Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

The heavy thundery showers of the early morning had fortunately given way to bright sunshine by mid-morning on 7th May, when WSL band played the first of this year's open-air concerts for shoppers in Woodley.

Positioned next to the Woodley Precinct pagoda, where Waingels College Association were holding a rummage sale, the band presented a full program, drawing compliments from a number of passers-by.

Some 50 local pensioners took up the band's invitation to a band concert and a meal at the Neville Hall on Saturday 26th March. This was the 51st such occasion, funded by collections during carolling in the street in Waltham St. Lawrence and Shurlock Row before Christmas.

The event started with a 45-minute concert, featuring music old (incuding Ketelby's In a Persian Market) and not quite so old (an arrangement of Stevie Wonder's I Just Called to Say I Love You), with a good dose of gentle swing (Mood Indigo, It Don't Mean a Thing) and a sparkling solo performance of Spanish Eyes by Gerry Townsend on soprano cornet along the way.

The meal of roast beef & Yorkshire was followed by a range of desserts, with wine, tea and coffee before and after. The meal was prepared in the hall's own kitchen under the able direction of Margaret Saunders, and served by band members.

Following the meal was a raffle, and the evening was rounded off with further entertainment for everyone from a professional vocalist.

Founded in 1886, Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band is marking its 125th year with a number of its own concerts as well as a busy engagement calendar.

The band will be staging not one, but two Spring concerts, the first at St Mary's Church, Twyford, on 2nd April, then a week later at Wokingham Theatre on the 9th.

In the summer, the band will share the stage at Twyford's Loddon Hall with Waltham's very own 'Looking after Elvis' star, Ben Portsmouth, on 17th July for a special concert to mark the anniversary.

Engagement enquiries have been coming in earlier than usual this year. Quite a few regular appearances, such as the WSL Village fete and playing in Woodley town precinct, have already been booked. A new local engagement is the Shottesbrooke & White Waltham fete on 16th July.

Details of all our engagements are published on the Diary page. You can also click here to download a poster for the 9th April concert.

The very cold weather in the runup to Christmas, while it included some heavy snow and icy roads, did not disrupt the carolling schedule as much as in 2009. There was a good turnout of players for nearly all the venues around Waltham village and Shurlock Row, with income from these and Carols Round the Pound amounting to over £1,250. This will fund the traditional Old Folks Dinner at Neville Hall on 26th March.

Carols Round the Pound on 22nd December took place on a bitterly cold evening. Though the assembled throng was smaller than usual, they nevertheless sang heartily, and raised enough volume to attract a visit from Santa.

Band chairman Jane Lynn said: "I would like to add a big thank you to all the band members, collectors and villagers that made it such a successful season and well attended 'Round the Pound' despite the seasonal cold weather."

Over the weekend 4th-5th December the band provided carols to accompany Christmas tree lighting-up ceremonies in Reading and Hurst.

The ceremony at the church of St.John & St.Stephen in Orts Road began outdoors with the band accompanying the congregation as they sang carols and other festive melodies. Once the tree was  illuminated, all retired within for (alcohol-free) mulled wine and mince pies, followed by some more carols.

In Hurst, it was a cold but fine evening, and there was a good turnout of around 150 villagers to see the lights come on at the annual ceremony. This year (to the disappointment of many) the lights worked first time, and the usual count down to a wonderful "oops now try it" was much missed.

Free mulled wine and warm mince pies were given out which clearly helped get the crowd in good singing voice.

A septet from WSL band travelled to London on 1st December to play at a Bud Flanagan Leukemia Fund (Bud Club) fundraising luncheon at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The group played Christmas background music while the guests took their seats and tucked in, and accompanied them in several carols towards the close of the event.

The annual general meeting of Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band at Neville Hall on 24th November 2010 had its share of lively debate on some topics, but nevertheless managed to conclude its business by 9.30 p.m., giving time for a short and very enjoyable rehearsal afterwards.The meeting elected a new band secretary, Chris Bennett, who genuinely does not know what she is letting herself in for.

The full list of officers and committee now reads:

President: Margaret Railton has kindly agreed to continue as the band president.

Committee posts

Chairman: Jane Lynn

Secretary: Chris Bennett

Treasurer: Geoff Cleeton

Librarian: Ann Zebedee

Ordinary committee members

Jane Pullen
Clair Williams
Peter Yates
Steve Saunders

Non-committee posts

Musical Director: Derek Holland was reappointed in this position

Deputy Bandmasters: Ann Zebedee, Dave Rothery

Equipment officer: Richard McKay

Outgoing secretary Dave Oakes noted that the band had performed an unusually large number of engagements over the past year, with highlights including the visit by our German partners Musikverein Frieheim in June, joining us to play at the wedding of our chairman, and the very successful participation in the Bracknell production of Brassed Off. Memberhip had remained steady at about 25, and although we had lost our very able percussionist Nicola Skidmore to university, Robert Pullen and Daniel Lynn were proving worthy successors.

Chairman Jane Lynn's report pointed out the many occasions over the year that had brought the band together in social as well as musical terms. She voiced the band's gratitude to Tony and Alison Evans for their many years of sterling work prior to moving out of the area in April. The last concert of the season, a celebration of the life of Jackie Morris, had been a resounding success, and something to be proud of.

Musical Director Derek Holland said in his report that he was very pleased with the band's progress, and noted improvements in sight-reading, tuning and balance. He was keen to see the band appearing at more major concerts and forging links with other local performers.

The band entertained visitors to the Waltham St. Lawrence village show at the Neville Hall for the first hour of the event on 11th September. The threat of rain led to low numbers attending, but those that were there evidently enjoyed the music, and numbers rose as the afternoon progressed.

White Waltham airfield celebrated its 75th anniversary on 4th September, putting on a show that included a formation flying display by biplanes, stunt planes and a fly-past by two Spitfires. WSL band entertained the crowd for an hour during the afternoon, with a programme inlcuding Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and other aviation-themed pieces.

WSL band made its regular Band Holiday appearance at the Littlewick Green Show, near Maidenhead, on 30th August, playing to a sizeable and appreciative audience on the surrounding grass and in the adjacent tent. It was a bright day, though not particularly warm, which made for an enjoyable afternoon's music for everyone.

Blustery showers and low temperatures could not drive away the audience from the bandstand concert at Reading's Forbury Gardens on 29th August, and the band struck up on time despite the wet and the wind. Thankfully, the weather improved as the afternoon progressed, so everyone was rewarded for their persistence.

Highlights of the concert included the trombone feature Frolic for Trombones, making good use of the five trombonists that were there. Composer Reginald Heath's lively morceau characteristique Gay Senorita was also on the programe.

Several pieces from the recent Brassed Off production were also presented: Peter Yates picked up the flugel horn again to play Rodrigo's "Orange Juice", the first half was rounded off with Fucik's Florentine March, and the galop from Rossini's William Tell overture formed the grand finale.

The band entertained residents of Riverside retirement home in Cookham and their guests at their garden party on 4th July. The strong breeze did not manage to lift the mugginess of the atnosphere, but did threaten to make the marquee lift off several times. The musicians enjoyed a tasty afternoon tea in the interval.

Members of WSL band attended a rehearsal with the cast at South Hill Park, Bracknell, on Sunday 26th for the first run through scenes from Brassed Off, which is being staged from 23rd to 31st July at the Wilde Theatre.

One solo cornet player is now in danger of acquiring a new nickname, as the source of Gloria's magical flugel sound. And the band are suspiciously good at playing as if rather under the influence in the Whit Marches scene.

It's all hard work and great fun, and we look forward to the actual performances.

The band were grateful for the shade provided by the tent on a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon at the WADE (Wokingham and District Association for the Elderly) fete, and for the excellent tea and cakes at half time. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and those attending were clearly appreciative of the music.

The Waltham St. Lawrence Village fete was held on the school field at the primary school this year. WSL band played an hour's programme right in the middle of the arena from 1.00 to 2.00 p.m. Making its debut on the occasion was the band's very own "event shelter", a space-age gazebo that was lifted bodily into and out of the arena. It proved to be a comfortable environment for a complete band (unlike most gazebi, which leave the bass section out in the cold just when cover is most needed).

After a short break, members of the public were invited to come to the band tent and "have a blow", which was taken up by some half dozen brave souls (see the photos).

WSL band was delighted once again to play for retired show-biz residents at Brinsworth House, Twickenham, at their garden party on 12th June. As in previous years, the programme included arrangements by Don Shearman, including the opening number written specially for the occasion: the Brinsworth March. The day was also the 100th birthday of Brinsworth resident Alf Pearson, who performed in a singing duo with his brother Bob from the 1930s right through to the 1980s. Don had arranged their signature tune, Melodies From Out Of The Sky, for the occasion.

Following a tightly packed one-hour programme of music familiar from shows and charts of yesteryear, the band joined residents and guests for a delicious buffet tea.

The regular Saturday performance in Woodley precinct on 8th May saw the band kitted out in its smart blue fleece jackets, as it was a chilly, breezy and showery day.

The weather did win through at the end, forcing us to curtail the session by a few minutes and take the last piece of music home to dry. All the same, the playing was bright, there were plenty of people around, and many stopped to listen and give warm applause, making it well worth the effort.

WSL band joined with choirs and other local performers at Taplow Court on Friday 30th April for "A Concert in Celebration of St. George". The event was to raise funds for Thames Hospicecare, a charity providing palliative care for people in the Thames Valley affected by cancer.

The band played two sets of very English music, opening with Kenneth J Alford's march The Standard of St. George. and including Vaughan Williams's English Folk Song Suite and Elgar's Chanson de matin. Arthur Woods's Barwick Green will have been more familiar to most as the theme tune from The Archers.

The hall was packed to capacity, and the audience joined the band, choirs and other performers for the finale, with flag-waving and a rendering of Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, and There'll Always be an England worthy of any Last Night of the Proms.

The event closed with the Gordon Jacobs arrangement of God Save the Queen, complete with fanfare. The concert was clearly enjoyed by the large audience, and the organizers hope to make it an annual phenomenon.

The concert raised some £4,500 for the charity.

WSL Band and the local community bade a fond farewell to Tony and Alison Evans at the 50th OAP dinner at the Neville Hall in Waltham St. Lawrence on Saturday 27th March.

In Tony, the band is losing a first-class trombone (or horn, euphonium, or whatever gap needs to be filled) player, while the local community and Reading Male Voice Choir will miss him as a chorister. Tony has played with the band since 1962, and for many years was its chairman. He also ran the monthly Draw Club, an important source of income for the band (Peter Yates has now taken this over - see the Fundraising page).

Alison realised soon after marrying Tony that if you can't beat them, you just have to join them, and took up the tenor horn. With a 40th wedding anniversary coming up, the benefits of teamwork are clear!

Following retirement from full-time work, the couple will shortly be moving to their new home in Wiltshire, where we wish them every happiness.

Saturday 27th March saw the 50th annual dinner provided for local pensioners by Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band, funded by money collected from Crhistmas carolling. Some 48 guests joined the band for a meal at the Neville Hall.

A 45-minute programme of music before dinner featured music old and not quite so old, including Leroy Anderson's Bugler's Holiday and Sandpaper Ballet, swing numbers Mellow Mood (Clive Sansom) and Satin Doll (Duke Ellington), Arthur Ketelby's classic In a Persian Market, and a selection of Cole Porter melodies. The programme rounded off with the Radetzky March, with rhythmic audience participation.

Before the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinner was served up by members of the band, presentations were made to the 2009 Bandperson of the Year, Ann Zebedee, and to veteran band members Tony and Alison Evans, who will shortly be moving away (see separate news items)

WSL band holds a secret ballot annually to give members a chance to nominate someone they think has made an outstanding contribution to the its efforts over the preceding year.

This year our librarian Ann Zebedee received the award, which was presented at the OAP dinner on 27th March. On top of her efforts to keep the distribution and filing of music in order, an arduous task that involves liberal doses of criticism in both directions in every band, Ann has done much of the work in organizing concerts and published the programmes for them.

The WSL Spring Concert at Rose Street Methodist Church on Saturday 27th February was a great success, despite audience numbers being on the low side. The band played very well, and the benefits of the previous week's brass workshop were evident, particularly in the sensitive playing of some difficult quiet accompaniment for the cornet solo.

Opening with Eric Ball's jaunty Star Lake march, the 17-item programme ranged from older classics such as Suppe's Poet & Peasant to a piece that's not even published yet, with the two Janes (Jane Lynn and Jane Pullen) playing Derek Broadbent's draft composition Ticket to Everywhere, a subtle blend of Beatles melodies. Jazz and swing were represented by Birdland and Satin Doll, and by Clive Sansom's brass band original Mellow Mood. Eric Ball returned in the second half in the form of his classic Indian Summer.

The concert presented several solos and duets. Principal cornet Ted Cull played Saint-Saens' Softly Awakes my Heart. As mentioned above, Ticket to Everywhere featured flugel and tenor horn. Sandy Smith's arrangement of Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu, featured flugel and soprano cornet. Our eager young percussionists Robert and Daniel rubbed away at the wet and dry in Leroy Anderson's Sandpaper Ballet. And Keith Penton pirouetted around the high notes in Roy Newsome's Bass in the Ballroom.

The audience participated Vienna-style in the finale, clapping in time to J.Strauss Sr's Radetzky March. If you were there, we know you enjoyed it. If you weren't, then make sure you don't miss the Autumn Concert (date TBA).

Fourteen members of WSL band joined together with two guests at the Neville Hall for the band's second brass workshop with Derek Broadbent on Saturday 20th February.

Derek took the band through a broad selection of typical programme pieces, as well as one of his own draft arrangements featuring themes from Beatles numbers. The warm-up for both halves of the day was Derek's favourite hymn, Maryton, striving to make "the best sound we've ever made in our lives".

Derek's outstanding coaching helped those present to bring the full flavour out of many passages, and he gave some valuable pointers that will improve our performance across the board in the longer term. It was hard work, but a very rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable day. We look forward to similar events in the future.

Carolling was affected by the heavy snow before Christmas, and in particular, the regular Carols at the Pound event had to be cancelled. Nevertheless, we managed to cover the greater part of the parish's roads, and income from carolling was slightly up on 2008 thanks to the generosity of the residents of Waltham St. Lawrence and Shurlock Row, and of shoppers at Waitrose, Maidenhead.

The continuing difficulties due to snow and cold also caused the cancellation of the first two rehearsals of 2010, but now we're back, working harder than ever to polish up our concert programmes. Our first public performance of 2010 will be the optimistically titled Spring Concert at Rose Street Methodist church on 27th February.

WSL band was joined by the Voices in Accord choir for a festive concert at Rose Street Methodist Centre in Wokingham on 5th December, with proceeds going to the church's Project Gateway, a charity helping underprivileged children in Africa.

The first half featured Post Horn Galop, played by principal cornet Ted Cull, several songs from the choir, and a joint performance of John Rutter's Shepherd's Pipe Carol, arranged by Peter Graham. The audience were in good voice for two carols, and the half closed with a tongue-in-cheek piece from the 1930's, the Debroy Somers Savoy Christmas Medley.

The second half opened with Charpentier's Prelude to Te Deum, and included Sandy Smith's lively medley Santaclaustrophobia, Scheewaltzer by Goff Richards and Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree. The choir provided another set of vocal pieces, and the audience joined in again for two carols. The concert closed with a spirited rendering of the farandole from Bizet's L'Arlesienne.

First prize in the Draw Club's BIG November draw this year was £60, with a total prize fund of £145. It was won by Mrs P Wolstenholme. The current normal first prize stands at  £20, with a total kitty of £45.

The Draw Club now has 85 members, and is an important fundraiser for the band. Membership costs £15 for the year. If you'd like to join, thus becoming a Friend of the Band and receiving a complimentary ticket for one of our concerts, as well as the chance to win a draw prize every month, contact Tony Evans on 0118 934 5867

The Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band AGM took place on 18th November at the Neville Hall.

In her report, Chairman Jane Lynn expressed her gratitude to the MD, committee members and everyone else whose hard work had made for a successful year for the band. A number of concerts had been staged at Rose Street Methodist Church, raising significant funds for Children in Need. Though we had lost the services of Nicola Skidmore on percussion, several new players had been recruited over the year.

Outgoing Secretary Steve Saunders reported that the band had fulfilled 22 public engagements over the year. It now had 23 regular playing members and two non-playing members, plus the Musical Director.

Treasurer Geoff Cleeton noted the role of Christmas carolling as the major item of income in the band's fundraising. The Draw Club was also very successful, and should continue to be promoted.

MD Derek Holland stated that the last year had seen great progress and success for the band musically. Attendance had been consistently high, and the band was fortunate in having some very expert players. Derek noted that we had increased the number of concerts and paid thanks to Ann Zebedee for her efforts with the Wokingham Methodist church. Derek also thanked the committee for making the band run smoothly and to Keith Penton for his upkeep of the web site. Derek concluded by saying we should consider making a CD, which might include a dedication to Jim Clark, a generous bequest from whom had been of benefit to the band.

Officers and committee were elected, as follows:

President: Margaret Railton has kindly agreed to continue as the band president.

Committee posts

Chairman: Jane Lynn

Secretary: Dave Oakes

Treasurer: Geoff Cleeton

Librarian: Ann Zebedee

Ordinary committee members

Jane Pullen
Clair Williams
Peter Yates
Tony Evans

Non-committee posts

Instrument officer:Howard Lunn

Musical Director: Derek Holland was reappointed in this position

Deputy Bandmaster: to be elected by the band following informal audition of two candidates.

Waltham St. Lawrence Parish Church rang to the sounds of WSL band and Elvis impersonator Ben Portsmouth at a concert with a difference on Saturday night.

The concert was in two halves, with the band performing first. The programme opened with the march Cornish Cavalier, followed by the overture Bohemian Girl. A challenging arrangement for two cornets of the Flower Duet by Delibes was performed by Gerry Townsend on soprano and principal cornet Ted Cull. The horns and trombones walked the plank in a selection from Pirates of the Caribbean, followed by some gentle swing in the form of Duke Ellington's signature, Mood Indigo. The Bohemian theme returned with Darrol Barry's rousing arrangement of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, and the band's set rounded off with Irving Berlin's Puttin' on the Ritz.

In the second half, Ben Portsmouth, who used to be a member of the church choir, gave a rendering of Elvis Presley numbers, mostly gospel music. The concert concluded with a joint performance with the band of American Trilogy.

Turnout of both the band and the public for the Remembrance Sunday parades in Waltham St. Lawrence, Bray and Holyport was good, despite the threat of heavy rain which, thankfully, did not become a reality.

The band led the processions in Waltham and Bray to the strains of the British Legion March and The Middy, and also played static for a short march by the British Legion contingent at Holyport. The Last Post was ably performed by Ben Harvey. The hymns were taken by guest conductor Gary Davies, who also played Eb Bass on the march.

The Autumn Concert provided an enjoyable evening of instrumental and vocal music for a sizeable audience at Rose Street Methodist Centre in Wokingham. The band's programme was preceded by a half hour of organ music performed by Peter Stephenson, the church's principal organist, and the evening featured guest appearances by singers Carol and Rick Williams and junior soloists Lauren and Tom Torley.

Each half of the concert began and ended with a rousing piece: Trevor Sharpe's Fanfare and Soliloquy, Freddie Mercury's Bohemian Rhapsody, Arnold Safroni's march Imperial Echoes and the Grand March from Verdi's Aida. The concert ended at a fast pace with Kalinka being played as an encore.

Tribute was paid to the more mature end of the music spectrum with William Rimmer's arrangement of Boildieu's Caliph of Baghdad, Albert Ketelby's sketch In a Persian Market and Strauss's Chit-Chat Polka. More modern works included the Goff Richards James Bond Collection, Hoagy Carmichael's Georgia on my Mind (cornet solo by Peter Yates) and Gershwin's Summertime (soprano cornet solo by Gerry Townsend).

Guest artistes Carol and Rick Williams performed two sets of songs from musicals, including well known numbers from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, and brother and sister Tom and Lauren Torley, who both recently passed their grade 5 music exams, were junior euphonium soloists. Tom played Nessun Dorma in the first half, and Lauren played America from West Side Story in the second half.

Proceeds from the concert are going to the charity Action for Children. A representative of the charity spoke briefly at the opening of the second half about the charity's work.

The mid-September sunny spell provided perfect weather for the Vilage Show on Saturday 12th September. The exhibits were neatly set out in the Neville Hall and the marquee in the car park, the tea counter did a roaring trade, and the band entertained the crowds outside the hall (normally we practise inside it) from 2.15 to 3.15 with a wide selection of music, which was well received.

On a warm late summer evening on 6th September, Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band joined The Tuesday Singers for a concert at St Piran's School in Maidenhead to raise funds for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.

The Tuesday Singers, a ladies' choir numbering over 30, performed popular songs under the direction of their conductor Pippa Eden before an appreciative audience of about 200, interspersed with pieces played by the band under the baton of Derek Holland.

There were two joint items: "Memory" from Cats and "Love Changes Everything" from Aspects of Love (both by Andrew Lloyd Webber).

In a first for WSL Band, a music workshop with Derek Broadbent was held in the village's New Hall on Saturday 5th September.

Musicians from Waltham and other local bands came together to play and to evaluate both the music and their playing in greater depth under the direction of an internationally known composer, conductor and arranger. The turnout was good and the day was a great success. Derek laid particular emphasis on producing "the best sound that you have ever made" and on breaking down the time signature to identify and ensure the rhythm intended by the composer.

Derek is a superb conductor and entertainer, and provided many amusing anecdotes to punctuate the more serious side of things. There was plenty of friendly back and forth between players and Derek, including the point where one horn player realized she had been enthusing about Goff Richards at some length to someone of equal standing in the banding world.

From 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. everyone worked hard, with breaks for a caffeine fix and mental refocussing. We looked, listened and absorbed knowledge, and ended the day exhausted but, hopefully, better players.

Everyone said they thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, so another is planned for Saturday 20th February 2010, with two or three to be arranged each year in future.

The Littlewick Green show was, as usual, a large and varied affair, with vintage cars, car boot sale, flower shows, enormous prize cabbages, fairground attractions and, of course, stars of the afternoon events, Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band, playing to a good-sized crowd near the tea tent.

The day had warmed up and become sunny by the time the band started, and last year's stiff breeze was thankfully absent. The fire engine parked next to the band tent (no engines running, no sirens going off) acted as a useful acoustic reflector for the playing, and the audience clearly enjoyed the performance.

Despite a rather chilly breeze on a bright but cloudy day, quite a few people stayed in the Forbury Gardens on Bank Holiday Sunday to hear our 2009 bandstand performance.

The two halves of the program opened with classic marches Wellington and Washington Greys, and the music ranged in age from Suppe's Light Cavalry through Lincolnshire Poacher to the theme from Dr Who, closing with a rousing rendering of the Grand March from Aida.

Proceedings were suspended temporarily for a special presentation to percussionist Nicola Skidmore, who will be leaving for university in the autumn. Nicola has been with the band for some six years. She passed her Grade 8 music exams earlier this summer, which bears witness to her skills as a percussionist. We wish Nicola well in her future academic, professional and musical careers, and hope she'll keep her promise to come back and visit.

The band entertained the residents and guests  of Cookham Riverside nursing home at their garden party on 26th July. Performing in the pleasant surroundings between the terrace and the river, it emerged that there was also an appreciative second audience on the towpath behind the hedge.

The programme included Greenwood's classic solo The Acrobat, performed by guest trombonist Ashley Harper, who is about to take up a scolarship at Cheetham's School of Music in Manchester. Ashley added to the novelty of the piece by playing the finale on a slide cornet (mini trombone) which he pulled from inside his jacket.

Saturday morning saw a break in the run of miserable weather, with some brilliant sunshine just in time for the band's second concert for shoppers in Woodley's shopping precinct.

Though there were not a lot of people around, many of them stopped to listen. One stallholder gave several enthusiastic dance performances on an overcrowded dumpster, though none in time to the Spanish Gipsy Dance, Amparito Roca or other rhythmic pieces that the band was playing.

The band played two sets at the WSL parish fete on 14th June. It marked the official opening with the march Castell Coch after the vicar's words of welcome, and continued with its first half-hour sequence.

A second half-hour programme was presented later in the afternoon.

The event saw the solo debut on percussion by Robert Pullen, who is in training to take over playing drum kit when Nicola Skidmore goes off to university in September.

The band played through a warm and sunny afternoon for the garden party at Brinsworth House in Twickenham, a retirement home run by the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund. As well as light music from the standard brass band repertoire, two pieces by Don Shearman, who has a close association with Brinsworth House, were performed: the Brinsworth March, and his arrangement of Abba's One of Us. The band joined residents for a hot and cold buffet after playing, and were impressed by the excellent fare on offer.

WSL Silver Band played its first concert in a new, "picnic" format in the garden of the Bell Inn on the afternoon of Sunday 31st May. It was well attended, and a number of members of the audience went out of their way to express their appreciation of the music.

Another free concert in this format will take place at the same venue on Sunday 28th June.

Saturday 16th May saw us back in the shopping precinct in Woodley town centre for a regular "Sunny Saturday" concert for shoppers, under guest conductor Ian Barlow. There were some sunny intervals, and some light showers, and a chilly breeze that made us appreciate our band fleeces. Passers by and those who stopped to listen showed their appreciation with warm applause.

A mix of sunshine and showers, and a rather chilly breeze, meant it was on with the band fleece for the Woodley Gardening Feast at the town's shopping precinct on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May. Despite the conditions, the band produced a fine sound for the visitors to the precinct, and a number of people stayed on nearby benches throughout to listen.

The band returns to the precinct on 16th May for a normal "sunny Saturday" concert for shoppers.

Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band's Spring Concert at Rose Street Methodist Church, Wokingham, was its second appearance at this venue, and was well attended and enjoyed by all. Among the audience were special guests Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, Mayor of Wokingham, who voiced appreciation of the band's contribution to the community at the opening of the second half, and Margaret Railton, band president. Both were presented with bouquets. The band was joined by guest artistes Mary Keane and Julian Charman, who sang numbers from shows and films mid-way through each half of the concert.
The concert opened with W.E.Moyle's Cornish Cavalier, followed by another gem from the archives, Reissiger's overture to Die Felsenmühle. Music from a gentler age elsewhere in the programme included Edrich Siebert's Tick-Tock Serenade (ticks and tocks delivered with precision by percussionist Daniel Lynn), Rubinstein's Melody in F and Marquina's Spanish Gypsy Dance. The evening featured four solos: My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose (Ted Cull, cornet); Spanish Eyes (Gerry Townsend, soprano cornet); The Lazy Trumpeter (Peter Yates, trumpet); and Over the Rainbow (Jane Pullen tenor horn). The main programme was rounded off by a spirited rendering of Alan Fernie's Glenn Miller Collection, with Funiculi Funicula following as an encore.
Proceeds from the concert are going to the charity Action for Children. Don't miss our next concert on 26 September, also at Rose Stree Methodist Church.

Following long-established tradition, pensioners from Waltham St. Lawrence were treated to a meal at the Neville Hall on Saturday 21st March, prepared by band supporters and the neighbouring Bell Inn, and served by players.

Before the meal, the band played a 40-minute concert of light music, and afterwards a group of young singers provided further entertainment.

Also in the audience was Bert House, who gave many years of dedicated service to the band on Bb Bass, and who celebrated his 80th birthday on 21st February. He enjoyed the programme just as much as the first time he heard it on that day at a surprise party thrown for him by family and friends.

Members turned out at over a dozen venues in the weeks leading up to Christmas to take part in a traditional round of carol-playing round Waltham's streets and country roads, at the village Carols at the Pound event, and to accompany Rotary Club carol singers at the Waitrose store in Maidenhead.

Temperatures were on the low side, and players were more than happy to take up offers of a warming drink and mince pie, though they had to turn some down, as it would have meant no carols further down the road!

A good crowd turned out for this year's Carols at the Pound on 17th December, where the band laid on refreshments. We were joined in performance by the parish church's junior choir.

Regardless of the stormy financial weather, initial figures for collections indicate that people have been at least as generous in their donations as last year. As was noted at November's AGM, carolling accounts for a very significant proportion of the band's fundraising. Our thanks to everyone who made a donation. We'll be back next year!

This year's Christmas Concert took place in a new venue in Wokingham, arranged at somewhat short notice after the concert originally planned for the 5th had to be cancelled. The Methodist Church in Rose Street proved comfortable for both players and audience, with good facilities for refreshments during the interval as well. Proceeds from the concert are going to the charity Action for Children, which coincidentally is also supported by the Rose Street church.

The concert started with a traditional seasonal piece, Leroy Anderson's Christmas Festival, and the first half programme included solo pieces for posthorn (Ted Cull with the Peel Galop) and Eb Bass (Keith Penton with Frosty the Snowman). The audience was in good voice for two carols and Little Donkey.

The second half opened with a new piece by Philip Sparke, A Christmas Herald. Along with a flugel horn solo (Jane Lynn with A Winter's Tale), there were a number of lively pieces such as Jingle Bell Rock, Prokofiev's Troika, and Sandy Smith's Santa Claus-trophobia, and the ever-popular Snowman. The applause after the final number, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, was enthusiastic enough to persuade the band to meet a request to give Goff Richards's arrangement of Schneewaltzer, which featured in the first half, a second airing.

Congratulations to the winners of November's draw. The Christmas bonus prizes this year totalled £130. The draw club is open to anyone that wants to support the band - details of how to sign up are on the Fundraising page.

The Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band AGM took place on 12th November at the Neville Hall.

A well attended meeting heard reports by the chairman and MD which gave credit to all whose efforts have helped make it a very good year, noting the success of last year's Christmas concert, the spring concert in Holyport and the September performance on the bandstand in Reading's Forbury Gardens. The very enjoyable exchange visit to Germany was also highlighted. Attendance at rehearsals had been good, and playing standards had improved.

The secretary's report noted that the band had fulfilled 18 public engagements over the year, one of which (Remembrance Day parades) involved three separate locations. There were now 26 regular playing members, several of whom had joined in the past year, one non-playing member, and two learners.

A full complement of officers and committee were elected, as follows:

President: Margaret Railton has kindly agreed to continue as the band president. 

Committee posts
Chairman: Jane Lynn
Secretary: Steve Saunders
Treasurer: Geoff Cleeton
Librarian: Ann Zebedee

Ordinary committee members
Jane Pullen
Clair Williams
Peter Yates
Ken Morris

Non-committee posts
Instrument officer: Richard McKay

Derek Holland was reappointed as Musical Director;
John Bird will continue to act as Deputy Bandmaster.

The band turned out in three locations for Remembrance Sunday on 9th November.

First was a march from the Bell Inn to the War Memorial in Waltham St. Lawrence. A short service at the memorial included the Last Post and two-minute silence at 11 o'clock.

A dash across country to Bray then followed, where the band met the local British Legion as they emerged from a church service, and led the parade to the village's war memorial, playing a hymn, the Last Post and the national anthem for the service there.

Finally, the convoy headed back westwards to Holyport, where a hymn, the Last Post and the national anthem were played for the ceremony at the village war memorial. Members of the band then joined the British Legion and other local citizenry at the George on the Green pub for a tasty spread of sandwiches, sausage rolls and hot potatoes.

The summer season came to a fine end on Sunday 14th September with a concert on Reading's Forbury Gardens bandstand, at a later date than usual to coincide with the town's Heritage Day events. A sizeable audience surrounded the bandstand, many remaining to hear the whole programme. Feet were set tapping by a largely traditional set, starting with Army of the Nile and ending with the New Colonial march, and including Boildieu's The Caliph of Baghdad and Lehar's Gold and Silver waltz. Pirates were well represented, both from Penzance and the Caribbean, and a chorus line of teenagers performed an impromptu can-can to Offenbach's Minuet and Galop. More modern pieces included soprano solo Misty, in a confident rendering by Gerry Townsend, the Sinatra favourite My Way, and a bouncy arrangement of Mr Sandman. The weather was bright and warm, making for an enjoyable afternoon for all those present.

The annual Littlewick Green Show took over a large triangle of land near Maidenhead, between the A308(M) and the A330 Ascot Road on August Bank Holiday Monday, and for a couple of hours in the afternoon the entertainment included the band playing a varied concert near the tea tent. We had plenty of chairs (but not for want of cornet players), and quite a few people sat alongside the band to listen, as well as those lending an ear in a neighbouring area of seating. Our audience gave an entusiastic reception to a large number of the pieces we played.

The band played a concert for the residents of Brinsworth House in Twickenham, a care home for retired members of the show business profession, on this fine day in late August. As well as playing a goodly number of pacy numbers from shows, the band accompanied singer Joan Regan in a set of her hit songs from yesteryear.

Hurst village hall and a large marquee outside were packed with a fine array of home-made jams, cakes, flans, magnificent onions, parsnips, carrots, potatoes and flowers for the 95th Hurst Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society Show on 16th August.

Outside, the band treated stallholders and visitors to a varied programme of music, which was met with frequent applause. The rain that had been forecast was nowhere to be seen, helping to make it a thoroughly enjoyable occasion for everybody.

The council's "Sunny Saturday" theme ran true to its name on Saturday 28 June, and it was shirtsleeves and band caps for those not in the shade in Woodley shopping precinct as the band treated shoppers to an early afternoon concert.

An appreciative audience was in evidence both on this occasion and on 26 July, when the band returned to the precinct for a second concert, once more in fine weather.

Weather forecasts for rain on Sunday 22 June proved wrong, and it turned out to be a warm and sunny day for the Waltham St. Lawrence parish fete. The band occupied one tent among many in the garden and field behind the Bell Inn, and performed a variety of pieces through the afternoon under the baton of guest conductor Andy Thorne.

On 17th June a coach containing a tired but happy Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band drew up to Neville Hall at the conclusion of its latest visit to Germany. The band had been taking part in the Schützenfest ("marksmen's fair") in Friesheim, near Cologne, as part of its regular exchange with Musikverein Friesheim (MVF), the local concert band.

The event started on 14th June with a parade around the village in which both bands marched and played. They marched in several other parades over the long weekend, and the two bands staged two open-air joint concerts at the fair. The local shooting club was very appreciative of our participation, and presented us with a metal plaque as a memento.

Waltham Band and Musikverein Friesheim have been visiting each other regularly over the past twelve years, with a band travelling one way or the other every two years. The exchange has given rise to many lasting friendships and private visits. We look forward very much to playing host to MVF in Waltham in 2010, and the opportunity to reciprocate the generous hospitality of our German friends.

Maidenhead Carnival kicked off with a colourful procession amid very fine weather at midday on Sunday. Waltham St. Lawrence band brought up the rear of the first (non-motorised) section of the parade, which was led by the Reading Scottish Pipe Band. Marches included not only traditional numbers such as Death or Glory and Sons of the Brave, but also a good rendering of Funiculi Funicula.

There are some photos of the band on the march in the Gallery. You can catch a glimpse of Tony Evans, beating the drum in his leopard-skin outfit, in the video of the event on the Maidenhead Advertiser website (link opens in new window).

Wednesday evening's rehearsal on 4th June saw the welcome return to playing of principal cornet Ted Cull, who is recuperating from a heart operation in April. Just what the doctor ordered(?)

The 400th anniversary of the Ralph Newbery's Relief in Need charity, based in Waltham St. Lawrence, was marked on 22 May by a thanksgiving church service followed by a lunchtime gathering at the Bell Inn. The band provided a ten-piece ensemble playing background music at the garden party. The weather was beautiful and the local ale is very good indeed.

The rent from the premises now occupied by the Bell goes to help the local poor thanks to the charity established in local printer Ralph Newbery's will. ITV's Thames Valley Tonight report on the event noted how unusual it is for a village to own its pub, let alone have income from it go to a charity. The band were heard but not seen in the report, with the strains of Hearts of Oak in the background as it began.

The 2008 Spring Concert at Holyport War Memorial Hall was a great success. It featured music from opera, film and TV as well as original pieces for brass, and our special guest Joan Regan gave a fine rendering of some of her hit songs, accompanied by the band and by Don Shearman at the keyboard.

Highlights of a full programme included Ted Cull on cornet playing Puccini's Nessun Dorma and some challenging solos for the trombones in Alan Fernie's colourful version of Lennon & McCartney's When I'm Sixty-Four. The concert opened with Trevor Sharpe's Fanfare and Soliloquy, and closed with Breezing Down Broadway, a pacy arrangement of hit tunes from the pen of Goff Richards.

Proceeds from ticket sales help fund the band's donations to the World Vision charity, sponsoring Prodip Rapidas, a young man in India. Proceeds from the raffle are going to charities nominated by our guest artiste.

More Lloyd Webber with that, ma'm? This might have been a question on Saturday at the Neville Hall, as the band dished up roast beef & yorkshire for senior citizens at the traditional annual dinner which it provides with some of the proceeds from Christmas carolling. The band entertained their guests with a 45-minute concert of light music before the meal, and afterwards there was a cabaret performance by friends of the band.

At an unusal engagement for the charity ball of the Comedians Golfing Society at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, a small band squeezed onto the stage between the main acts' synthesizers and drum kit to play several jolly sea songs. They were marching on the local Sea Cadets, who lined up for inspection by the society's life President, Stan Taylor.