John Powell has stood down as Musical Director of the band. John joined the band in 1995, playing soprano cornet and in 2003 succeeded the late Pat Perry as Musical Director. Val Mahoney and Eric Hodder have also stood down as Bookings Secretary and Committee member respectively. Val is a former Chairman and Secretary, and Eric a founder member of the re-formed band in the early eighties.

All have given loyal and outstanding service to the band over many years and will be greatly missed. We wish them all the very best for the future.

Christmas is always the busiest time of the year by far for the band. Since early December, we’ve been entertaining, not only in Lyme but further afield. Residents sang along with our carols at five residential homes and we made our regular appearance at All Saints village hall, an occasion band members always enjoy. We also provided musical backing at Axminster’s Festive Friday (right).

Our Christmas Concert was again free this year and was well attended. It began with a solo, ‘Away in a manger’ played by 13 year old Harry and taken up, first by a small group of players in the front of the hall, then finally by the whole band. Harry later featured in the annual awards to band members, winning both the Bandmaster’s and Chairman’s awards. The Musical Director’s award went to Nikki Herbert. Unfortunately, Stuart Broom was unable to present the Gordon Broom Memorial Shield in memory of his father, who played in the original Lyme Band. The award was instead presented by Les Loveridge and went to Gilly Warr for her outstanding contribution.

There was the usual wide variety of music and a feature was Bob Lovett’s solo ‘The Lazy Trumpeter’, played leaning against the side of the stage with the music perched between his toes! Confident performances were given by the Training Band, under the direction of Nikki Herbert which audience clearly appreciated. We are grateful to all who supported our concert in any way, particularly to its sponsor, A J Wakely.

Christmas shoppers were entertained by carols at Seaton Tesco’s and on three mornings in Broad Street, Lyme Regis. Another occasion enjoyed by the band, Lyme Regis Rotary’s carols around the tree, was very well attended and at the end the crowds seemed ready to sing on.

Following a short break, new members will be joining us from the Training Band. They will be getting to grips with the music which will carry us through to the next summer season.

                        CHRISTMAS GALLERY

Christmas is the busiest period of the year for the band. Our engagements will include five residential homes, the All Saints’ Christmas concert in the village hall, three carol sessions in Broad Street and the Axminster Christmas lights switch-on. But the highlight is always our own Christmas Concert at the Woodmead Halls on Friday 12th December at 8 p.m.

As usual, the concert programme will contain something for everyone, including a surprise opening by 13 year old Harry, one of the band’s youngest players, later joined by other young players. The Training Band will be contributing several items, and the band itself some well-loved Christmas pieces plus some popular ones from the summer season. There will be plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing their favourite carols during the evening.

Lyme Luggers, (the new Lyme Regis Ukulele Band), will be making a guest appearance and the compere will be Nigel Ball, Lyme’s very own

2013 Concert

popular local gardening guru. And there’s free admission again, as a way of thanking the town for its support.

Musical Director John Powell commented, ‘the emphasis of our Christmas concert is always on enjoyment, with a wide range of musical styles. We hope that people will want to take advantage of our free entry offer again this year and support their local brass band’.

Whatever your taste, entertainment is always guaranteed and as usual, the varied programme combines old and new, sacred and secular. So come along and start your Christmas with a free evening of entertainment. Just turn up and enjoy the music, together with a licensed bar and raffle! There’s no ‘Strictly’ or ‘X-Factor’ on a Friday – so there’s no excuse!!

The band’s librarian for many years, John Case, recently celebrated a significant birthday. John is now ’80 years young’ and a celebration cake was produced and enjoyed in honour of this landmark.

John is a founder member of the band which was re-formed in the early 1980’s. (Don’t remind John, but his youthful looks can be seen in the photo of the band on the website’s ‘About Us’ page – back row, 2nd from right, next to former MD Pat Perry. With him in the photo is Eric Hodder, who is still regularly making music on the double bass.)

Although he retired from his playing role some years ago, he has proved an invaluable band librarian, a vital task which he performs with great efficiency and understanding and one which is greatly appreciated by all band members.

Our picture shows John being presented with his cake by Engagements Secretary and former Chairman Val Mahoney, who was responsible for making the arrangements for the celebration cake.

We wish John many more happy years to come!

As ‘Auld Lang Syne’ echoed across Marine Parade last week, it signalled the end of another very successful series of summer concerts which had begun earlier than ever this year, on 10th June.

Sadly, the band’s Musical Director John Powell was unable to conduct because of illness, his deputy Roger Grose stepping in to take over conducting and compering duties. At the start of the evening’s entertainment, Roger informed the audience that this season the band had played over twenty concerts on Marine Parade, beginning with the D-Day celebrations. None had been cancelled because of poor weather.

Throughout the summer, the band had entertained large and appreciative audiences and the regular children’s spot, when youngsters were invited to come forward and join the band in playing a wide range of percussion instruments, was always well received.

Auld Lang Syne

During the season, several musicians on holiday in Lyme Regis played with the band. They included the Associate Musical Director of the Fairey Band, Mark Peacock and brothers David and Richard Thomas, from the City of Lichfield Concert Band. David has been a regular guest player for the last sixteen years.

Overall, collections were very encouraging and will help ensure financial security through the winter months. Band Secretary Adrian Pearson commented, ‘we have enjoyed a very good summer season, which has been greatly helped by the dry weather’.

As the evening drew to an end, Roger expressed thanks to all who had supported the band throughout the summer, particularly to their regular collectors and supporters. Following a spirited rendering of Offenbach’s ‘Can Can’, the audience were invited to link arms for the now traditional singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, bringing the 2014 summer concerts to an appropriate close.

Band members now return to their regular practices and are delighted that several players from the Training Band will be joining them. There are some vacancies in both bands and anyone of any age interested in joining will be warmly welcomed. Full details can be found elsewhere on this website.

                                                       FINAL GALLERY – 2014 SUMMER SEASON

The Woodmead Hall is the regular Tuesday venue for band practice during the winter months and also for its popular annual Christmas Concert. A group of volunteers, consisting mainly of hall Committee members, have spent the last two weeks redecorating the large hall. It was previously decorated some fifteen years ago so it seemed time for a new look

Gilly Warr is the band’s representative on the Hall Committee, so she has been busy with her paintbrush! The bulk of the work is now almost complete and the hall has been completely transformed. Light colours have been applied to three walls, with a darker shade on the wall surrounding the stage.

The hall is a popular local venue, with excellent facilities and the new look will undoubtedly be appreciated, not only by band members, but by all its users. Gilly commented, ‘it’s been an enormous task but it’s looking really good – so much better as we’ve painted over the green and tangerine wallpaper!’

The photo shows (left to right) Committee Chairman Stan Williams, John Evans , Nick Robertson (Vice Chairman), Jo Hopkins (Lyme Regis Operatic Society), Cheryl Reynolds (Town Council rep on the committee) and Gilly. The team were also assisted by Jackie Hedley-Tuffs, and Bill and Bev Williamson from Charmouth.

The Training Band, conducted by their Musical Director Nikki Herbert, recently gave a short, but entertaining concert before taking their annual summer break.

John Powell, the Town Band’s Musical Director, introduced Nikki and the Training Band to the audience, who clearly enjoyed and appreciated the music. It was a testament to just how far the Training Band has progressed since its formation only a short while ago.

Several of its members will be joining the main band in September and so there are vacancies for anyone interested in learning a brass instrument. The Training Band meets every Tuesday from 7.00 to 7.45 p.m. at the Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis. You will learn your instrument within this group, which performs with the main band throughout the year.

We offer a great package of benefits including free tuition together with the loan of instruments and uniforms. All we ask in return is that you are regular in attendance, dedicated, willing and eager to improve.

To protect young people, our teachers are enhanced CRB checked and we operate our own Child Protection Policy.

Sounds interesting? Contact Nikki on nikki.herbert@talk21.com

There are also currently vacancies within the main band. Whether you are returning or playing in a band at the moment, we would be interested in hearing from you. A list of vacancies can be found on the Players page of this website.
Even if there is not a vacancy listed for the instrument you play, please don’t be put off. Ring our Musical Director on 07899 008985 for an informal chat to plan the way forward.

                                      TRAINING BAND GALLERY

During last week’s ‘Music by the Sea’ concert on Marine Parade by the Lyme Regis Town Band, the Associate Conductor of one of the world’s finest bands again took over the baton conducting the band in the march, ‘The New Colonial’.

Following his surprise appearance with the band last year, Mark Peacock was once more holidaying in the local area. As well as being Associate Conductor of the famous Fairey Band, currently ranked 9th in the world, Mark also conducts the Hepworth and Longridge bands and is both an adjudicator and a lecturer.

Although based in Cheshire, the Fairey Band have a strong local following and have given regular concerts at St Mary’s Church in Beaminster for many years. For the past 35 years, these concerts have been organised by Tony and Margaret Greenham and in

Mark flanked by his wife and mother, with Tony & Margaret Greenham (L) and MD John Powell (R)

December last year, in recognition of their work, they were created Vice Presidents of the Fairey Band. Both Margaret and Tony were with Mark and his family on Marine Parade.

All season, the Tuesday night concerts have been very much appreciated by holidaymakers. During each concert, children always come forward and accompany the band with percussion instruments and each week, listeners’ birthdays are highlighted in music. Recently, it was the special birthday of regular collector Ralph Herbert, whose wife and daughter are both playing members. To mark the occasion, Musical Director John Powell produced a singing doll which performed the Beatle’s hit, ‘When I’m 64’. John commented, ‘we wanted to mark Ralph’s birthday in a special way. The audience just loved it!’

The Tuesday concerts are now into their final month, with two additional Sunday concerts on 10th and 24th August, starting at 2.30.

                                       “MUSIC BY THE SEA” – GALLERY

Discussing tactics!

In full flow

John the ventriloquist!

Swinging with ‘Baggy Trousers’

Fun with ‘Amarillo’

Peter’s concentration!

The annual ‘Blessing of the Boats’ service on the Cobb signalled the start of another busy summer season for the band. Over the last four Sundays, their engagements have also included the Mayor’s Civic Service, Lyme’s D-Day commemoration and a historic military vehicleshow at Haselbury Mill, near Crewkerne.

The Blessing of the Boats

As if they weren’t busy enough, the Tuesday evening ‘Music by the Sea’ concerts on Marine Parade got off to their earliest-ever start on 10th June. Despite a cold wind blowing off the sea, there was an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The concerts continue every Tuesday at 8 o’clock until the end of August, with additional performances on several Sunday afternoons, starting at 2.30.

On May 27th, band chairman Paul Snowball led the Annual General Meeting at the Woodmead Halls. He congratulated the band for its work during 2013, for what he felt was the most successful summer since he joined the band. His remarks were echoed by Musical Director John Powell, who expressed thanks to all who had supported the band throughout the year, particularly its youngest members. Paul was re-elected Chairman with all other officers and committee continuing in office.

Winners of the annual awards were announced at the conclusion of the meeting (pictured below). These will be presented at the band’s Annual Christmas Concert on December 12th at the Woodmead Halls.

During the season, thousands of holidaymakers, as well as regular local supporters, will enjoy the band’s music. Sponsorship is available for local firms to increase their business through advertising at these concerts. Full details of both sponsorship and concerts can be found on the band’s website.

                                                    LATEST PICTURES

Harry with Gilly, winner of the Gordon Broom shield

Harry – winner of both Bandmaster’s & Chairman’s awards

D-Day celebrations

The audience brave the wind – Music by the Sea

‘And the next item is….’

In keeping with their policy of learning from celebrity musicians, Lyme Town Band recently enjoyed a day’s workshop with Steve Sykes, one of the finest tuba soloists to emerge from the British brass band scene.

Steve is in great demand as a soloist, conductor, composer, adjudicator and teacher. He works as a freelance musician appearing in the USA, Canada, Europe and Scandinavia and has many recordings and broadcasts to his name. He has performed with many of the country’s leading brass bands, including the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, with whom he was Principal Tuba and Soloist, performing throughout Europe and Australia.

Band Chairman Paul Snowball, the Sykes family & MD John Powell

Brass banding runs through the Sykes family and Steve brought both his wife Joanne and his son Steve to support him. For all brass band aficionados out there, band member Gilly Warr describes the day’s workshop in detail:

‘The first session began with warming up exercises with the emphasis on breathing, length of notes and different rhythms, playing combinations of semi-quavers, quavers, crotchets, minims, semibreves, etc. Steve also explained how the conductor indicates to the band his wishes in terms of volume, etc. He stressed the importance of the band all breathing together on the up-beat as he pointed out that a band that breathes together stays together throughout the piece.

We moved on to two hymns followed by ‘Star Lake’ and ‘Somewhere Out There’ featuring a tenor horn solo. Throughout the first session the emphasis was on counting and sub-division and Steve also covered dynamics, especially crescendos and the correct position of the tongue when playing staccato.

After coffee, Steve gave a very interesting talk on his lifetime of playing his bass from a very early age to date.  He demonstrated the techniques he has developed over time including vibrato, circular breathing and alternative fingering to enable the player to play fast pieces faster. It was fascinating stuff!

Following lunch, we split up into groups. Young Steve took the trombones, Steve took the basses, baritone and euphoniums and Joanne the cornets, horns and flugel.  In our groups we re-visited ‘Somewhere Out There’, ironing out some of the tricky bits and we then worked on two new pieces, ‘African Funk’ by Alan Fernie and ‘Daventry Parade’ by Chris North.  Both were very nice pieces and we made good progress with them.

After a final break we all joined up again and went through both pieces together, plus another one, ‘Pavane – the Battle’ by Tielman Susato, arranged by Steve himself.  We also played ‘Somewhere Out There’ and ‘Star Lake’ one more time.

All in all it was a very good day and I am sure that everyone learned a lot, but there was no pressure. Both Steve and Joanne were very good teachers and were very thorough. One good thing was that after we had worked on a piece we were able to play it through several times, so that we could put into practice what we had learned’.

The band’s first engagement of the summer is on Sunday 25th May at 3 p.m. – the Blessing of the Boats on the Cobb, Lyme Regis.

WORKSHOP GALLERY

(Click to enlarge)