It’s the most wonderful time of the year…......
        

It’s that time of the year again, folks, when we dig out the big jumpers and the woolly hats, decorate our instruments with silly amounts of tinsel and in certain cases fill our hip flasks with weird and wonderful drinks. That’s right, it’s time for caroling again!

A gentle reminder……  
…….. from Dorothy about carolling and the need for collectors.  We need collectors or all our efforts are no use.  And Dorothy NEEDS to know who is available for each job.  They should have been in by now but please let her have your carolling lists as soon as may be!  After all we start carolling on Saturday! Yes, REALLY!!

Calling all Learners ....



There will be no more Saturday practices until 7^th January.  This is not because we think you need a rest, but it is so that you can come out and get cold and miserable like the rest of us!

Seriously, we would be very glad of your help at as many of the caroling jobs as possible.  Bring your instrument and a lyre if you have one, and wrap up warm as you can – it is quite possible to play in gloves, though only trombonists can play in mittens.  It would help if you let Dorothy know if you are expecting to come so that you know exactly where we meet and we don’t set off without you.

If any parents, grandparents, relatives, friends could help with collecting Dorothy would be overjoyed, please let her know!

Final call for calendars...




If anyone else wants a Band Calendar – last minute Christmas present? – please let me know ASAP, as I don’t want to have to be printing them on Christmas Eve!

Buy a Brick!

As you probably know the Draw took place on Wednesday night for the Grand Buy a Brick campaign.  Our president Christopher Tetley came to the Bandroom to draw the winning four tickets and the winners were:

              £100 – Sarah Shumble
              Day at the Races – Richard Hall
              Malt Whisky – Valerie
              Basket of Fruit – Sam Cooper.

The really good news is that a grand total of £1,168 has been raised towards the Bandroom repairs.

Thanks go to all concerned; to Christopher Tetley for his support and for doing the draw, to Jane for organising the whole thing, to all those who donated prizes and, most importantly, all those who sold all those tickets and enabled us to raise all that lovely money!

Carolling as it once was ......                                   

It could be that special feeling you get playing out in the villages, round the lantern that makes Christmas playing a particularly good time of the year, or maybe the opportunity of playing in the festive and convivial atmosphere of the public houses along the way, or children dressed in pyjamas sitting in doorways or on windowsills. As well as all these features, I am reminded that it was Christmas playing that brought together the original six members and set in motion the foundation of the band.

In the early days people generally did not have cars and the usual way of getting about was on foot.  The villages and houses between Swinton and Hovingham would take the whole day to visit.  The band would assemble and take a morning bus, then walk all the way back to play carols at every house along the way, stopping at a convenient spot to have a packed lunch.

 Ray recalled playing at Appleton-le-Street on one memorable occasion: - We had about got to the end of the village, near the quarry, when somebody said, “There’s some houses down there.”  Well, sure enough we could see a light through the trees.  We set on and gave ‘em a couple of carols.  Then Charlie Swan, collecting, said, “Well, you’ve been wasting your time, lads, it’s a flipping hen house you’ve been playing to!”

From “Sixty years of Puff and Blow”

The year that was 2005...  
...started sadly with the memorial service for Ray Dalton who died just before Christmas aged 79. He continues to be greatly missed.
In March we went to Darlington and came 9^th. By some alchemy this means we stay in the 3^rd Section for another year. 
At the Band Dinner a lifetime achievement award was made to Colin, our sole founder member, on his retirement.
It has been an amazing year for weddings!  Best wishes go to Edd and Frances, Stewart and Mary, Robin and Andrea and David and Jude!
It has been a great year for fundraising too – we have raised enough to repair the Bandroom – Thanks, Tim, for the hard work!
A special occasion was the concert in aid of Cystic Fibrosis with Morgan Griffiths –what a player!
At the end of the summer, Robin decided to return to playing and resigned as bandmaster.  Many thanks to Steve for coping, and to Phil who gave us a great result at Malton.
Over the year we welcomed Alice and Kathy on cornet, Megan on horn, Ian on bass and Rachel on trombone. Colin has hung up his cornet, leaving an unfillable gap in the back row!  Stewart and Mary headed south and we waved goodbye to Matthew as he went off to Uni. and to Nicole, Roger, Andrea and of course Robin.
So now it’s December, let’s start looking forward to next year (our 70^th!!)  

Birthdays!   
Ha ha – There is no escape from standing on your chair!  


22nd December  - Helen S.
1st January - Andrew and Chris
                                            
If I have missed you out, I'm really sorry and I hope you all enjoy(ed) your Birthdays.

Well Done All! 

As a finale to a year of fundraising , it is great to be able to say that we have finally arrived at the target figure of £15,500 we needed to raise for the external repairs to the Bandroom!  It’s an amazing achievement!  That’s about £400 per band member!!  So give yourselves a huge pat on the back!!

But don’t rest on your laurels – we’re going to need to redecorate before long!!!
 

A New Bandmaster?


After Malton Brass we had a small flurry of people interested in the post and we have currently auditioned two potential bandmasters.  There is a third possible contender whom we shall hope to audition in the New Year.

As you will be aware, Phil is quite happy to take us to the Area Contest in March but he is unable to make any more regular commitment.

 So, after we have seen all the candidates it will be time to make your minds up!  This is a decision that lies with the Band as a whole!

December Concerts!


Norton College Christmas Concert

St Peter’s Church, Norton                   14^th Dec.   6.30 for 7.00


Scarborough College Concert

Rehearsal  - bandroom                       12^th Dec    7.30

Rehearsal –Scarborough College     17^th Dec    2.30

Tea will be provided after the rehearsal and before

Concert - Scarborough College                            7.00

  Christmas Cards


Dorothy has asked me to remind you all that shortly she will be taking on the role of Christmas Postie! The Christmas card box will open at her house on December the 1^st and final posting will be on the 18^th. So to take some of the hassle out of your Christmas cards, drop them down to Dorothy and she will sort them out.

TIP OF THE MONTH......




When crossing water hold on to all removable parts of your instrument, this should avoid losing parts such as your mouthpiece in to places like Thornton Dale Beck! You wouldn’t be the first to do so and probably won’t be the last! (Editor hangs head in shame!!)

 Christmas Bonus Tip!

When you’re on a street carolling job moving between lamp-posts, put your mouthpiece in your pocket or glove – that way it’s still nice and warm to play on when you next start playing!

A final thought…


If any past members are back for Christmas and feel like helping out – you’d be VERY welcome.  Let Dorothy know and we’ll find you something to blow or a tin to rattle!