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Those of you who follow these occasional reports will know that I reviewed these events last year. As I don't have any photos this time around, I wasn't going to attempt another. However, it seems to have accidentally happened anyway.
The Totton Remembrance Service (organised by the Royal British Legion) was, once again, a large and well-attended event held on a fine November day. As usual, local scouts, cadets, Legion members and ex-servicemen were joined by the general public for the ceremony at the war memorial. The musical content of the event was shared by a lone piper and ourselves, the Last Post being performed by Ted Read. As well as accompanying the hymns, the band also injected a little variety by playing through Barnard Castle and North Country Pastorale before the parade arrival. For the morning event only, the band was conducted by Ben Cull.
Although events of this nature seem to be pretty similar from one year to the next, a new feature this year gave people a very big surprise indeed. "Canons" (actually, I believe, flares hidden behind a bush!) were let off before and after the silence. The band, along with practically everyone else present, were seen to physically jump. Unfortunately, a near-bye car also 'jumped' - it's ringing alarm thus ensuring that the Silence didn't quite live up to it's name. I wonder if the "canons" will be back next year?
The afternoon saw our annual return to Lyndhurst for the afternoon concert organised by the New Forest Rotary Club. As part of a mixed programme of entertainment, the band were required to perform a short 30 minute set. After opening with the day's second stab at Barnard Castle, concert items included The Lincolnshire Poacher, The Floral Dance and Hootenanny - all audience pleasing stuff. The only solo item of the show was a strong performance of the Jesus Christ Superstar number "I Don't Know How To Love Him" by cornet player Adam Hield. In fact, it was Adam's first ever solo spot with the band and, I'm sure, not the last.
Jayne Floyd, at the conductor's rostrum, was given a thought provoking heckle just before the final piece. One senior audience member had convinced herself that the stage was going to collapse and wasn't shy about letting everyone know. Perhaps she'd been watching You've Been Framed a little too much? Or perhaps it was a veiled attempt at getting us to play quieter (no chance...)? Fortunately, it was not to be - we left the stage looking exactly as we found it. The afternoon, for us anyway, finished with a rendition of Keep Smiling Through, with the capacity audience joining in...
...except, it wasn't the end of the day's playing at all. As soon as we'd packed up our kit, we all drove straight to the band room for an extra 90 minute practice! Whose idea was that then...?
Guy, 11/11/2001
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