial musicians will come together with modern military re-enactments to showcase the MOD’s current capabilities in a Tattoo environment.
Three anniversaries will be commemorated at the event, including The 70th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain, the 350th Anniversary of the raising of The Household Cavalry and this year we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Cadet Movement.
Along with The Household Cavalry’s Musical Ride, The Musical Drive of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will return to an Arena that is unique in the Tattoo World as it can accommodate horses, tanks and marching bands in one setting.
Windsor will be laying out the red carpet for the arrival of the Show’s International Act from Norway: His Majesty The King’s Guard Band and Drill Team. The 120 strong team is acknowledged as the World’s premier drill display team.
Following its revival at the 2009 Tattoo, a special tribute to The Royal Navy Field Gun Race will return with two teams from HMNB Portsmouth and HMS Seahawk (Fleet Air Arm) battling it out for the prestigious Land Rover Trophy. Portsmouth return as defending Champions with the Fleet Air Arm as the brand new challenger for 2010. Physical Training Instructors from the Navy will also be showing how they stay fit at sea – with skipping display like you’ve never seen before and all to music from The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Collingwood.
The tradition of the Massed Pipes and Drums will be accompanied this year by Military Sword Dancers and Pipers from across the World. The mesmerising music will be performed by the best in the UK including The Queens Royal Hussars; The Royal Dragoon Guards; The Royal Tank Regiment; The Irish Guards; The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland; 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles; The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Air Force and a special International contribution from The Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City, New Zealand.
The Massed Bands will include The State Bands of The Welsh Guards and Scots Guards and new to the Tattoo this year – The Band and Bugles of the Rifles. The Band is made up of 45 full time Military Musicians, including eight Buglers who are all operational soldiers. They released their now famous single ‘Love Farewell’ at Christmas with Folk singer John Tams who played Daniel Hagman in the ‘Sharpe’ television series.
The RAF Central Band is also new at Windsor in 2010 and will be commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Whilst the Band is playing, the audience will witness the juxtaposition between the old and new RAF as two battle scene scenarios are played out; one from World War II, complete with World War II Vehicles and dispersal hut and one picturing a modern day Afghanistan dispersal station.
Showcasing some of the modern Military’s finest skills are the Royal Marines. The Royal Marines 40 Commando Regiment from Taunton will be acting out a modern day military re-enactment, involving an Embassy takeover and hostage rescue. .
Supporting all the acts is the House Band from The Royal Artillery Orchestra.
Colonel Simon Brooks-Ward is the Tattoo’s Event Director. He said: “Each year The Royal Tattoo at Windsor Castle has gone from strength to strength and this year we’ve reached the pinnacle of Military entertainment. Not only does the Tattoo provide a fantastic night’s entertainment but it also helps educate people on the work the Military does every day throughout the World.”
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the 2010 Royal Tattoo at Windsor Castle 2010 can be purchased by telephoning the box office on 0871 230 5570, or booked online via the website at www.windsortattoo.com. Tickets cost between £20 and £65. Tickets are also available at the Windsor Information Centre, with discounts being offered to Advantage card holders. Please note only one discounted ticket per advantage card holder is available, and the card must be presented at time of purchase. If booking over the phone, the advantage card number must be quoted. Bookings can be made by calling 01753 743 909 or emailing Windsor.tic@rbwm.gov.uk. The advantage card discount is only available through the Windsor Information Centre.
-ENDS-
About the Royal Tattoo at Windsor Castle:
This not-for-profit event launched in May 2008 and was devised with the aim of raising public awareness of the wide contribution to security that the Armed Forces deliver and the value and standards that it maintains. It also raises funds to support individual soldiers, and their dependants, who have served and are serving on demanding current operations, such as in Iraq and Afghanistan.
About The Royal British Legion:
The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants. Currently, nearly 10.5 million people are eligible for our support and we receive thousands of calls for help every year.
The Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-Service community and over 380,000 members continue to ensure that this voice does not go unheard. Although the needs of ex-Service people have changed over the years, we are still there to safeguard their welfare, interests and memory. British service people are in action around the world every day of the year. They know that if they need our support - now or in the future - the Legion is always on active duty for them.
About the Organisers:
The HPower Group produce, manage and promote large scale public events worldwide specialising in equestrian competitions, ceremonial events and public entertainment.
The HPower Group is the organiser of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Olympia, The London International Horse Show and the Alltech FEI European Jumping and Dressage Championships 2009. The HPower Group has previously produced and directed All The Queen’s Horses, Army 2002, and the World War II 60th Anniversary Celebrations. Simon Brooks-Ward, managing director, was also Event Director for the Territorial Army’s 100th Anniversary National Pageant on Horse Guards.
For further information please contact Kelly Smith on 01753 847900 or email kellys@hpower.co.uk
