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News for 2006:
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19.11.06 - Leicester Contest Result. A very disappointing 6th!! The hall we played in was a lecture hall - it was like playing in a bus shelter. 'Nuff said!
29.10.06 - 'Loads-a-money' for 'Boobs and Brass'. The girls from the band (namely, Jane, Lisa, Elaine, Sally and Julia!) helped to raise a WAPPING £4400 at the 'Boobs and Brass' Charity Concert held on the 30th September.
25.08.06 - A Belated Personnel Announcement!! The band is pleased to welcome Mike Kilsby into the percussion section. Actually, Mike played with us at the 'area' last March, but existing commitments meant that he has been unable to attend rehearsals regularly. Now the summer (what summer!!) is drawing to an end we will see a bit more of him.
A profile should appear on the 'Who's Who' page shortly.
28.06.06. - 'Comings and Goings' on the personnel front...
Actually, it's more like a game of draughts!!
The big thing is that after a good few years service on 2nd Euphonium, Eddie Halcrow, has decided to leave to 'give a bit more time to his family'. Truth is, by the time he'd got in from work - he was having to dash out again to come to band. Obviously, we wish Eddie (WE LOVE YOU!) all the best and hope that he may one day return.
So...this means that Beckie Dummer has moved from 3rd cornet to Euphonium.
Meanwhile...the horns have had a complete reshuffle! Debbie Beech has shuffled sideways to the Solo Horn spot. Martin (Dummer) has been 'taken' and moves to 1st Horn and Sally Kneale consolidates her position on 2nd Horn. And Bill Coyne...he has got to the other side and become a 'King' (...it's draughts remember!) and joined Margaret Nutt on 2nd Baritone.
On top of all that, Sue Wilton has finished 'having her teeth done' and is, therefore, able to play cornet again. She replaces David Cox - who is concentrating on school work for the time being.
Got all that....if not go to the 'Who's Who' page for more info!!!
24.05.06. - Congratulations to Alan and Jane, who are now proud grand-parents. As their daughter, Rachael, and her husband, Glenn, announce the safe arrival of baby Charlotte. More news as it comes!
21.05.06 - 'Boobs and Brass'. Some of the girls from the band (namely, Jane, Lisa, Elaine, Sally and Julia!) are playing for charity in an 'all-female' band. The event (organised by Jane and former 'Windmill' player Maggie Betts) aims to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign and Kettering Hospital.
13.04.06. - 'Little Tiny (!) Bills'. Good news all round on the 'Bills front. Bill Coyne is now fully recovered and has been back playing with band since the 'Area' - even switching to Baritone to provide covers for absentees!
And Bill Layram came to band practice last night - obviously he feels well enough to play after his operation.
Welcome back both!
12.03.06 - 'Area' results, a bit like my 'school report' - 'could do better!
Our 2nd year in the 3rd section at the Midland 'Areas' bought an improvement and consolidation, but not the performance we had hoped for. Playing 'Entertainments' by Gilbert Vinter, and adjudicated by Geoff Witham and Alan Hope, we came a credible 8th (out of 17) with 176 points. We gave a good rendition, but there were too many 'blips' for a 'frame' place.
The venue, The Belvedere Park Club, Burton-upon-Trent, wasn't quite as 'manky' as we had thought - but the stage area was shrouded in curtains - which deadens the sound somewhat. Perhaps they could be removed next year - they need a wash anyway. The 'warm-up' area in a squash court was good (though we had no lighting in ours!) and the bar and food facilities for afterwards were adequate.
Anyway, as you can see from the 'home' page we have a new 'whole band' photo' - and you can find more information with it on our 'Archive pictures' page.
On the 'Bills' front (see below) - Bill Coyne came to Burton and give us moral support, he is well on the way to recovery and Bill Layram has had is 'op' and is back at home - GOOD NEWS.
...and remember, with the 'Areas' - there's always next year!
07.02.06 - Forget the 'Old Bill' it's 'No Bill' for us at the 'area'. Unfortunately, due to illness we will be 'Bill - less' (what poetry!) for a few weeks. BBb Bass player Bill Layram is due to have an operation at the end of February, which will see him out of action for a while. We thought about playing outside his hospital room window - as they did in Brassed Off!' - but we haven't got the lighted headgear! Shame!!
And...Bill Coyne, 1st Horn, has strained his chest muscles and has been advised not to play for 3 weeks. As this is so close to the 'area' Bill C has decided not to play - as he will be a bit out of practice. Needless to say we wish both 'Bills' a speedy recovery and hope to welcome them back to the playing ranks as soon as possible.
However - all is NOT lost! Late last year we welcomed back Sally Kneale on Tenor Horn. Sally played Solo Horn with Rushden about 30 years ago and re-joined just to get a bit of practice and a quiet life! Not So!! Luckily she is all signed up and ready to play 2nd Horn - which means that Debbie Beech has been made up to 1st Horn - and so our Horn section is, once again, complete.
More reports on our sick 'Bills' as they come in.
12.01.06 - 'Yep' it's that time of year - again! With the our 'area contest' fast approaching (11th March to be precise), there have been a few comings and goings on the personnel front.
Sadly, it's goodbye to percussionist, Liam Halloran who has decided to try his luck with the Travelsphere Holidays Band (or G.U.S. Band or whatever they call themselves these days!). Our area test piece - Entertainments by Gilbert Vinter - doesn't call for much 'drum' and Liam felt he needed a bit of a challenge. Liam is a very talented young musician and we always knew that he would 'move onwards and upwards' at some stage and, of course, we wish him the very best of luck for the future.
However, it's hello to Margaret Nutt on Baritone and Ian Williams on 3rd cornet. Margaret has been helping us out since last year (when Sarah Bates left due to work commitments) and we are very pleased that she will be with us for a little while longer.
We have been short of a second 3rd cornet player for sometime now and Ian, who is actually a another Baritone player, has agreed to play on the 'back row' so that the band has a complete line up.
Look out for 'Who's Who!' updates in the near future.
02.01.06 -Woken up to the terrible news that Rushden Town Band Club was destroyed by fire over night. Unfortunately, their instruments, library and uniforms were all stored there but , thankfully, there are no reports of anyone being injured (or worse!!) - and for that we must be thankful. In true 'British Banding Style' the band have vowed to continue with there immediate engagements and the 'Area' contest in March.
On a 'world-wide' scale this incident is minor, BUT to us in 'brass-banding' circles and to the members of Rushden Town Band in particular - it is devastating.
Naturally, we at 'Windmill' will offer our support to get them back on track as soon as possible. For 'up-to-date' information please visit their web site:
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