THE Band of the Household Cavalry will ride into town next week as special guests of the Swindon Male Voice Choir.

The Life Guards and The Band of The Blues and Royals were merged in 2014 to form the Household Cavalry Band, but the history goes back to the English Civil War when the musicians were on opposing sides.

The Life Guards, led by Lord Gerrard of Brandon, were initially set up in 1659 as the King’s Life Guards protecting King Charles ll who was exiled in Holland after the royalists lost the war.

Gordie Smith, concert secretary for the Swindon Male Voice Choir, said: “From the outset, music held an important role in regimental life – it is recorded that as early as 1660 the regiment was preceded by its own mounted kettle drummer and four trumpeters. By 1822 the regiment had a band of 20, including nine trumpeters, hautbois (oboes) and French horns. In 1831 King William IV presented both the 1st and 2nd Life Guards with a pair of silver kettledrums, which are still in use today.”

On the other side were The Royal Horse Guards, formed in 1661 by members of the disbanded cavalry of Cromwell’s New Model Army called The Oxford Blues.

Gordie said: “In 1805 King George III personally presented a pair of solid-silver kettle drums to the Royal Horse Guards as testimony to their honourable and military conduct on all occasions.

“These kettledrums continue to be used today and are carried by the Drum Horse on the Queen’s Birthday Parade.’’

The current band is under the command of Major Craig Hallatt and they will be performing alongside the Swindon choir in the Steam Railway Museum.

Gordie said: “Members of Swindon Male Voice Choir are delighted to be able to take the stage with this world renowned band, singing their own music and joining with the band for several uplifting combined items.

The band provides State Trumpeters, mounted, marching and concert bands as well as smaller ensembles, and is renowned for wearing Gold State coats and blue velvet jockey caps when performing at major ceremonial events at which senior members of the Royal Family are present.

Steam stands on the old railway works, a fitting venue as it is where the Swindon Male Voice Choir was started 99 years ago. Tickets are £12.50 and available from 01793 822495.

The Band of the Household Cavalry and the Swindon Male Voice Choir perform at Steam Railway Museum in Rodbourne on Saturday, March 24 from 7.30pm. Tickets are £12.50 and available from 01793 822495