Chapter Chat: Dozens of bands and a mezzo-soprano ... Scarva ready for a feast of music

It’s a tune that might even be played by one or more of the 76 marching bands set to accompany the 76 preceptories on parade at the upcoming Scarva demonstration.

John Adair, famed for his portrayal of King William at the Sham Fight for more than 30 years, confirmed the numbers as he spoke about the annual Royal Black Institution event, which is again expected to attract tens of thousands of spectators to the Co Down village.

“For the second year running, the Sham Fight will be held on July 14, due to the 12th falling on a Sunday, and the Orange Order parades taking place on the 13th,” he said.

John is registrar of the Scarva-based Sir Alfred Buller Memorial RBP 1000, which organises the celebrations, and he and the rest of the team have been hard at work for many months overseeing plans for the day.

He said the organising committee is “delighted” to have booked the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Emma Brown to perform at Scarva.

Emma is originally from Nottingham, but now lives in Leiden, Holland, and has performed at Scarva in 2018 and 2019, as well as singing hymns in a video specially recorded for the Sham Fight organisers from her church in the Netherlands during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

“Emma has performed at commemorations all over Europe, including the Somme, at the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres, Belgium, and in Normandy,” said John.

“She will sing ‘Abide With Me’ when we are laying the wreath at the Scarva war memorial in the morning, and she’ll appear on stage later, in the Demesne, and will also sing at the praise service during the platform proceedings.”

Emma told Chapter Chat she is looking forward to returning to Scarva, where she may take the opportunity to sing ‘The Sash’.

“I’ll be travelling with my three-year-old son, Henry,” she said. “I can’t wait to introduce him to the festivities for the first time – not to mention letting him experience the warm hospitality in Northern Ireland.

“He’s half-Dutch, so he’s used to seeing a lot of orange. And he loves parties and live music.”

While appreciating the serious aspects of the occasion, Emma recognises there is a family-friendly, fun side to the event.

She added: “I love the balance between festivities and more serious moments, and, of course, the sense that people are being brought together.

“I remember last time, it was lovely how people said hello to us and stopped to chat: I didn’t just feel that I had attended an event, I felt like we were part of the community.”

Emma was still working on her music selection for Scarva when contacted by Chapter Chat, but said: “I’ll be leading the hymns during the platform worship and singing in the morning, with pianist William Hill.

“I’m hoping to sing ‘The Sash’, as I’ve not yet sung it in Northern Ireland. I last sang it in Transylvania, of all places!”

Emma explains she was in Transylvania giving a series of lecture recitals on music and meaning to English literature university students.

Asked if she thought victory was assured for King William once again, she said: “I certainly hope so: I don’t gamble on principle, but if I did, I’d put a bet on King Billy.”

Andrew Boyce is the worshipful master of RBP 1000 and a member of Markethill Protestant Boys flute band.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s one of my favourite days on the parading calendar, especially when the weather is good,” he said.

So, at Scarva, will he walk with his preceptory or join his bandmates, playing the flute? Well, he intends to do both, as he explains: “Last year, I walked in with the preceptory and walked out with the band, and that’s the plan for this year, too.”

He said it’s “a really good atmosphere” as the band makes its way through the afternoon crowds in Demesne, but being part of the leading preceptory in the morning is a real highlight for RBP 1000.

Colin Cairns is no stranger to Scarva, having played the role of King James – on rainy days and in sunshine – “heading for up to 40 years”.

“Out of it all, I’ve never won one battle,” he joked.

Colin is left-handed and recalls hearing a woman in the crowd watching the Sham Fight saying: “Look at that, it’s not a bit of wonder King James doesn’t win – they make him fight with his left hand!”

Apart from the Sham Fight itself, Colin says the quality of the music provided by top calibre bands makes the event a huge attraction for families looking for a great day out.

The starting time for the big parade is 10.45am, with the Sham Fight due to begin around 1.15pm, the platform proceedings at 2.15pm and the return procession due off at 3.15pm.

Scarva will welcome more than 100 street traders, who will be setting up their wares shortly after the dawn chorus.

“Burgers, chips, sweets, crepes, toys, flags – there’s something for everyone,” said Mr Adair.

He expressed the thanks of the organisers to Armagh, Banbridge and District Council for financial aid towards the event.

“We very much appreciate the support of the council for its grant aid, its help in providing the very essential portable toilets, and for the invaluable cleaning service it provides after the activities of the day,” he said.

Royal Black Institution members from Lurgan will take part in their traditional parade in Bangor on July 14.

Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson said it was a tradition that Lurgan RBDC No 2 travelled to Bangor for its annual parade.

“The Bangor parade complements the institution’s celebrations at Scarva and is a day for all the family to enjoy,” he said.

Andrew Hamill is worshipful district master of Lurgan district No 2 and a member of RBP 353.

“We are more than happy to be returning to Bangor. We always receive a warm welcome, and we are expecting a strong turnout of spectators to add to the great atmosphere,” he said.

Captions:

Mezzo-soprano Emma Brown, seen here at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France, is looking forward to returning to Scarva