The 'A' band journeyed to Cornwall on 21st June to take part again in the annual West of England Band Festival, held at the appropriately-named village of Bugle, in the centre of the China clay mining industry. As happened last year, it was a wet day, but our spirits were high. Cornwall is famous for its Brass Bands and all of the 5 other entrants in the top section are ranked in the world top 200 - so we were delighted to win 3rd place in both the Melody and Test Piece sections!
The contest takes place in a field, bands playing on a temporary bandstand under a canopy; when we took to the stage - the last band to play - a gale was blowing and the rain gradually dissolved the trombone's music! Despite the weather, there was a large and enthusiastic crowd to cheer the bands on. The bad weather was soon forgotten when the results were announced: first and second were St Austell Band and the Camborne Band. Wantage won the Thomas Brenton Challenge Cup, the Western Morning News Silver Trophy, and a cheque for £300.
Many of the Wantage contingent travelled down on the day - an advantage of playing in the top section is that it starts in the late afternoon - but around a dozen players and supporters accepted an invitation to join in the celebrations afterwards at St Austell's bandroom, which is a large facility in the centre of the town. They too were having a wonderful time, celebrating winning the Royal Trophy and £1000!
Once again this year, a mixed contingent from WSB journeyed up to Saddleworth in the Yorkshire Pennines to take part in the Whit Friday Processions and March Contests, made famous by the film ‘Brassed Off’. Some 36 players and 15 supporters assembled at 8.30 on the Friday morning (16th May) at the outskirts of the picturesque village of Greenfield, and marched into the centre of the village playing the traditional tune ‘Hail Smiling Morn’, led by their conductor, Roger Middlebrook. Later in the morning they led the Methodist Church (complete with large banners, and many children in their new Whit Friday outfits) on a 2-hour procession around the village, playing marches interspersed with hymns at the various stops.
After refreshment in the King William pub, and a hearty Meat & Potato pie lunch in the Methodist Church Hall, the band gave a concert on the playing fields before beginning the most demanding part of the day – the evening March Contests. Here over 100 bands travel in their coaches to any of some 20 venues in nearby villages, form up and march up to the contest venue, then stand and play their chosen march, to be judged by an adjudicator hidden away nearby. The picture above shows the band playing at Friezland, while they also played at Alan Sykes' home village of Dobcross (Alan was particularly proud to return there this year with grandson Sam Chapman as Principal cornet).
Once again 'A' and 'B' Bands took part in the annual London and Southern Counties area contests at Stevenage Leisure Centre, on Sunday 16th March. 'A' Band were rather disappointed to finish 9th of 12 bands competing in the Championship Section, having played very well. However, they were placed above local rivals Kidlington.
'B' Band, playing in the 4th Section, were unlucky to be placed 4th of 22 bands, though this is their best ever result by a long way! As always, the on-line Brass Band journal "4Bars Rest" has published reviews of the proceedings, from which the following is reproduced:
"POSTCARD from STEVENAGE
Over the years it has become easy to suggest that the standard of banding here is below that found elsewhere, and whilst it is true that success come the National Finals has been hard to come by, in general terms the overall level of performances in the lower sections in particular is very much the same as any region we have been to this year. Close your eyes and you could have been in Swansea, Glenrothes, Bedford or Bradford. Mind you, if you were lucky enough to close your eyes and listen to a young gentleman called Sam Chapman, aged 14, with Wantage B Band in the Fourth Section then you would have been very fortunate indeed. Here was the best young cornet player the 4BR Editor has heard for a very long time – technically secure, but with such a lovely sound allied to a quite wonderful sense of style and musicality. Watch out for him in years to come – this is a star player, make no mistake about it. "
The Old Mill Hall at Grove resounded to the sound of barn dance music, rather than brass band music, on 23rd February as a large crowd clearly enjoyed themselves! About £1000 was raised, to boost our Band Hall Fund.
An 'A' Band ensemble, conducted by Eileen Sykes, played background music on February 23rd for a 'Tangent' lunch in grand surroundings at Shrivenham Defence Academy. The structure of the building created cathedral-like acoustics!
An excellent concert, on the theme "Magic of the Movies and Songs from the Shows", was presented by 'A' Band in Didcot Civic Hall on 16th February, raising over £1300 for Multiple Sclerosis charities. Cheques were presented to charity representatives by Eddie Yarker, the band's 1st Baritone player, himself now a sufferer and unable to continue his former active life in motor cycle sidecar racing and as a leading triathlon contestant.
Guest artist for the evening was former Black Dyke Flugel Horn player Steve Drury (left, above) who played items from "Les Miserables", "Jesus Christ, Superstar" and the "James Bond" movies, concluding with "Post Horn Galop" (on Post Horn of course), wandering through the crowded hall. Among other items in the concert were themes from "Star Wars", "Gladiator", "Braveheart", "Schindler's List" and various "Cartoon Classics". Another highlight of the evening was Robert Dodd's humorous rendition of "Bare Necessities" with various interruptions from other sections of the band, including Nicola Morell (above, right).
We acknowledge, sadly, the sudden passing of our loyal President of several years, Jim Moley. He had been a keen supporter of Wantage Silver Band, not only in name but in a practical sense too. He would often travel on coaches with one or other band to contests and to concert engagements, and was a keen collector with carolling groups around Wantage and Grove on the approach of Christmas. He even led the keen few who heralded Christmas Day around the alms houses, hospital and residential homes in the area. The picture, above, was taken by Ann Chadwick last October while Jim was presenting awards at the Band's annual concert in Wantage Civic Hall. There will be an empty chair at next month's AGM.
As a Town, District and County councillor for many years he promoted the Band's interests whenever appropriate, particularly in the (successful) campaign of the last few years, to gain planning permission to build the new Band Hall on the edge of Wantage. He will be missed by all who knew him, and we extend our condolences to his brothers, sisters, daughters and grandchildren, who have kindly requested that any donations in lieu of flowers should be directed via the undertaker to WSB funds. The Band said their last farewell to Jim by playing at his funeral service in Wantage Parish Church on Tuesday, 22nd January.
Wantage Concert Brass combined with the SS&S singers to present a Concert in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Research in Grove Village Hall on Sunday 9th December. Organiser Ron Hill, whose grandson suffers from the Duchennes form of Muscular Dystrophy, was delighted with the success of the Concert. The Hall was packed, and proceeds from ticket sales and donations totalled over £2000, all of which will be presented to the Charity. Further donations are welcomed - Action Duchenne can be contacted through their web-site www.actionduchenne.org, or via Ron Hill on 01235 762891.
The Concert Brass Band, part of the Wantage Silver Band organisation, was conducted by Alan Sykes and featured solos from Harry Kent (cornet), Leah Mason (flugel horn), Andrew Barber (euphonium) and Michael Hurd (Bb bass). Guests for the evening were the SS@S singers, resplendent in Victorian Costume, who sang carols both on the own and accompanied by the Band.
On Sunday, 18th November, the 'A' band was one of seven bands competing in the Championship section of the Leicester 'own choice' contest. Playing Edward Gregson's technically difficult "Dances and Arias", they were happy to be judged 4th, beaten by Aldbourne, Kidlington and Ratby bands, all ranked well above them.
The following week, 'B' Band was at Leamington Spa to compete in the 4th section of the West Midlands Brass Bands Association contest. They also just missed out on the prizes, coming 4th out of 6 bands competing. However, star of the show was the band's principal cornet player, 13-year-old Sam Chapman, who was awarded the Len Pepper Memorial Shield for best instrumentalist. Sam is seen here receiving the award from adjudicator Philip Harper.
The Royal British Legion's annual Remembrance Day parade in Wantage, from the Civic Hall to the Parish Church, as usual was led by WSB 'A' Band. Here, the band are seen lined up after their return to the Civic Hall, following the Service of Remembrance in the church. A similar event at Hanney involved the 'B' Band, while individual band members were provided to play "Last Post" at other village locations.
Wantage Civic Hall was full on 20th October for WSB's annual concert, featuring all SIX functioning groups. The concert began with 'B' Band on stage, conducted by Danny Dullforce, followed by Denise Clark's 'Wantage Junior Brass' and Brian Thomas' Training Band. 'Wantage Concert Brass', conducted on stage for the first time by Alan Sykes, closed the first half of the programme. The Youth Band opened the second half, led by Roger Middlebrook, and finally the WSB 'A' Band took the stage, conducted by Phil Bailey.
As usual, the second half included the presentation of the annual awards by the President, Jim Moley. To popular acclaim, the Joe Payne Cup for Band Personality of the year was awarded to Henry Gunston (pictured above). The other winners were Megan Dancy (Jill Pollard Trainer Band Cup), Chris Wells (Youth Band Cup), Jordan Mason (Bandsman of the Year) and Brian Thomas (Enterprise Award). For pictures of these other presentations, click here
A mix of 'A' and 'B' Bands, led by Gareth Coulson headed the annual RAF Association march to and from Wantage Parish Church. The picture was taken at the end of the parade, back at the Civic Hall.
A contingent from the band followed the tradition of a week's holiday in mid-August, this year camping at a glorious site overlooking the sea at Fishguard, west Wales. Well, it should have been glorious, but they were not spared from the very poor British weather this year, and in truth, many were glad to get home! The picture shows the band, conducted by Danny Dullforce, playing in St. David's on one of the rare good days (the concert had been delayed from earlier in the week, due to the rain). The holiday had been coordinated with the Goodwick Band, and a joint concert was given on the final Saturday evening in the ballroom of the Fishguard Bay Hotel, at which a commemorative plaque and WSB banner were exchanged with the Mayor of Fishguard. Other, less formal concerts, were given at the camp site (in lousy conditions) and the Ocean Bay sea-life centre.
Broad smiles all round at Ardington House on 5th August, as 'A' Band members Ian Davies and Pauline Kowalski celebrate their wedding at this beautiful venue, with the rest of the band providing the music for the occasion. Congratulations to the happy couple!
In common with so many other Scouts worldwide, the 1st Cuckhamsley troop celebrated the Centenary of the Scout movement on 1st August. They gathered for an early morning event at the Ardington Millennium Stones for a brief service of re-dedication, led by Rev. Rita Ball and a contingent of WSB. The picture shows local landowner Thomas Loyd, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, alongside leader Andy Brewer, presenting his opening address to the Scouts gathered at the stone 'circle', explaining the origin and purpose of the "sundial" which the stones create, together with the adjacent representation of the solar system, and linking them to the 100 years of Scouting. The band continued to play for a while after the service, while the tantalising smell of grilling breakfast bacon wafted across the site from the 'campfire' barbecue.
On Friday, 27th July the ‘A’ band, conducted by Philip Bailey, presented a concert in Wantage Civic Hall, loosely based on the format of the famous last night of the BBC Promenade Concerts. They opened with Leslie Condon's march "Celebration" and Frank Wright's arrangement of Berlioz's "Carnaval Romaine", which were the two pieces played at the recent Bugle concert (see next item). The evening continued with several band arrangements of well-known orchestral compositions, interspersed with solo items from Danny Dullforce (euphonium), Nicola Morrell (flugel horn) and Steve Chapman (cornet). The climax of the evening came with the traditional final items of the genuine 'last night of the proms': Henry Wood's "Fantasia on British Sea Songs", with singing led by Julia Reynolds, pictured above, then Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1" and Joseph Parry's "Jerusalem". The large audience, suitably roused by the high standard of playing, celebrated with flag-waving during this finale.
Our 'Concert Band' organised a 'Supper Concert' in West Hendred village hall on Saturday evening, July 21st. While the band set up and played at one end of the hall, the sizeable and appreciative audience sat around tables at the other end and partook of some excellent buffet food in the interval. The picture shows Gareth Coulson conducting the band for one of their last public performances before he departs for a university course in September. The event provided nearly £400 for band funds.
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