Lyme Regis Town Band

Like all organisations the Band has had its fair share of comings and goings recently. One or two have left us either on a temporary or permanent basis but fortunately we have also gained some new members.

We have just said goodbye to Rory Dyer from Colyton.  Rory joined the band many years ago as a trainee.  He was learning the trumpet at the time but he played the cornet for us and over the years became a valued member of the band.  He recently achieved excellent A level results at Colyton Grammar School and is about to begin studying engineering at Cambridge.  The band is grateful to Rory for his contribution over many years and wishes him every success with his studies.

We were very sorry to lose another band member, Roger Grose, who has decided to take a break from the band to pursue his love of singing and he has subsequently joined a local choral group.  Roger is a talented musician and has been a stalwart of the band since he joined sixteen years ago, to support his son, Daniel, who was then learning the cornet.  Roger was not only an excellent euphonium player, who performed many duets with our other euphonium player, John Warr, but he also undertook the role of Conductor, taking the band for practices from time to time and on quite a few occasions taking the baton on our summer concerts on the seafront.  Roger also served in the committee and was responsible for setting up this website and publicising our activities in the local press. We will all miss Roger not only for his playing abilities but also for his friendship.

Another band member who is not with us at the moment is Nikki Herbert, our baritone player.  Nikki, along with her Mum, Jane, has also been responsible for our training band and has helped many a young player to learn a brass instrument. Nikki has not left the band but is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, Jennifer.  Hopefully Nikki will return to us in due course but in the meantime she has her hands full!

Thankfully Jane, who also plays baritone, is still with us and is currently tutoring a young player, Amy, from Colyton, who is making good progress.  We are hoping that Amy will be able to join us to play a few carols this Christmas.

Although we have lost several valued players we have also gained three new players including Debbie Woehrle from Tatworth, near Chard.  Debbie is an experienced player who contacted us following our recruitment drive earlier this year.  She is a welcome addition to our tenor horn section.

We also have a new member in our bass section with the arrival of Robert Crabb from Kilmington.  Robert has not played for a while but joined us in time for our summer concerts and has quickly got back into the swing of things.

Finally, there is our newest member, Henry Clarke from Colyton who has recently joined us on flugel – a difficult slot to fill.  Henry has played previously with Sidmouth and also Exeter British Rail and we are delighted to have such an accomplished player in our ranks.

Vacancies still exist within the band and new players are always most welcome. Band practice takes place at the Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis, every Tuesday evening from 7.30 pm until 9.30 pm and we would be pleased to see you.  An instrument, music, uniform, etc are all provided free of charge.

On Sunday 11^th September the band participated in the Colyton Carnival church service. Because of a cool wind and the threat of rain the service, planned for the churchyard, moved into the church. The event attracted a good crowd headed by the regally attired Carnival Princess. The band accompanied a selection of hymns and in return benefited from the distribution of loaves and fishes around the entire congregation, albeit on this occasion only paper versions!

Another successful season of the band’s summer concerts on Marine Parade came to an end last week. Since the first Tuesday of July, the band have played weekly concerts to enthusiastic and appreciative audiences, who have enjoyed the wide selection of music, conducted by Musical Director Brian Scott. In addition, they played four Sunday afternoon concerts, which included the RNLI’s ‘Songs of Praise’.

Brian took up his appointment as MD in January this year and put together three entertaining programmes which were clearly enjoyed by the audiences. It was fortunate that none of the concerts were cancelled due to poor weather

Auld Lang Syne

As the band played its final piece last week, the audience had clearly not heard enough and the band obliged with an encore – the foot-tapping song ‘Jumbalaya’. Brian then invited the crowd to link arms for the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, bringing both the evening and the season to a fitting end. Local resident and regular supporter Nigel Ball then stepped forward to thank the band for their hard work during the summer and invited the audience to join him in three cheers for the band.

Commenting on the summer season, Band Secretary Gilly Warr said, ‘it has been a very busy and successful time for the band and in particular for Brian in his first summer season. We are really grateful to all those who have supported us in so many ways – our collectors, visitors and our regular loyal supporters’.

Following the last Sunday concert of the season, band members had planned to enjoy a ‘Barbie on the Beach’. However, because of the unpredictable weather in the form of occasional drizzle, they instead made their way to their regular practice rooms, the Woodmead Halls. There they enjoyed a sumptuous meal cooked under the watchful eye of Principal Cornet player Luke Luckhurst – what hidden talents!

It was a great opportunity to relax and chat as they approach the end of a long summer season. Thanks are due particularly to ‘Masterchef’ Luke and all who helped in any way.

It’s Masterchef for me next time around!                                                                                      

Brian’s Burger

Summer is rather rapidly drawing to a close and yesterday the band played its last of four Sunday afternoon concerts. Although the weather was not ideal with occasional drizzle, there was a good turnout of holidaymakers who were quick to show their appreciation of the band’s performance.

An open invitation exists for any brass players on holiday in the area to join us us in concert, so we were delighted to welcome two such players who are pictured below. Young Jak was staying at his grandmother’s in Weymouth and came along with his parents and grandmother. Jak hails from Stoke-on-Trent and plays with the Rode Hall Silver Band which is based near Congleton. Trombone player David, from Derbyshire, is no stranger to us. He pointed out that this was his twentieth year holidaying locally and joining in the band concerts, commenting that he must definitely be the longest-serving guest player!

Jak

David – 20 years a guest

Probably our youngest volunteer!

Audiences always enjoy participation by the children and they were delighted when band member Adrian Pearson lined them up to take part in the band’s contribution of that great Queen hit, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’. The children joined in with great enthusiasm and a pretty good sense of rhythm.

Only two concerts remain in our Tuesday evening series, ‘Music by the Sea’. If you haven’t joined us yet, come along before it’s too late – 8 p.m. on Marine Parade.

Ready: after 4……!

View from the bass line

Tuesday Update: Last night we were joined by more members of the Rode Hall Silver Band, Anna Whitehurst, her husband and daughter Eleanor. While the parents helped out the cornet section, Eleanor joined the baritones. We hope you enjoyed your evening!

The Whitehurst Family

Band members recently gave an informal concert at the Town Mill in Lyme Regis, directed by Brian Scott.

Musical Director Brian Scott is well used to directing ‘Happy Birthday’ during the band’s ‘Music by the Sea’ concerts, both for someone in the audience or for band members. But the tables were turned recently, when Brian was expecting to conduct a piece from Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s ‘Cats’. Unbeknown to Brian, the band instead had ‘Happy Birthday’ in front of them and when Brian brought down his baton, he soon realised that they weren’t playing ‘Skimbelshanks the Railway Cat’, which he was expecting to hear!

Brian quickly and gamely adapted the beat to suit and, though perplexed at first, admitted he’d been had! Our picture shows Brian complete with birthday rosette.

Despite the poor weather, the band accompanied the RNLI’s ‘Songs of Praise’ on the afternoon of Sunday 24th July. They played a selection of pieces before and after the service, which was led by local clergy.

Any brass player on holiday locally during the summer is more than welcome to join us for a ‘blow’. Details of all our engagements and how to contact us are on this website.

              Birthday Boy Brian!

On a beautiful summer’s evening, Marine Parade was the perfect setting for the start of the band’s 2016 series of Tuesday evening concerts ‘Music by the Sea last week.’ Playing to an appreciative audience under new Musical Director Brian Scott, the many weeks of preparation were finally put into practice.

Following the band’s recent recruitment drive, several new members were making their debuts. There was a varied programme to suit all tastes, including many pieces new to the repertoire. Band Chairman Paul Snowball delighted the audience with a deep solo on the E flat bass, ‘Forty Fathoms’, this contrasting with the lively march ‘Blaze Away’. As usual, the audience were given their moment in the limelight and invited to participate with percussion instruments in the lively Abba song, ‘Ring Ring.’

These concerts continue throughout July and August, beginning at 8 p.m. with additional concerts on some Sunday afternoons, from 2.30 to 4 p.m. Full details can be found on this website.

Lyme was one of many places across the country to light a beacon for the Queen’s 90th birthday on 21st April. The beacon itself was situated on Church Cliff Beach, while band played nearby on Theatre Square. Those present enjoyed a varied selection of appropriate music, including such well-known and patriotic numbers as ‘Jerusalem’, ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and of course ‘Happy Birthday’. Civic leaders carried torches along Gun Cliff Walk to the beacon and Town Crier Alan Vian gave several special cries. The next engagement is on Sunday 1st May at 3 p.m., when the band will be at the Lifeboat House, accompanying the hymns for the annual ‘Blessing of the Boats’ service, organised by the RNLI.

Practices are now in full swing for the summer season, beginning in early July. As recently advertised, new players will be warmly welcomed. Rehearsals are every Tuesday evening at the Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis from 7.30 pm until 9.30 and you free to call in if interested. Contact can also be made via this website or with the Band Secretary Mrs Gilly Warr, on 01297 442719, or email: gkwarr46@gmail.com.

As many people may know, Lyme Regis Town Band was re-formed in 1981 after a lapse of thirty years, using funds donated to the town by the company who filmed ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ in the town during that year. The band quickly established itself as an integral part of the local community. A look at the Diary page on this website will show what a busy and integral role it plays in the local area. One of their most popular activities is their regular Tuesday evening Concerts on the Marine Parade in July and August, when they entertain both local people and the many holiday makers who flock to the town in the summer. The band is also much in evidence over the Christmas period around the town and during the year regularly supports civic occasions and events organized by the RNLI, the Carnival Committee, the Rotary Club and the Royal British Legion.

Looking to its future, the band is now embarking on a major recruitment drive, as at the present time, several vacancies exist. Chairman Paul Snowball explains, ‘Players of all abilities are most welcome to join, including beginners keen to learn a brass instrument, rusty players wishing to return to playing and more accomplished players. We are particularly keen to encourage ex-band members to consider re-joining.  All new members will be assured of a warm welcome and plenty of support and encouragement’.

An instrument, music and uniform are provided and there is no charge or membership fee.  Rehearsals take place every Tuesday evening at the Woodmead Halls in Lyme Regis from 7.30 pm until 9.30 and you are encouraged to call in if interested. Contact can be made via this website or with the Band Secretary Mrs Gilly Warr, on 01297 442719, or email: gkwarr46@gmail.com.