Band News February 2012
OK, a bit late but it’s been cold and I’m unwell which meant I had to miss practice this week – but that wasn’t the only reason, it was the Band Annual Dinner – I was well enough for that by Friday. So this edition is dedicated to the Annual Dinner, the highs, the lows, the prize-winners and the acceptance speeches, the tears, the laughter, the tears. What a night (pictures here).
Firstly, a word
about stalking,
it’s not big and it’s not clever.
Fortunately it was caught early and no harm was done. Joseph Lewis (2nd Cornet) won the
Youth Player of the Year and was immediately catapulted to celebrity status and
then instantly stalked by a certain female member of the band who was found to
have a photo of him as her phone wallpaper. On hearing the news Joe said “I
understand, she’s only human” as he brushed his golden locks aside and polished
his trophy.
The event was
held at the Farrington Golf Club,
a familiar venue as we had the Christmas Concert there. As coffee was served
band Chairman Gary Latchem stood and invited Musical Direct
or Jo Sykes to award
the Angela Lowe Memorial Trophy for outstanding contribution to the band. This year it was awarded to Heather Allard (3rd
Cornet and Band Secretary) who works tirelessly behind the scenes covering just
about every job imaginable – even including organising the annual dinner.
On behalf of everyone associated with the band I would like to thank
Heather for all she does.
Heather then
awarded the Madam Secretary’s Trophy.
Heather introduced this award some years ago because she felt she didn’t
have enough to do and needed something else to think about once a year. In previous years the award has been given
for all sorts of reasons, well, when I say “reasons” I mean whatever came into
Heather’s head at the time, more of a “whim” if you will. This year though things took a bit of a
serious turn in from left-field awarding the prize to a non-band-member. The rule book was hastily checked but, given Heather
wrote most of the rules, it was q
uite legit and absolutely right to give it to
Mike Burt. Mike supports the band rain or shine, is always
holding a bucket at Christmas (I think he likes the yellow hi-vis vest) and has
even stopped traffic to keep the band safe.
Mike wasn’t able to be at the dinner and so I’ve had to use a stock
photo, congratulations and thanks to Mike.
Last and 
in many
way least, the slightly coveted Players Player of the Year. It’s a good job he was at the dinner as I
would have had to use the same picture as I have for all the other awards he’s
won this year. Not that I’m jealous that
winner Thomas Williams (Trombone) is younger than me, taller than me and better
than I was at his age, no he deserves everything he gets including lessons with
Jo and more practice than you can shake a stick at for all the wind bands,
orchestras and ensembles he’s in. Seriously,
I believe it was landslide, Tom has been brilliant this year and his
performance at the Christmas concert was outstanding. Well done Tom.
In other news of
the evening, it was great to see so many band supporters there and I hope
everyone had a good time. One who did was
Ros’s husband who was amazed at the golf club having a Dyson Airblade in the toilet (where
else would you put it?), I was amazed too, not at the Airblade but that there
was electricity that far out in the sticks.
Well, now the frivolity is over we’ll need to knuckle down to the contest. 10th March, Torquay, be there or be square.
Comments (0) Added by MarkL February 19, 2012 (11:00AM)
Band News Janary 2012
The Lions of Longleat, Farrington Golf Club, a world record and, of course, more carols than Channel 4 (Carol Smiley and Carol Vorderman, OK it seemed like more until I thought about it). December was a rush, nearly every weekend either in Bath or other such exotic places – the snow stayed away but it was a bit damp at times – but what a great month.
The peak was the 2nd annual (the first was snowed-off) Christmas Concert at Farrington Golf Club on the 18th – thanks to Terry, Fay and the team at the golf club for helping to make it such an enjoyable evening. Also thanks to Denise at Sign Specialists for the advertising banner and, of course, to all the supporters that came out to give us someone to play to including Midsomer Norton Mayor Paul Myers – I hope you all enjoyed listening (and singing) as much as we did playing. I understand the producers of Michael Mcintyre’s Comedy Roadshow have been on the phone begging for Jo to do a turn in the next series with a view maybe of taking over as link-man when Michael’s had enough.
That
Tom Williams (right) has been at it again – not only did he pull off The Acrobat
brilliantly at the concert, he also passed his Grade 7 – with distinction no
less – and has been offered a place in the National Children’s Wind Ensemble
– well done Tom. “I just hope that when
fame [and particularly] fortune come his way he remembers where it all started”
said Band Treasurer Clare Knight.
There
was also a first for the band this year with our first ever performance at
Longleat – and in front of the biggest Christmas tree in the history of the
band – for a minute I thought we were in an episode of Gulliver’s Travels. Being a weekday it was difficult to get the
band together but thanks to Jo, Heather and Colin a group of the younger
members were able to go along with Steve, Carl and Stephen Sykes – thank you
for your support.
Well, now it’s into a new year and onwards to the Areas in March where we hope to follow up our success at the 2011 SWBBA championship. We are still looking for a couple of players especially a Solo Cornet and Trombone.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the band in 2011 and Happy New Year to you both.
Comments (0) Added by MarkL January 2, 2012 (9:00AM)
November News 2011
Press - Stop Press - Fantastic result!! - Stop Press - Stop
The 
band brought back silverware from the 65th South West Brass Band Association Championships held in Torquay on the 5th November. Playing ‘First Suite in Eb’ by Gustav Holst and arranged by Sydney Herbert the band put in additional rehearsals and sectional practices working 5 days straight in the week leading up to the contest. But it was all worth it as the Newcombe Cup (left) travelled back to Radstock on the bus.
Peter Bassano adjudicated the section and said in his notes “This was a technically competent performance with some attractive musical playing. There was scope for more excitement at times but on the whole the playing was impressive for a fourth section band”
Jo Sykes (right) was delighted with the result and will be buying drinks all-round for the band on Tuesday night (I think that’s what she said!). Jo deserves all the credit for pushing the band to achieve higher standards and a new high point in our history. Husband Steve helped coach the band in the weeks leading up to the contest and, on behalf of the band, I’d like to thank him for his excellent advice and guidance. I’m sure the town council will be dusting off the barriers out for the open-top bus tour – however, we’ll sort that when the weather warms up....
Comments (1) Added by MarkL November 7, 2011 (12:09AM)
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