Catholic Central Band Selected for London's New Year's Parade

A senior representative of England's Queen Elizabeth II and the founder and chief-of-protocol of London's New Year's Day Parade visited the Catholic Central campus Monday, September 21, 2009 to discuss details of the Shamrock Marching Band's participation in the January 1 extravaganza's 25th Anniversary parade in 2011.

The Honorable Roger Bramble, lord lieutenant of Greater London and former lord mayor of the City of Westminster; parade founder and Executive Director Robert Bone; and Director of Protocol Geraldine Bone met with Director of Music Mr. Greg Normandin before taking part in a ceremony at the Catholic Central Gym.

Catholic Central President Fr. Richard Elmer, C.S.B. and Principal Fr. Richard Ranalletti, C.S.B. were joined by representatives from the City of Novi to greet the visitors.

Bramble said he and the Bones made the trip primarily to congratulate the marching band on being selected to participate in what may be the largest New Year's Day celebration in the world.

"It is vitally important for young people to visit other countries and immerse themselves in other cultures," Bramble said. "International travel is very much a part of the educational process."

Bramble was selected as the Queen’s parade representative because of his work in support of the arts over a 50-year career. He also serves as chairman of the Public Art Advisory Panel, deputy chairman of the English National Ballet and as a full board member of the English National Opera.

More than twice the size of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the London New Year's Day Parade will celebrate its 25th year in 2011. Several hundred thousand spectators are expected to line the 2.2-mile route through the historic heart of London, Mr. Bone said. An estimated 240 million more will watch the event on television.

The Arms of Westminster

Given to Catholic Central High School by the Honorable Roger Bramble, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater London to commemorate the invitation to participate in the 25th Anniversary New Year's Day Parade in January 1, 2011. 

Westminster's arms bear images from the City's long history and were united in the present coat of arms in 1964 when the old city of Westminster merged with the boroughs of Paddington and St Marylebone - the latter provided the figure of St. Mary in the centre of the Shield.

At the top centre of the shield is a cross surrounded by martlets (mythical birds which never touch the earth, and have no feet) which is the device of King Edward the Confessor, the first English King to live in Westminster, and is the Insignia of Westminster Abbey.

The red and white roses on either side of the cross represent the union of the English royal houses of Lancaster and York and the wolf's heads on either side of the figure of St. Mary formed part of the coat of arms of the former Borough of Paddington.

The crest, a portcullis, above the shield is the attribute of a city, as are the battlement mural crowns worn by the lions flanking the shield. The motto - "Custodi Civitatem Domine" - means 'Guard the City, O Lord'.