Well what a busy start to the year it has been for the Band! Since the last update, the Band and Village has celebrated the village festival which was a great success.

The band were involved in the Festival Ball on Saturday 22nd May where we entertained the guests with a selection of jazzy numbers before the late entertainment started. The ball was a great success and raised a lot of money.

The bank holiday weekend saw a flurry of activity as the Festival events took place. Saturday started wet and several players helped pu t up gazebo's to house both bars. Luckily the worst of the weather had past by lunchtime when the festival events began. The band were rota'd all the the weekend to help in both bars on the green and school field - keeping all visitors and performers suitably watered!

Sunday saw much improved weather and more bar work keeping us on our toes. Several of us had never served behind the bar, opting previo usly to stand on the other side! Both Rob Williams and Claudia Hughes had bar experienced from years gone by and were soon in the 'zone'. The complicated till system on the green proved too much for some and it was quickly ditched in favour of the more traditional mental maths approach! The evening saw the Band perform in the Church with The Song Men Male Voice Choir. The church was packed and enjoyed the concert which off ered some music from the period of the English Civil War.

Monday again included more bar work for the band but additionally saw the band compete with the re-enactment members for a 'friendly' game of Cricket on the school field. This was enjoyed by all including the large crowd that gathered on the school field. Later the band he lped organise the Hobby Horse racing which took place on the green before the Festival finally came to a close.

Many thanks go to the organising committee which included Tim Dixon, Ian Barnes and James Sheppard.

A most enjoyable weekend which raised vital funds for both the Memorial Hall and the Band. Indeed at the July Pond concert the Band were presented with a cheque for £8000.

June and July Pond Concerts were a mixed bag weather wise. June's concert saw thick cloud but luckily the rain held off whilst we were not so lucky with July, the weather had threatened to pull the plug on the outdoor concert but the band bravely took to the stage. The wea ther behaved itself until the last 20 minutes where the heavens opened and soaked everyone including the music! Luckily the concert was dr awn to a close and so we cut our losses and quickly packed up.

The band have several more concerts lined up, including another visit to St James's Park - London where we will play two whole concerts in succession in the park. August is just around the corner and the band look forward to again performing on the green for the summer 'Proms' concert. This draws big crowds onto the green and is a great event. Everyone is encouraged to bring their Union Jacks along for the traditional second half. Remember the concert will start at 16:00.]]> Saturday, 10 July 2010 9:34:00 GMT