We had an excellent concert last week which raised over £600 for various charities. Hosted fantastically by Combe Pafford School, the Hall was decorated and food was provided by the School Staff. It was great to welcome a Corps of Drums to give the occasion a real sense of ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ and we had our own Theresa Moorin singing with Sally and Max. As well as playing all the traditional numbers, the Band also played a new arrangement ‘Football Crazy’ by our Chairman Ray Lloyd to celebrate the success of our National Team. Below is a link to a photo clip video with photos by two of our friends and music recorded on one of their phones.
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Check out our new video.
The Band were honoured to be able to play a small part in remembrance events on the 6th June. In the morning we were providing some music for the service at Beacon Quay, Torquay and in the evening we provided the bugler for the beacon lighting event at Corbyn Head which followed the guidelines for beacon lighting all over the British Isles. We enjoyed watching the events in Normandy and thought we would create this video of the Band in remembrance of those who secured our freedom. Thank you to Theresa who took the photos and videos on her phone. https://youtu.be/Gdk9VD-PvAQ
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Central Church Concert
Central Church supports the Band throughout the year so it was great to hear that we helped them raise over £500 at our last concert. It was a great concert with solos provided by Theresa with Sally and Max. Justine played a wonderful rendition of Over the Rainbow and John and Hannah played Ray’s arrangement of You Don’t Send Me Flowers Anymore (though John insists that this is not true). The concert ended with the beautiful piece Guardian of My Soul by Darren Shaw followed by the traditional Nightfall in Camp. Back by very popular demand was Floral Dance to send every one out on a high note. Please go to our Gallery page and look for ‘Central Church Concert in the sub menu to see media from the evening.
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Within the Band, remembrance is a massive priority. We are also keen to promote brass bands and remembrance within the youth of our local area. One of our members recently organised an afternoon at the D-day slipways at Beacon Quay in Torquay for a year group in his school. Our MD was pleased to go down and sound the Last Post whilst they placed a wreath on the memorial.
The slipways in Torquay are one of a pair built in May 1943 by the Royal Engineers for the D-Day embarkation of troops. The men of the U.S. 77th Infantry Division, destined for Utah Beach, embarked from here and many did not set foot on land again. On the 6th June, the Band will be remembering these soldiers and many like them at a service at Beacon Quay (outside the Harvester on Torquay Harbourside).
£1000 for Battersea
Congratulations to our band member and resident singer, Theresa, who completed the 26 mile Royal Parks Challenge. She ended up walking 29 miles (due to protests) in the rain and raised the amazing sum of £1000 for Battersea Dogs’ Home in memory of her dog Fozzie. Well done Theresa!
Concert at St Marychurch Parish Church
Our second concert this year was at the wonderful Parish Church in St Marychurch. The Band were raising money towards a project to bring back some very historic and important art to the Church. The Band were joined by Sally and Max and played some great numbers to another fabulous audience.
Concert for Myeloma and Cancer Research UK
Here are some photos from our first concert of the year in the wonderful Parish Church in Chudleigh. The concert was arranged by our percussionist Roger Biggin to help support the work of these two brilliant charities. We had a fabulous audience and raised £1000! Thank you to everyone who supported this event and a big thank you to Roger for organising this .
Band Person of the Year
Well done to Garry who was voted Band Person of the Year and received the Malcolm Nellist Memorial Cup at last night’s concert. The Chairman presented Garry with the cup, saying that Garry is often the first at rehearsals and concerts setting up and often the last to leave as he is putting away and tidying up. He is also at every rehearsal and concert parping away with a smile on 2nd horn. Well done Garry!
Festival of Remembrance
This year’s Festival of Remembrance was a great success, raising £672.69 for the Torquay branch of The Royal British Legion. Central Church was packed for the event and we would like to say a special thanks to all the cadet organisations, military associations and the RBL under the direction of Dave Tribble who supported the event.
The Band were also involved in a number of other remembrance events including remembrance at Torquay United’s match against Yeovil, St Marychurch remembrance service and Torre Churchyard remembrance service where the men whose bodies were never found are remembered. We also supported both Torquay Cenotaph events on the Saturday (with the Archbishop of Canterbury) and Sunday. You may have spotted our MD Mike Griffiths on Spotlight.