On Wednesday 20th June Rushen Silver Band performed their part of the Brass The Baton relay; a project that is sending five conductor's batons around over 150 brass bands across the British Isles as part of the cultural events to mark the London 2012 Olympics.
The Baton was transported from Liverpool to Douglas courtesy of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s vessel Manannan, where it was collected by Band Secretary Peter Faragher.
The baton was then transported from Douglas to Port Erin on the Isle Of Man Railway behind locomotive no.12 Hutchinson. The baton was collected from the footplate at Port Erin Station by Band President Jim Crebbin.
During the concert at St. Catherine's Church. Port Erin, the baton was presented to Band Musical Director John Kinley by Friends of Rushen Silver Band Chairman Joyce Corlett. The Baton was then used to conduct the specially commissioned piece 'Going The Distance', as well as other Olympic themed pieces such as One Moment In Time, used as the theme for the Los Angeles Olympics.
The morning after the concert, the baton was handed over by the Band’s Assistant Musical Director John Collings to Manx2, who flew the baton back to England.
The Band would like to put on record their thanks to The Isle Of Man Steam Packet Company, The Isle Of Man Railway, and Manx2 for their assistance in transporting the baton.
