Summer 2004

Holbeach Tractor Rally

Another miserable day!  We attended the annual Holbeach Tractor Rally on 19th June.  It rained intermittently and we had to take shelter in the beer tent (it's a difficult job, but someone's got to do it!!).  Attendances at the Rally were very low, due, no doubt, to the weather. 

Holbeach Hospital Strawberry Tea

The Hospital held a strawberry tea on 20th June and we were invited to play.  Due to poor weather, we played inside in two of the Day Rooms - we had taken a full band, so it was a bit cramped for space.  The second day room was so small that we played outside on a patio while the opened the windows. Unfortunately, we did not see any strawberries;  but one of the residents was delighted to conduct the band!

All Saints Church Fete

We were invited again to play at the annual Church Fete on 26th June. We played incidental music throughout the morning and were fortunate that the rain held off until we finished.  We were short of a few players but the Fete was well attended and the band's playing was well received.

Summer Praise

The band played at Summer Praise 2004 at Holbeach Parish Church.  We played an introductory piece and three of the hymns.  About a week before the event we were asked to play four 'modern' hymns but did not have the music for any of them.  Three hymns were changed and the organist played two others.

Ayscoughfee Gardens, Spalding

For the first time for a number of years we were invited to take part in the series of brass band concerts in Ayscoughfee Gardens.  Unfortunately (for us) other bands were offered the choice of concerts first and there were only two dates available for us - 25th July and one in August;  both dates in the summer holiday period so it was not easy to get a full band.

Our solo horn is absent through pregnancy and I heard the previous day that our principal cornet is in hospital; we also had other players absent through work, illness and holidays - in all we were 9 members short!  I was able to borrow a flugel horn and Bb Bass from Kirton Brass Band and our flugel horn player played solo horn.

I was quite concerned that when the time came to start the concert the flugel horn and 1st Trombone had not arrived - they both turned up during the first piece, together with our principal cornet who had just come out of hospital.

The weather was quite poor and it had been raining most of the morning but by the time the concert started it stopped raining and we the weather improved throughout the afternoon, as did the audience armed with their portable chairs and umbrellas.

Abbeygate Home, Moulton

This was a pleasant afternoon playing at a garden party at the rear of the Moulton Mill.  The Deputy Flower Queen and the local MP were present. We had a fairly good turnout but suffered from 2 of our front row cornets leaving for university.

Holbeach Hospital Fete

Another trip to Holbeach Hospital.  Again it did not turn out quite as expected.  The Hospital fete was well attended with many stalls and activities (although the bungee jump did not stay long due to a strong breeze).  The hospital decided to place the band away from the main proceedings so we would not be disturbed by the 'canned' music.  We were placed at the side of the hospital next to the entrance to the car park.  We had an enthusiastic audience of about a dozen!

Autumn Concert

Our Autumn Concert was held at the Holbeach Methodist Church.  We were joined this year by hand-bell ringers the Holbeach Methodist Chimers.  There was a good appreciative audience.  We opened and closed each half and the Chimers played in the middle of each half.

We were short of cornet players following one solo cornet going to university and another away due to work.  We were assisted by Russell (solo cornet) from Swineshead Band and Robin (Repiano) and Becky (Baritone) from Spalding Band.