Wantage Silver BandBand Hall Fund Donation From Local MP
The Wantage Silver Band's Bandhall project was given a Christmas boost by the generous donation of a personal cheque for £500 from local MP, Ed Vaizey. Shown receiving the gift are Band Chairman Eleanor Turner (right) and Bandmaster Eileen Sykes.
Christmas Concert
The 'A' band Christmas Concert, held in the Civic Hall on Saturday 5th December was a sell-out. The audience much appreciated the playing and especially 'The Blue Tones', the Millbrook School choir (led by Pauline Davies) who sang beautifully and with great enthusiasm - and impressive actions!
Remembrance Parade
Sunday, 9th November saw the regular annual Remembrance Parades, with bands leading the Royal British Legion contingents with Scouts and similar groups to church services in Wantage and Hanney. Bandsmen also played 'Last Post' at several local village war memorials on that day and on Wantage square on the 11th.
Pontins Contest 2009
The 'A' band again entered this prestigious contest at the Prestatyn holiday camp on 25th October. Having thought they played well (with fine support from 5 deputies drawn from the Flowers, MK Brass, Cory, Fodens and Sovereign bands) they were very disappointed to be placed 10th out of the 15 bands that played. Local rivals Kidlington were placed 6th.
Concert Brass Success
While Wantage Concert Brass was formed deliberately as a "non-contesting" group within the WSB organisation, they decided to support the Oxford and District BB Association's revival of the former annual Entertainment Contest and entered in the "Unregistered" section of this year's contest at Burford School on Sunday 11th October.
Annual Concert 2009
This year's annual concert on Saturday October 10th played to a packed audience at Wantage Civic Hall. The format again featured all current sections of the organisation playing three or four items, from Training Band through to 'A' Band.
'B' Band placed 4th in the National 4th Section
The 28 players of the 'B' Band and their conductor Danny Dullforce had a fine result at the National Brass Band 4th Section Championships held on September 26th in Harrogate. Having been placed 2nd at the London and Southern Counties area contest earlier in the year to qualify, they faced up to the 1st and 2nd bands of all other areas of the country, and came 4th out of the 19 competing bands.
Marching Workshop
On Sunday 20th September, over 60 members of the Wantage Band were entertained to a Marching Workshop given by the Band of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) at their Arborfield headquarters. Instruction was given in playing a march and marching in step - then both together.
Aldbourne Carnival
The annual Aldbourne Carnival was held on September 5th, and Wantage Band was invited again to participate. Always a tricky time at the end of the holiday period and with Youth Band busy that day, we were nevertheless able to field a decent band, playing mostly light-hearted march tunes. The members appeared to enjoy themselves!
Anniversary Bandogram
To celebrate the occasion of their Ruby Wedding, Peter and Ann Barber were surprised to be entertained in their lovely garden by a 'Bandogram' organised by their son Andrew (solo euphonium of Concert Brass).
Forthcoming Events
Sunday, 1st August
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Sunday Concert3:00pm at Parade Gardens Bandstand, Bath(Concert Brass)
Saturday, 14th August
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Lambourn Fete2:00pm at Lambourn Sports Club
Saturday, 4th September
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Charney Fete12:45pm - 3:00pm at Charney Bassett(Concert Brass)
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Carnival Parade6:00pm at Aldbourne
Sunday, 12th September
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Wantage Heritage Day(Concert Brass)
Sunday, 19th September
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Battle of Britain Parade11:45am at Wantage('A' Band)
Sunday, 26th September
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O&DBBA Contestat Burford(Concert Brass)
New Band Hall Latest
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