THE Abergavenny Borough Band were recently granted the prestigious honour of being the first Welsh band to participate in the Holy Week processions and services of the Santa Maria Church in Mahon.
And not only that, on Easter Sunday, Band Secretary Gareth Havard and his wife Sharon were granted the rare privilege of an audience with the Bishop Of Menorca who gave God’s blessing to all in the ‘Gateway to Wales.’
The Band’s week long trip to Menorca came about after new members Lana and Jonahan Tingay joined them in the Summer of 2009.
The husband and wife team brought with them a link via Rotary International to the Rotary Club of Menorca.
Rotary member Lana, who had previously visited the Island with Lancashire’s Friezland Brass Band three years ago, approached the Band last Summer with an invitation for them to visit and play over Easter in the capital Mahon.
Little did the band realise that nine months later they would be leading one of the most religious processions in the catholic calendar.
A total of 46 players, family members and supporters of the Band left Abergavenny to fly to Menorca in the Balearic Islands during the Easter break.
Abergavenny Borough Band spokesperson Sharon Havard told the Chronicle, “Taking 46 people and everything a brass band requires for a week is nothing short of an organisational headache. Thankfully all players and instruments arrived safely.”
After the flight the band’s first concert was the very next day at the Santa Margarita Anglican church in Es Castell.
The band was warmly greeted by their host and chaperone for the trip - Menorca Rotary President Ivor White and the concert was a huge success, with many ex-pats packing the church.
On Good Friday the Band participated in the sombre Procession of the Holy Burial which takes place around the centre of Mahon.
Sharon explained, “Departing from the Santa Maria Church at 8pm, all the Brotherhoods of the local churches walked to pay their respects.
“A dozen or more magnificent shrines were carried by the Brotherhood of the different churches, including one of Jesus on the cross and a weeping Mary Madeleine, the grieving disciples, and Jesus in his coffin followed by his mourning mother Mary.
“The uniformed members of the Brotherhood are identified by the colours of their robes and walker’s heads are covered by triangular hoods. These hoods are worn as a sign of mourning for the suffering of Christ.
“The widows from each church walk behind their church elders barefoot and dress all in black. The worshipers from the Santa Maria Church are seen as the most senior in the parade, and they proceeded to music provided by the Abergavenny Borough Brass Band.
“Hundreds of local people lined the 2.4 kilometres of the route in silence as the procession passed by. When the procession returned approximately three hours later, The Bishop of Menorca Monsignor Salvador Gimenzez Valls delivered a short message and prayers to the assembled crowd.
Sharon added, “This was a very moving and spectacular event, regardless of religious belief.”
The next day was an opportunity for the band to sight see around the Island, followed by an early evening concert on the Don Juan catamaran as it sailed around the harbour.
“This sort of open deck concert was a first for the band and all ticket sales went towards charity,” said Sharon.
Come Easter Sunday and it was an early start for the Band as they were leading the procession.
Sharon said, “Before the procession my husband and I were privileged to be received by Monsegnor Salvador Gimenez Valls (The Bishop Of Menorca) in his rooms in the Chapel of the Convent of the Conception.
“Once there we were able to pass to him a letter from Father Thomas Regan of Our Lady and St Michael's Catholic Church in Abergavenny.