Two events in our final week, starting with Carol singing at The Paper Mill in Chinley on Wednesday 18th December.
​
A dark and miserable evening, which didn't look very promising when we arrived - only one person in the covered outdoor space, having a smoke.  Hardly the throng of enthusiastic carol singers we were hoping for. 

But as soon as we struck up - there they all were, appeared from nowhere as if by magic.
Fortified with mugs of hot mulled wine and pints of ale, they were in good voice and sang with gusto.
And donated generously to band funds.  Thank you one and all.

And last of all, our Coffee Morning on Saturday in WB Mechanics Institute.

And not just Coffee and Cake, but Carols too - an ensemble of players in the Reading Room (or should that be "Band Room?") plus a guest appearance by the WB Churches Together Chorus, who dropped in as part of their carol singing tour of the town. 

Four events in four days....starting at Cromford Court on Thursday afternoon.
And were they in good voice, particularly the gentlemen with two amazing soloists for Gold and Frankincense in We Three Kings of Orient Are

Then a day off before the Big Sing at WB Uniting Church on Saturday morning, and more  carols Whaley style including While Shepherds Watched to the tune of Sweet Chiming Christmas Bells. 

Just time for a quick coffee, before it's on to Kettleshulme to play carols for the revellers enjoying
A Victorian Christmas at The Swan. Thank you for your generous donations to Band funds, very much appreciated, and also to Rob and the team at the Swan for providing a tasty lunch for hungry bandsmen.

24 hours later we rolled up at Brierley Green Church for their ​Carol Service.  All our Christmas events are special, but this one particularly so because three members of the Band are also members of the congregation. 

Yes, it is us, even though it looks like we are all wearing black jackets, just a trick of the candlelight.

Eleven events and still two more to come.  What stamina!

We were welcomed inside the church hall at St John's Church Furness Vale for the last of our Tree Lighting events, as Storm Darragh was already in full swing on Friday evening.   

An early start on Saturday for The Big Brekkie and carols at Chinley Independent Chapel, and another rendering of The Twelve Hours of Christmas led by Reverend Foday.

The last event of the weekend was at Holy Trinity Church WB for the grand finale of the Christmas Tree Festival. 

Everybody's favourite carols and Christmas songs, and even a Rocking Around The Christmas Tree to match the music.  Good planning or just good luck? 

Thank to Holy Trinity Church for inviting us to take part in the Christmas Tree Festival, and of course special thanks to our guest player, Alice, on Eb Bass, no band is complete without a bass line.