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Bee...Flat

There was a real buzz in rehearsals recently, but for once it may not have been the result of Arial’s inspiring music choice, but a high number of bees which had taken up residence in the chimney! Our A team swung into action, or should that be the B team?...and John Reeves addressed the problem, and with help from Malcolm, a bee friendly stainless steel mesh frame was fabricated and very carefully inserted into the chimney and sealed in place. This should ensure our new ‘social members’ stay in their own area. Anyway, that said, does anyone fancy the idea of developing our own brand of Farndon Brass Band Honey?

Father of the Bride Tony Pugh, our chairman, had a very important date in his diary recently, it was the wedding of one of his twin daughters, Sarah. Sarah and sister Katie, played with the junior band when they were younger before both leaving to go to America for an exchange visit and then eventually university. The wedding took place over the bank holiday at Llyn Gwynant Wedding Barns in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. The event was blessed by record temperatures over the holiday weekend and most of the guests stayed at the venue campsite which was a part of the site. Guests came from America and the middle east for the event. Sarah and new husband Tom had their honeymoon in Italy. Pictured left, Tony poses briefly with daughter Sarah before entering the venue and the nerve-wracking walk up the aisle.

New format for Awards Presentation

This year’s Annual Band Dinner and Presentation evening on Sunday 26th January 2020 is changing to a lunchtime event in an effort to cater for families and

members who wish to attend. The change of format will also give us the opportunity for the first time ever to also include the annual awards for the Junior Band to recognise their efforts throughout the year. The venue will once again be the Orchard Suite in Holt Lodge and will be a 12-30pm for 1pm start.

The room can take up to 50 people so tickets will be on a first come first served basis due to demand. The costs will be £19.95 for two courses or £21.95 for three courses, both including tea and coffee. The menu will appear on the band website and menu choices and final payment need to be made by the end of December.

Big Band Sound

The big band sound visited Saltney Social Club recently when Buckley Brass joined forces with Farndon & District Brass Band for the evening. The idea for the joint event started with a chance conversation over a cup of tea between Steve Roberts and Rhys Lloyd. Several players play for both bands already, and often turn out for each other when needed, so it made perfect sense at some time to come together for a joint event, and on the night over forty players assembled for the concert. Of course an event like this takes a great deal of planning in terms of a suitable location, selecting a programme, arranging joint rehearsals etc. Heather and Jackie and Tracy organised a number of raffle prizes and helped sell tickets on the night, well done ladies. The last joint rehearsal took place in Churton Village Hall the week before the event, and it was fair to say there wasn’t too much spare space with over forty players squeezed into the hall that usually holds twenty odd! I think we used almost every cup in the building during the tea break, but both the atmosphere and sound were excellent. A great night indeed. Above, second half performance with Arial West in the middle, top right Steve Roberts and Rhys Lloyd. Right Arial West in full flow, below right

the double rehearsal at Churton and below Heather Jones Solo.

Bellis Bros BBQ in the Sun

The event was spawned following cancellation of June's Picnic and Proms event, but the band definitely landed on a great day for weather. The event gave the band the opportunity to showcase both the main Band but also our tremendous Junior Band to a potentially new audience, as well as an opportunity to raise funds to support the band's charitable objectives. Joan Bellis and Lucy deserve special thanks for contributing and offering to host the event by way of compensation for the earlier event cancellation, and for providing advertising and support on the day. Jamie Ward is Bellis' in-house butcher and provided the BBQ on the day which satisfied audience and players alike! Jackie Mellor-Jones deserved special mention too for managing to pull together a team of family and supporters to successfully manage the terrific fundraising activities on the day. Many thanks must also go to the many contributors of substantial prizes for the raffle, tombola, book and soft toy stalls and various other games. The afternoon was very obviously enjoyed by all who attended; a busy and tiring day for all participants, but our hosts definitely rated the event as an outstanding success. The pictures show both bands playing in front of the Garden Centre as well as some of the stalls on the day.

100 Club

Junior spotlight

The 10th of July saw the Junior Band's annual end of year concert and, yet again, they put on a great show. They demonstrated their playing skills with a range of music from traditional brass band tunes, to theme tunes and even a bit of rock music! The performance showed the continuing improvements within the band which reflects the level of commitment from the players and Musical Director Janet, and the advantage of having the ever grateful support of fellow Senior band members and, of course, parents, carers, family and friends. After the concert, and after first eating rather a lot of cake, it was lovely to see the juniors chatting, laughing and playing out on the field by the practice room...anyone fancy a game of rounders with a stick and a fallen apple?

Back in May as spring was in full swing and summer just around the corner I was asked by Tony, our chairman and editor...will the junior band be taking part in the Christmas Tree Festival again this year? I knew the answer would be yes, but I wasn't quite thinking about tinsel and frosty weather at the time, although maybe I should have been with the variety of weather we have had this year. Now, as we fast forward a few months and not only has our entry form been submitted but we have also chosen a theme . This year the Juniors will be making their own version of the instrument that they play as a Christmas decoration using reused and recycled materials. The initial idea of using a recycling theme came from one of the parents which then developed into the recycled brass band theme...definite kudos will be given to any of the Juniors who create an instrument that can actually be played. The Christmas Tree Festival is always a pleasure to walk around and the church will be open daily to anyone who wishes to view the trees. There is also a competition for visitors to vote for their favourite tree. Obviously we can't sway your vote in our favour, but we are hoping to impress. The 5th Annual Christmas Tree Festival will be taking part at St Chad's Parish Church in Farndon from Friday 29th November to Sunday 8th December with voting from Friday to Wednesday. The Senior band will be playing at the church on Saturday 30th November at 5:30pm as part of the festival before playing in the centre of the village for the Christmas tree lights switch on where everyone is welcome to join us for a festive sing-along at this very popular and well supported event. Jackie Mellor

Recycled Tree Festival Theme

Congratulations to the winners in our July monthly draw of the 2018 / 2019 100 Club which took place at the Churton Village Hall on the 1st August. In all 77 numbers held by 53 members of the Club, were entered in this draw & the lucky winner of the first prize was Linda Mellor who’s number 88 scooped £77.00 for her. Second Prize went to number 7 held by long time band supporter Sue Frencham and £38.50. In third place was Vera Roberts who collected £15.40 with number 59. August saw the eleventh monthly draw of the year which as always took place at the Churton Village Hall on the 29th August. Again 77 numbers held by 53 members were entered in this draw. 100 Club

organiser Roland Twydell scooped first prize of £77.00 with his lucky number 2. Band member Sharon Pugh’s number 62 was next out of the hat for the second prize of £38.50. In third place was Kevin Conyers who collected £15.40 for his number 82. September saw the twelfth monthly draw of the 100 Club year and was dawn by Anne Reay at the Churton Village Hall on the 19th September. Once again 77 numbers held by 53 members of the 100 Club, were entered in this draw & the lucky winners were in first place Louise Simons who collected an impressive £115.50 for her number 15. Second Prize went to number 87 held by chairman Tony Pugh and was worth £38.50. Finally the third prize went to band supporter Pat Van Beek who collected £15.40 for her number 49.