Countess of Wessex visits the REME at Arborfield Garrison
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Countess celebrates her birthday at Arborfield Garrison
By Alice MurphyJanuary 20, 2010
The Countess of Wessex listened to Arborfield Garrison’s REME Band play a rousing version of Happy Birthday when she visited yesterday.
The Countess, who celebrates her 45th birthday today, smiled as the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Band marked the special occasion.
The Countess, formerly Sophie Rhys-Jones, is Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Army Music.
Captain Darren Wolfendale, director of music at REME, said: “She wanted to visit us as our Colonel-in-Chief so she combined the visit with going to a local school.
“It went well – things are much easier when the person visiting is a nice person.
“We are quite privileged because none of the other bands have been chosen.”
The Countess, who is married to Prince Edward, did not have a chauffeur but instead drove herself to the garrison.
She wore grey trousers and a navy blazer, accessorising it with a Union Jack handbag.
The 35-strong band played part of the score for King Kong and the jazz number Here’s That Rainy Day, featuring a solo by saxophonist Lance Corporal Paul Dove.
He said: “It was a little bit nerve-wracking. I was actually only told I would be playing it yesterday but I first performed it in 2008 so I know it well.”
The Countess was presented with a birthday present of a bottle of port by student band master Levison Chisambi.
She drew laughs from the room as she accepted the gift, joking: “Thank you very much – of course, I’m much younger than you think I am!”
The band then welcomed her into the bar where she chatted to officers.
Just before she left, 10-year-old Emma Wolfendale presented her with a posy of flowers.
Emma, who along with her 12-year-old sister Clare had been given an official day off school to meet the Countess, said: “I was quite nervous and really excited but as soon as started talking to her I relaxed.”
The band’s next engagement is at Bearwood Theatre on Saturday evening and they will record a CD of their music next week.
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