Lyme Regis Town Band

Stuart, Gordon’s son, has sent this festive picture of Brian being presented with the shield by Stuart (see post below).

Thank you, Stuart – and well done, Brian.

We are told that up to a thousand people attended this year’s Carols Under the Christmas Tree event organised by Lyme Regis Rotary. Eight or so favourite carols were sung and played, the Mayor gave us all a welcome and hot soup was served. A great atmosphere and ambience under the large illuminated tree. Just as well they closed the road.

This was our big day. A merry band of workers beavered through the morning to transform the hall into a stunning cornucopia of cosy festive delight. Folk flocked in to enjoy the jamboree of fun – standards, a Christmas march, seasonal specials, several solos, communal carols and unexpected newbies, led by David, sporting his spectacular new Christmas waistcoat. Entertaining cabaret turns were provided by The Four Tune Tellers (below), All-Saints’ own barbershop quartet (see post below) – a big thank you to them. The essential teas and mince pies were served and raffle prizes won. The mayor and mayoress and our president and his wife were our VIPs (above). Two band awards were made, to Viv (left) and John (below), and the Gordon Broom trophy presented to Brian Scott by Gordon’s son, Stuart (below left). The finale, inevitably We Wish you a Merry Christmas, was a heartfelt message to our audience and to our wider wonderful town which supports us so enthusiastically throughout the year.

How friendly this community is, with their lively village hall, their thriving activity groups and their talented, creative personalities. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas for the band without this engagement. It’s always good fun: the band leads a number of carols and plays a few seasonal performance numbers: interspersed with entertaining and varied local acts of comedy, musical ensembles and solos, poetry and readings: washed down with tea , coffee and mince pies. Ambridge couldn’t do it better.

This was a significant evening for our training band, who gave their inaugural performance of the year. Impressive stuff. Well done, trainees, and Ellis, your leader.

Remembrance Sunday in the town today was attended by large numbers of young and old, who processed through the town into the parish church for a moving service. Councillors, members of youth groups, police, lifeboatmen, majorettes, coastguards and firefighters were amongst those represented. The band, joined by Alex on the organ, accompanied the large congregation in several well-known hymns plus one new to us: Michael. Wreaths were presented: the band’s being carried forward by Sandra, our secretary. The band also contributed to the event with a voluntary: Mozart’s Ave Verum.

Following the service a short ceremony was conducted in the town square. Steve played the Last Post and the band led the singing of the National Anthem.