New "IgNobel" Award

As Tracey was borrowing a horn to play at our concert at Sheriff Hutton, Steve thought he'd give it a bath first!  As a result of his findings he had no hesitation in awarding Josephine "The Sewerpipe of the Year" award and presenting it formally to her at the next band practice.  We understand he will also be presenting a bill from Dynarod!

On a more serious note he urged those who didn't know how to maintain their instruments to attend one of the learner's evenings about this, or to use his services at the cost of a donation to band funds!

WhitFriday 2009

Well, I think we are now just about dried out again now!  This year saw some of the worst weather the Saddleworth contests have ever seen!  We were lulled into a false sense of security by a sunny practice at Birch but by the time we had gathered at the start at Denshaw it was tipping it down and even those with waterproofs were distinctly damp!  Never mind, we still had a fun evening and made a few friends in the process!.  

Our marches were "Teddy Bears Picnic " on the road (It raised quite a few smiles, given the weather!) and "Jupiter" on the stand.  We got round six villages (Denshaw, Delph, Dobcross, Greenfield, Friezland and Lydgate) and did marginally better than last year.  

This year we had far fewer visiting players but we are very grateful to them for filling gaps for us.  A notable sight was our Bb bass on the march: Nigel is more usually to be found on cornet when he is not conducting!  It was a promising debut, but on balance we definitely need him in the middle!

 Sad News

We are very sorry to announce the death of Roy Lester. for many years a stalwart of the Bass section.  Roy joined the band in 1986, coming in to cover for a regular player who had had an accident.  At that stage Roy lived in Thorne, near Doncaster and attendance at band practice meant a round trip of some 80 miles.  The regular player returned but Roy stayed on and eventually became Vice-Chairman of the band.  He did move to Ryedale so that attendance became less of an endurance test but the commitment he initially showed never waned.  Eventually he retired from playing but continued to take a lively interest in the band and its doings.

Roy died on Wednesday 15th April 2009 and his funeral will be on Tuesday 21st April  at  St Mary's Church, Cloughton at12.30 p.m.

We would like to extend our condolences to Megan and all their family.  Roy was a good friend and we will miss him. 

Well done all!

After an awful lot of very hard work on this year's area test piece "The Talisman" (generally regarded as an extremely hard choice for the 4th section!) we had a nice leisurely start from Dorothy's to get to Darlington for a practice before the afternoon section of the Northern Area contest.  All went swimmingly until we discovered that we were drawn last so were not due to play till about 5.30.  That's an awful long time to keep the band out of the Darlington pubs! 
However, all went well and we played a good performance and came off reasonably happy with what we had done and secure in the knowledge that no following band would play better!

The adjudicator's speech was depressing - he did not seem to think much of any band, and had very little positive to say, so we were not very optimistic about our chances.  So we were hugely delighted to find that we had achieved third place with a trophy and some prize money!  Though not off to Harrogate, it is a wonderful achievement for a young band, and all concerned deserve the fullest recognition.  Thanks, Nigel, for an immense amount of hard work!  Well done to all those who gamely got to all their rehearsals despite coughs, wounds, slipped discs, exams etc.  And not least thanks to Dorothy for keeping the whole show organised and to Dennis for infinite patience as he brought the coach in and out of Darlington all day!

Congratulations

to Tom and Lucie Whitfield who were married on Friday at Donington Park. 

 Tom was for many years a key member of the cornet line-up, and a number of ex-Swinton players were at the wedding including Jennie Whitfield (bridesmaid) and Matthew Mayo (best man)

Band Dinner

This year the band dinner will take place at The Cresswell Arms in Appleton-le-Street on 4th April 7.00 for 7.30 till 12.30.

This promises to be a great evening, but places are limited to 60 so get your forms in as soon as possible.  Cost will depend on which meal you choose but will be in the region of £13.50 per head.

Solo Contest

This year it has been decided to revive the Swinton Solo Contest which enables all members of the band from the most experienced to the real beginners to have a go at performing on their own in front of an audience.

This will take place at 6.00 p.m.on the evening of16th May at the Swinton Sports Club and promises to be an enjoyable evening for all.  We shall need performers and an audience, so put the date in your diary now - for entry form click here!

YHBBA Workshop

About sixteen of the members of both learners and main band attended the annual Brass and Percussion workshop at Minsthorpe last weekend.  And thanks to a generous sponsor they attended it free!

It was a long and very full day, starting at 9.00 a.m. and finishing with a short concert at about 4.00 p.m.  Music tackled included Melody Box and the overture to Marriage of Figaro which certainly tested everyone to the full!

We all learnt a lot - certainly our current music seemed gloriously easy at the next band practice.

Many thanks to all involved in the day, especially Peggy Tomlinson, who organised it all and the tutors, mainly from Grimethorpe Band.  Roll on next year!

Good News!

Jason and Liz have a son!  Israel Moses was born 3.10 p.m. on Saturday, 18th October.  Mother and son are doing well.  Congratulations and best wishes to the new family!

Autumn is Here!

For its last engagement of the summer the band paid its annual visit to Stamford Bridge Village Hall, and as usual it was a great evening.  We had a wonderful audience - I think they enjoyed themselves as much as we did!  Now we can look forward to the outdoor jobs of winter - remembrance and carolling - I don't think many of us will be playing in shirt-sleeves!

Hardraw Scar Contest

Last Sunday we were back at Hardraw, despite the weather, for another go!  Fortunately the weather had done its worst so, while it was more than a little soggy underfoot, we had a good time.  We were drawn fifth which meant an early start for those who weren't already there (actually they had an early start too!) and the band was organised and ready to play with plenty of time to spare.  The programme went reasonably well and we were disappointed to only make fifth place.  There was some very impressive playing from some of the unregistered bands which was great to listen to.  The adjudicator liked our programme, but felt it might just have overstretched the band a bit.  Never mind we enjoyed playing it!  Congratulations to Will on a superb solo and thanks to Nigel for all the hard work he has put in on the programme - now we can look forward to Malton - at least we shouldn't need to wear gumboots for that one, though we might need hard hats!

 Happy Birthday, Colin

Life Member and one of the original learners of Swinton Band, Colin is celebrating his 80th birthday this week!  The Band would like to wish him a very Happy Birthday and many more of them! 

Summer at Last!

Finally summer seems to have arrived and we enjoyed a glorious afternoon playing in Parliament Street, York, with a great band and an enthusiastic audience.  Several new items found their way into the programme including the trombone feature "The Bold Gendarmes"

Pint Night!

After a thoroughly successful jaunt up to the Blacksmith's Arms in Swinton to hand over a framed photo of the band, it was decided that in future Wednesday night is Pint Night! Some or all of the band now regularly adjourn there after practice for a quick drink before going our separate ways.  Feel free to join us!

Band Hoodies!

As we are having  some of the hottest weather this year, it seems appropriate that band members should invest in nice warm clothes!  And so we have acquired hoodies, with band logo and names on the front and instrument on the back.  They should be just what we want for Hardraw and carolling but such is the enthusiasm of some members of the band that they are wearing them in the current heatwave!

A Sunny Afternoon at Sewerby

Over the last few years at Sewerby, the weather, so-called "Global Warming", has meant that we have usually been playing indoors.  This year, despite the weather forecast which showed our own personalised raincloud directly over Bridlington, we were able to play to an audience comfortably ensconced in deckchairs.  

 

Learners Band playing out again

For the first time for about ten years the Learners band is strong enough to take on engagements as well as the main band!  Of course some of the main band turned out to give them some support as they provided entertainment at old Malton Garden fete, but it was a great delight to see (and hear) them as they played a full programme under the baton of Cliff Hicks.  Despite gloomy forecasts the weather held off - just as well as the band was too big to fit under the shelter provided!

If you missed them and would like to make good this omission, they will be playing next weekend in Malton Market Place and would be glad of a good audience!

Sad News

We are very sorry to have to announce the death of Tommy Dykes, a long-time player in the band.  Tommy was a tremendous character and well-loved by generations of band members.  

Born in 1940, Tommy played trombone and Bb bass and was an active member of the band from the age of 13 until early 1994.

Tommy started work on a farm at Swinton Grange at the age of 15, but after a spell at Ainsty’s where he met his wife Hazel, he became a postman until he retired. Tommy always had a cheery smile and a joke with young and old alike; on his round he made many a lonely person’s day.

In band, Tommy was great with the youngsters, recruiting them, helping them with their music and taking them to Band engagements, and was a great ambassador for Swinton Band. Tommy was always the life and soul of the party and will be greatly missed. 

At Tommy’s funeral, the band attended to play some of his favourite pieces.  It was a great occasion – thanks to all those who turned out!  It was good to see the return of some old friends from the past to help us – you’re always welcome!
 

We HAVE a new Musical Director!

We are delighted to announce that after taking us to Malton Brass and to the Area Contest, Nigel Sutherland cannot bear to be parted from us and has agreed to take on the arduous role of Musical Director!!  

We look forward to continuing the good times and hard work we have had over the last six months or so with Nigel as we prepare for the Whit Friday contests and a busy summer!

Whit-Friday at Saddleworth

This year for the first time ever we actually got organised and went to Saddleworth to participate in one of the best free shows on earth!  We had a great time and managed to do seven contests before it got too dark to continue!

We played "Castell Coch" on the stand and marched  to the theme music from "Wallace and Gromit" which proved very popular with the crowds.

We were very lucky to have plenty of willing helpers from other bands (many ex-Swinton members) who made it possible for us to do this - thank you all very much indeed! Next year- same again?

For more pictures of our trip click here

Concert at Thornton-le-Dale

Saturday saw Nigel's first outing with us as our M. D. as we were pleased to welcome Dan Hunt back as our guest soloist for a concert in Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall.  It was a great (if very warm!) evening with a highly appreciative audience.

As ever, Dan 's solos were the high point of the evening, ranging from the tear-jerker "Myfanwy" to the showy "La Belle Americaine", both delighting the audience and showing the band what could be achieved!  Thank you, Dan for a truly memorable evening.

Players awards
Trophies for attendance and contribution to the band were awarded at the Band Dinner

Congratulations to the worthy winners:

Senior Award –  Mike
Senior Attendance – Anna
Rollinson Award – Ellis
Junior Award – Josephine
Junior Attendance – Josephine
Learner Attendance – Niamdh
Best Learner– Thomas C.

Band Dinner

For the first time for a long time this year's Band Dinner actually took place in Swinton, at the Sports Club, and was a great success.  After an excellent meal, trophies were presented  to various deserving band members by our Chairman, Jane.  This was followed by a surprise announcement from Nigel, that he would like to accept the post of M.D. which was greeted with delight by everyone!  After the usual keenly fought "Tie " competition, won this year by ex- baritone player Ed, the evening was given over to dancing and general merriment!  Thank you, Steve and Dorothy for organising a great evening!

Gaps in the band!

As a result of people going off to University and increasing work commitments we really need some more cornet players, especially on the front row.  We are looking for two or three strong players to support and encourage our young cornet section.  As of September we shall also be looking to fill the principal euphonium and 1st baritone seats! We are very happy to welcome university students studying in the area even if you can't play during the vacations - after all, that is when our resident students return! So if you feel Swinton might be the band for you, contact Dorothy or come to a Monday or Wednesday evening practice.

There are also a few places available for new learners of any age from 8 to 80.  If you've always fancied having a go at a brass instrument, now is your chance.  Contact Dorothy or come and meet us at the Bandroom on Saturday evenings!