It’s back to that time again...

... the nights are dark, it’s cold, damp and miserable and Christmas playing is just round the corner.  Time to start hunting up thermal underwear, gloves, lyres and hip-flasks!  You’ll need them!

Hail and farewell

While Becky takes a well-earned (and, we hope, brief) rest from the stresses of contesting, we are glad to welcome Andrew to the lonely glory of the soprano seat.  Coming straight into the band from the learners’ group on soprano is a mighty undertaking – well done and good luck! While Becky takes a well-earned (and, we hope, brief) rest from the stresses of contesting, we are glad to welcome Andrew to the lonely glory of the soprano seat.  Coming straight into the band from the learners’ group on soprano is a mighty undertaking – well done and good luck!

Bonfire Night

On Sunday 5^th November Tracy has organised a Band Fireworks Party at Maggie’s home, Boundale Farm, Leavening.  The cost will be £5 per family. Please can you let Tracy know numbers and let her have the money ASAP.  Further details, such as time, directions etc are also obtainable from Tracy!

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

 Happy Birthday to:
 
Dan                 12^th November
Will S.              28^th November

As usual to anyone else I have missed – Happy Birthday!  

Band Practices.

Kevin will not be with us next week, so Monday’s band practice will be taken by Dan Hunt and Wednesday’s by Steve.  Please give them plenty of players to conduct!

The following week (13^th and 15^th November), Kevin would like one band practice to be split into two sectionals.  If you cannot make either of these practices please let him know this week so that he can plan that week’s practices accordingly.

In the week before Malton, the Wednesday practice will be at Norton College and will start at 7.00p.m.  If friends and family would like to come and form an audience, they would be extremely welcome!  There will also be an extra band practice on the Friday evening (usual time).

Malton Brass

As you should know by now, this is on Sunday 26^th November in the Milton Rooms.  We are drawn to play eighth in the second category.  This means that we are due to register at 1.45 p.m. and are due onstage at 2.15 p.m.

This is a nice civilised time to be playing and gives us time to have a warm-up in the Bandroom beforehand.  Please be aware that this is likely and keep the morning free.

We do hope as many friends and family as possible will come and hear us (and other bands too!).  Admission is by programme available on the door (£5.00 adult, £3.00 concessions, £1.50 children), which enables you to go in and out throughout the day. 

Attention all Learners (and Main Band!)

Learners will continue as usual until 2^nd December (though there might be a glitch on 25^th November as it is the night before Malton Brass!) and will not resume until 13^th January.

This does not mean that December is “time off”!  We hope that all learners will participate in the vast amount of carolling that will be done during December!  So dig out the gloves and hats and join us!

We also hope that mums, dads etc. will help as collectors!  Please let Dorothy know if you are available to help with this.

Christmas is coming – yes, really! 

In this month’s newsletter you will find details of where, when and for how long we shall be freezing our assets off!  Please do your best to get to as many jobs as possible – after all, it’s our main fund-raiser of the year!  Remember, you don’t need uniform, just as many layers of woollies as you can manage and still remain mobile! (Please wear band jumpers for pub jobs though!) Christmassy hats, gloves etc. are a good idea, as are lights, tinsel etc.  A lyre is VITAL – if you have one, don’t forget it, if not, see Dorothy NOW!

If there are jobs that you cannot do, especially the concerts, PLEASE let Dorothy know immediately, if not sooner! 

Meanwhile, we shall need collectors – so start badgering at parents, partners, friends and relations to come and help, and get offers of help to Dorothy rolling in ASAP!

Details about upcoming jobs

Remembrance Parade, Helmsley.  We meet in the car park by the castle, where there will be reserved parking for the band.  Please remember to bring lyres, straps etc. (and of course poppies!)

This job can be very chilly and wet, so it is a good idea to wear extra layers under your uniform and bring gloves (preferably black)!  And please do not forget your band waterproof – the parade has only been cancelled for weather once since the last war!!

Cleaning Jackets

Dorothy has arranged a bulk deal for dry-cleaning the band jackets at the amazingly low price of £3.75 each! So if your jacket could do with a clean – and I bet it could - please can you get it (and the money) to Dorothy on Wednesday 29^th November, i.e. the day immediately after the Cauwood concert.

Before you give it to her please can you remove the link buttons, empty the pockets and (most important) ensure that it is marked with your name either with a nametape or by using a laundry marker – obviously Dorothy does not want to be left with jackets without an idea of whose is whose!

It’s that time of year again!

As you may recall, last Christmas, I produced a calendar of photos from the year in aid of band funds costing £5.00.  It would make production easier if I have some idea of the number required. 

Christmas cards similar to the greetings cards that Dorothy sells from her shop are also available at £5.00 for six.  There are some in the Bandroom to have a look at.  Please let me know if you are interested.

A clean and sparkling Bandroom!

Cliff is set to start redecorating the Bandroom on 1^st December, so on the evening of Wednesday 29^th November, we need helpful people to clear the cobwebs and get all the chairs, kit, etc. stashed out of harm’s way before the painters move in.

Likewise we shall need some good eggs to put everything back out and ready before the first band practice of the new year on Tuesday 2^nd January.

If you would be available for either or both of these evenings please let Dorothy know.  If there are several of us there to do it, neither job should take terribly long, or be very hard work.  And remember, there’s always the option of finishing the evening in the pub!

Christmas post

As usual, in December, Dorothy  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.

Webb Ivory

Dorothy has sent of two sets of order already but there is still time for more.  There are catalogues available in the band room so do have a look and put in an order.  After all 25% of what you pay goes to the Band’s funds and what with finishing off the Bandroom, more music, instrument repairs etc. we really need it!