23 December 2004
Message from Gerry
Herewith debriefing from last night's guerilla raid by the Special Farces unit of the band.
With unit strength increased to five members, the party (armed only with 2 cornets, 2 euphonia and a baritone of doubtful breeding) mounted incursions into about eight hostelries in Sale & Altrincham. All members of the unit returned safely albeit lip-worn and when the spoils were counted this morning, they amounted to UK currency + €0.50 + 20 pesetas.
For the final venue, the unit carried out its most daring foray - the Quarry Bank Inn in Timperley - reputed haunt of rival blowers. Here, the inhabitants first showered us with cash and then forced alcohol upon the unit (shock, horror!!!). Escape was achieved only in exchange for the rendering of a further three carols.
Total spoils for the two night campaign: over £300
Webmaster comment - Well done guys :-)
20 December 2004
Message from Soo
'Please convey my thanks to the band for the flowers and their good wishes.' She was also wondering if she was on paid 'maternity leave' from the band ;-)
She also thought there were two funny comments from Friday which were:
Don't rush back to rehearsals and can we have your jacket back :-)
One last thing this page will be achieved in the next few days so we will have a 2004 page to go with the 2003 page.
18 December 2004
Oakfield Club, Oakfield, Sale
Last night the band played at the annual Christmas concert at the Oakfield Club. It was a cold, wet night but still a sizeable audience attended.
For the second concert running Steve made a presentation. This time to Soo Cook who is leaving us for a short while on maternity leave. .She promised to keep us up-to-date with the events and last night she even won one of the raffle prizes.
As promised an update on Piper Hill School
Piper Hill Special School - 200 Yew Tree Lane, Manchester, M23 0FF - Map
This is part of one of the schools recent reports.
Main strengths and weaknesses
The provision of music is very good and pupils and students have very good opportunities to perform and compose.
The excellent singing and signing clubs develop pupils’ and students’ confidence and love of music extremely well.
Excellent links with the community enables the pupils and students to work with professional musicians.
Music is used very effectively to deliver the sensory curriculum to pupils with more complex needs.
Commentary
Members of staff are very skilled in using music to stimulate pupils and students.
All pupils and students have access to a very good music curriculum that has been developed by the school and is fine tuned to meet the needs of different groups of pupils, The emphasis is on composing, performing, listening to and appraising music, Because the curriculum is very relevant and pupils are very effectively supported, they achieve very well and are confident to perform in public. At a further education assembly, to celebrate a student’s birthday, the singing and signing choir gave an excellent rendition of ‘Are you ready for love’, Both the choir and the students in the audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance that was a really joyous occasion.
Students are given very good support to enable them to compose their own music using ICT. For example, in an ICT lesson for higher attaining Year 13 students, they confidently used a program to select rhythm and beats to make their own mix of dance and exercise music.
Pupils and students have many opportunities to make music with pupils from other schools, including mainstream schools, and with professional musicians. These include sessions at the Bridgewater Hall with the Hallé for Youth project. The school was awarded a certificate of merit at the National School Choirs Festival. This gave pupils the marvellous experience of singing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and significantly boosted their confidence to achieve very well.
Sorry about the poor quality of the photographs as they were reproduced from a low resolution printed copy. However, I do feel that they encapsulate the mood of the school.
14 December 2004
Last nights rehearsal was the last one at the school. In future all our rehearsals will be held in the scout hut. The details on the website will be updated in the near future.
13 December 2004
Sale Conservative Club
Last night the band played at the annual Christmas concert at Sale Conservative Club to a near capacity audience. The good news was everyone had a great time and for some strange reason the band members seemed to be very lucky with raffle prizes.
The sad news is that it was David Pearce's last night with the band as both he and Rachael are moving to Texas US, on three year contracts, within in the next few weeks. It is a busy time for them as well as packing David is receiving his PhD next week. The band and committee presented an engraved tankard to commemorate his seven years with the band. I am sure we will be receiving 'emails from America' to keep us all informed of their progress and I am sure we all wish them all the best for the future.
12 December 2004
Walton Hall Warrington - Map - Location - The Halls and Gardens
Yesterday the band played at the annual Christmas concert at Walton Hall, Warrington. We played three 40 minute slots between 12:30pm and 4:00pm. The weather was milder this year but the number of visitor to their Winter Wonderland appeared to be down.
The most memorable part of the day was one of the fairground organs. Nigel has a recording on his phone if you want to listen to it......
10 December 2004
Piper Hill Special School
This afternoon a small group of band members performed at the Piper Hill Special School and by all accounts the band, children and staff had a great time. Some more information about the school, staff and pupils will be added in the near future.
4 December 2004
Concert for the Cheadle Round Table
The band played last night, for the Cheadle Round Tables 40th Christmas dinner. There was a capacity attendance who witnessed a night of Christmas music together with some old favorites. In the end we played for two 45min spots with a break in between.
3 December 2004
Last night I met up with Jackie Wicks, who use to play cornet with us up until about eighteen month ago. She is well and expecting her next (and apparently last) child in about a weeks time. Jackie past on her best wishes to everyone and said she will return in the future.
27 November 2004
Email from my good lady wife - sent when I was in Dallas
Dear webmaster, Thank you for your information about the band's events.
It's the only way I can keep tabs on when my husband is out! :-)
I notice lots more events than he's mentioned....
Webmaster comment - Mmm sorry, - maybe I'm not as organised as I thought :-)
26 November 2004
Band Social event and David Pearce's leaving do
Thirteen of us shared a great Chinese meal in Manchester. The arrangements changed as the day progressed but we all had a great time. The low point was that Nigel wouldn't let us all celebrate his birthday (which was yesterday) with a traditional song and cake, and maybe some dirty beer ;-)
31 October 2004
Remember tomorrow nights rehearsal is back at the school.
30 October 2004
Pontin's Championships - Prestatyn
The test piece was the fourth section test piece Attleborough Suite by Malcolm Arnold. We were drawn number 11, so it wasn't such an early start, but it proved not to be the day for us today. Thanks to all deps.
17 October 2004
Message from John regarding rehearsal 27 October
Have just got confirmation that we can use the Scout hut on Wed 27th October for our last rehearsal before Pontin's.
17 October 2004
Message from Steve regarding Pontin's
Rehearsal Schedule Pontin's Contest
Thanks to all concerned for putting the effort into rehearsing this difficult test piece. As you all gave an undertaking to do Pontin's, I need as full as possible rehearsals to top and tail, and make this performance better than last years.
If you have to be away after we have played – we should be done around 1pm. – you should now make every effort to get to all the scheduled practices, as for me “if I fail to plan, my plan will fail”
You are all aware of the extra rehearsal on the Wednesday (2 October).
Monday 18 October
Full Band
Monday 25 October
8pm – Rep, 2nd, 3rdcornets, basses and Troms.
8:30pm – full Band
Wednesday 27 October
8pm – Basses, 2nd 3rd Cornets
8:30pm – full band
Contest Day – warm up rehearsal facility – Hymn Books / march books. Top and tail test piece (run through problem bits – although at this point, there should be none).
Let Lesley Know if you have problems with any of the above.
Remember – we only had one rehearsal a week to prepare, not one yet has been a full one!
13 October 2004
Message from Lesley regarding Pontin's
Pontins contest, Saturday 30 October
Our warm-up is at the Rhyl Silver bandroom on Windsor Street, Rhyl, to meet there at 8.45am sharp and leave at 9.45am latest to reach Pontins in Prestatyn in good time to report at 10.15am. We are drawn to play number 11 so should be finished by 1pm – though we shall have to wait to collect our prize…
I shall give out cards and tickets at the warm-up. Borrowed players – please don’t forget to bring your cards and signed transfers.
To find the bandroom: take the A55 to St Asaph as that’s the quicker route. Then 5 miles on to Rhyl. Under railway bridge, bear left at traffic lights, through next traffic lights, and look for Windsor Vaults pub 200 yards on the right. The bandroom is on an alley behind the pub, you can park on the street nearby or round the corner on the right. We are very grateful to Steve Hoyle, an old friend of Sale Brass, who has arranged the room and will be waiting for us outside the pub.
4 October 2004
Thanks to the band
Monica and Richard would like to thank the band for their wedding presents. They are pictured here on their wedding day on 28 August.
3 October 2004
Concert at the Thistle Hotel Handforth
Last night the band played two spots at a concert for the Cheadle and Gatley Round Table Ladies Evening in the Tatton Suite at the Thistle Manchester Airport Hotel. We played to a packed enthusiastic audience and finished at approximately 10:30pm.
Important update
We have just been notified that all the rehearsals in October can take place at the scout hut. So as from tomorrow, as an experiment, we will be rehearsing here rather than the school.
Also, the draw has been made for Pontin's and we have been drawn number 11, reporting at 10.15am at the contest control. The final arrangements have yet to be confirmed.
28 September 2004
Location map for Saturday concert can be obtained from here. The hotel is also know as Manchester Airport Thistle Hotel.
16 September 2004
Details for a new concert on the 2 October are posted on the events page. Also remember that Monday's rehearsal will be in the Scout Hut, where a representative from the council will be measuring the noise levels.
3 September 2004
Email from a former band member
Recently, I have been in contact with Brierley Stubbs, who was a member of the band between 1965 and 1967. He is currently dividing his time between working in Belguim and the UK. He will hopefully be coming down for a listen in the near future. For interest I have enclosed part of his original email:
Having seen your notice in "Messenger" I read your website with interest.
In 1965-67 I played cornet with Stretford Borough Band practicing in the black "hut" next to the canal at Stretford. I don't remember much about it other than I used to walk to rehearsal from my home on Brooklands Estate for rehearsals on Tuesday evening and Sunday morning. The "beginners" rehearsal started about half an hour before the main rehearsal. There was only one other young lad a little older than me, chubby with red hair and I think played the trombone but I cant remember his name.
My father, Jim Stubbs, worked at MetroVicks with Dick Mitton and that’s how I was introduced, having just taken up the trumpet at school.
Having been "approached" by a white car on Brooklands Road whilst returning from rehearsal one dark winter evening during the Moors Murders era, my mother decided I should restrict my attendance to Sunday Morning. Warming up in that hut, on an icy February morning was quite a challenge!!
I was taught trumpet at school by Alan Gregory, who must be near retirement now, but has a music shop in Fallowfield. He ran the Wythenshawe Brass Ensemble which I was in from 1966 - 1968 and practiced at Wythenshawe Technical school on Altrincham Road on a Friday night. We played modern light music and Pop. Our "Big Hit" was "Everlasting Love" by Love Affair, "Walk on the Wild Side" and "Swingin' Safari" by Bert Kaempfert. Their concerts were very popular due to the modern repertoire. Mr Gregory also ran the Manchester Youth Stage Band which I was in from 1969 - 1971. That was an exciting experience and we had a couple of recording sessions at the BBC studios in the old Hippodrome in Hulme.
Concurrent with this I had my own 7 piece band with my school mates, Doug Malone (clarinet/sax), Derek Smith (Deceased - piano), Stuart Singleton (Bass), John Bradshaw (drums), Leon Laga (trombone), Rob Orr (12 string guitar), playing a mix of jazz and light music. Our signature tunes were "love is blue" and "Wonderful World". We did a lot of charity gigs and at one, a garden party at West Wythenshawe FE college, we met Bill Corry who invited me to play flugal horn with the Wythenshawe Band. Last time I saw him was about 8 years ago in Altrincham. Bill I recall seemed to model himself on Glenn Miller and the band repertoire included American Patrol and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. To this day one of my favourite pieces of music thanks to Bill. However, though I really loved the band and its music, I couldn’t duplicate the solo confidence and composure I enjoyed with my own 7-piece, when challenged with the solo test pieces of Fulgel Horn. We played contests at Preston Guildhall and Stretford Town Hall and was section four in those days.
The Band practiced in desperate accommodation at the old Sharston Hall. Long since gone, but it moved before I left to a school hall at Peel Hall think? I recall a whole family of members, the Mangans, who lived on Altrincham Road, Baguley opposite Bill Corry who then lived in a big old Victorian house with his mother. The house was demolished about 1970 and new estates built.
I still have my trumpet, though other than private "shows" for the kids when they were young and in a drunken stupor at Christmas parties, I haven’t played since 1974 when I was briefly with a Stockport Stage Band. A Boosey & Hawkes Sessionair which was overhauled at Alan Gregory's music shop Alan Gregory about 10 years ago. I had hope one of my 3 sons would take it up, but alas........
Having turned 52 on 13th August, I wonder where everyone is now? Perhaps I could watch a rehearsal sometime?
28 August 2004
Monday's Rehearsal
Just a quick reminder that there is no rehearsal on Monday due to the Bank Holiday.
17 August 2004
Three things from last night:
On behalf of Janet can I thank the band for the flowers. Janet had her operation last Monday and other than bruising and still being swollen is on the mend.
Secondly - Noel has unfortunately had to call it a day. As you will all know he had been travelling from Huddersfield for every rehearsal. However, he will soon be moving to the London area, which will be a bit far even for him. If you want we will be meeting in the Sale Hotel next Monday for a leaving drink. Rumour has it that he might even buy a few of his mates a dirty beer, or was that just the bass section.
Lastly and by no means least, David got the job in Texas so both David and Rachel will be moving to the US just before the New Year. I am sure we all want to wish them all the best.
7 August 2004
Mondays Rehearsal
Just a reminder that the rehearsal on 9 August is cancelled due to the holidays. The next rehearsal will now be the 16 August.
24 July 2004
Mondays Rehearsal
I have been asked by a few people where St.John's Church is, so it is located at the end of St.John's Road just before you get to Ashley Road. Location. For your information MultMap doesn't recognise St.John's Road so the location circle is in the wrong place.
From the centre of Altrincham (or the Metro station) carry along Stamford New Road toward Hale/Bowden. After The Downs turn first right which is St.John's Road and the church is on your right. Parking is either at the back of the church or there are plenty of parking spaces on St.John's Road.
22 July 2004
Mondays Rehearsal
Just to let you know that Peter has arranged for next Monday's rehearsal (26 July) to be held at St.Johns Altrincham. The reason for the change is the floor is being replaced at the school.
Will all members kindly send me an email to confirm that you have seen this and let me know if you have informed anyone. This will save time having to ring everyone over the weekend.
21 July 2004
Mondays Rehearsal
Unfortunately, we won't be able to hold the rehearsal next Monday at the school as the music room floor is being replaced. Peter is trying to get the church, but we will get further details to you as soon as possible.
18 July 2004
Walton Park, Warrington
The weather was overcast but dry, whilst the band played in the bandstand at Walton Park in Warrington. Maybe the bandstand description is a bit too grand as it is really a large tiered, open frontage garden shed. However, it serves its purpose.
The band played between 1:00 and 4:00 to a responsive audience who seemed to enjoy the performance as much as the band.
Location map - pdf Location map - Multimap
Details of Walton Hall and Gardens
12 July 2004
Walton Park, Warrington this Sunday
Remember we are to start playing at 1pm prompt and finish at 4pm. All the details are on the events page.
20 June 2004
Tomorrow night
Just as a reminder Steve is on holiday so Jack Bennett has kindly agreed to be our guest conductor for the night.
18 June 2004
Kirkby Lonsdale Contest
Some of the photographs from Sunday. The contest consists of a march down to the square where each can plays a hymn, a contest march and a test piece. A really great day out.
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Start of the march down to the square |
On the platform |
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The band in action |
A comment from David |
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Mass band with Alan Lawton |
Mass band |
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Mass band |
Mass band |
15 June 2004
Kirkby Lonsdale Contest
Just an update that we came fourth on the day. So close to the prizes. I will upload the photographs tomorrow.
10 June 2004
Email I received today from David Mason
Just a note to say well done all as I have seen your placing in a few contests on the internet.
9 June 2004
Kirkby Lonsdale Contest on Sunday
Revised leaving time - An early start as the coach has been booked to leave Sale at 8:30am.
5 June 2004
Whit Friday
At was a good night and the best ever Whit Friday for us.
We managed to play at the following nine events:
1. Hattersley
2. Stalybridge Celtic
3. Carrbrook
4. Bottom Mossley, Roaches Lock
5. Top Mossley
6. Ashton Utd, Hurst Cross
7. Ashton - Station Public House
8. Dukinfield - Tame Valley Hotel
9. Denton
We passed the Stalybridge Labour Club, as there were too many waiting and the results are still awaited from Hattersley and Stalybridge Celtic.
As for the prizes - we won Best 4th Section band at Denton and Dukinfield and Best 4th section bass section at Denton. A good night and lots of fun had by all.
We has a liquid refreshment breaks (drinking dirty beer) at Dukinfield and at Denton after we had finished playing, where we listened to some good bands and met up with some old and new friends.
The cultural low-point, on the coach, was David’s and Nigel’s rendition of ‘O Sir Nigel do not touch me’ to the tune of ‘Glory, Glory Halleluiah’ – but I don’t think all present will soon forget that :-)
Thanks to Tim and Dave Black for providing the liquid refreshments for the return trip back to Sale. Really guys 20 cans were too much 'pop' for the two of you, we were only thinking of you when we redistributed them :-)
Special thanks for Steve for leading us on these events and the rehearsal leading to them.
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Ashton United, Hurst Cross. From left to right - Steve, Geoff, Joanne, Nigel, Richard, Rachael Rob and Mike |
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Back of the bass section at Carrbrook |
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Top Mossley. A ten minute queue provided a quick chippy break and the first dirty beer of the night at the band club. |
3 June 2004
Tomorrow
Tomorrow and we will be doing the Whit Friday Tameside events. For more details see Tameside
The only thing I can guarantee is that we will end at the Denton Cricket Club. Remember the coach will leave the Sale Hotel at 4:30.
30 May 2004
This week
Remember there is no rehearsal on Monday due to the Bank Holiday. However, an additional practice will be held on Wednesday at St.John’s in Altrincham for the Whit Friday contests this Friday.
29 May 2004
Cartmel Races
After a scenic drive around the south Lake District, we final arrived at the Cartmel Racetrack. The band shared the pre-meeting event, opposite the new grandstand, with a falconry display and the formal opening/blessing of the grandstand.
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Unfortunately, due to the distance we didn’t get a chance to soak up the atmosphere of the event and the village, which is something I must put on the ‘to-do’ list.
27 May 2004
Update Cartmel Races this Saturday
Gareth has spare places in his car if anyone need a lift. Contact me if you need his phone number.
25 May 2004
Details for the event at Cartmel Races this Saturday
We will be playing for two three-quarter hour spots at 3:00 and 4:30. When you arrive at the racetrack, follow the signs for the course and Sue will meet you at the entrance to the car park to issue you with your entrance ticket. You need to be there around 2:00.
We will be playing under a light cover but please note that rain is forecast - so be prepared.
Directions - Leave the M6 at Junction 36 and follow the A591 and then A590 towards Barrow in Furness for about 10 miles. On race days, AA signs will direct you to the racecourse from the motorway, which is well in advance of the local turnoff. The last few miles to Cartmel are along narrow country lanes, which on racedays they can be very congested. At peak times it can take some time to travel from the M6, so please allow yourselves plenty of time and arrive early.
For further details - http://www.cartmel-steeplechases.co.uk/
23 May 2004
Rehearsal 2 June
Peter has arranged this additional pre-Whit Friday rehearsal, at St John's Church in Altrincham.
18 May 2004
Update - the revised coach leaving times are now on the events page.
7 May 2004
Freemasons Dinner
The band played for two 45 minute spots at the South Manchester Freemason concert at the Mason Hall on Edge Lane, Stretford. The concert was extremely well received by attendee's and the band played to our normal high standard.
2 May 2004
Buxton Festival Contest
A glorious day when the band was drawn ninth. In the end we came sixth, but as the adjudicator stated during his remarks that - after the second placed band, there were a number of bands that all produced approximately equal performances which he found hard to distinguish.
12 April 2004
Remember - there is no rehearsal tonight due to the Bank Holiday.
10 April 2004
The Minutes of last Monday's AGM added to the Committee Minutes page. The Committee and events page have also been updated - thanks to Lesley for the minutes.
3 April 2004
Curry Night in Rusholme
Last night 11 band members and a few guests went on a curry night in Rusholme on the Curry Mile. Lots of dirty beer, wine and a great curry. A good time had by all. Ideas are now required for the next social event!
30 March 2004
Remember Friday night is curry night. Meeting at the Albert at 8:00 ready to eat at 8:30. I have booked for sixteen but let me know if any additional places are needed.
23 March 2004
Just a quick reminder that last night it was decided that the AGM will now be held on the 5 April as our normal rehearsal room will not be available on that night. The AGM will be held at the Scout Hut with a rehearsal afterwards.
28 February 2004
I saw Jo Mason in Sale today. She is looking well after her operation and is hoping to come down for a listen on Monday.
14 February 2004
Just as a quick reminder that we will be rehearsing in Room No. 28 this week, as the music room is being repainted.
1 February 2004
Mayor of Trafford's 2004 Charity Concert
Last night, we played to a capacity audience in a joint ‘Voices and Brass’ concert with the Meadway Singers, Meadway Youth choir and the Sale Male Voice Choir. The concert, supported by Trafford Arts Association, in the presence of the Mayor & Mayoress of Trafford, Councillor and Mrs Whit Stennett MBE, MA, was held at the Larkhill Centre in Timperley. All the proceeds went to the Mayor of Trafford’s Charity Fund, which this year is for research into Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia and Cancer Research at Christie Hospital.
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The conductors meet the Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford - From left to right: Steve Shawcross (Sale Brass), the Mayoress and Mayor of Trafford Councillor and Mrs Whit Stennett, concert organised and conductor of the Meadway Singers Joe Agnew and Sale Male Voice Choir conductor Bob Davies. |
The concert was organised by Joe Agnew and started with the Meadway Singers performing With a Voice of Singing; O Lovely Peace and The Sound of Silence.
The Sale Male Voice Choir then took over and preformed Shepherd, Shepherd; Every Time I Feel the Spirit and Steal Away.
Then came the turn of Meadway Youth Choir with A Tyree Love Song then an amazing ‘A Cappella’ performance of Give Way Jordan followed by a piece based upon the Beach Boys music entitled ‘Beach Girls’.
The band then completed the first half with the march Barnard Castle, followed by the euphonium duet – Softly as I Leave You played by Gareth Jones and Chas Reynolds; Colours of the Wind (from Disney’s Pocahontas), then an impeccable tenor horn solo – Apres un Reve played by Jo Mason and finally Bernstein’s West Side Story.
After the interval the Meadway Youth Choir sang Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; African Lullaby (ending in a eight-part harmony) and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
The Sale Male Voice Choir then sang There is Nothing Like a Dame; Some Enchanted Evening and completed their magnificent performance with the welsh hymn Gwahoddiad.
The Meadway Singers then completed their evening with Serenade; The Bells of St.Mary’s and Evening Blessing (Myfanwy).
The band completed the evening with the overture piece ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’; Greatest Hits of Neil Diamond and the hymn arrangement of The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended.
As normal the bands musical director was Steve Shawcross, the Meadway Singers were conducted by Joe Agnew, with David Appleton as their accompanist. Meadway Youth Choir was also were conducted by Joe Agnew, with Gareth Daniel as their accompanist and finally the Sale Male Voice Choir was conducted by Bob Davies, with Alison Brash as their accompanist.
27 January 2004
Back from Finland and it was nice to see two new faces last night. Another good rehearsal in preparation for Saturdays concert. Just a quick reminder for the committee members that there is a meeting on Monday.
9 January 2004
Mathew Shaw has today left us to join the Bollington Band. I am sure we all wish him good luck with his ongoing musical development and thank him for his time with us.
