Welcome to our blog
Welcome to the blog page of the Edenbridge Town Band. We will post regular news updates of the Band's activities and also some feature articles too. We hope to see you pop back in soon and catch up on what we have been doing.
Only 2 weeks after our Eastbourne excursion we were on stage again for a bebefit concert in aid of the Parish Church Roof Appeal. The programme was not the same and with only 2 rehearsals the Band really pulled it out of the bag. Joined by the vocal harmony group A Cappella representing the church, a superb performance from everyone made an evening to remember. A wonderfully receptive audience filled the Hall and joined in enthusiastically, singing in harmony with the singers, singing along with the Band and participating in the compering (both planned and unplanned!) The grand finale of the evening saw a third of the Band, the singers and audience join together to sing Oom-Pah-Pah from Oliver accompanied by the rest of the Band. After all takings were added together and expenses paid, a cheque for £450 could be sent to the appeal, so a big thankyou to all concerned.
A welcomed return to Eastbourne Bandstand after an absence of many years was a huge success. The Band travelled by coach from Edenbridge making the whole day a wonderful social occasion. The performance itself was superb with some great solos, the most popular being that of Jane Tandy playing “Eternal Triangle” who’s facial expressions really amused the crowd. We later discovered that the audience had been one of the largest all season despite the weather being rather unpredictable which made the whole day worthwhile. We would also like to thank all our old friends who joined us that day to make up a cracking band!
A Concert With the Edenbridge Town Band
In support of the Edenbridge Parish Church Roof Appeal
featuring guest vocal group
A Cappella
7:30pm Saturday 1st October 2011
The WI Hall, Edenbridge
Tickets £6, Concessions £4, available at the door
“Day Trip to London“
A Concert With the Edenbridge Town Band
with a theme featuring music from West End Musicals past and present
7:30pm Saturday 7th May 2011
The WI Hall, Edenbridge
Tickets £6, Concessions £4, available at the door
Welcome to everyone to my first attempt to send the Chairman’s notes via the Edenbridge Town Band’s very own website.
First I have to thank all the who have worked so hard in the background to create this website including all the support work necessary to maintain it. I must say you have all done an excellent job. How great it is to able to communicate with members and supporters via the web in this 21st century method. Our hope now is that the website will be kept busy keeping us all up to date – or in the jargon of the day – keep us all up to speed with news of band activities, copies of photographs and general news and chat . Contributions from members will always be welcomed for entry on the website.
To get down to my report for last year – the year has seen us carrying very much as before with the Town Band supplying the musical entertainment at local events ranging from school open days to village fetes. It is surprising how often the secretary is approached to book a return visit to an event before we have completed playing on the day.
The Town Band is still suffering from a shortage of players, particularly in the bass section – please continue to spread the word the of our situation and try to encourage any prospective players to come to any rehearsal evening. We can perhaps persuade them to give us a trial.
Our main event of the past year must be our Sunday afternoon concert for “Help for Heroes” – the concert was successful in every possible way. Firstly the band – where we were augmented by many guest players, particularly in the bass section; the sound from the band was excellent. Secondly the audience – because there were so many guests some were forced to stand at the back of the hall as seating had run out – an appreciative audience very well entertained. Thirdly the sum collected for H4H – we collected a record sum of £742 – which made all the hard work put in by so many people very worthwhile. Not forgetting those kind people who created a mini museum in the car park with their display of military vehicles.
We look forward to another happy and successful year for the Edenbridge Town Band
Chairman Tony Roll
If you would like to listen to the Band and/or support Help for Heroes we will be performing a benefit concert at 2:30pm Sunday 10th October 2010 in the WI Hall, Edenbridge. Entry will be by donation and all proceeds will go to this worthy cause. So mark the event in your diaries and help us support our brave returning servicemen.
The Chairman Tony Roll welcomed all, especially the President, Michael Smith and Vice President Sir Simon Bland. Tonight completes a successful year of playing but not always with audience numbers. This band always works smoothly mainly due to those working behind the scenes. Ian Tandy was welcomed to percussion and members reminded that new recruits are always needed to move the Band forward.
The Secretary Lucy Gibb reported 2009 started slowly but despite fewer summer engagements, there were a total of 8 Christmas bookings. A variety of performances included new venues at Hammerwood Fete, Cowden Songs of Praise, a nursing home in East Grinstead and Squerry’s Court in Westerham. The Band even managed two double weekends and a couple of occasions with two engagements on the same day! Another highlight was the wedding reception of former member Michelle Vickery in October when the Band played at Chiddingstone Castle. For several years rehearsals were disturbed by anti-social behavior from youths congregating on the bench outside. After much campaigning, the bench was removed in May resulting in no disruptions since.
The Musical Director, David Pocock expressed thanks to all for efforts during a busy year with a wide variety of music being performed. Thanks were expressed to Cllr. Vince Maynard for supporting the campaign to remove the bench who subsequently has accepted a Vice Presidency. Much work has been done to research the Band’s history, culminating in a 6 month exhibition staged in the Eden Valley Museum. Tristan Pocock and Steven Turk were thanked for stepping forward to play percussion for marching in November. This is what is amazing about Edenbridge Players who are always willing to swap instruments when needed.
This event has become a longstanding tradition in the Band’s calendar. The evening started with the handing out of annual awards for 2009, presented by our Chairman Mr. Tony Roll.
2009 winners are: Best Attendance Junior – Sophie Pocock, Best Attendance Youth – Tristan Pocock, Best Attendance Senior – Ian Crouthers, Best Improved Male - Jamie Brown, Best Improved Female – Sophie Pocock and Sarah Partridge, Youth Player of the Year – Tristan Pocock, Senior Player of the Year – Steven Turk and Players Player of the Year - Brendan and Tristan Pocock.
Congratulations to all members who received awards, especially to our younger members who took the majority of cups and shields this year.
The programme continued with a selection of silly games including guessing the objects in the bags by feel, a game of happy families (with human playing cards) and trying to work out the items on a Japanese housekeeper’s shopping list! Having built up a healthy appetite all concerned tucked eagerly into the fish and chip supper.
Playing for Edenbridge Fairtrade event
Our first outside event this year was very early as some members braved the cold to play outside Rickards Hall in Edenbridge to promote the towns status as a fair trade town. Meanwhile other members manned the bandroom for an open day where members of the public were free to come in and have a go on a selection of instruments.
