Lyme Regis Town Band

The band’s first Tuesday night concert in the ‘Music by the Sea’ series last week featured the new concert march ‘Black Ven’, written especially for them by internationally-known conductor/composer Howard Snell. It was their first performance in public.

The march was inspired by Howard’s ancestral family links to Lyme Regis, together with his admiration for the Cornish pilot gig built in 2009 by Gail McGarva of the Boatbuilding Academy in Lyme and named ‘Black Ven’. In his preface to the full score, the composer wrote that the march is dedicated ‘to the builders of the ‘Black Ven’ pilot racing boat of Lyme Regis and the Lyme Regis Town Band’. Within the music can be heard the sounds of hammering, a ship’s bell and the familiar recurring theme ‘Row, row, row your boat’.

The band were delighted that both Gail McGarva, the boat’s builder and Marcus Dixon, Chairman of the Gig Club were present to listen to the performance, together with members and friends. Their performance was very enthusiatically received.

A video of the performance can be found on the Gig Club’s Facebook page at http://bit.ly/rbX11C

For a sound recording of their very first performance at a band workshop in April, follow this link:  Black Ven

Three engagements within a week have given the band a busy start to their summer season. Playing to appreciative audiences at Pecorama in Beer and Lyme’s newly refurbished shelters on Marine Parade, the many weeks of practice and preparation clearly provided great enjoyment for their audiences.

All aboard at Peco!

Pecorama was a first for the band, playing as part of the Royal British Legion centenary celebrations and the unveiling of a plaque to mark this event. The band played a varied programme to suit all tastes, with the audience having their moment in the limelight in Eddie Grant’s lively song ‘Gimme Hope Joanna’. Several band members took the miniature train to the unveiling of the centenary plaque, providing impromptu music along the way!

As part of the opening celebrations of the Marine Parade Shelters, the band gave a short concert on Saturday afternoon. Members were very impressed with the new facilities and Band Secretary Gilly Warr commented, ‘we are delighted with the improvements which have taken place since last summer. The band would like to thank the Town Council and all who were involved in this project, which is a greatly improved setting for our summer concerts’.

On Sunday afternoon, the band played the first of their ‘Music by the Sea’ concerts. An enjoyable feature was the first open-air appearance of the Training Band, formed earlier this year under the guidance of band-members Nikki and Jane Herbert. Under Nikki’s direction, they played three popular pieces while the band took a break, with the audience clearly appreciating their effort and skills.

‘Music by the Sea’ concerts continue throughout July and August each Tuesday at 8 o’clock, with additional concerts on several Sunday afternoons, starting at 2.30.  During the season, thousands of holidaymakers will be enjoying the band’s music and sponsorship is still available for local firms to increase their business through advertising at these concerts. Full details of events and sponsorship can be found on this website.

PECO/MARINE PARADE GALLERY

Paul & Joe

Former submariner Paul Snowball was confirmed as Chairman of the band at our Annual General Meeting on 7^th June. He has been a member of the band for two years and takes over from Joe Turner. During a 22 year naval career, Paul played E flat bass with several Royal Navy bands.

Retiring Chairman Joe Turner reported another very successful year. He mentioned the disappointment felt by all at the cancellation of the band’s Annual Christmas Concert, because of the freezing conditions. However, he felt that this was more than offset by an excellent concert for St George’s Day in April, and he highlighted the contribution made by the new Training Band in their first public performance. Joe thanked Nikki and Jane Herbert for their work in developing the Training Band and to all Officers and Committee members for their support.

In his report, the Musical Director John Powell agreed that the band had enjoyed a very good year. He felt that last summer’s series of concerts on Marine Parade had been the best he could remember. The visit by Philip Harper had been extremely beneficial and he hoped that an annual visit from a professional musician would become a regular occurrence. Our Treasurer Heather Marraner also reported a successful year, with an overall increase in the band’s income.

Paul was elected Chairman with Matt Luckhurst continuing as Deputy Chairman. Last year’s committee members were re-elected en bloc: Val Mahoney, John Hallett, John Warr, Roger Grose, Viv Wright and Eric Wood, with the addition of Nikki Herbert. Gilly Warr and Heather Marraner were re-elected Secretary and Treasurer respectively. John Powell continues as Musical Director, with David Baldwin as Conductor and John Case the band’s Librarian.

Bandmaster's Award 2011

Thanks and best wishes were expressed to soprano player Jan Long, a former Committee member and Chairman, who is shortly moving from the area. Members then voted for the Gordon Broom Shield, awarded annually to the person contributing most to the band and the winner was Nikki Herbert. The Bandmaster’s Award for the most progress during the year was awarded to Paul Snowball. Both awards will be presented at the band’s Annual Christmas Concert on December 17th.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul said ‘I am delighted to become Chairman of the Lyme Regis Town Band and would like to thank Joe Turner for his hard work last year. Having now played for two years I decided that I would like to give back to the band something of what the band has given to me.’

Band members recently helped one of their colleagues celebrate his 85^th birthday. Ron Marraner was a late starter to brass banding deciding to take up lessons 18 years ago, together with his wife Heather. Since then, as the saying goes, he has never looked back.

Val presents Ron's cake

Ron took lessons with the late Albert Chappell, an international composer and adjudicator, then joined his local band in Cornwall. After a move to East Devon, Ron and Heather joined the Lyme Band some ten years ago and have contributed much to its success. Ron is a former Committee member and Heather its current treasurer.

At their practice last week, the band played ‘Happy Birthday’ and Committee Member Val O’Mahoney presented Ron with a cake, complete with a picture of Ron in action.  Val commented ‘Ron is a remarkable character and always enthusiastic. Both Ron and Heather have contributed a great deal to the band’

Ron and Heather are also members of Honiton Band, spending at least three nights a week at practices as well as the many engagements which both bands undertake throughout the year. Away from banding, Ron likes to keep himself fit through regular activity, including swimming and both still enjoy frequent skiing holidays.

Band members are now eagerly anticipating the opening of the new shelters on Marine Parade where they will be entertaining hundreds of holidaymakers in sixteen concerts throughout July and August.

What a cake!

Local businesses are welcome to sponsor the band for these concerts. Full details are on the sponsorship page of this website.

'Pearl of Dorset' is launched

The sun cleared in time for the start of the RNLI’s ceremony of ‘Blessing the Boats’, held on Rogation Sunday, 29th May. This was a particularly special occasion as it marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of the lifeboat service. Sadly, the band’s MD John Powell was unable to be present because of illness, but Deputy Conductor David Baldwin was an able stand-in.

From the shelter of the lifeboat house, the band played the march ‘Standard of St George’ to begin proceedings. The service itself was led by Rev’d Jane Skinner and Fr Michael Koppel, with a contribution from Alan Vian, representing Lyme Regis Baptist Church. Following the National Anthem, the band accompanied the singing of two well-known hymns, ‘He who would valiant be’ and the seafarers’ hymn ‘Eternal Father Strong to Save’.

Wreaths were ceremoniously presented to the lifeboat crew, which were then taken out to sea aboard the ‘Pearl of Dorset’ and laid on the water. The band then concluded with the march ‘Punchinello’, to the enjoyment of the large crowd present.

Principal Euphonium player John Warr recently celebrated a significant birthday – threescore years and five – which was suitable marked by band members. John has been a playing member for many years and his solo contributions are much appreciated, not only by hundreds of holidaymakers, but equally by his band colleagues.

A beautiful cake, organised by Val Mahoney and iced from an action photo of John, was presented to him during rehearsal by his wife Gilly, the band’s Secretary. And of course, appropriate music was provided by the band, as our picture shows.

Happy birthday, John, and many more of them!

During July and August, the band gives regular weekly concerts on Tuesday evenings on Marine Parade, plus several Sunday afternoon concerts. They will be listened to by thousands of visitors all of whom boost the local economy whilst in this beautiful area.

Do you run a local business? We could promote it to holidaymakers at our concerts in a number of different ways if you were a sponsor of the band.

Why not visit the Sponsorship page of this website and find out more? In the current economic climate, it could really make a difference!

After the success of the band’s St George’s Day concert last year, the familiar strains of ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ rang out again on Easter Saturday at the Woodmead Halls, amidst much fervent flag waving. The large and enthusiastic audience including the Band’s President, the Mayor of Lyme, played a key part in the proceedings and enjoyed a varied programme of music.

Well done, Training Band

Award winner Gilly

A trio of trombones

Wave those flags!

Mary leads the singalong

There'll always be an England.......

Pre-concert relax!

This was the occasion for the newly formed Training Band to make its debut under conductor Nikki Herbert and they gave excellent performances of three well- known pieces arranged by Nikki’s mother, Jane. Amazing progress has been made since their formation at start of this year and this was clearly recognised by the audience.

During the evening, Stuart Broom presented the Gordon Broom Shield to Band Secretary Gilly Warr, in recognition of all her hard work for the band. Gilly was also awarded the ‘Most Improved Player’ award by MD John Powell. The band’s Librarian, John Case, was presented with the Bandmaster’s Award for his invaluable support over many years.

After the break, Mary Bowles expertly led the audience sing-along in well-loved favourites, ending with ‘Rule Britannia’ This English classic inspired the audience into giving their flags an airing for the first time.

Before the traditional finale, Musical Director John Powell thanked compere Richard Horobin and all who contributed, in particular the audience for their enthusiastic singing. Then, to the accompaniment of band and organ, everyone launched into a hearty performance of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. It was no surprise that the traditional encore was demanded by the audience and the band duly obliged, bringing the evening to a close.

Hopefully, following their strenuous vocal work-out, all those present will have left not only in good heart, but also feeling well-prepared for the Royal Wedding!

In the swing!

Grand Finale

Our thanks to Lyme TV who recently recorded part of our Workshop. Watch it here:Band Workshop 02.04.11

The video includes an original piece by Philip Harper, Queen’s ‘Innuendo’, the first performance and recording of Howard Snell’s concert march ‘Black Ven’, written for the band, plus an interview with Philip Harper and our Musical Director John Powell.

For some great local information and entertainment, visit the LTV website on: www.lymeregis.tv