Drummers and musicians from First Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will be performing at the Warwick Folk Festival during the weekend of 30-31 July.

Part of musical tradition stretching as far back as the British Army itself, members of the Corps of Drums are fully trained infantry soldiers, some of whom have served in Afghanistan and Iraq and were among the first to cross the bridges into Basra against heavy Iraqi resistance in 2003.

Following arduous 6-month initial training in Catterick, members join the First Fusiliers and are then chosen to return for a 5-month Drums course, with tuition in Bugle and Side Drum, Bass Drum or Flute. Trained not only as musicians but for soldiering skills and military knowledge, they return to the First Fusiliers with the coveted Drummer's badge and perform in their scarlet tunics and bearskins.

The Drummers parade their own Colour, the Wilhelmstahl Colour, which for 249 years has been carried by the youngest Drummer to mark the capture of six French standards and 3000 Frenchmen at the Battle of Wilhelmstahl. With this honour in mind they perform today, proud to show what it means to be a Fusilier and a Drummer.

Their Folk Festival appearances include afternoon and evening performances on the Saturday in the main Festival site, on the grounds of Warwick School, Myton Road. They will also appear after Sunday's Festival Church Service in St.Mary's Church, Warwick at 12 noon, followed by performances in Pageant Gardens and Market Place.

Festival Director, Dick Dixon says, 'The Corps of Drums are part of a long tradition of military music and we are proud and delighted that they will be joining us for the Festival weekend.'

Details of all Warwick Folk Festival events, including ticket prices and booking form, are available on the Festival's website, www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk - or call the Festival Information desk on 01926 776438

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