The Civil Defenders
The Civil Defence Association of Great Britain was formed as a support body for the Civil Defence Service and, while the Service had its own march, the Association did not - until recently. Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS, astronomer, television personality extraordinaire, retired xylophonist, pianist and composer, was approached in the hope that he might provide a suitable march for the Civil Defence Association. Although now musically inactive through illness, he produced from his vast collection of marches written over a long period, the present one which he entitled, The Civil Defenders. Although originally scored for piano, Sir Patrick enlisted the help of his old friend and musical collaborator, Rodney Newton, who has arranged versions for brass and wind bands.
The style of Civil Defenders is that of a traditional British 'road march' and embodies all the panache and gusto which that implies.