August 29, 2002

Dear Sir,

I was distressed to hear rumblings and grumblings on the radio talk shows that gombeys don't belong at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

I saw this famous show for the first time at the beginning of August, and can happily report that this is precisely the place where the Bermuda Regiment Band and the gombeys ought to be.

It was a wonderful occasion, and the gombeys would fit right in.

I have no doubt that they will do Bermuda proud, learn a great deal, and have a great time (as long as they don't mind getting wet, for it seems to rain non-stop in Scotland.) In this year's show, there were the kind of military bands you'd expect - pipe bands from all over the planet, brass bands, horse troops and the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Team.

But there were also highland dancers and grass-skirted dancers from Tonga who performed with the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians. There was a martial arts and drum dancing group from northeast India and an opera singer from New Zealand. There was even a band mounted on bicycles from the Royal Netherlands Army, who pedalled around in complicated patterns while playing their tunes.

Rather unsettling amidst this cheery music was a simulated military ambush, complete with armoured vehicles, machine-gun fire and casualties.

The entire cast - 1,200 musicians and dancers - came together for a rousing if rainy finale under the torch-lit battlements of Edinburgh Castle.

It was quite a show, even from the cheap seats (?15) way back in the bleachers. I am sure next year's performance will be even better, with the Bermuda Regiment and gombeys performing.

I have no idea whether it will attract tourists to Bermuda, or how much it will cost us. But I do know it1s an honour to be invited, and I wish I could be there to see it.