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ENGAGEMENTS 2017
29th January - Music Cafe
Our first Music Cafe of the year was very enjoyable and successful.
Band members, family and friends made cakes to sell,
served
in the cafe and washed up/cleared up.
We had a table with various instrumnets for visitors to try.
There were tables and chairs for the visitors. And the band played for two hours, and ate cake!
New for this year - we had members of our Learner Group and Training Band joined us to play 3 short pieces in each half
11th April - Open Day/Taster Day
We
opened the Bandroom from 11.00am to 3.00pm
for visitors to meet band members and to try out brass instruments. We had a good turnout and played some good music. We had a few visitors and the promise of new members joining our learner group or starter group.
22nd April - Gym at Carter's Park, Holbeach
The Holbeach Parish Council held a ceremony to officially open the new outdoor Gym in Carters Park; they only decided to do this at the last minute (because they did not know when it would be ready). Since that was St.George's day it was deemed an appropriate occasion. The Holbeach Scouts were holding a parade at the same time to end at Carter's Park.
In view of the short notice, we had a reduced band. We were due to play for 15 minutes before the opening ceremony at 1.30; the ceremony would last 15-20 minutes and then we would play again. We duly started at 1.15 and played 2 pieces during which the scout parade arrived. The senior scout then asked us to stop while he spoke to the parade. At 1.30 nothing seemed to be happening, so we played nanother piece - while we were playing a councillor cut a ribbon on the gym equipment. When we finished the piece, it was all over and the small crowd dispersed. We played another couple of pieces and called it a day.
30th April - Moulton Chapel Flower Parade
Our regular visit to the Moulton Chapel Flower Parade where we ride on the back of a covered trailer. The sun was shining (most of the time) but the wind was blowing, particularly in the open countryside - it made it a bit of a challenge keeping the music on stands.
1st May - Holbeach Flower Festival
We had our regular visit to the Holbeach Flower Festival. Although it was quite a nice day, the wind was quite strong so we chose to play inside All Saints Church. We had a passing ausdience of people looking at the floral displays, but by half time many had stayed to watch us. It was quite a tight fit because the Church had put displays near the pulpit, where we normally play, and we were asked to play near the altar.
29th May - Whaplode Flower Festival
After a week of really hot weather, this Bank Holiday Monday was cloudy with drizzle! We were booked to play two one-hour sets at 1.30pm and 3.30pm. at St Mary's Church, Whaplode
When we arrived we were given the option of playing inside the church, or playing in a marquee in the church grounds. As there appeared to be lots happening in the church and not much happening outside, we decided to play inside and started setting up. One of the organisers turned up and said we should be playing in the marquee; after discussing with other church members they agreed we could play inside, but we would have to adjust our playing times to allow for a line-dancing demonstartion and a Tae Kwon Do demonstration.
We started playing at 1.30 and after an opening march, the line-dancers performed for 20 minutes. We re-started and played for 45 minutes. We were planning to restart at 3.30 (as agreed) but the organisers asked us to restart after a short break and finish at 3.30 to allow us to get away before the Tae Kwon Do demo as they wanted to use the area where we were playing.
Overall it was a good afternoon, with a good audience in the church and, we think, far bettert than if we had been playing in the marquee
4th June - Donington Summer Fayre
Our regular visit to Donington for what was their Fun Day, renamed this year as the Summer fayre. They always make us very welcome.
Although we were booked a year ago, we had a major problem with holidays and work commitments! We were OK with euphoniums, trombones, basses and drums; but only had 6 out of 19 cornets, horns and baritones! Forunately we had huge help from some very talented guests: Elaine Wilkins, Tony Garrill, John Spencer, Yvonne Butter, Maureen Carr, Kate Baxter and Karen Jefferson. Thanks to all.
11th June - Open farm Sunday at St Lambert Hall Farm, Weston
As part of Open Farm Sunday we played at Oldershaw's St Lambert Hall farm, Weston. We were on the back of a covered trailer (which was longer than most trailers we have played on!). We were parked on an open concrete yard, near the hog roast. It was very hot and there were over 1,000 visitors to the farm. Unfortunately there were not many chairs for the visitos to enjoy the band.
We were delighted to be invited back to the Anglia Motel, Washway Road, Holbeach after a gap of 8 years. We last played there in 2009.
The event was the annual Military and Vintage Rally which raises funds for the Normandy Veterns Association, Help the Heroes and the Royal Anglian Regiment. There are photos from the event on the 'Military Weekends' page of the Anglia Motel website.
This was our second event this year where we had a major problem with holidays and work commitments! Also the added difficulty of getting a band on a Saturday! We had half the band away with absences in all sections. Forunately we had huge help from some very talented guests: 5 from Swineshead band (John Holland, Mandy Ellson, Maureen Carr, Issy, Dale Richards) 1 from Stamford band (Nick Bunting) 2 from Manea band (Phil Bramham and another) and 3 from Leamington Spa band (the Musical Director's family members - James, Natasja and Evan Hopkin). Thanks to all.
It went very well and we got a lot of favouable comments from the spectators.
8th July - Gosberton House Fete
Our first visit to the Gosberton House Care Home for their annual fete. It was a hot afternoon and the residents were wheeled out to shelter under an awning. There seemed very few visitors to the 'fete'. We were asked to return next year.
20th August - Ayscoughfee Gardens, Spalding
A welcome return to Ayscoughfee Gardens. Always a pleasant event. We were a little unsure whether we could get a band in August, but, in fact, had the best attendance of the year! Fortunately some band members were able to return early from their holidays.
The concerts are organised by the Friends of Ayacoughfee, under new leadership this year - it worked well.
2nd September - Military Event at The Green, Hunstanton
Harold Payne of the Anglia Motel held one of his Military events on the Green at Hunstanton and we played in the bandstand. During the day Normandy Veterans were presented with a 75th anniversary lapel badge.
Although it was a Saturday, we had a reasonable turnout; Ben Brickles boosted the cornet section.
It was a lovely day and we had a nice audience as well as a lot of passers by. We got lots of good comments.
16th September - Moulton Community Centre (LNOP)
An excellent Last Night of the Proms Concert at Moulton Community Centre.
When we arrived we were a little concerned at the size of the stage! After we had set up the drum kit and timps we realised that we would struggle to get more than 15 more members on the stage. After a bit of head-scratching we decided to set up the back row cornets, the tenor horns and the basses on the stage (14 players plus percussion), and the other 17 players in front of the stage. It was all rather cramped as we were very close to the sudience!!
There was a very enthusiastic audience with much flag waving and singing.
The organisers provided a two-course hot meal for the audience at half-time. And they provided a very nice buffet for us.
Following the concert we received this email from a member of the audience:
" Mum, Dad, my husband and I attended your performance at Moulton tonight, and wanted to say how much we all enjoyed ourselves.
" The players were excellent , first class and the music brilliantly put together. Your hard work and dedication at rehearsals certainly produced an outstanding musical extravaganza.
"
A huge thank you to everyone, in providing us with an enjoyable and memorable evening."
Programme:
First Half |
Second Half |
Barnard Castle |
Classical Gold |
Eve of the War |
English Folk Songs (3rd Movement) |
Songs from the Great War |
Jerusalem |
Extracts from Avatar |
Jupiter's Theme |
Game of Thrones |
Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 |
Bridge Over Troubled Water |
Fantasia on British Sea Songs |
Lovely Jubilee |
Encore: Crazy Little Thing Called Love |
30th September - Crowland LNOP
Two weeks later and its our second Last Night of the Proms. This one is at the British Legion Hall in Crowland. This concert raised funds for St Barnabas Trust.
We had plenty of room to set up, although the organisers had to squash in extra tables and chairs as the audience increased in size.
We had expected to start at 7.00pm (as per their poster) and were set up ready, but the organisers asked us to wait as some of the audience had not arrived. We were nearly 30 minutes late starting.
Again there was a capacity audience who joined in with the singing very enthusiastically.
We had lots of very nice comments.
“Thoroughly enjoyed the concert in Crowland last night. Very impressed with the band and the range of music played. Well done to you all.”
15th October - Military Event at Anglia Motel
Another visit to the Anglia Motel. We were booked to play between 12.00 and 4.00pm. This event was Harold Payne’s thank you to everyone who had helped him raise funds over the year.
According to the weather forecast it should have been a warm sunny afternoon, so we planned to wear summer uniform of waistcoats. Unfortunately the sun was hidden behind cloud and it was quite chilly. We ended up with a mix of waistcoats and overcoats!
We set up on the grass behind the Motel and played for 45 minutes. There were not many people around to hear us. We had a break for lunch during which the organisers decided that we should finish early. So we played one more set and were finished by 3.00pm.
We had a good turnout, but there were a few absentees and the cornet section was boosted by Phil Bramham and Jeremy Ransome.
21st October - Evening of Music at All Saints Church
 We were invited to take part in an 'Evening of Music' in aid of National Child Loss Day. It was a charity event and all proceeds were split between The Miscarriage & The Lullaby Trust. They had a number of singers lined up but wanted some musicians.
Many thanks to Neil Simons who organised a group of our younger players – Cory Genovese, Paweł Nieweglowski and Amelia Simpson (cornets), Jacob Simpson (tenor horn) and Jimmy Hammond (euphonium); well done all.
12th November - Remembrance Sunday at Holbeach St Marks
Our annual visit to Holbeach St Marks for the Remembrance Service. We set up in the Church then walk to the village War Memorial where we played 1914 March and some hymn tunes. Adam Reece played Last Post.
After the laying of the wreaths we returned to church and played the hymns for the service. Towards the end of the service wreaths are layed at the war memorial inside the church and Tom Judd-Cooper played Last Post
18th November - Young Farmers Ball at Springfields
We had a very pleasant evening playing at the Lincolnshire Young Farmers Ball. We were first approached 2 months before the event, but the job wasn't confirmed until 2 weeks before. We were due to play from 7.00 to 7.45 as the guests arrived and then again from 8.00 to 8.30 while the starter course was served. The theme of the Ball was Best of British so we planned to play suitable 'British' music,
When we arrived we were told that Morris Dancers had also been booked and would start at 7.30. In fact they did not arrive until 8.30 so we ended up playing through to 8.30 with a very short break.
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