7:22pm Sunday 14th December 2008
By Louise Dunderdale
THE Wimborne Militia, which had been barred from firing muskets at this year’s Christmas lights switching-on, used their firearms to mark this year’s 20th anniversary of the Save the Children Christmas parade.
Organiser Margery Ryan said the Militia’s display and final rousing shouts of God Save the Queen was a good end to a “fantastic” day which drew huge crowds on Saturday.
The grand parade of floats led by the Dorset Marching Band started from Wimborne Market and wound its way to the town centre. It included steam engines, marching bands, majorettes, walking groups, vintage cars and horse drawn carriages.
Loud cheers and clapping greeted various participants including Ringwood Pipe Band, the Snow Princess and Father Christmas.
The parade finished at the Tourist Information Centre where Father Christmas had set up his grotto.
There was additional entertainment from Allenbourn School Band, Pantastick Steel Band, Wimborne Choral Singers and Grrs Sax Pak on the Minster Green, and morris dancing.
Afterwards there were further displays by bands and dancers, before a large crowd including town mayor Robin Cook watched as Wimborne Militia fired their muskets on Minster Green.
Town crier and militia member Chris Brown said: “The public have been fantastic, very positive. All day I have had people coming up to me asking when we are firing and saying we should be firing.
“We gave plenty of warning.
“A lot of people said to me, ‘I know my child is scared but it’s part of growing up and we have to get used to surprises’.
“People have said how positive we are for the town.”
Mrs Ryan said they are still counting donated money, adding: “I think it was a lovely day. We had so many compliments.”
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