First Last Post under Menin Gate since renovation came more than a week earlier than planned
On Monday evening the Last Post was sounded under the Menin Gate in the West Flemish town of Ieper for the first time since renovation work on the monument got under way. The first Last Post under the Menin Gate since the renovation work started wasn’t due to be sounded until next Wednesday (15 May). However, quite unexpectedly at around 7:40pm on Monday evening the clarion players that were due to sound the Last Post at 8pm were told that they could do so under the Menin Gate.
One of them told VRT News that this was "A small adjustment, but a nice surprise". A year ago, the Menin Gate disappeared completely behind scaffolding for renovation work. Work to renovate the Menin Gate will continue until next year. However, the work on the gate’s interior wall and ceiling has been largely completed which means that the world-famous Last Post ceremony can once again take place under the gate.
The Last Post Association had expected not to be able to sound the Last Post under the Menin Gate again until next Wednesday. The association’s Rik Vandekerckhove told VRT News that "We were already able to do so on Monday evening, much to our own surprise. About 20 minutes before the start of the Last Post, we got a message telling us that it was doable under the gate. A small adjustment, but a nice surprise."
Special sound
Mr Vandekerckhove went on to say that "Apparently, the work and the dismantling of the scaffolding had progressed faster than expected”.
“It is always better to play under the gate both for those that come and watch and for the acoustics."
"In previous months, we always played on the bridge in front of the gate in the open air. We didn't have to blow harder there, but the Last Post does sound more muted when sounded outside. Under the gate the sound echoes and that makes it sound special."
“The evening was even more special because of the presence of some special guests: clarion players from the US capital Washington DC (photo above). These were professional horn players who performed the Taps, the American version of the Last Post."