December 2010

The Band had an enjoyable summer with no days spoilt by rain (unlike last year).  Our first engagement, 17 June, was providing hymns and incidental music for Woodcote village's celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the unveiling and dedication of their War Memorial.  The hymns we played were the same as those used in 1920.  Three days later we presented our annual 'Music for a Summer's Sunday' in the garden of the Old Boot Inn at Stanford Dingley.  Pangbourne Fete, 26 June, saw us with a stall of plants, books and household items and playing to the passers by.  We thank you all for stopping to have a chat and purchasing things, which will be a great help to our funds.  Our major outdoor concert in the summer was at the bandstand in Forbury Gardens (Sunday 11 July), where we played to a large gathering of visitors relaxing in the sunshine.  This event is a favourite for discerning local bandsmen and a chance for us to renew past acquaintances and talk to friends of the band.  Our last concert before our August recess was playing with five other bands in the Oxford and District Brass Band Association in the quadrangle at Blenheim Palace.  At the conclusion we united in a massed performance of favourite pieces.

We do enjoy playing at weddings and other private functions and on 4 September we were delighted to be able to play at the wedding of our front-row cornet player, James Ford and his bride Lynn at Sindlesham Court.  James couldn't resist breaking off and 'having a blow' during the feast.

The Pangbourne Youth Band celebrated the end of its second year by holding a 'Strawberries and Cream Concert' for parents and well-wishers in the Village Hall, 21 July.  Each of the nine children played a party piece and then a programme of eight pieces, with strawberries and cream served in the interval.  The children wore their new polo-shirt uniform, which was donated by James Ford of JF Kitchens.  Neil Easter, our oldest player and a founder member, presented a new cup, the Neil Easter Cup, to the most improved player, Ethan Coffey (euphonium).  

The band's autumn concert was once again held at St Peter's Church in Earley on 27 November.  It was well received by an enthusiastic audience on the evening before Advent began, signalling the start of a very busy few weeks.  The band's Christmas programme was once again a full one with the band engaged to provide the music at the Carol Service at Tyndale Baptist Church in Cressingham Road, Reading as well as appearing at the Henley Christmas Market, Reading and Pangbourne for the Christmas shoppers and also a number of appearances providing incidental music in the foyer of Sainsbury's.  The band rounded off its Christmas activity with a house-to-house collection, playing carols under the street lamps and the next day, Christmas Eve, collecting in the local public houses.  We are most grateful for the generosity of the public, whose donations are vital for the running of the band.

Finally, we have decided to make a tour of Paris and its environs over the summer holiday, 26-30 August 2011 and give four concerts.  Look out for details and news here.

Added by stewart January 23, 2011 (2:02PM)

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