Weymouth - the inside story.
On Sunday as we made our way down to Weymouth for the annual drubbing/competition/fun filled day, the weather alternated between lashing rain and tempestuous wind. Perhaps this was a sign? We arrived around 12 noon and met with our banding colleagues to find that the training band had already been on and played. They seemed very pleased with their performance and there were some new faces amongst the adult players helping as well. Thank you to all the not so youthful helpers– it is really great to see you on the stage supporting. Euan Tanner also took to the stage at the tender age of 7 and did himself proud. More of that later!
The senior band headed for rehearsal at 12.45 accompanied by their supporters. Even Simon managed to arrive on time – must be because he was another year older and wiser!? Despite Sherborne practising nearby we made a good tight sound and prepared ourselves for the oncoming affray. During our practice Euan Tanner arrived beaming with pride and announced that he had won the youngest player award (an honour which Mr. A Whitlock also experienced in his extreme youth!) Well done to Euan – we are all so proud of you and your enthusiastic debut – the brass banding Tanner dynasty continues!
We took to the stage about 1.45 ish. I took to the auditorium, as being so heavily pregnant I am unable to hold a note for more than a dotted quaver without extra oxygen. Still it was interesting seeing the shenanigans from the other side. I listened to Bath Spa before Downton and felt that we would produce a better performance than they had. My hopes were high, as Downton took to the stage. There appeared to be a lack of setting out by the technical staff and a huge emphasis on pratting around with microphones at the start of each band taking to the stage. Eventually however we began our performance. We had borrowed a percussion player from Sherborne (Thank you Louise Morgan!) owing to Flic being indisposed. She did an excellent job on timps. The first movement was reasonable but had a bit of a problem with general intonation – oh goodness I could be an adjudicator! The second movement contained some really beautiful playing – well done to Gaz for his solo. The third movement took the audience by the short and curlies and showed what we could do. Particularly worthy of note during our perfomance were Laura’s trombone solo, Jolyon’s solo, Matt’s sustained sop playing and Jo’s beefy long note. At times the band produced some really tight impressive playing.
After the performance it took a matter of seconds for the whole band to repair to the bar, minus the silver fox who still had Bournemouth responsibilities to undertake. We kept up the atmosphere of good cheer whilst we waited for our pals from Shrewton to rock up and join the party.
After a couple of hours of good cheer we returned to the auditorium to cheer on our esteemed conductor. No embarrassing cries of ‘ROLAND’ by cretinous louts this time but what did we need to do when he managed to drop his own mute and create his own stir. I think you got away with it Roland! Bournemouth’s performance was excellent and the euphonium player was out of this world – really impressive.
Now it was just the results to go.
In the last two years we have been last in our section but this year we attained the heady heights of 6th out of 7, beating Bath Spa, as I had predicted, but not New Forest who, apart from being our good chums, are a section lower than us nationally – how embarrassing! We were left to bask in the success of Roland’s band, which romped in first in the championship section.
As we made our way home we reflected on another slightly bizarre result and girded our loins for the tougher fight in March at Torquay – apart from Jolyon who chose to focus on the here and now and create a pavement pizza instead.
Our customary thanks go to our new comrades in arms
Laura and Kevin Hillman
Lloyd and Rachel Bartlett
Jolyon Hinchliffe – he’s one of us really