While the world’s eyes turned to the United Kingdom to see Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, a group much closer to home took part in the festivities.
In Cape Town, the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moth’s) Bomb Alley Shellhole in Bellville took to Signal Hill on 2 June, the first day of celebrations, where they played a specially composed tune with Table Mountain in the background.
“What an absolute honour being part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations,” says Tony Reis, member of the shellhole, who also describes it as a “humongous, once-in-a-lifetime historic event”.
Reis says planning began just over a year ago, when the Pipe Major of the Autshumato Anti-Aircraft Regiment Pipes and Drums (AAAR Pipes and Drums), also a member of the Bomb Alley Shellhole, received an official invitation from Bruno Peek, the Queen’s beacon pageant master in London, to be part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event.
Peek, who oversaw the celebrations, was also in charge of the lighting of 3 000 beacons around the world.
The group performed “Diu Regnare”, which was specially composed by Pipe Major Stuart Liddell for the Queen and was only to be played on the first day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, at sunset on the 2 June 2022.
“We had a wonderful turnout of about 30 invited guests, and a few important dignatories.”
The dignatories who joined the historic celebration, sharing their Tributes for The Queen, included past deputy mayor Ian Neilson (on behalf of the mayor of Cape Town) and Deputy Old Bill Moth Ricky de Wet (on behalf of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats, Cape Western Provincial Dugout).
Videos of the tributes for Her Majesty The Queen and the AAAR Pipes & Drums performing “Diu Regnare” can be viewed on the Facebook Page Autshumato Anti-Aircraft Regiment Pipes & Drums.
