The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment at the Beating Retreat.

THE Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Ronnie Crawford, recently attended a Beating Retreat at Thiepval Barracks to welcome the 19th Light Brigade to their new Lisburn home.

Around 500 guests were invited to Thiepval Barracks last week for a Beating Retreat and Cocktail Party to celebrate the 19th Light Brigade, the supporting Battalions, including the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, and their families relocating permanently to Lisburn.

The Brigade will now begin training in Lisburn for deployment to Afghanistan next year, the first time a full Brigade has been deployed from Northern Ireland on overseas operations.

The invited guests were welcomed by the GOC, Major General Chris Brown, and were treated to entertainment from Beyond The Pale Irish Dancers and the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment Band. Praising the organisers of the Beating Retreat, Mr Crawford said: "It was a very enjoyable evening, which was organised with typical military precision. Everyone was particularly delighted to see the Royal Irish Band, complete with pipes and drums."

The 'Beyond the Pale' Irish Dancers entertain the 500 guests at the Beating Retreat, which was held recently at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn to welcome the 19th Light Brigade to the city.

12/05/2008