For the residents of Rye, Hole Park provided the nearest opportunity to experience the spectacle and tradition of a full military Beating Retreat on Friday 26 June, bringing this historic ceremony within easy reach of the town and the surrounding area.
Last year the Beating Retreat Ceremony returned to Hole Park for the first time in over a decade. This year, Hole Park once again hosted a “musical extravaganza”: the Cranbrook Town Band played during the early evening reception; the Queen’s Regimental Association Corps of Drums performed ahead of the formal ceremony and the celebrated Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas officiated at the Retreat in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, the Lady Colgrain, who took the Salute.
Hole Park’s involvement goes beyond simply providing a beautiful setting. By hosting Beating Retreat, the estate is helping to preserve an important piece of Britain’s military heritage whilst raising funds for veterans through the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) Kent Branch.
Originally, Beating Retreat had a practical purpose. As daylight faded, the sound of drums and bugles signalled soldiers to stop fighting, lay down their weapons and return safely behind their own lines before the city gates were closed. What began as a battlefield command has evolved into one of the military’s most symbolic and moving ceremonies. The ceremony of Beating Retreat is important because it is much more than a military display. It is a tradition that links today’s Armed Forces with centuries of history while celebrating discipline, music, ceremony and national identity.
“Beating Retreat was a frequent ceremony in this country’s past military calendar for centuries, but it is now an annual special event which we are delighted to welcome back to the gardens,” said Hole Park owner, Edward Barham. “This ancient spectacle was last held here in 2011, when we marked 100 years since the purchase of the property by my great grandfather, Colonel Arthur Barham. It’s a huge honour to be hosting it once again. Arthur Barham was the second in an unbroken line of six generations to have served in the army: a tradition which continues today with the latest Barham generation and the future custodians of Hole Park.”
Chris Emson from Rye attended and commented after the event, “I was invited by a friend who had been before. It seemed a fitting event to attend as my nephew has just retired from a lifetime in the British Army and spent a long duty in Nepal with the Gurkhas and their band was Beating Retreat. It was a moving experience.
“We were first entertained by Cranbrook Town Band, also on parade was the Queen’s Regimental Association Corp of Drums. I’m so pleased I went: it was beautifully organised in a stunning venue and hopefully raised much needed funds for the Army Benevolent Fund.”
This video gives an insight into the splendid event hosted by Hole Park.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .