This time of the month has come around again all too quickly! Yep its time for yet another newsletter!

Conducting over the summer

Due to work commitments Robin has said that he is likely to be unable to make some of the summer jobs and practices. However – it is not the end of the world – former band master Stewart Thorp has offered to help out as needed. It’ll be good to see him back again

Your help is needed!

Sadly, because of  family commitments, Jane, has had to stand down as the summer fete organiser. Fran has very generously offered her garden for us to use again. A date is yet to be fixed but we will need help with organisation and on the day itself.  All offers to Dorothy please! 

As a result of the recent spring clean, the external wall has revealed itself to be falling apart and needs urgent love and attention. This means we need money and  lots of it – which means that the garden fete is more important than ever.

Holidays

Could everybody please let Dorothy know when they are taking holidays so that she can arrange cover for you over those periods. You may have noticed that a list has appeared on the notice board so that you can do this. If you don’t tell Dorothy that you can’t make a job – she will assume you are coming!

 Birthdays – ha ha, there is no escape from standing on your chair!

Roger – 1^st May
Ray – 20^th May
Matthew L – 22^nd May
Susan – 28^th May        

The usual applies – If I have missed anyone I apologise and I hope you all have a very Happy Birthday  

Calling New Learners

Despite having two new learners start (welcome by the way!) we do have space for even more learners – So mum, dad, grandma, grandpa, dog – its never too late to learn! Although apparently Catherine says she won’t teach a dog to learn the cornet! If anybody knows someone who has always wanted to learn an instrument or is looking for a new hobby – get them to give Dorothy a call or turn up on a Saturday night to learners and Catherine and Steve will see what they can do!

Band Dinner

I’m sure that everyone will agree that the band dinner was an enormous success. A great time really was had by all and for this we say a very very big thank you to both Steve and Matthew. The food was excellent and everybody enjoyed themselves, the result being that Steve has already booked the Lodge for next year!

As usual the awards were awaited with bated breath, and I’m sure you’ll all agree with me that the winners were well picked and deserving.

This years awards winners were:
Junior Award – Andrew 
Junior Attendance – Chris 
Senior Award – Heather & Beccy (spelt it right this time!)
Senior Attendance – Catherine
Rollinson Award – Will S
Learners Attendance – Megan
Best Learners – Maggie & Megan

There were also two one-off awards made by Robin of tankards with the band logo which went to Steve & Catherine. 

And of course how could I forget – the silly tie award – this was a fiercely contested award with a good selection to choose from. The winner chosen by a secret ballot was Pete with his opticians chart tie. Pete was unable to receive the award himself, so it was collected by Frances on his behalf. Pete I hope you enjoy it and remember to bring it back next year!

TIP OF THE MONTH......

As we approach the summer months (I’m reminded by looking out the window) make sure your band waterproof is in your jacket or instrument case – I reckon they may get a look in this summer!

Finals Bus

Could everyone intending on going to the finals in September please let Dorothy know by mid May, as she needs to book tickets for the conference centre in Harrogate.

Don’t forget your lyre!

Remember Rogation requires lyres! Don’t forget it - otherwise you may find you’re propping your music up on the back of a donkey!

Swinton chainsaw massacre!

As you will have noticed a large amount of greenery was removed from the side of the bandroom – as Catherine says it now looks like a bandroom rather than a barn in a bush! Big thanks go to all involved but especially Stewart‘s brother, Steve, who went mad with a chainsaw! He gave up his Sunday morning and  it was much appreciated!

Photos

Do you have any photos from the band dinner or any other band events. Catherine is putting together a CD of photos from the band dinner to be sold at £3 in aid of the band. If this is a success and people want more – then there is the suggestion of yearly and future special edition CDs of everybody’s photos.  Meanwhile if you have photos digital or prints if you could let Catherine borrow them she would be grateful! Hopefully (if you all get your photos in) the band dinner CD should be on sale by the end of this month.