A Winter Picture of a Salvation Army Band
Filmed in Southend-on-Sea with the band of the Southend Salvation Army Citadel Bandmaster, Don Middleton
This weekend, whatever the weather, Southend-on-Sea will adopt its summer style and will become the cheerful, crowded place which holidaymakers know. But there is also a winter Southend and it is far from being either dead or dormant.
One of the vivid sides of life to be found at Southend is the Salvation Army Band. Far from going under cover when it has finished its summer stint on the seashore, the band launches into an exacting winter routine of outdoor performances.
In tonight's film, the bandsmen are seen contending with wind and snow, as well as reflecting moments of wintry calm. But the focus of the programme is on the men behind the brass. Why do they do it? Are they sure it is the best possible thing to do? Their answers to such questions reveal an unexpectedly mixed and self-critical body of men.
(Colour)