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A return visit to St Mary's Church in Tydd St Mary. They made us very welcome as always, and the choice of home-made soups at the half-time interval was amazing plus hot dogs.

We played a mixture of concert pieces and carols, with the audience singing along to the carols.

It's a small church and the area we had to play in is very tight. We had 9 members away (including the top 2 cornets) which made it easier to fit in, but had to adjust the planned programme

Programme:

Christmas Joy March
Have Youself a Merry Little Christmas
	Carol : Once in Royal
Christmas Twins
	Carol : Hark the Herald
Do They Know its Christmas
	Carol : O Come All Ye Faithful
Jingle Bell Rock
	Interval
Mary's Boy Child
	Carol : O Little Town
Coventry Carol
	Carol : Good King Wenceslas
Happy Christmas
	Carol : Silent Night
We Three kings
Carol : Away in a Manger
Swing into Christmas
Encore : Merry Christmas Everybody

Panorama Photo

2nd December - Concert at St Nicholas Fayre

Our annual visit to All Saints Church, Holbeach for their St Nicholas Fayre. It was a busy and active place. We played a mixture of festive concert pieces.

We had been due to play at 2.00pm but, a couple of weeks ago, they asked us to start at 2.30pm. We arrived at 2.00 to set up and found a singer and accompanist set up where we were due to play. We were told that things were running late! And when the singer finished the Ukelele Group took over. They finished just after 2.30 and we had to wait for them to clear the area before we could set up. We set up quickly but it was nearly 2.45 before we started. After 30 minutes we had a break and our Training Band took over for 15 minutes. We returned for another 30 minutes and finished about 3.45 as stalls were closing down.

Members of our Training Band and Learner Group joined forces (aided by some from the senior band) to play some Christmas pieces. They palyed very nicely but, unfortunately, about half of them were absent due to other commitments.

3rd December - Carols at Sainsbury's, Spalding

Our first carol playing of the season playing outside Sainsbury's store in Spalding. Nice balanced group. Weather was kind but a bit chilly.

8th December - Carols for Band Bingo

The band holds a fund-raising bingo on the 2ns Friday of every month. We took a group to play some carols at the half-time refreshments break. Band family members served the refreshments to free up members to play.

9th December - Carols at Morrisons Pinchbeck

We were at Morrisons Supermaket playing carols inside the store. We were placed just inside the entrance doors next to (and partially obstructing) the entrance to the store's cafe. It was rather disappointing to find the Lions Charity Sleigh parked outside those same doors playing recorded music with an army of collectors. Our collection was a lot less then it should have been - people saying that they had already given outside. But we had a good group and received lots of nice comments.

10th December - Christmas Music Cafe

Our most successful Music Cafe! Very enjoyable. Band members, family and friends made cakes to sell, served in the cafe and washed up/cleared up.

We put out tables and chairs for the visitors. Before we started, we had to find more tables and chairs and were running out of room!

The band played two sets from our Christmas programme, and ate cake! During the break members of our Learner Group and Training Band played four Christmas songs assisted by their regular helpers from the main band.

16th December - Carols at the Co-op, Holbeach

Our first visit to the new Co-op store in Holbeach. And it was very cold! But we had a good turnout. We noted that an area of the front parking area had been cordoned off and presumed it as for us; but no, it was for the Lions Charity Sleigh!!! Fortunately (for us) it didn't turn up. The store's hot sausage rolls proved very successful but caused a bit of disruption to the playing!

17th December - Carols at Holbeach and East Elloe Hospital and Care Home

Always a pleasure to play at Holbeach Hospital Care Home. We expected to play in each of the 3 day rooms, but when we got there we were asked to play for an hour in one day room. We had quite a large turnout with 17 players! So we played quietly (in a brass band way!).

20th December - Carols Around the Tree

Our regular visit to the All Saints Church Holbeach where we played for an outdoor carol service. Not as many people singing this year even though the weather was much better than previous years.

After the service we were invited inside the church for a hotdrink and mince pie. very nice.

23rd December - Carols at Caffe Aurora, Holbeach

A new venue for us. We were asked to play carols outside this delightful coffee shop on the main road in Holbeach. We were made very welcome. We had a slightly reduced band, knowing thatthe area was limited. But we managed to fit in and left room for passers-by. A very successful morning. We finished at 12 to allow the local tribute act 'Pavornotti' to take over his regular spot.

24th December - Carols at Tesco, Holbeach

Another regular for us - Christmas Eve visit to the Tesco Supermarket in Holbeach. It was very busy. We had a good turnout and some god collectors! Lots of nice comments from the customers.

Website designed created and maintained by Mel Hopkin

Musical Director : Mel Hopkin Email address: enquiries@holbeachtownband.org.uk Back Lane, Holbeach, Lincolnshire PE12 7LN (click for map)

Celebrating 40 years of Banding 1971 to 2011

1st December - Concert at Tydd St Mary Church

2nd December - Concert at St Nicholas Fayre

Musical Director : Mel Hopkin

Email address: enquiries@holbeachtownband.org.uk

Back Lane, Holbeach, Lincolnshire PE12 7LN (click for map)