On the First day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band
Carols at Furness Vale On the Second day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Two: Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Third day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Three: Whaley Bridge Tree Two: Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Fourth day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Bridge Tree Two: Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Fifth day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Sixth day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Six: Holy Trinity Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Seventh day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Seven: Whaley Big Sing Six: Holy Trinity Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Eighth day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Eight: at The Swan Seven: Whaley Big Sing Six: Holy Trinity Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Ninth day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Nine: at The Swan Eight: Whaley Big Sing Seven: Brierley Green Six: Holy Trinity Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Tenth day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Ten: Hadfield Care Home Nine: at The Swan Eight: Whaley Big Sing Seven: Brierley Green Six: Holy Trinity Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Eleventh day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Eleven: Cromford Court Ten: Hadfield Care Home Nine: at The Swan Eight: Whaley Big Sing Seven: Brierley Green Six: Holy Trinity Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale On the Twelveth day of Christmas for Whaley Bridge Brass Band Twelve: at The Old Hall Eleven: Cromford Court Ten: Hadfield Care Home Nine: at The Swan Eight: Whaley Big Sing Seven: Brierley Green Six: Holy Trinity Five: Buxworth School Four: Chinley Church Three: Whaley Tree Two: at Kettleshulme and carols at Furness Vale The grand finale of Christmas 2023 was at The Old Hall, well at The Paper Mill actually. When the Band arrived the place was full to over flowing, and the chances of finding space for 12 bandsmen did not look very promising. However, there was a cunning plan, and we were lead out through the folding doors to a covered courtyard which made a perfect bandstand. Ample room for all of us, good lighting, plenty of fresh air but sheltered from the elements. Very festive!
Thank you
Now past the half way mark, with four more Christmas engagements this week. Starting with The Big Sing at WB Uniting Church. This is a fund raiser for Christian Aid, with music provided by the Band and David, the pianist at Uniting Church. And what a success it was: bacon butties all round, lots of audience participation and over £1,000 raised for Christian Aid. And, as the last notes of The Big Sing died away, the Band were on the road to Kettleshulme for the second job of the day, playing carols outside The Swan for the Victorian Christmas revellers to set them up for their hike to Windgather Rocks. Then into the bar to warm up over lunch courtesy of the Swan management. Thank you, we were more than ready for our "bandsmen's teas." And thank you too to the Victorian Revellers who donated so generously to band funds. On Wednesday, we headed north over the hill to Padfield, to play for the residents of Regency Hall Care Home, a new venue for us, and another generous donation to our funds. Thank you. Back on home turf on Thursday afternoon at Cromford Court. The residents were in good voice and, as usual, joined in with enthusiasm. And of course tea and biscuits afterwards to quench the thirsts of both bandsmen and singers. Thank you, Cromford, for your hospitality, always a pleasure to play here. Eleven events now in the bag, one more to go and a whole week off in between to rest and recouperate ready for The Old Hall next Wednesday.
Three events in three days over the weekend, starting with Buxworth Lights on Friday evening. On Saturday, the Christmas Trees Festival at Holy Trinity Church. This festival gets bigger every year, which is fantastic, but the downside for the Band is that the more trees there are, the less space there is for us. The band are in there somewhere. And Father Christmas is in his grotto through the Vestry door on the left. Definitely an occasion for our Christmas Jumpers! Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without The Twelve Days, with the Band in full voice on Five Gold Rings. Well done Holly playing the solo line of In The Bleak Midwinter, totally alone and unaccompanied at the start, and a beautiful counter melody for verse three. Many thanks to Alan for helping us out in the cornet section, much appreciated. Off to Brierley Green on Sunday for the Church Carol Service. Three members of the congregation are also in the Band which makes this occasion extra special occasion, even if it does put them under pressure performing in front of their home crowd. As well as playing tenor horn, Ray was also doing a reading. Helped by a few drops of Rescue Remedy, he rose manfully to the challenge.
As usual, the Band is very busy over the festive season, with twelve engagements in the diary. First up, is Furness Vale Christmas Tree Lights on Friday 24th November. A fine, dry night but cold. A few carols outside for starters, then into the warmth of the Church Hall for some more. On to Saturday and a double bill. Kettleshulme Fayre at lunch time, where it's always a pleasure to play in our band room for the Kettleshulme crowd. Then home for a brew and put on more clothes ready for the start of Christmas in Whaley Bridge, where the forecast for a crisp but very cold evening was spot on. Although we well needed our extra layers when playing outside as the tree was lit up..... ....... but way over dressed for the market in the Mechanics afterwards. Time to strip down to Christmas Jumpers. .Band's day off on Sunday, then on to Chinley on Monday evening. The road was closed to traffic at Squirrel Green for the lighting of the tree, and just as well as there was huge crowd. Then round the corner into St Mary's Church for more Christmas celebrations, rounded off by the The Twelve Days of Christmas Chinley Style, lead by Minister Foday with his usual enthusiasm. Whaley Bridge turned out in force to pay their respects on Remembrance Day, despite the rain. Even though the rain didn't start until the service began, the Band all arrived fully kitted out in waterproof jackets having seen the forecast. As the Band struck up with The Standard of St George, the parade of Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Cubs and other young people climbed the hill up to the the War Memorial and the Service got underway. It is always very moving when the names of the fallen are read out, and the Last Post, played by Laurie this year, signals the start of the Two Minutes Silence. And another respectful moment as Holly laid our Wreath on the steps of the War Memorial. There were 17 players in the band this year, the most we've fielded on Remembrance Day for several years. Thanks, of course, to our own players, and to Clair, Lou and Alice for joining us. And also to Paul for his first engagement with Whaley Bridge Band - which meant there were 4 (FOUR!) trombones on parade. How amazing is that! And by the look on her face, even Sheila can hardly believe it. But yes, it is true!
Back in the Canal Basin again for this year's Wharf Weekend, our third appearance this year in Whaley premier event venue. After taking shelter from the rain inside for our Coronation event, and roasted in the heatwave outside at the front at Carnival, this time the weather was just right, dry and not too hot.
For Wharf Weekend we were in our favourite spot under the trees on grass at the back the near the main entrance. The programme featured music from both the other Canal Basin concerts, plus a few others of our favourite pieces. A very enjoyable and relaxing occasion, and perfectly timed to finish just as a few drops of rain started to fall. Then a couple of weeks off from rehearsals for a well earned break after another busy summer. The Band always enjoys playing at Cromford Court on a sunny summer evening, but it wasn't looking good as the day dawned damp and drizzly. But we needn't have worried, the sun came out in time for the concert, and it was business as usual. Thank you Cromford Court for being a great audience and for the copious quantities of tea and cream scones afterwards. You certainly know how to look after thirsty bandsmen.
Several Whaley players joined members of Alderley Band for the parade at Rainow Fete. What an amazing experience to play on a haycart towed behind a vintage tractor. Even Laurie, who has played in WB Band since Adam was a lad, hadn't done that before. Big thanks to Rob, a stalwart of both bands, for inviting us along. We've all signed up already for next year!
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