WINTER
07/08
Christmas 07 saw our usual run of
frequent performances, including a Carol Service at Wapley Church (Dodington's
Parish Church), carols at the Rattlebone Inn in Sherston, and the more
formal Frome Vale Masonic Carol Service in Chipping Sodbury. We were
delighted to join in the very enjoyable and busy Victorian Evening in Iron
Acton this year.
We always enjoy this time of year with the variety of venues and types
of performance. Unexpected chores this year included polishing soap
bubbles from the instruments, (artificial snow!) after Chipping
Sodbury Victorian Evening!
 
SPRING/SUMMER 2007
After the usual enthusiastic
Christmas spell, the Band settled into some new pieces and a lottery grant
application. We joined the Avonbelles, some Mummers and George and the
Dragon in celebrating St George's Day at the Yate Heritage Centre. Another
local venture was performing alongside Yate Choral Society at St John's
church as part of the Chipping Sodbury Festival, followed by accompanying
Boules under a blazing sun at Sherston.
We are fortunate in being successful in our recent application for a
lottery grant. This will enable us to expand, and extend our connections
with the local community. We are now actively seeking new members,
especially people who may have lapsed playing for a time or school
leavers. Non-playing members would also be very welcome to help with
supporting tasks!
10th
ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
This was held at Dodington Parish
Hall on Saturday 21st October 2006 at 7.30 pm. It proved to be a rousing
and enjoyable evening! We performed a wide variety of music, including
some pieces that have been important to the Band over our first 10 years
of history such as Young Amadeus and Aces High. Many other pieces were new
to the Band such as Summertime, Nessum Dorma, Phantom Trumpeter and Basin
Street Blues
The climax of the Evening was Hymn
to the Fallen, which certainly gripped the Band and hopefully also the
audience, prior to an enthusiastic rendition of another old favourite,
Instant Concert!
Percy expertly led the players all
evening, interspersed with jokes and stories, and whilst indulging in a
little flag waving at the very end, suffered a broken flag stick, causing
the Union Jack to narrowly miss the first trombonist!
We are very grateful to those who
attended, especially local councillors who once again offered us their
support, and also some kind words of encouragement as to how the Band has
progressed during the decade.
 
This was a free concert for
Charity. Donations will be given to the local branch of The Princess Royal
Carers Trust.
SUMMER 2006
This summer brought
a variety of jobs and performances, including Chipping Sodbury Festival, playing at Vicki's mum's
wedding, Avonlea House Nursing Home, Yate Festival and visits
to Sherston, Wilts
We helped Sherston
School celebrate the first Masai Mara to attain a degree, and also played
at their 'Bit of a Do' village fete. Later we returned to accompany Mangold hurling!
Four band camps were
held this summer, at Porlock, Bradford-on Avon, Tewkesbury and Ilfracombe.
Hardened campers stay all weekend in all weather conditions. Others manage
to attend the traditional Saturday night BBQ. Events include Lethal Frisbee,
Wet suit plunge, and Collapsing-Tent Watching in the Wind as well as the
more traditional eating, drinking, and dog entertaining.
CAMPING PHOTOS!
SPRING 2006
We are very fortunate to have obtained the services of Percy Mann as our
conductor. He is well known in local music circles and his enthusiasm has
been infectious, making rehearsals both hard work and rewarding! The band
has also successfully recruited a number of new players since Christmas.
We were very grateful to receive a grant from Yate Town Council presented
by the Mayor.
All are looking forward to a number of regular and new engagements over
the summer period.
CHRISTMAS
2005
Carolling started in earnest this year with the Chipping Sodbury Victorian
Evening, and brief fame as a backdrop to a short HTV news
report! Our thanks this year go to Percy Mann for assisting as conductor for
some of our events. Amongst these were providing carols for Wapley Court
Residential Home and for the Carol Service at Wapley church later that day.
It was great to see Cliff Phelps, Dodington Parish Councillor busy again,
introducing the service at Chipping Sodbury Masonic Hall.
We are extremely
grateful to our sponsors, namely Dodington Parish Council, South
Gloucestershire Council, Yate and Sodbury Town Councils, who have generously
supported the band over the past year.
We enter the New
Year with enthusiasm and a selection of new music. We are at present
actively looking for a new conductor and new players.
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