A busy weekend.

Carnival on Saturday, and we played in the Canal Basin after the parade.  This year we set up under the trees on the far side of the Transhipment Warehouse which proved a much better spot than we had last year on the side by the road. 

A varied programme, something for everyone with traditional marches as well as popular favourites.  Some of the audience stayed for everything, whilst others listened to a few pieces and then moved on to take different aspects of the Carnival event.

As with any "multi attraction" event, there was lot going on: screams from the fairground rides, horns tooting on the steam engines, and at ones stage the sound of Northern Pipe Band playing Highland Cathedral at the other side of the Warehouse - but we played it first! Perhaps they heard us emulating bagpipes and decided to give us a taste of the real thing.

Photos to follow.

On Sunday, it was the service of blessing for the Well Dressing, which this year was a D-Day commemoration.
What a happy coincidence that we just happened to have music in our repertoire which was absolutely perfect for the occasion!

Our first engagement of 2024 was on home ground in Kettleshulme Village Hall, our band room.
A community event organised by the Parish Council, and Whaley Bridge Band were delighted to be invited to join the Kettleshulme residents for the third year in row for a national occasion.

We played the first half of the programme while the audience enjoyed their picnics. Then it was our turn for refreshments as we enjoyed a cream tea courtesy of the Parish Council, which was much enjoyed by thirsty bandsmen.  Many thanks to Rachel, Jo and the other councillors for your hospitality. 

The second half of the concert included not only plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing along, but also two pieces of music in Remembrance of those who gave their lives in service of their country.

Hymn to The Fallen, from the film Saving Private Ryan, begins with drum beats before the Band starts to play. It is a good few years since we had a percussion player in the Band, but today we did.
Seven year old George joined his Mum -Lindsay, flugel -and Dad - Rob, cornet - for his debut performance as a member of Whaley Bridge Band, playing the side drum.  What a star!.
Well done George! Your standing ovation was richly deserved.

Our second Remembrance piece, Nightfall In Camp, was at the end of the programme and featured our principal cornet, Holly, playing The Last Post.  
Playing solo is nerve wracking at the best of times (the best time being the 3rd piece of music on the programme, when you are warmed up but not worn out,) but to play solo at the end of a concert is indeed a challenge.  But Holly more than rose to the occasion with a perfect performance, played like a pro.
Thank you Holly, what a tribute to those who gave their lives for their country.  You did them proud.

Special thanks not only to our featured players George and Holly, and of course of MD Sheila, but also to the deps who helped us out - Claire on soprano cornet, John on euphonium and Chris on Eb Bass. 

Rob Cross, Chaplain to the WB Branch of the Royal British Legion, held a short service at the War Memorial in the park on Saturday 8th July.

No such service would be complete without the Last Post, and Laurie did the honours as the Standard was lowered at the start of the two minutes silence in remembrance of the fallen.
​Thank you, Laurie.