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Armed Forces Day at Bourne - 2009
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The Band was formed in 1971 as the Holbeach Community Band and
was renamed Holbeach Town Band in 2000. It is a traditional
brass band and takes its members from the Holbeach and Spalding
areas of South Lincolnshire and surrounding villages.
LINK to history of the band.
LINK to LP record made in the 1970s
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Membership
The Band is very much a family affair with many members having relatives
in the band - parents, children, brothers, sisters. The Band is
always keen to attract new members from experienced players and
from those willing to learn or to improve their playing. Members
pay a nominal subscription of 50p per week, but children are FREE!
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Springfields Retail Outlet
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Logo on Band Jumper
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Uniform
The Band's first uniform was a burgundy blazer and matching tie.
In the 1980s this was changed to a grey blazer.
The current uniform dates from Autumn 2000, and
is purple jumper with band logo, white shirt, black bow tie and
black trousers/skirt. We have added a cap or panama hat for the
summer. T-shirts are available from the band
shop. In 2008 we added a black straight tie with logo for
informal events. We also added a cravat with logo for the ladies.
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Last Night of the Proms at Long Sutton Church 2008
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Practice details
The band practices in its own bandroom in Back lane, Holbeach, Lincolnshire.
Practices are held each Wednesday evening and start at 7.30pm and
finish at 9.30pm.
From 6.30pm to 7.30pm before practice the band holds training sessions
for its learner group. From 7.00pm members of the main band
join to help the learners play simple pieces. The learners are encouraged
to join the main band.
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Learners
The band hold special training sessions for new learners
(of all ages) for an hour before each weekly practice. It
also holds regular Open days to attract new members.
By arrangement, individual private lessons are available on a Saturday
mornings and other times.
See the Rules for Learners
From 2002, the Band runs 'Learn
to Play in a Week' where, every August,
the band teaches absolute beginners to play a simple tune in a week.
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Young Learners |
Learning to Play in a Week
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Open
days
The band opens its doors for a half or whole day during school holidays
to allow visitors to look around and to try brass instruments under
the band's instruction. These Open days have resulted in a significant
number of new members, both from those wishing to learn and from former
players interested in rejoining a brass band. In most years
we hold Coffee Mornings which are quite successful in attracting visitors
- visitors are offered a drink and have a look at a display of instruments
and music. Local schools are always invited
to the Open Days. |
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Fundraising
The band is totally self-financing, receiving
its income from weekly membership fees (50p per week for adults),
engagements and carol-playing. By far the largest income is from
fund-raising events organised by Les and Brenda.
These fund-raising events include a stall
outside the bandroom every Saturday, table-top sales at the Holbeach
Community Centre; and bino sessions at the Women's Institute Hall.
Each year the fundraisers present the band
with a cheque for the proceeds of their year's fundraising. In December
2009 the cheque was for £3,100.
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December 2009: Brenda and Les presenting cheque to
Chairman Yvonne Butter and Musical Director Mel Hopkin
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