XN000022-1988-09-28 — Page 8

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1988

TRAINING CENTRE SCOUTS "BEAT RETREAT"

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A GROUP OF TRAINING CENTRE INMATES OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND 221ST SCOUT GROUP BAND WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR MUSICAL TALENT AND MARCHING SKILLS IN A "BEATING RETREAT" PERFORMANCE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT {SEPTEMBER 30) AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID: "THE 'BEATING RETREAT' IS ONE OF THE MANY ACTIVITIES THAT THE DEPARTMENT ORGANISES FOR THE INMATE SCOUTS.

"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT, THE INMATES CAN DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND CULTIVATE SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND то APPRECIATE THE MEANING OF DISCIPLINE AND TEAMWORK SPIRIT.

"PUBLIC RESPONSE ΤΟ THE "BEATING RETREAT" PERFORMANCE 19 OVERWHELMING AND IT IS FULL HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT'S EVENT. IN VIEW OF THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, THE DRESS REHEARSAL то BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) NIGHT WILL ALSO BE OPEN TO PUBLIC, AND THIS IS ALSO FULL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE SENIOR MEMBER (DESIGNATE) OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, WILL. OFFICIATE AT FRIDAY'S CEREMONY.

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THE ORIGIN OF THE BEATING RETREAT" DATES BACK то THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY; AND IT WAS AN ORGANISED AND ACCEPTED PROCEDURE THE ARMY OF WILLIAM III AT THE END OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

IN

"RETREAT" WAS ORIGINALLY SOUNDED AND DRUMS WERE BEATEN ON THE RAMPARTS HALF AN HOUR BEFORE CLOSING THE GATES OF A GARRISON TOWN AT NIGHT.

THE PURPOSE WAS TO RECALL TROOPS WITHIN THE WALLS, AND PRESUMABLY TO WARN THE CIVIL POPULATION. AT THE SAME TIME, THE NIGHT WATCH WAS SET (OR GUARDS MOUNTED) AND, AT NIGHTFALL, THE FLAG LOWERED. A CEREMONY WAS ESTABLISHED TO REGULATE THESE DUTIES.

AS TIME PASSED, THE OPERATIONAL MILITARY SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE DUTIES DIMINISHED, BUT THE STANDARD OF MILITARY MUSIC AND THE CAPABILITY OF REGIMENTAL BANDS IMPROVED.

GRADUALLY, THE CEREMONIAL PROCEDURE BECAME THE BASIS OF A MILITARY SPECTACLE AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE PUBLIC IN PLACES WHERE TROOPS WERE STATIONED.

THE 221ST HONG KONG GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED BY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1986.

THE CORRECTIONAL

/A SCOUT