CARTER'S PARK, HOLBEACH
21st July 2002, 11th August 2002 and 15th
September 2002
Press Reports: 15th
August 2002, 12th
September 2002 and 19th
September 2002
21st July 2002
The Band made its first appearnace in Carters Park for a number
of years, by kind permission of the Holbeach Town Council.
Unfortunately the weather was not kind to us. There had
been a spell of excellent sunshine during the previous week, but it was
drizzling when we arrived at Carters Park, and all afternoon!
We were not deterred by the rain and found shelter under a large
Chestnut Tree!!! This was adequate to keep the band dry and we played on
regardless of the weather. The weather had a severe effect on the audience
who mainly stayed at home in the dry; but those who did venture out were
very enthusiastic.
11th August 2002
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Our second visit to the park was on a sunny afternoon. The
audience brought their own chairs and we had a very pleasant
afternoon.
Unfortunately, we had some difficulty with local
teenagers! As we were packing away they threw things at us; and that
night the bandroom had bricks thrown threw the windows. We assume the
incidents are linked!! The situation was not as bad as the newspaper
report indicates, but it was not very pleasant - one band member thought he had
been hit by a bottle and others had handfuls of soil and stones thrown at them
while we were packing away.
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15th
September 2002
Our third concert in Carter's Park was a great success.
The weather was kind to us and we had a good audience. The problems with
local youths did not re-occur (thanks, no doubt, to the presence of members of
Long Sutton Karate Club, to whom we are very grateful) and a good day was had by
all. We took the opportunity of trying out some of the pieces we will be
playing at our next concert.
SPALDING
GUARDIAN 15 August 2002
"Bottles and stones hurled at town band"
"A town band has threatened to cancel future concerts after it was
attacked by youths while playing in a Holbeach park. Holbeach Town band
was the target of a barrage of bottles and stones thrown by youths as it put on
a free concert in Carter's Park on Sunday. One band member was hit by a
bottle as he tried to play. The same youths are believed to be responsible
for an attack on the band room in Back Lane Holbeach later that evening during
which several windows were broken. The band is now seriously considering
whether it will be able to play in the park again.
"Musical Director Mel Hopkin said 'We really enjoy playing
at Carter's Park. We have another concert lined up for September but after
Sunday's attack I feel I must think very seriously about whether to cancel it or
not. I can't risk the safety of band members and I am certainly not happy
about the antics of the youths in the park. I wish they would find
something more constructive to do.' Mr Hopkin said that there is a
possibility the band will be able to find another venue for that concert.
"Holbeach Town Band, which rents the bandroom from Holbeach
Parish Council, will now have to find the money to cover the cost of repairing
the broken windows. Coun Nev Capes said 'The band was playing in the park
on Sunday and the youths were throwing bottles at them. They were cycling
by and trying to kick over their money box. We think it was the same gang
which broke six panes of glass on the band hut. It's terrible behaviour
and it spoils it for everyone else.'
"Only last week the band organised free sessions teaching
people how to play brass band instruments. It also held an open day at the
bandroom. Mr Hopkin added 'It's a shame that this has happened but it
won't put us off. We will continue to help those who are genuinely
interested in music.'
"The broken windows were discovered by band fundraiser Les
Ward who realised what had happened when he went to tidy up the room. Mr
Hopkin added 'Neighbours saw some youths throw a brick through one of the
windows at about 11.30pm on Sunday. Then about an hour later they heard
another window break when another brick went through it. We suspect there
might be a connection between the attack in the park and the windows being
smashed.'
"This was the second concert the band has put on at
Carter's park this year. Mr Hopkin added 'It is the first time we have
suffered this. During the first concert we did at the park the youths were
running amok in the flower beds but they didn't target us.' "
SPALDING
GUARDIAN 12th September, 2002
"Security stepped up to protect defiant town
band"
"Security will be stepped up at a concert on Sunday as
Holbeach Town vows not to be defeated by thugs. Long Sutton Karate Club will be
working alongside police to tackle any trouble. The band had threatened not to
play in the town's Carter's Park again after members were targeted by youths
throwing bottles and stones. The band room in Back Lane was also attacked with
six panes of glass smashed. But the band is now determined not to let the thugs
win. Musical Director Mel Hopkin said: "We are not going to let local
youths dictate what we can and can't do. We are going back to the park for the
benefit of Holbeach people. We are, of course, concerned about the safety of
band members and the audience but the police will be on hand and so will the
karate club."
"Mr Hopkin said there had not been any vandalism since
the last incident. He added: "I would like to thank everyone who has
offered help to the band. We have had lots of telephone calls from people who
are quite supportive of the band so at least something positive has come out of
this. We have had a number of offers of help, including a donation from Holbeach
Wine Circle to help us pay for the window repairs." "
SPALDING
GUARDIAN 19th September, 2002
"Karate Club Helps Chop Yob Antics"
"The presence of a karate club ensured a park concert
ended on a high note. Holbeach Town Band was plagued by yobs at its last concert
in Carter's Park who threw bottles and stones as it played. But last Sunday six
Long Sutton karate club members were on hand to act as a visible deterrent to
any would be troublemakers. The martial arts experts volunteered to help out on
the day because member Jackie Linge is a drummer in the band. Dressed in dark
clothes, they kept a watchful eye on the situation. Although there were youths
in the park on Sunday, there was no trouble and the karate club’s presence was
hailed a success. The club has now volunteered to man future concerts whenever
possible to prevent further attacks. Musical director Mel Hopkin said: "We
had the benefit of the karate club members who were on hand to protect the band
and our audience. The club was a deterrent and may well have been the reason why
there was no trouble. We were very grateful to them for protecting us on
Sunday."
"Inspector Tony Smith of Spalding police said:
"Public order issues are the responsibility of the police. While I'm not in
favour of vigilantes, if members of the community wish to help out other members
of the community, that's fine. It was all in good spirit with friends helping
each other out."
"Sunday's concert was the last of the season but the
band will be back in Carter's Park in June next year. Mr Hopkin said: "We
had a good audience and it was an enjoyable afternoon. We are hoping the club
will come along again to future concerts." "
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