This parade brings together all the sections of our lovely town, old and young, but especially the younger ones. How nice to see them in the parade and at the war memorial, where the occasion was beautifully presented and so well observed during the two minute silence.
This parade was once again so ably led by our wonderful Town (RPC) Band, doing this now as it has done reaching back over 100 years. I have a photograph of my grandfather Charles Hall in the 1890s, when I believe it was then the Salvation Army Band, and also one of my father Walter Hall in the early 1900s when he carried on the tradition for all of his life for the Town Band which was his great love.
He himself was awarded a certificate from the British Legion for having played the Last Post and Reveille for a continuous 50 years unbroken service. To the present day where my brother Nick and his daughter Nicola still play and help in no small measure to keep this band together, with only voluntary help and their own labours through concerts to keep this band going in a realistic manner.
Jack Howden travels from Louth to every performance even though he is now in his 80s. One player came twice a week from near Grantham for rehearsals.
Who can foget when my brother Chuck and I played with the band when we won almost 14 competitions on the trot, culminating with winning the national finals in London. What a proud day for all of us and the town.
This band has represented Market Rasen during all these long and eventful years. I can recall Chuck and I as young lads playing with the band at the silver jubilee celebrations in 1935 and at all the many events afterwards. We were both home on leave and played in the Market Place at the VE party held in the town.
And now, the real reason for writing this letter. At the Proms to Poppies concert held in the Festival Hall on the Saturday night preceding the Sunday parade, I counted only 50 or 60 people in the audience for what was a splendid concert and, of course, a fundraising occasion.
Shame on the Market Rasen people. Where were the Mayor and all the town councillors and officials and all the people who benefit from the town having such a wonderful band who are there whenever they are needed. What other organisation has endured for over 100 years in this town and does it really deserve the band.
It saddens me to see such little encouragement for the players.
Market Rasen has lost many things over the years, please let us make sure we do not lose another. Wave the flag for the band, my arm gets tired doing it on my own.

Dennis Hall
Beechers Way, Market Rasen