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

• to the Paper Mill for refreshments at half time, most welcome and much appreciated
• to the revellers for singing with such enthusiasm and donating to Band funds.
• to Alan for helping us out again on cornet
• and to Rob for navigating the way through two different song sheets and ensuring everyone was singing from the same one. 

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, 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.