September News
The last few weeks have seen the band perform in some quite different venues and at contrasting kinds of events.
On 20th July we were at the North Shore Methodist Church in Blackpool, where we gave a concert of music from stage and screen which, sadly, was not well attended, there being perhaps 30 or so people in the audience. The music was well received and a cornet solo "On my Own" performed by guest player Steve Tarry was appreciated.
Sunday 24th July saw us at Whitechapel Church for an outdoor Songs of Praise service. This was the first time that the band had been to Whitechapel, it was a gorgeous afternoon and in a beautiful setting. The ladies had put on a delicious buffet for all to enjoy on the occasion of their Patronal Festival. The event was very well attended, some people having come from as far as Preston on a Minicoach.
After Whitechapel came a complete contrast in the form of Pilling Coffee Feast, which marks the end of our summer marching season. This year it appeared to be very well supported, it was a boiling hot day and we were glad of the opportunity to sample a pint in the Golden Ball whilst the crowning ceremony was going on! Most of us agreed that this was the hardest job that we had done all summer what with the heat, the long march and the many stops for the Morris Dancers to perform.
On the 7th August we were at Happy Mount Park in Morecambe. Now, we usually get rained off at this event and the Sunday morning promised more of the same, however, by 2pm the skies cleared and we had a lovely afternoon. Many people sat around to listen to the band in a pleasant setting and we are grateful to those who contributed to our collection towards band funds.
Our most recent outing was a local one in Pilling where we played the hymns for a Songs of Praise at Stella Maris on Garstang Road. Ethel Davis holds many events here to raise money for charity and this one was for an organisation which arranges holidays for disadvantaged children. It was very successful and is a bit different in that the hymns are sung in a large shed in Ethel's garden.
We are enjoying a bit of a rest just now before we start September with another concert at the North Shore Methodist's in Blackpool on Sept 7th, followed by a concert at The Platform in Morecambe on the 9th. Another local one is a "Last Night of the Proms" event at Pilling Memorial Hall on the 16th followed by Calder Vale harvest festival on Sept 26th. If anyone would like more information about these events please contact me or any band member.
Written 02/09/2011 by Jack Isles
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