A DRUM that was beaten in Ledbury to celebrate the relief of Mafeking, during the Boer War, has been donated to the Butcher Row House Museum.

The drum and several fifes, all over a century old, once belonged to the Ledbury Fife and Drum Band.

They have been kindly donated to the museum by Mr Michael Paul, the grandson of George W. Paul, who was headteacher of the Ledbury Boy's School.

The band became known as "The Mafeking Boys" after taking part in rousing celebrations in Ledbury High Street, following the relief of Mafeking.

Research into the band and George Paul has recently been carried out by members of the Civic Society, the body which runs the museum, in Church Lane.

An article has recently been published in the society's newsletter by member Jenny Silcock, based in part on information unearthed by fellow society member, former town mayoress, Liz Wreford.

Mrs Silcock said: "Ledbury's thriving Fife and Drum Band was very active during the 1900s.

"On June 6, 1900, following the relief of Mafeking, the band led the parade along the High Street in Ledbury. Children waved flags and carried banners and the evening culminated in a bonfire built from timber.

"The success of their playing led to an outing by train to Cardiff on Whit Monday. at every station the uniformed boys played patriotic airs and, after a meal in Cardiff, they proceeded to Barry Island where they played instruments as they rode on donkeys."

Band-related exhibits in the museum include the side drum, various fifes and a photograph of the band in their uniformed splendour.

Mrs Silcock said: "These item enhance the museum's collection and help to bring our knowledge of Ledbury's history to life."

Poignantly, given their ages, many of the Mafeking Boys must have gone on to see action in the First World War, - when the Boer War must have seemed almost like a conflict from another era.