Oldham Tattoo

May I on behalf of the public thank the organisers of "The Oldham Tattoo 2010", what a wonderful show by people of all ages.
The evening commenced at 7.00 p.m. when the Mayoral Party entered Queen Elizabeth Hall.
To open the Tattoo there was a parade of The Standards of The Liaison of Ex-Services Association followed by the choir of Chadderton Hall School who sang "Soldiers of the Old Brigade" to which the representatives of the Chelsea Pensioners marched smartly into the Hall. These children sang five songs for a period of fifteen minutes, all having learned their lines by heart, what a triumph for Primary School children
Oldham Air Training Cadets came along and gave fine a display of marching and in their programme added a few comical moments which had the audience laughing, an excellent display enjoyed by all.
The next to bring music to our ears was the Oldham Scottish Pipe Band, what a delight especially the little drummer boy who was only 4 years old- what a treasure, he was impeccable throughout.
The Pipers were followed by the colourful Podhale, Oldham Polish Folk Dancing Group; they too, were excellent and again had young members who will hopefully continue to carry their culture through with song and dance.
Delightfully, the next to appear were, , Royton Air Training Cadets Award Winning Brass Band. Their marching was brilliant, the music superb and not a step or note incorrect. professional in all they did.
To complete the first half the Counthill Cheerleaders gave a brief display of acrobats and cheerleading.
After the interval the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guard Association opened the second half of the show, as with the other Pipe Band, the music and marching display were without fault.
The "Red Barrows" Aerial on the Ground Display team, also part of the Royton ATC, performed their routine by a display of formation
To complete the first half the Counthill Cheerleaders gave a brief display of acrobats and cheerleading.After the interval the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guard Association opened the second half of the show, as with the other Pipe Band, the music and marching display were without fault.The "Red Barrows" Aerial on the Ground Display team, also part of the Royton ATC, performed their routine by a display of formation by using red wheelbarrows and carryout interweaving maneuvers without any collisions.
Oldham (Lees) Brass Band was the next to perform in their usual superb manner.
Following the Brass Band's excellent performance the Mayor and Mayoress went to the stage and thanked everyone who had attended the Tattoo and disclosed the amount of money that had been raised for the Mayors Charity Appeal and explained which charities would benefit from it.
Both the Young Carers Charity and Dr. Kershaw's Hospice being named.For the Grand Finale everyone who had participated in the show , including the Hulme Army Cadet Corp who had acted as Marshalls throughout the evening, entered the stage whilst the combined Pipers played several tunes.
This was an excellent night, perhaps it could have been better attended considering the amount of time and work put into it, still there was around 500 people who hopefully enjoyed it as much as I did.
Perhaps with the publishing of this account the people of Oldham may realise what a really good night out that they missed.
Here's to next one, if enough sponsors can be found and organisations who are willing to donate their services, and try to make the Oldham Tattoo an evening to look forward to every year.