NEWS RELEASE
LINCOLN AND WELLAND BAND
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The award-winning Lincoln and Welland Regiment Association Band has been ordered to cease operations and vacate Lake St. Armoury.
A recently published Canadian Army Order has greatly restricted the manner in which Association Bands may be utilized, one of which prohibits them from appearing in public.
Despite the fact that a review of the order was requested by the Band Executive, the Commanding Officer of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment has prohibited the Band from attending public functions as well as use of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment name and has denied access to and ordered the Band to vacate Lake St Armoury which was used as their rehearsal venue for over one hundred years.
The self-funding Lincoln and Welland Regiment Association Band was composed of 32 volunteer musicians, of which over 50 per cent are veterans and former members of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. The Association Band appeared annually at numerous events throughout the Niagara Region, such as the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, Welland Rose Festival, parades, and Memorial ceremonies at the St Catharines Cenotaph in Memorial Park.
In order to continue the traditions of its predecessor, the members have reformed as the Lincoln & Welland Band. The newly formed Lincoln and Welland Band is scheduled to travel to the Netherlands in October to participate in the 80th liberation celebrations of the city of Bergen op Zoom.
On the 27 of October 1944, members of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, supported by tanks from the South Alberta Regiment, liberated the city after days of stiff fighting. Many members of the Regiment are buried in the nearby Bergen op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery.
The Lincoln and Welland Band currently rehearses at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre courtesy of the City of St. Catharines. Upon their return from the Netherlands, they will be looking for a new rehearsal venue.
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