Student's Remembrance Role In Ypres
11 November 2010
Student Sarah Francis will participate in the Last Post Ceremonies in Ypres, Belgium.
University of Derby student Sarah Francis is set to take part in the Armistice Day service of remembrance at Ypres in Belgium today.
The Creative Expressive Therapies student is a keen trombone player and has travelled to the Belgian city in the Flemish province of West Flanders to take part in two Last Post ceremonies and a service of remembrance.
During World War I, Ypres was the centre of intense and sustained battles between the German and Allied forces.
Sarah, 19, from Baddesley Ensor, will be appearing with the Band of the West Midlands Fire Service. More than 50 brass band musicians will represent the region's fire service and have spent recent weeks practising at fire service headquarters in Birmingham.
Sarah has been playing trombone for the last ten years and is a member of the Armington Band in Tamworth. She was invited to represent the fire service in France for this memorial occasion.
Sarah, who is studying on the music pathway of Derby's Creative Expressive Therapies degree course, hopes her experience will complement her studies. Tutor Judie Taylor is in support of Sarah going and has discussed how she can catch up with any University work she misses this week.
Sarah said: "I have been to Ypres once as part of a school trip some years ago, but this is totally different. It will be a very emotional occasion, and I am honoured to be playing."
This Armistice Day, the Last Post Association will run the seventh edition of 'The Great War Remembered' concert in the Ypres Saint-Martin's Cathedral.
Musical participants include the Combined Fire and Rescue Service Bands and famous choirs including Loretto School and Beauvarlet Choir Koksijde.
For more information contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038 or email s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
