{"id":38,"date":"2015-04-27T11:53:06","date_gmt":"2015-04-27T11:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/?page_id=38"},"modified":"2026-08-13T10:49:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T10:49:53","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/news\/","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"

August 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Our first ever visit to play in the Trowbridge bandstand was a worthwhile venture to our County Town.\u00a0\u00a0 The bandstand is not the traditional circular, iron-framed domed roof design but something more akin to the stage at the Town Gardens Bowl, but three times the size.\u00a0 It had an incredible acoustic projecting the sound across the town.\u00a0 In fact, you had to be very careful what you were saying, as again, it carried right across the park.\u00a0 There was a good crowd who were hugging the shade as it was a very hot afternoon.\u00a0 We have already signed up to return in 2027.<\/p>\n

\n

August has been a quiet month for us as many of our players are away on well earned holidays and we were looking forward to playing at the Prospect Fete on the 5th<\/sup> September, but sadly at the last minute we were informed that it was not going ahead; a real shame as we always look forward to supporting our local hospice. \u00a0\u00a0This means we round up our Summer season with our performance on Sunday 6th<\/sup> September travelling to Newbury to play in Victoria Park bandstand from 3:00pm.<\/p>\n

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We, together with The Carters Rest, are delighted to be hosting a Beer Festival at The Carters Rest, Wroughton, from 2nd\u20134th October.\u00a0 The festival is being held to raise much-needed funds towards the running costs of the band, to aid us with our objectives in musical education, community engagement and charitable giving.\u00a0 We have already received fantastic support from some of our local businesses, but we would be grateful to receive any support in our running of this community event.\u00a0 If you are be in a position to help, you can by sponsoring a barrel or donating a raffle prize thereby helping us continue to provide opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy, learn and participate in music, while supporting our wider community initiatives.<\/p>\n

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If your business would be interested in sponsoring a barrel or donating a raffle prize, we would love to hear from you and can provide further information about the opportunities available.<\/p>\n

Please do get in touch to find out more and help us make this year\u2019s Beer Festival a fantastic community event.\u00a0 Thank you for supporting Wroughton Silver Band and the local community. In the first instance please contact Dan at:\u00a0 Dwebb@wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

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We are indebted to Gee and everyone at the Carters for facilitating this event.<\/p>\n

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Our confirmed diary as at 10th<\/sup> Aug:<\/p>\n

\n

Sun 6 Sep \u2013 Newbury Victoria Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Fri-Sat 2 3 Oct \u2013 Beer Festival fundraiser<\/p>\n

Sun 4 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Service’s Annual Service of Remembrance<\/p>\n

Sun 18 Oct \u2013 Oxford ODBBA Entertainment Contest<\/p>\n

Sun 25 Oct \u2013 BPPA Service of Remembrance<\/p>\n

Fri 6 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 8 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Remembrance Service and Parade<\/p>\n

Sun 8 Nov \u2013 Radnor Street Cemetery Remembrance Service<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Remembrance Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

July 2026<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

During June, we experienced some extremes of temperature, but whilst we played at Chiseldon Church Fete, there was a very thin but long and heavy band of rain came that through during the afternoon, so it was fortunate that we were under a shelter, albeit it a bit on the leaky side.\u00a0 After the short trip home, it soon became evident that there was but a few spots in Wroughton, so our water butts were still empty!\u00a0 It was a different day entirely in the Town Gardens the following day, hot dry and very sunny with the very large audience, who managed in the main, to find some shade amongst the very mature trees.\u00a0 With some keen football followers in the band, we aired \u201cThree Lions\u201d both at Chiseldon and Town Gardens and again at John Coles Park in Chippenham at the end of the month, each time not knowing if it would be the last time this year.\u00a0\u00a0 On the 4th<\/sup> July, we joined the Wroughton Carnival Parade; this is the first carnival parade we have performed in for probably more than 30 years.\u00a0 As a band we used to do many carnivals around the county, including what was Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury, Chippenham, Frome, Trowbridge and others but we made the decision to stop after being subjected to people throwing coins at\/towards us, which was not only damaging our expensive instruments but also causing injury to our players.\u00a0 However our return to Wroughton Carnival was a happy one, with no incidents at all.\u00a0 Our choice of music and fancy dress, which we had previously used up in Saddleworth for the Whit Friday Marches, appeared to go down well and we felt much more appropriate for the Carnival atmosphere.\u00a0 The weather was perfect, and there were some great photos on the social pages recording the event.\u00a0 There is a great community spirit in Wroughton, and we have to acknowledge all the hard work of the volunteers that make this event come together.<\/p>\n

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After a really busy June, July is a little quieter, with our only engagement being on the 26th<\/sup> as we head for the first time to Trowbridge for a bandstand concert.\u00a0 We will take the opportunity to spend some time up our Band Room cleaning and maintaining our valuable asset and surrounding grounds.<\/p>\n

\n

As we approach September, we are hoping to put on a couple of outdoor events, dates and times to be confirmed but keep your eyes and ears open for news as it comes.\u00a0 We are also co-hosting with the Carters Rest a fundraising event in October, new ground for us.\u00a0\u00a0 There is to be a beer festival on the 2nd<\/sup> and 3rd<\/sup> October, where, at times to be decided, a few of our members will be providing a small Oompah ensemble, in true Octoberfest style.\u00a0 Again, more information as it comes.<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at 9th<\/sup> Jul:<\/p>\n

\n

Sun 26 Jul \u2013 Bandstand Concert Trowbridge<\/p>\n

Sat 5 Sep \u2013 Prospect Hospice Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 6 Sep \u2013 Newbury Victoria Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Fri-Sat 2 3 Oct \u2013 Beer Festival fundraiser<\/p>\n

Sun 4 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Service’s Annual Service of Remembrance<\/p>\n

Sun 18 Oct \u2013 Oxford ODBBA Entertainment Contest<\/p>\n

Sun 25 Oct \u2013 BPPA Service of Remembrance<\/p>\n

Fri 6 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 8 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Remembrance Service and Parade<\/p>\n

Sun 8 Nov \u2013 Radnor Street Cemetery Remembrance Service<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Remembrance Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

May 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

On the 17th<\/sup> and 18th<\/sup> April, we were invited to play for the BPPA Centenary Dinner and Church Service in London. \u00a0On the Friday evening, four of us attended the dinner, which was held in the Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in London.\u00a0 Following dinner, there were a number of very interesting speakers and the evening closed to our quartet leading the singing of \u201cThe Holy City\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 The following Saturday morning, we were privileged to play in the magnificent St Clement Danes Church, the Central Church of the RAF situated in the Strand.\u00a0 St Clement Danes is a Sir Christopher Wren designed church with a 1000-year history.\u00a0 There are all but 700 plaques set in the floor representing every place where there has been an RAF presence.\u00a0 We found the one for our own Royal Air Force Hospital Wroughton, pictured here.\u00a0 At the close of the service, our members had the opportunity to grab some lunch and spend some time relaxing in our Capital City before returning home on the coach at 6:00pm.<\/p>\n

\n

On Friday the 29th<\/sup> May, we are on our travels once again t\u2019up north to Saddleworth where we are participating in what is described as the \u201cGreatest Free Show on Earth\u201d.\u00a0 If you follow us on Facebook etc, there will be undoubtedly some photos appearing of our time spent at this fantastic event.\u00a0 Full report here next month.<\/p>\n

\n

There will be a number of opportunities for you to catch us during June, we have 3 engagements, starting on Saturday 6th with the Cream Tea fundraising event at St Joseph\u2019s Church, Saturday 20th<\/sup> at Chiseldon Fete, Sunday 21st<\/sup> where we are performing a Bandstand Concert in the Town Gardens and a little further afield on the 28th<\/sup> when we have a bandstand concert in John Cole\u2019s park in Chippenham.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at 10 April:<\/p>\n

\n

Fri 29 May \u2013 Whit Friday Marches, Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sat 6 Jun \u2013 Cream Teas at St Josephs Catholic Church (in aid of the Prospect)<\/em><\/p>\n

Sat 20 Jun \u2013 Chiseldon Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 21 Jun \u2013 Town Gardens Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Sun 28 Jun \u2013 Chippenham, John Coles Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Sun 26 Jul \u2013 Bandstand Concert Trowbridge<\/p>\n

Sat 5 Sep \u2013 Prospect Hospice Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 6 Sep \u2013 Newbury Victoria Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

March 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Last month I wrote in detail about our test piece for this year\u2019s West of England Regional Championships.\u00a0 As I am writing this, we are in our final week run up to the contest held in Torquay over the weekend of the 14th<\/sup> 15th<\/sup> March.\u00a0 I am keeping my fingers crossed that the dedication, hard work and extreme focus required of our players pays off and we are rewarded with a decent placing out of the 17 bands in the 2nd<\/sup> section.\u00a0 Whilst it is always wonderful to get a top placing, I consider the main benefit to this whole process of contesting, to be a tool to improve our performance overall, which enables to tackle more difficult and interesting pieces of music.\u00a0 Many of us make a weekend of our visit to the English Riviera, catching up with many friends, old and new in the banding community, taking the opportunity to listen to other bands and spend time around the trade stands trying not to part with any money!\u00a0 We will also enjoy the social element as we return to some of our favourite watering holes, and restaurants.\u00a0 I look forward to reporting on the news, whatever it may be, next month.<\/p>\n

\n

On Saturday 28th<\/sup> February, we were invited to play in Hodson for the birthday party of Nico, the son of Charlie Langton, and nephew of our band President, Olly Langton.\u00a0 Despite the weather forecast it was a lovely afternoon where a dozen of our players played a selection of marches as the children marched around us as we played.\u00a0 We of course played a rendition of happy birthday and enjoyed some of the lovely cake together with some liquid refreshment.\u00a0 It\u2019s lovely that we are able to do this for the family that have been such a support to us over so many years; Happy Birthday Nico!<\/p>\n

\n

I\u2019m busy sorting music for our 2026 engagements, with the first being on the 18th<\/sup> April where we will be playing at the 9:00am start of the Men\u2019s Health Walk at the Prospect Hospice.<\/p>\n

\n

We are also sorting our costumes for this year\u2019s visit to Saddleworth, where the chosen theme is Michael Jackson\u2019s Thriller.\u00a0 I\u2019m busy honing my moonwalking skills, oh dear!<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at 9 March:<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 18th<\/sup> Apr \u2013 Start of Men\u2019s Health Walk \u2013 Prospect Hospice<\/p>\n

Fri 29 May \u2013 Whit Friday Marches, Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sat 6 Jun \u2013 Cream Teas at St Josephs Catholic Church (in aid of the Prospect)<\/em><\/p>\n

Sat 20 Jun \u2013 Chiseldon Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 21 Jun \u2013 Town Gardens Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Sun 28 Jun \u2013 Chippenham, John Coles Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Sat 18 Jul \u2013 PPA Centenary St Clements Dane Church, London<\/p>\n

Sun 26 Jul \u2013 Bandstand Concert Trowbridge<\/p>\n

Sat 5 Sep \u2013 Prospect Hospice Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 6 Sep \u2013 Newbury Victoria Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

February 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\n

The first quarter of the calendar year is traditionally quiet for us performance wise, and this year is no different.\u00a0 However since 2019, when we made the decision to return to contesting in the National Brass Band Championships, our twice-weekly rehearsal focus is on the test piece, both as a full ensemble and individual sections of the band.\u00a0 This year the test piece is \u201c20,000 Leagues Under the Sea\u201d, a piece of music composed by the Musical Director of the renowned Cory Band, Philip Harper, as a tribute to Jules Verne.<\/p>\n

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The Frenchman Jules Verne was a pioneer in science fiction writing during the late 19th<\/sup> Century, penning some classic stories such as \u201cJourney to the Centre of the Earth\u201d and \u201cAround the World in 80 Days\u201d \u2013 both of which have been the subject of brass band test pieces.\u00a0 In addition to the introduction and finale, there are 5 movements described by the composer as follows:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201c1 THE NAUTILUS.\u00a0 After a mysterious introduction depicting our descent beneath the waves, we are introduced to the Nautilus a fantastical submarine from which our adventures begin.<\/p>\n

2 THE CORAL KINGDOM.\u00a0 We visit the awe-inspiring underwater Coral formations, multi coloured and populated by thousands of exotic tropical fish.<\/p>\n

3 SQUID ATTACK. In one of the story\u2019s mot famous episodes the Nautilus is attacked by a school of giant squid, or \u201cdevil fish\u201d.\u00a0 After several onslaughts survival is achieved only by the narrowest of margins.<\/p>\n

4 CAPTAIN NEMO. Finally we get to meet the captain of this vessel.\u00a0 Captain Nemo is a loner and eccentric, some say he is a madman.\u00a0 Soloists of the band help to uncover the character of this enigmatic but powerful figure.<\/p>\n

5 MAELSTROM.\u00a0 The Nautilus is dragged into the ocean\u2019s deadliest whirlpool and all seems lost, until finally it escapes and Captain Nemo lives to fight another day.\u00a0 This air of triumph is portrayed in the brief concluding finale.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

It is very cleverly written, and whilst at times proving quite a challenge, we are enjoying our preparations.\u00a0 This year, we have been really lucky to have benefitted from the input of the ex principal Euphonium player of Cory Band, and current Musical Director of Aldbourne Band our local Championship Section Band, achieving great things with Aldbourne who are the current West of England Champions.\u00a0 Glyn Williams led our rehearsal on the 12 February and for two hours Glyn took us deep into the detail of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, providing clear direction with tips and tricks to get the very best out of this challenging, descriptive music.\u00a0 We all left the rehearsal enthused with clear pointers where focus needs to be over the next four weeks.\u00a0 Our thanks go not only to Glyn, but also to our friend Rob Marsh, Principal Trombone for Aldbourne who for this rehearsal was depping for Bill Graham, who sadly was in Hull for his mother\u2019s funeral.<\/p>\n

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Our diary is already starting to take shape for 2026, to date:<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 14 Mar \u2013 West of England Regional Contest, Torquay<\/p>\n

Fri 29 May \u2013 Whit Friday Marches, Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sat 6 Jun \u2013 Cream Teas at St Josephs Catholic Church (in aid of the Prospect)<\/em><\/p>\n

Sat 20 Jun \u2013 Chiseldon Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 21 Jun \u2013 Town Gardens Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Sun 28 Jun \u2013 Chippenham, John Coles Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

Sun 6 Sep \u2013 Newbury Victoria Park Bandstand Concert<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

December 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Our concert held at the Ridgeway School in November, where we performed with Students from both the Ridgeway School and the Wroughton Juniors raised the fantastic sum of \u00a31,200, which was split equally between the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help4Heroes.\u00a0 I, on behalf of everyone involved in the production of this sell out event, would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came to support it.<\/p>\n

\n

Our Christmas season commenced on Saturday 29th<\/sup> November playing at Brimble Hill School for their Christmas Fair.\u00a0 We played at Midday and to our surprise, in warm sunshine, after a forecast earlier in the week promising a washout on that day.\u00a0\u00a0 And as light was fading later in the afternoon, Wroughton turned out en masse for the grand Christmas Light Switch on event in Willow Brook Gardens, where we provided music for the community Carol singing, supported by the Ellendune Entertainers. It was a lovely community event and the tree and lights look resplendent; congratulations to everyone concerned with the organising , sponsorship and support of this event.<\/p>\n

\n

A few of our number played a few Carols at both the Junior School and Ridgeway Schools for their Christmas Fairs on Friday 5th<\/sup> and on Saturday the 6th<\/sup> we joined the Swindon Choral Society for their concert of traditional Christmas Carols at Swindon Christ Church.\u00a0 It was a lovely occasion; the choir under the direction of Greg Hallam was on top form, lovely traditional Christmas Carols and festive songs.\u00a0 We provided some incidental music and led the congregational Carols.\u00a0 Included as part of our contributions was a fun rendition of Frosty the Snowman, a solo played on Eb Tuba by Michael Webb, dressed for the occasion and getting a great reaction from the enthusiastic audience.<\/p>\n

\n

On Sunday 7th<\/sup>, we set up for our first Carolling session at Waitrose in Wichelstowe.\u00a0 It was a very busy morning but sadly the heavens opened and without any real cover, rain stopped play, and the carol books were taken home to dry out in readiness for our evening engagement with the Janice Thompson Choirs.<\/p>\n

\n

For the rest of December we are joining Swindon Male Voice Choir again at Christ Church for their Christmas Concert and playing for Carols around the Christmas Tree in Shrivenham, Haydon Leigh Primary School Christmas Concert, Carols outside Tesco in the Ellendune Centre, doing a number of weekend sessions at Waitrose in Wichelstowe, playing in the Prospect Hospice, touring the Wroughton Pubs, playing in the Town Gardens Bandstand as part of an afternoon of Christmas Carols and of course our normal tour through the village on Christmas Morning.<\/p>\n

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Our confirmed diary for December as at the 6th<\/sup> December:<\/p>\n

\n

Mon 8 Dec \u2013 Carols on the ward at Prospect<\/p>\n

Sat 13 Dec \u2013 Carols outside Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Dec \u2013 Shrivenham Carols<\/p>\n

Wed 17 \u2013 Haydon Leigh Primary School<\/p>\n

Fri 19 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Dec \u2013 Carols outside Wroughton Tesco<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Dec \u2013 Wroughton Pub Tour<\/p>\n

Sun 21 Dec \u2013 Town Gardens at Christmas<\/p>\n

Wed 24th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Carols outside Waitrose<\/p>\n

Thu 25 Dec \u2013 Carols through the Village<\/p>\n

\n

All of us at Wroughton Silver Band would like to wish all our supporters and friends a prosperous and peaceful New Year.<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

November 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I write this month\u2019s update, we have just performed for various Remembrance events during the busiest weekend in our calendar.\u00a0 On Friday 7th<\/sup>, we travelled to Malmesbury for our annual Remembrance Concert in the lovely Abbey for the Malmesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion in aid of the Poppy Appeal.\u00a0 Now in it\u2019s 65th<\/sup> year, it was great to see so many of our supporters make the journey across to Malmesbury.\u00a0 This year, there was a first for the band as we accompanied Rachael Birkin on Violin, playing John Williams\u2019 main theme to Schindler\u2019s List, from his Oscar winning score. \u00a0It was a very moving moment, beautifully played by Rachael, who studied Viola at the Royal Academy of Music. \u00a0Her late father, John, both played for and conducted Wroughton Silver Band back in the late 50\u2019s and again in the 70\u2019s after his retirement from the Royal Corps of Army Music as a French Horn and Tuba player.<\/p>\n

\n

On Remembrance Sunday morning, we played for the Hymns at the Parish Church prior to leading the parade down to the service and 2 minutes silence at the War Memorial where we provided the music with our principal cornet, Sarah Jannaway giving a faultless rendition of the last post and reveille.\u00a0 We are so proud and honoured to be such an integral part of this event, which is so important to us and deeply embedded in the Band\u2019s long history. \u00a0In the afternoon, we provided the music for the Radnor Street, a smaller more intimate gathering, but equally as important for the people in attendance there, and we are again honoured to be able to support this service.\u00a0 Our final engagement for the period of Remembrance is with the students from Ridgeway School Faculty of Performing Arts and the Wroughton Junior School at our collaborative concert held of Friday 14th<\/sup> at the Ridgeway School.\u00a0 All proceeds form this are split equally between the RBL Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes, and I look forward to being able to announce the final figures next month.<\/p>\n

\n

As we approach December, we will on the 29th<\/sup> November be playing for the Wroughton Lights grand Switch on, please note the time has reverted back to 5:00pm this year.<\/p>\n

\n

This year, we have been invited to play at Swindon Choral Society\u2019s Christmas Carol Concert at Swindon Christchurch on the evening of Saturday 6th<\/sup> December.\u00a0 Full details with tickets \u00a315 and available via their website (swindonchoral.org.uk) or on the door.\u00a0 We have also again been invited to play at the Swindon Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert, again in Christchurch Swindon.\u00a0 This is on the evening of Friday 19th<\/sup> December.\u00a0 Look on their website (swindonmalevoicechoir.co.uk), for ticket availability.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019re looking forward to performing at both of these events.<\/p>\n

\n

During the month of December we will be also be playing for Carols around the Christmas Tree in Shrivenham, Supporting Janice Thompson\u2019s Christmas Concert, Haydon Leigh Primary School Christmas Concert, Carols outside Tesco in the Ellendune Centre, doing a number of weekend sessions at Waitrose in Wychelstowe, playing in the Prospect Hospice, touring the Wroughton Pubs, playing in the Town Gardens Bandstand as part of an afternoon of Christmas Carols and of course our normal tour through the village on Christmas Morning..<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary for December as at the 11th<\/sup> November:<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 29 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Christmas Lights Switch on<\/p>\n

Sat 6 Dec \u2013 Swindon Choral Society Christmas Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Sat 7 Dec \u2013 Carols outside Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 7 Dec \u2013 Janice Thompson Christmas Concert<\/p>\n

Mon 8 Dec \u2013 Carols on the ward at Prospect<\/p>\n

Sat 13 Dec \u2013 Carols outside Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Dec \u2013 Shrivenham Carols<\/p>\n

Wed 17 \u2013 Haydon Leigh Primary School<\/p>\n

Fri 19 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Dec \u2013 Carols outside Wroughton Tesco<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Dec \u2013 Wroughton Pub Tour<\/p>\n

Sun 21 Dec \u2013 Town Gardens at Christmas<\/p>\n

Wed 24th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Carols outside Waitrose<\/p>\n

Thu 25 Dec \u2013 Carols through the Village<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

October 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Charity concert held on the 20th<\/sup> September was a resounding success in every way and I would like to thank everyone who supported this event.\u00a0 I also extend a massive thank you to Ten in a Bar, who under the direction of Jill Hodge and accompanied by Steve Parker performed two excellent sets providing us with both a musical and visual feast.\u00a0 I would also like to thank St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church who so kindly allowed us free use of the Church, and particularly Peter Keaney and Anne Moss for their help both on the day of the concert and previous rehearsal time for both the choir and the band.\u00a0 It was great for the Band and Choir to perform to a full Church and I am delighted to report that \u00a0we raised the magnificent sum of \u00a3930 which will be passed on directly to the two chosen charities of which Mark Barrett, who having personal family experience of the two conditions, spoke so eloquently; Shine (Spina Bifida) and ME Research UK.<\/p>\n

\n

At the concert, I welcomed Steve Harcourt and his wife Jane.\u00a0\u00a0 Steve is chair of the Wroughton Community Trust, who through two grants has enabled us to replace an Eb Tuba, refurbish our second Eb Tuba, fully recondition one of our BBb Tubas, and more recently replace our Bass trombone.\u00a0 We would like to thank the Trustees for their generosity in helping us with the upkeep of our band instruments.<\/p>\n

\n

On Sunday 5th<\/sup> October, whilst I was enjoying a holiday in Corfu, the band returned to Swindon Christchurch for the Hillier Funeral Service 29th<\/sup> Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, my thanks go to Mark Blackwell, one of our solo cornet players, for stepping in to take the band on this occasion.<\/p>\n

\n

The coming period brings us into the period of Remembrance, which commences with our visit to the Blunsdon House Hotel on the morning of Sunday 26th<\/sup> October where will again be playing for the British Palestine Police Association (BPPA) Service of Remembrance.<\/p>\n

\n

During November, on Friday the 7th<\/sup> we travel to Malmesbury where we will be for the 65th year performing for the Malmesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion Armistice Concert in the wonderful Malmesbury Abbey.\u00a0 We always have a good following from Wroughton at this concert for which we are grateful and If you haven\u2019t had the opportunity to hear us at our Charity concert or wanting more, I do recommend this concert, the setting is wonderful.\u00a0 Tickets will be available on the door with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.<\/p>\n

\n

We will be playing at the Church service On Sunday 9th<\/sup> November immediately following which we will be proudly leading the Parade to the service and period of silence at the War Memorial in Wharf Road.\u00a0 During the afternoon we will be playing for the Remembrance Service held at Radnor Street Cemetery.<\/p>\n

\n

On Friday 14th<\/sup> November we are again performing alongside students from Ridgeway School Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts and Wroughton Junior School at the Remembrance Concert held at the Ridgeway School.\u00a0 As in prior years, proceeds from this event are to be split equally between the RBL Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes. Tickets will be available from the School from Monday 20th<\/sup> October.<\/p>\n

\n

Full details of both the Malmesbury and Ridgeway School concerts are on the posters, which are included further in this magazine<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at the 10th<\/sup> October:<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Sun 26 Oct \u2013 Palestine Police Remembrance Service Blunsdon<\/p>\n

Fri 7 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 9 Nov am \u2013 Remembrance Service and Parade to War Memorial<\/p>\n

Sun 9 Nov pm \u2013 Remembrance Service Radnor Street Cemetery<\/p>\n

Fri 14 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Remembrance Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Sat 29 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Christmas Lights Switch on<\/p>\n

Sat 6 Dec \u2013 Swindon Choral Society Christmas Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Fri 19 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

September 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I write this month\u2019s report, we are just putting our final preparations together for our Charity Concert on the 20th <\/sup>September, it\u2019s been great fun rehearsing for this one.\u00a0 I will be in a position to update on the evening in the November magazine.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Following our engagements in October, Hillier Bereavement Care Support Service on the 5th<\/sup> and the Palestine Police Remembrance Service on the 26th<\/sup>, the next opportunity for you to hear us will be during the November period of Remembrance.\u00a0 Our Concert in Malmesbury Abbey this year is on Friday 7th<\/sup> November, it is always well worth the trip to hear us in the wonderful setting of the 12th<\/sup> Century Abbey. \u00a0\u00a0More locally, our Remembrance Concert together with Students from the Department of Creative and Performing Arts at the Ridgeway School will be on Friday 14th<\/sup> November.\u00a0\u00a0 Carrying on the theme for our Charity Concert, we will be performing some new music, including a selection from \u201cWicked\u201d and Queen\u2019s \u201cDon\u2019t Stop me now\u201d.<\/p>\n

\n

On Remembrance Sunday, we will be once again providing the music for the service at the Parish Church, from where we will lead the Parade to the Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial for the 2 minute silence.\u00a0 During the afternoon, we will be supporting the Remembrance service at Radnor Street Cemetery.\u00a0 This is a very busy time for us, getting us prepared for the Christmas season!<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at the 10th<\/sup> September:<\/p>\n

\n

Sun 5 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Bereavement Support Service \u2013 Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Sun 26 Oct \u2013 Palestine Police Remembrance Service Blunsdon<\/p>\n

Fri 7 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 9 Nov am \u2013 Remembrance Service and Parade to War Memorial<\/p>\n

Sun 9 Nov pm \u2013 Remembrance Service Radnor Street Cemetery<\/p>\n

Fri 14 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Remembrance Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Sat 29 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Christmas Lights Switch on<\/p>\n

Sat 6 Dec \u2013 Swindon Choral Society Christmas Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Fri 19 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

July 2025<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was an extremely hot day on Saturday 21st<\/sup> June when we performed for a really good number of people at the Cream Tea fundraising event at St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church.\u00a0 \u00a31,300 was raised for Prospect Hospice.\u00a0 We also played Happy Birthday to two lovely ladies, Joan Humphries who if my memory serves me right was celebrating her 93rd<\/sup> birthday, and also Mrs Hobbs who was celebrating her 101st<\/sup> birthday; congratulations to these two lovely ladies.\u00a0\u00a0 The following day Sunday 22nd<\/sup> June we drove to Chippenham through some heavy showers and were expecting a not very pleasant afternoon in the bandstand.\u00a0 However, we unloaded all the kit, waited for 10 minutes and the rains passed and it turned out to be a lovely afternoon, with the park filling up with a good number of people enjoying the programme of music we performed.\u00a0 It was also good to see David Jennings who played for us for many years.\u00a0 David along with his wife Betty moved from Swindon to be closer to their family in Chippenham.<\/p>\n

\n

As I write, we are looking forward to spending some time playing at Chiseldon\u2019s Holy Cross Church Fete on the 12th<\/sup> July from 1:00 to 3:00.pm.<\/p>\n

\n

I am pleased to confirm details of our Charity Concert on Saturday 20th<\/sup> September.\u00a0 This is to be held at St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church in Devizes Road and the theme will be Music from Stage and Screen. \u00a0We are delighted to welcome one of Swindon\u2019s premier close harmony singing groups, \u201cTen in a bar\u201d under the direction of Jill Hodge, to perform with us.\u00a0 We will be fundraising for two Charities, Shine the Spina Bifida Charity, https:\/\/www.shinecharity.org.uk and ME research UK https:\/\/www.meresearch.org.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Get this date in your diaries, it\u2019s going to be a great evening, one not to miss.\u00a0 We are very much looking forward to supporting these two charities.<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at the 10th<\/sup> July:<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 12 July \u2013 Chiseldon Holy Cross Church Fete<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Sep \u2013 Wroughton Charity Concert \u2013 Wroughton Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 5 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Bereavement Support Service<\/p>\n

Fri 7 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 9 Nov am \u2013 Remembrance Service and Parade to War Memorial<\/p>\n

Sun 9 Nov pm \u2013 Remembrance Service Radnor Street Cemetery<\/p>\n

Fri 14 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Remembrance Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Sat 29 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Christmas Lights Switch on<\/p>\n

Sat 6 Dec \u2013 Swindon Choral Society Christmas Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Fri 19 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

June 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was on the 29 March when we played at one of our former players, Howard Shute\u2019s, 100th<\/sup> birthday celebrations which I reported on in the May magazine.\u00a0 \u00a0We were very saddened to learn of Howard\u2019s passing on the 29th<\/sup> May and a few of us will be attending the celebration of his life on the 19th<\/sup> June. \u00a0\u00a0Our thoughts go to his wife Sheila, daughter Gill, son Warren and all his grandchildren and not forgetting all his other relatives and friends.<\/p>\n

\n

On a happier note, the 7th<\/sup> June was a very special day for one of our horn players. \u00a0As mentioned last month, Ken Habgood celebrated his 90th<\/sup> birthday and we played at his wonderful celebration party at the Ellendune Centre.\u00a0 Ken as always, was on top form and did a great job being Master of Ceremonies, singing the Floral dance as a duet with our own Derek Webb and also singing the words to the \u201cVly\u201d which is the Wiltshire Regiment\u2019s, Regimental March; Ken having spent his National Service with the Wiltshire Regiment.\u00a0 Ken did explain the origins of the song, something to do with Flies on Turnips?\u00a0 We all had a great evening and at Ken\u2019s request the band were delighted to receive donations to band funds, which was very generous indeed.<\/p>\n

\n

Early on Sunday the 11th<\/sup> May a few of our members played alongside other musicians to close of a 24-hour music marathon with a performance of \u201cInstant Concert\u201d.\u00a0 This event organised by a very distant cousin Dawn Ball, together with her family and friends.\u00a0 Whilst our contribution was very small indeed, this event raised in excess of \u00a325,000 for the Prospect Hospice, which is an incredible result and testament to the hard work of the organisers and performers.<\/p>\n

\n

We made some great memories again on our annual pilgrimage t\u2019up north to participate in the Whit Friday March Contests on the 13th<\/sup> June.\u00a0 Often described as the \u201cBest free show on earth\u201d and from our experience it certainly is. \u00a0\u00a0This year our theme was \u201cChicken Run\u201d, playing music from the film on the approach march, and \u201cEnchantress\u201d as our contest march.\u00a0 If you have access to our Facebook page, there are many photos of our colourful attire.\u00a0 We managed 5 out of the 11 participating villages on the Saddleworth side, we just missed out on the 6th<\/sup> as we arrived at 10:20pm and there were 20 bands already waiting with registration closing at 10:30pm. At the time of writing we have received just the two results, Dobcross, where we came 36th<\/sup> out of 61 bands, and Diggle, where not only did we come 29th out of 58 bands, we were also awarded \u00a3100 prize money for being the \u201cMost entertaining band on the march\u201d. \u00a0We must acknowledge the considerable hard work from all the volunteers both on the day and all year round as they work so hard to keep this event going and you can\u2019t forget the amazing support of all the villagers and people that travel to hear all the bands, incredible.\u00a0 This is the 8th year we\u2019ve travelled up from Wiltshire so are still relative newbies, and we are already looking forward to 2026!<\/p>\n

\n

The 21st<\/sup> June sees us return to the Catholic Church for the long established Cream Tea fundraising event for the Prospect Hospice, and the 22nd<\/sup> June we are heading west to Chippenham for our second bandstand concert of the season.\u00a0 We are playing between 3:00 and 5:00pm in John Cole\u2019s Park Bandstand.<\/p>\n

\n

On the 12th<\/sup> July we are playing at Chiseldon\u2019s Holy Cross Church Fete from 1:00 to 3:00.\u00a0 This is a traditional village fete and always well supported.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at the 10th<\/sup> May:<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 7 Jun \u2013 90th<\/sup> Birthday (private event)<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sat 21 June \u2013 Churches Together in Wroughton Cream Teas, Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Jun \u2013 John Cole\u2019s Park Bandstand Chippenham<\/p>\n

Sat 12 July \u2013 Chiseldon Holy Cross Church Fete<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Sep \u2013 Wroughton Charity Concert \u2013 Wroughton Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 5 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Bereavement Support Service<\/p>\n

Fri 7 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

May 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Sunday 4th<\/sup> May we travelled across the border into Berkshire, and played in Victoria Park Newbury at both theirs and our first bandstand concert of the 2025 season.\u00a0 Last year it was a wet day, but thankfully this year it was a dry afternoon; although we were subjected to a very cold north-easterly wind, which blew right through the bandstand making it very difficult to control the music and stands.\u00a0 At one point I was hanging onto a soloists music stand, trying to hold my music down and conduct which was a bit of a challenge.\u00a0 Despite this, there were quite a number of hardy individuals appreciating our music including some of our own supporters who travelled east with us, a group of French people from the local twinning association and some people celebrating a birthday, who after our rendition of \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d shared some of the cake with the band which was very generous.<\/p>\n

\n

On the 7th<\/sup> June we are very privileged to be playing for one of own member\u2019s 90th<\/sup> Birthday.\u00a0 Ken Habgood who will be no stranger to many of you, played with Wroughton Band from a youngster, and was the very man who put a cornet in my hand when I was 8 and said right have a go with this.\u00a0 He did spend some time with Aldbourne Band where he enjoyed the contesting successes they had, but after he \u201cretired\u201d from playing with Aldbourne, and after a great deal of pestering from me, finally came back to his roots and has been a stalwart to the Band, both as a player and committee member for many years.\u00a0 It\u2019s going to be a fun evening, with all the music to be played chosen by Ken as his musical journey through banding.<\/p>\n

\n

Following our annual pilgrimage to Saddleworth on the 13th<\/sup> June for the Whit Friday Marches, we return to the Catholic Church to play for the Churches together Cream Tea fundraising event for the Prospect Hospice on the 21st<\/sup> June.\u00a0 Do come along and support this very popular annual event in our village.<\/p>\n

\n

We are looking forward to our 2nd<\/sup> bandstand concert on Sunday 22nd<\/sup> June at John Cole\u2019s Park in Chippenham, but disappointed that after our successful concerts in the Town Gardens Bandstand last year, not to have secured any dates for this year but hopefully we will be luckier next year.<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at the 10th<\/sup> May:<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 7 Jun \u2013 90th<\/sup> Birthday (private event)<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sat 21 June \u2013 Churches Together in Wroughton Cream Teas, Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Jun \u2013 John Cole\u2019s Park Bandstand Chippenham<\/p>\n

Sat 12 July \u2013 Chiseldon Holy Cross Church Fete<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Sep \u2013 Wroughton Charity Concert \u2013 Wroughton Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 5 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Bereavement Support Service<\/p>\n

Fri 7 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/p>\n

April 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Saturday 13th<\/sup> March, we held our Band AGM in the function room of the Wroughton Club. The venue is perfect, and the buffet provided by Krysia was first class.\u00a0 2024 was another successful year for us during which we welcomed a new cornet player Phill Carter into our ranks.\u00a0 The Band Awards were presented with Paul Collins awarded the Mike Pier Cup for his solo, The Grandfather\u2019s Clock, both he and Michael March who make up the Euphonium section, won the best section award, attendance went to Ken Habgood, most improved player went to Cathy Pier and the Muppet Award went to our bass trombone player went to Harry Livall.\u00a0 This award is in given in good spirit and is in recognition of a significant \u201cevent\u201d which I wont expand on, but please feel free to ask if you see me.\u00a0 Once the short official business was dealt with we swiftly moved on our usual knock out skittles and for the first time a game of knock out darts, all of course complemented by one or two beverages.\u00a0 A good evening had by all and thanks to Krysia and her team at Wroughton Club for looking after us.<\/p>\n

\n

On Saturday 29th<\/sup> March we travelled to Lydiard Millicent to play for the family celebration of Howard Shute\u2019s 100th<\/sup> Birthday.\u00a0 Whilst the weather was both dry and sunny, the wind was very cold.\u00a0 However that didn\u2019t prevent us from setting up outside, albeit tucked close to and under the protection of the house.\u00a0 Howard came from an Army Music background playing for the band from 1959 through to the 1990\u2019s firstly on Trombone, and later moving on to Euphonium and finally Baritone prior to retiring form playing.\u00a0 We played a selection of music, which included some of his favourites including Glenn Miller and other music from that era.\u00a0 It was a lovely event organised by Howard\u2019s family and I believe there were 14 of Howard\u2019s relations from the USA.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you have a significant birthday celebration or family event, wedding, anniversary coming up and you would like us to play, if so please do get in touch..<\/p>\n

\n

At our first rehearsal after returning from the Contest in Torquay, before we put the test piece od music back into our library, just for a bit of fun and in readiness for some kazoo playing required for our Chicken-run themed Whit Friday March, I challenged the band to run through the test piece playing kazoos.\u00a0 Well as you can imagine, it was such a laugh, and we sounded like a load of angry bees.\u00a0 We recorded it and you\u2019ll find it on our facebook page.<\/p>\n

\n

Finally, I would like to formally thank the Trustees of the Wroughton Community Trust for their recent generous grant, which is so very useful as we invest in the repair\/reconditioning of one of our Bb Basses and the replacement of a Bass Trombone.\u00a0\u00a0 It is a real challenge for us to keep our set of instruments in order, so we are really indebted to the Trustees for their support.<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at the 11th<\/sup> April:<\/p>\n

\n

Sun 4 May \u2013 Victoria Park Bandstand Newbury<\/p>\n

Sat 7 Jun \u2013 90th<\/sup> Birthday (private event)<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sat 21 June \u2013 Churches Together in Wroughton Cream Teas, Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Jun \u2013 John Cole\u2019s Park Bandstand Chippenham<\/p>\n

Sat 12 July \u2013 Chiseldon Holy Cross Church Fete<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Sep \u2013 Wroughton Charity Concert \u2013 Wroughton Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 5 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Bereavement Support Service<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

March 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have just returned from a weekend in Torquay where on Sunday 9th<\/sup> March we participated in the West of England Regional Championships, held in the Riviera Centre.\u00a0 Since returning to contesting in 2019, following our promotion in 2024, this was our second year playing in the Second Section.\u00a0 Last year we came 11th from a group of 15 bands and this year we were delighted to be placed 6th<\/sup> again from 15 bands which is a significant improvement and just reward to our members for their dedicated hard work in supporting me in our preparations over the last couple of months.\u00a0 Friends from other bands in the area were also participating, Aldbourne won the Championship Section in doing so earning an invitation to the National Finals held in the Royal Albert Hall in October, Brunel Brass were placed 4th<\/sup> in the 1st<\/sup> Section, Swindon Brass were placed 3rd<\/sup>in the Third section, Bratton Silver were Third Section Champions and together earned invitations to the 3rd<\/sup>Section National Finals held at Cheltenham Racecourse in September. Brunel Brass Acadamy Band also played in the 3rd<\/sup> section following promotion last year, coming 15th<\/sup> form 17 bands. Congratulations to all; Brass Banding is well and truly alive in the North of Wiltshire.<\/p>\n

\n

Our AGM is to be held at the Wroughton Club on Thursday 13 March, and I will include a report next month.\u00a0 Meanwhile our focus is now on our prep for Saddleworth for the Whit Friday March Contests where we are tweaking our costumes in readiness for our \u201cChicken Run\u201d theme.<\/p>\n

\n

We have two more local engagements added to our diary.\u00a0 During the afternoon of Saturday 21st June we are once again playing for the Churches together Cream Tea event at the Catholic Church.\u00a0 This is a fundraising event for the Prospect Hospice.\u00a0 On Saturday 12th<\/sup> July we are playing at Chiseldon Holy Cross Church Fete.<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary as at the 11th<\/sup> March:<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 29 Mar \u2013 100th<\/sup> Birthday (private event)<\/p>\n

Sun 4 May \u2013 Victoria Park Bandstand Newbury<\/p>\n

Sat 7 Jun \u2013 90th<\/sup> Birthday (private event)<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sat 21 June \u2013 Churches Together in Wroughton Cream Teas, Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Jun \u2013 John Cole\u2019s Park Bandstand Chippenham<\/p>\n

Sat 12 July \u2013 Chiseldon Holy Cross Church Fete<\/p>\n

Sat 20 Sep \u2013 Wroughton Charity Concert \u2013 Wroughton Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Sun 5 Oct \u2013 Hillier Funeral Bereavement Support Service<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

January 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve had a very busy but enjoyable time in our run up to Christmas and would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who has so generously supported us at the many and varied venues.\u00a0 Our village pub tour was great fun as always, and depending on your viewpoint, our playing both improved and deteriorated as me progressed through the venues finally settling at the Fox and Hounds where we generally gave up playing and some of our group demonstrated their dancing \u201cskills\u201d.\u00a0 Christmas morning is always a special time, we were as always encouraged by the number of villagers out and about, following us en route or gathering where we stopped to play, offering refreshments, which were gratefully received.<\/p>\n

\n

I\u2019m very pleased to report that the Band managed to get through the demanding Christmas schedule pretty much unscathed, except that by New Year, a significant number of our team had gone down with this nasty virus that is doing the rounds. This resulted in quite a number of empty seats at our first rehearsal back on the 2nd January.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t let that dampen our spirits though as the Christmas music was returned to the library and we had some new music for us to test our sight-reading skills.<\/p>\n

\n

We are now busy in the throws of rehearsing the Test Piece, which for us this year is a piece of music composed by the Swiss composer, Oliver Waespi entitled \u201cFriendly Takeover\u201d.\u00a0 It was commissioned by the Swiss Wind Band Association for the 2016 Swiss Wind Band Convention in Montreaux.\u00a0 We are very much looking forward to working this up for our trip to Torquay in March.\u00a0 We are also looking forward and currently planning our visit to Saddleworth in June, a theme has been decided, but more of that to come.<\/p>\n

\n

I would like to take the opportunity to extend our sincere thanks for the generous support throughout December and 2024 in general and we are looking forward to another year of music making in 2025.<\/p>\n

\n

Our confirmed diary looks a little quieter for the start of the year:<\/p>\n

\n

Sun 2 Mar \u2013 Test Piece preview event \u2013 Devizes Corn Exchange<\/p>\n

Sun 9 Mar \u2013 West of England Regional Contest<\/p>\n

Sun 4 May \u2013 Victoria Park Bandstand Newbury<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests Saddleworth<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Jun \u2013 John Cole\u2019s Park Bandstand Chippenham<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

December 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here I am just half way through the first week of Christmas and we\u2019ve already started our Christmas schedule.\u00a0 However over on Friday the 15th<\/sup> November we were preforming with Students from Ridgeway School department of Creative and Performing Arts and the Wroughton Junior School at our Annual Collaborative Remembrance Concert.\u00a0 It was a very successful concert in every way with great contributions from both the school choirs with some great solos and ensemble pieces from the band.\u00a0 The concert raised \u00a31,200 for the two charities, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help4Heroes and on behalf of the two Schools and WSB, I would like to thank everyone that helped make it such a success not forgetting the sell out audience.\u00a0\u00a0 Over the last weekend in November we ventured over to the Ramsbury Brewery where we had a set amongst other bands and performers entertaining the extremely busy Christmas Market.\u00a0 There was traffic queuing from all directions just to get in and get parked!\u00a0 It was no less busy when in the evening we played for the Wroughton Christmas Tree Light switch on event at Willow Brook Gardens.\u00a0 Thankfully It turned out reasonably dry and the tree does look very resplendent.\u00a0 The people behind the organisation of this event are to be congratulated again.\u00a0 On the Sunday our first supermarket carolling session was also very enjoyable outside Waitrose in Wichelstowe.\u00a0 The Dragonfly Christmas canal cruises were also very busy with Children visiting Father Christmas on board.<\/p>\n

\n

We hope you manage to catch up with us at some point over the Christmas period and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.\u00a0 I\u2019m including our confirmed engagements for the remainder of December and we are looking forward to rehearsing our new Area Contest test piece as we return to rehearsing in the New Year.<\/p>\n

\n

Sun 8 Dec \u2013 Janice Thomson Christmas Concert<\/p>\n

Fri 13th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Wroughton Junior School Christmas Fayre<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Dec \u2013 Wanborough Pubs<\/p>\n

Sat 14 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 15 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 15 Dec \u2013 Shrivenham Carols around the Christmas tree<\/p>\n

Tue 17th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Carols at Ridgeway Hospital<\/p>\n

Tue 17th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Carols at Prospect Hospice<\/p>\n

Wed 18 Dec \u2013 Haydon Leigh Primary Carols<\/p>\n

Fri 20 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert<\/p>\n

Sat 21 Dec \u2013 Carols at Ellendune Shopping Centre<\/p>\n

Sat 21 Dec \u2013 Wroughton Pubs<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Tue 24 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Wed 25 Dec \u2013 Christmas Morning Carols around the Village<\/p>\n

\n

Happy New Year everybody<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

November 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

October passed so quickly having once again entertained the Pleydell Lodge of the Freemasons at their Battle of Britain Dinner and also playing for the British Palestine Police Association (BPPA) service of Remembrance, held at Blunsdon House Hotel.\u00a0 We were also extremely busy with our rehearsals for the November season of Remembrance.<\/p>\n

\n

On Friday the 8th<\/sup> November we travelled to Malmesbury where we once again played in the wonderful Malmesbury Abbey, our favourite concert venue.\u00a0 This was our 64th<\/sup> year supporting the Malmesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion raising money for the Poppy Appeal.\u00a0 Along with a very eclectic mix of music, there were some great solo contributions in our programme this year, and we had our premiere performance of the Tuba quartet, the Bass Boys which is based on the Beach Boys \u201cGood Vibrations\u201d, great fun piece.<\/p>\n

\n

On Sunday the 10th<\/sup> we were back on duty leading the singing at the Parish Church for the Remembrance Service, prior to leading the parade to the War Memorial where we again provided the music for the Act of Remembrance finally marching off to the British Legion March.\u00a0 It\u2019s so important for us to remember those that have fallen during the 2 world wars and all subsequent hostilities, and it is a privilege for us to be able to an integral part of our Village at this time.<\/p>\n

\n

With just time enough for light refreshment, we then made our way up to Radnor Street Cemetery, which contains 86 First World\u00a0War burials\u00a0and 14 from the Second World War. \u00a0We again accompanied the singing, last post and reveille and incidental music for their Act of Remembrance.<\/p>\n

\n

To round up this year\u2019s Armistice events we are looking forward to our Remembrance concert at Ridgeway School on the 15th<\/sup> November together with students from Ridgeway School Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts and Wroughton Junior School.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to believe that this is in its 14th<\/sup> year, we really enjoy working together in this way raising valuable funds for the two charities, RBL Poppy Appeal and Help4Heroes.<\/p>\n

\n

Following this concert, the music will all return to our library to make way for Christmas music in readiness for our busy month of December, and hopefully you will be able to catch us at one or more of the events.\u00a0 We are looking forward to joining the Swindon Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert on Friday 20th December.\u00a0 For information on tickets, there is a flyer in this magazine but tickets do tend to be snapped up quickly so don\u2019t delay.<\/p>\n

\n

Apart from our regular carolling playing jobs (all of which are detailed below) this year for the first time, we are heading out to the Ramsbury Brewery for their Christmas Market on the 30th<\/sup> November and are still trying to sort the driving arrangements.\u00a0 We hope you get the opportunity to catch us through the month of December at one or more of our events if you do come and say hello.\u00a0 With the charity work we do during the year, Christmas is our main fundraising time and is crucial for our running costs.<\/p>\n

\n

For you diaries as at the 11th<\/sup> November, below is a schedule of our confirmed engagements for the Christmas period<\/p>\n

\n

Sat 30 Nov \u2013 Ramsbury Brewery Christmas Market<\/p>\n

Sat 30 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Christmas Tree Lights Switch on<\/p>\n

Sun 1 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 8 Dec \u2013 Janice Thomson Christmas Concert<\/p>\n

Fri 13th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Wroughton Junior School Christmas Fayre<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Dec \u2013 Wanborough Pubs<\/p>\n

Sat 14 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 15 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 15 Dec \u2013 Shrivenham Carols around the Christmas tree<\/p>\n

Tue 17th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Carols at Ridgeway Hospital<\/p>\n

Tue 17th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Carols at Prospect Hospice<\/p>\n

Wed 18 Dec \u2013 Haydon Leigh Primary Carols<\/p>\n

Fri 20 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert<\/p>\n

Sat 21 Dec \u2013 Carols at Ellendune Shopping Centre<\/p>\n

Sat 21 Dec \u2013 Wroughton Pubs<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Tue 24 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Wed 25 Dec \u2013 Christmas Morning Carols around the Village<\/p>\n

\n

May I take this opportunity to wish all our friends and supporters a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

October 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was very fortunate to be away in Corfu for two and a bit weeks in September-October, so missed the sustained period of heavy rain you all had to contend with; I was thinking of you all though, well just a little anyway.\u00a0 Thanks go to Simon Jones who covered me during my absence, and Mark Blackwell, who at very short notice stood up to the plate for the first rehearsal as Simon was unable to cover as planned as he was suffering from a nasty cold.<\/p>\n

\n

We finally got home in the early hours, well 4:00 am on Saturday the 5th<\/sup> after some biblical rain, wind and thunderstorms created havoc to flight schedules on the Friday evening, with incoming planes being diverted into Italy and mainland Greece.<\/p>\n

\n

Straight back to it, we were very happy to support the Hillier Funeral Service 28th<\/sup> Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving held at Christchurch Swindon and it was good that our friends from the Swindon Male Voice Choir provided some appropriate songs and also providing support to the congregational hymn singing.<\/p>\n

\n

November brings us into the period of Remembrance, which continues to be an extremely busy period for the band.\u00a0 This starts with our concert on Friday 8th<\/sup> November in the wonderful setting of Malmesbury Abbey.\u00a0This is the 64th year performing for the Malmesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion.<\/p>\n

\n

Sunday 10th<\/sup> we will once again playing at the Church service On Sunday 10th<\/sup> November immediately following which we will be proudly leading the Parade to the service and period of silence at the War Memorial in Wharf Road.\u00a0 During the afternoon we will be playing for the Remembrance Service held at Radnor Street Cemetery.<\/p>\n

\n

Friday 15th<\/sup> November sees us returning to Ridgeway School where we are delighted to be once again joined by students from Ridgeway School Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts and Wroughton Junior School for our Remembrance Concert.<\/p>\n

\n

Full details of both the Malmesbury and Ridgeway School concerts are on the posters, which are included further in this magazine.<\/p>\n

\n

For you diaries as at the 11th<\/sup> October up to the end of December, below is a schedule of our confirmed engagements.<\/p>\n

\n

Fri 8 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 10 Nov \u2013 Church Service and Parade to the War Memorial<\/p>\n

Sun 10 Nov \u2013 Afternoon Service at Radnor Street Cemetery<\/p>\n

Frid15 Nov \u2013 Remembrance Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Sat 30 Nov \u2013 Ramsbury Brewery Christmas Market<\/p>\n

Sat 30 Nov \u2013 Wroughton Christmas Tree Lights Switch on<\/p>\n

Sun 1 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 8 Dec \u2013 Janice Thomson Christmas Concert<\/p>\n

Fri 13 Dec \u2013 Wanborough Pubs<\/p>\n

Sat 14 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 15 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Sun 15 Dec \u2013 Shrivenham Carols around the Christmas tree<\/p>\n

Wed 18 Dec \u2013 Haydon Leigh Primary Carols<\/p>\n

Fri 20 Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert<\/p>\n

Sat 21 Dec \u2013 Carols at Ellendune Shopping Centre<\/p>\n

Sat 21 Dec \u2013 Wroughton Pubs<\/p>\n

Sun 22 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Tue 24 Dec \u2013 Carols at Waitrose<\/p>\n

Wed 25 Dec \u2013 Christmas Morning Carols around the Village<\/p>\n

\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

February<\/b>\u00a02024<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first few weeks of 2004 we have been devoting a great deal of our rehearsal time on our preparations for our participation in the West of England Brass Band Association Regional Championships in Torquay.\u00a0 The test piece is Philip Sparke\u2019s Triptych, which as the title would suggest is written in three, connected movements, 1. Pageant, 2. Fantasy on One Note and 3. Festival.\u00a0 As we start to get to grips with what will be a real test, we are beginning to really enjoy the \u201cmusic\u201d.<\/p>\n

As part of the process we have been invited to participate in an Area Contest Preview Event at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon, where one band representing each of the 5 sections will perform their respective test piece and we are delighted to have been asked to represent the 2nd<\/sup> section, and in turn gives us the opportunity to listen to the other bands performances too.\u00a0 The actual contest is over the weekend of 9th<\/sup>-10th<\/sup> March in Torquay, with many of our members making a weekend of it taking in the sea air, and hopefully a little more sun than we have been experiencing of late.<\/p>\n

Immediately following the contest it\u2019s firmly back to business as we hold our Annual General Meeting in the function room of the Wroughton Club where we have the opportunity to discuss the business side of the Band \u00a0will be looked after very well by Krysia and her team.<\/p>\n

Our first actual engagement of the year is on Saturday the 16 March, where we will be playing from 11:00 to 12:00 midday as part of the Ellendune Community Centre\u2019s 50th<\/sup> celebrations.\u00a0 We are also preparing for our summer Charity Concert, date and venue to be confirmed but keep you eyes peeled as the details are confirmed. We are also delighted that after the disappointment of last year, to have a couple of dates in the Old Town Gardens band stand which is a great setting for a Sunday afternoon concert.<\/p>\n

Our diary for 2024 is beginning to fill up:<\/p>\n

Sunday 3rd<\/sup> March \u2013 West of England Area Test Piece Preview event at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.<\/p>\n

Saturday 9th March \u2013 West of England Brass Band Association Regional Championships in Torquay.<\/p>\n

Saturday 16th<\/sup> March \u2013 Ellendune Community Centre 50th<\/sup> Anniversay<\/p>\n

Sunday 5th<\/sup> May \u2013 Victoria Park Bandstand Newbury<\/p>\n

Friday 24th<\/sup> May \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests, Saddleworth Oldham.<\/p>\n

Saturday 1st<\/sup> June \u2013 Cream Teas for the Prospect Hospice \u2013 Wroughton Catholic Church<\/p>\n

Saturday 8th<\/sup> June \u2013 Private Wedding Reception Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n

Sunday 16th<\/sup> June \u2013 Bandstand Concert Old Town Gardens<\/p>\n

Sunday 14th<\/sup> July \u2013 Bandstand Concert Old Town Gardens<\/p>\n

Sunday 25th<\/sup> Aug \u2013 Bandstand Concert John Coles Park Chippenham TBC<\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

January 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

2023 drew to a close after a very busy but fulfilling month of December and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters, at the informal carol playing including Waitrose, Ellendune Shops, touring the pubs, Christmas Morning and the more formal engagements at Alexandra Park, Janice Thompson Concert and the Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert. \u00a0We were again pleasantly surprised just to how many people we had following us on our Christmas morning rounds, and how we were made so welcome.<\/p>\n

It was at the Swindon Male Voice Choir concert which took place on the 15th<\/sup> December at Christchurch, Old Town, with our friends from Swindon Male Voice Choir & Janice Thompson Performance Trust Choir, when I had the privilege to present the following set of awards to a very important member of the band, and a truly well-deserved recipient, Mr Neil Webb<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Neil was first presented a \u2018long service award\u2019 for his membership of the band, spanning an amazing 60 years! Neil first joined the band at age 8 in 1963, where current 2nd horn player, Ken Habgood, recalls giving Neil his first instrument.<\/p>\n

Neil\u2019s second award was for his years of service as Musical Director. Neil has been leading the band for 40 years, taking over from our previous Bandmaster, Bob Grant, in 1983. 40 years of service truly is a testament to Neil\u2019s passion and dedication to leading the band, ensuring rehearsals are effective but also enjoyable. As well as rehearsals, Neil comperes all our concerts, and prepares music for all concerts, contests and countless other band jobs throughout each year.<\/p>\n

I bestowed the two awards as a surprise to Neil during the concert, and on behalf of the band, thanking Neil for all that he does.<\/p>\n

Neil\u2019s 3rd award of the evening was presented to him by Shirley Ludford, President of the Swindon Male Voice Choir, for all the years of professional musical services provided by Neil and the band over the years.<\/p>\n

We, as a band, publicly thank Neil for everything both as Musical Director and as a very active committee member, often taking on a list of thankless jobs that get completed to ensure the band keeps on banding. Thank you Neil – here\u2019s to a continued successful and musical future!<\/p>\n

After a short break, and with the Carol books and Christmas music returned to our library, Neil has selected some fresh music to rehearse along with our preparations for the forthcoming West of England Regional Championships.<\/p>\n

Band Diary so far for first half of 2024:<\/p>\n

Sunday 3rd<\/sup> March \u2013 West of England Area Test Piece Preview event at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.<\/p>\n

Saturday 9th March \u2013 West of England Brass Band Association Regional Championships in Torquay.<\/p>\n

Sunday 5th<\/sup> May \u2013 Victoria Park Bandstand Newbury<\/p>\n

Friday 24th<\/sup> May \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests, Saddleworth Oldham.<\/p>\n

Saturday 8th<\/sup> June \u2013 Private Wedding Reception Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n

Michael Pentelow<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

November 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I write this, we\u2019ve just played\u00a0 at our first Christmas engagements.\u00a0 Starting as we meant to go on, over the weekend of the 2nd<\/sup> and 3rd<\/sup> of December, we played at 5 venues and experienced the vagaries of the good old British weather.\u00a0 On Saturday morning, we had a carolling session at Wichelstow Waitrose.\u00a0 Whilst the freezing fog had lifted (temporarily) in the village, as we drove down Wharf Road, the fog returned and that\u2019s how it remained for the one and a half hours, with the temperature remaining below freezing. \u00a0We were well wrapped up and the music carried really well in the stillness.\u00a0 In the afternoon, we were, along with many village folk, at Willow Brook Gardens providing accompaniment for some Carols for the grand switch on of the Village Christmas Tree lights.\u00a0 We were pleased that in addition to good lighting, the Parish Council provided welcome seating for us.\u00a0 2 infant and 2 junior school pupils duly switched on the lights.\u00a0 How good does the tree look again this year, congratulations to all those who had a hand in the provision of this centrepiece.<\/p>\n

Saturday evening, one of our members, Bb Bass player Richard Sunderland celebrated his 50th birthday and we had a very enjoyable evening in the Wroughton Club function room.\u00a0 A late night and a few sore heads as we headed out to Waitrose again Sunday morning this time in the rain but a little milder.\u00a0 We managed to tuck underneath the canopy, which kept most of the rain off us.\u00a0 In the afternoon, we were delighted to be back playing for the Alexandra Park Residents Association Christmas concert.\u00a0 Following the Ellendune Entertainers set of seasonal songs, we gave the audience the opportunity to sing some Carols and played some popular Christmas music.\u00a0 In the evening 10 of us travelled out to St Barnabus Church in Gorse Hill to support the Janice Thompson Performance Trust Choir\u2019s Christmas Concert.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019re looking forward to completing our busy Christmas schedule, which includes playing at Swindon Male Voice Choir Christmas Carol Concert in Swindon Christchurch and culminating in our usual Christmas morning village tour.<\/p>\n

Hopefully you managed to catch us during December, but may I take this opportunity to wish all of our friends and supporters a happy and peaceful New Year.<\/p>\n

Our current diary for the first six months of 2024.\u00a0 Any enquiries to secure our services for potential engagements, please contact us via our website, or directly to secretary@wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday 3rd<\/sup> March \u2013 West of England Area Test Piece Preview event at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.<\/p>\n

Saturday 9th March \u2013 West of England Brass Band Association Regional Championships in Torquay.<\/p>\n

Friday 24th<\/sup> May \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests, Saddleworth Oldham.<\/p>\n

Saturday 8th<\/sup> June \u2013 Private Wedding Reception Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

October 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday the 17th<\/sup> September the day of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain arrived which meant an early start for us.\u00a0 At around 6:15am we left Inverary Road travelling by Barnes Coach to The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse, where along with 19 other bands from across Great Britain gathered as the draw took place for the contest play order.\u00a0 We were drawn 13, just after the lunch break so we had the morning to listen to other bands or drift around the trade stands.<\/p>\n

We played as one of the top twenty bands in the third section nationally and when the results were announced later in the afternoon, we were very happy that the 3 adjudicators considered our performance to be worthy of a 10th<\/sup> position; in the top half (just).\u00a0 It was a good day indeed, and considering we only returned to competing in 2019, with a year out as a result of Covid, this was our second invitation to the National Finals, and our second promotion to where we currently sit in the 2nd<\/sup> section.<\/p>\n

After all that excitement, on Sunday 1st<\/sup> October It was good to be back at Christchurch in Swindon, providing music for the Hillier Funeral Service, 27th<\/sup> Annual Service of Remembrance and thanksgiving, something we as a band have been involved with for many years.\u00a0 It is a very moving and poignant service and part of the Hillier bereavement counselling service.\u00a0 Wroughton was well represented on this occasion, with musical contributions from Ridgeway School 6th<\/sup> Form Choir, under the direction of Becky Jankinson and the Rev\u2019d Phill Harrison delivering the address.<\/p>\n

We are approaching the Band\u2019s busiest period, and on Tuesday 24th<\/sup> October we are again playing for the Pleydell Lodge of the Freemasons at their Battle of Britain Dinner.\u00a0 At the end of October, we have two engagements over the weekend of the 28th<\/sup>\/29th<\/sup> October, both of whish are associated with the British Palestine Police Association (BPPA).\u00a0 On the evening of the 28th<\/sup>, we are playing for the wedding of Ralph Cairns and Sharron Woolley, who are both heavily involved with the organisation, and on the following Sunday morning we will again be playing for the BPPA service of remembrance, both events held at Blunsdon House Hotel.<\/p>\n

We are looking forward to performing in our village again, as at 7:00pm on Friday 3rd<\/sup> November we are delighted to be once again joined by students from Wroughton Junior School and the Ridgeway School Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts at the Concert of Remembrance, held at Ridgeway School.\u00a0 As in prior years, all proceeds from this event to be split equally between the RBL Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes.\u00a0 The following Friday, 10th<\/sup> November, we travel to Malmesbury where we will be joined by Malmesbury Choir for the Malmesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion Armistice Concert held in the wonderful Malmesbury Abbey.\u00a0 Tickets available on the door.<\/p>\n

Full details for these two concerts are included in this Magazine.<\/p>\n

On Sunday 12th<\/sup> November following the Parish Church service, we will be proudly leading the Parade to service and period of silence at the War Memorial in Wharf Road, and the afternoon playing for the Remembrance Service held at Radnor Street Cemetery.<\/p>\n

Dates for your diaries:<\/p>\n

In addition to playing Carols at Waitrose during the weekends in December, our current confirmed engagements are:<\/p>\n

Saturday 2nd<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Wroughton Christmas Tree lights switch on<\/p>\n

Sunday 3rd<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Alexandra Park Residents Association Carols<\/p>\n

Saturday 3rd<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Janice Thomson Christmas Concert, St Barnabus Church Swindon<\/p>\n

Sunday 10th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Shrivenham Christmas Tree lights switch on<\/p>\n

Friday 15th<\/sup> Dec \u2013 Swindon Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert, Christchurch Swindon<\/p>\n

Friday 22nd<\/sup> \u2013 Carols Wroughton Pubs<\/p>\n

Saturday 23rd<\/sup> \u2013 Carols at Ellendune Shops outside Tesco<\/p>\n

Christmas Morning Carols through the Village<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

September 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the children returned to school at the beginning of September, and the meteorological season of autumn started, summer happened, with the heatwave breaking the UK record for the most consecutive days with temperatures above 30c in the month of September.<\/p>\n

The band played at the Prospect Hospice fete on Saturday the 9th<\/sup> September.\u00a0 This is one of our regular village charity events and it was good to return after a break of 3 years where the fete along with so many other events, had been faced with cancellations.\u00a0 During the summer months we were forced to use or take cover to evade the rain, but at the Prospect, it was extremely hot and we were grateful to be able to play under the shade of the trees in the gardens.\u00a0 We started our set as the Fete opened at 12:00 midday and it wasn\u2019t too long before people were arriving and taking advantage of seating in the shaded areas, close to the BBQ and refreshment tent.\u00a0 We had a very enjoyable couple of hours, but I have to say it is very hard work playing in those high, humid temperatures.<\/p>\n

The Prospect was the final event in our summer programme, the music returned to the band library with thoughts of the up and coming period of Remembrance influencing my choices of music for the Concerts and services in early November.<\/p>\n

As I write this though, the band is busy in it\u2019s final week making final preparations for our visit to Cheltenham Racecourse on the 17th<\/sup> September to participate in the National Brass Band Championships\u00a0of Great Britain Finals\u00a02023 in the 3rd<\/sup> section.\u00a0 I will report next month on how we got on.\u00a0 Our social pages will be updated should you follow us.<\/p>\n

Tue 24th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 Masons Battle of Britain Private Dinner<\/p>\n

Sat 28th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 Private Wedding reception, Blunsdon<\/p>\n

Sun 29th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 British Palestine Police Association Remembrance Service<\/p>\n

Fri 3rd<\/sup> Nov \u2013 Armistice Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Fri 10th Nov \u2013 Armistice Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 12th<\/sup> Nov \u2013 Church Service and Parade to the War Memorial<\/p>\n

Sun 12th<\/sup> Nov \u2013 Afternoon Service at Radnor Street Cemetery<\/p>\n

Fri 15 Dec \u2013 Swindon Christchurch with Swindon Male Voice Choir<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

August 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summer 2023 has for us in the UK been a unseasonal cold, wet and windy time which has had an impact on everyone\u2019s plans, not least of all the weekend of the 22nd<\/sup> and 23rd<\/sup> July.<\/p>\n

On the 22nd<\/sup> July, we were privileged to play for the service of celebration for the life of the late Adrian Bowles at Hodson.\u00a0 Held in the grounds of his farm, with a howling gale and horizontal rain, at one point some of our players were physically hanging onto the marquee to prevent it from disappearing down into the valley.\u00a0\u00a0 The service was supported by so many of his family, friends and colleagues with personal eulogies so eloquently delivered.\u00a0 I personally remember Adrian and his sister Diane growing up in the Pitchens in Wroughton and our thoughts are with the family and everyone close to him at this sad time.\u00a0 RIP Adrian.<\/p>\n

The forecast for Sunday 23rd<\/sup> was a little better than the previous day but we spent all morning trying to second guess what it was going to be like in the afternoon.\u00a0 In the end we decided to go ahead with our planned concert in the gardens of the Fox and Hounds and we definitely made the right decision as by some miracle, it stayed dry and the sun even made one of those rare appearances, thank you to all those including the Fox & Hounds, for supporting us.\u00a0 Going forward, we hope we can make this an annual event.<\/p>\n

A few months ago all bands in the local area were invited by the Aldbourne Band to consider working together to form a co-operative or ‘community band’ to pool their resources in order to build the relations and the communication between all of the fantastic organisations. It is hoped this will both help with the immediate issues of each band having problems filling playing gaps for concerts and other engagements, but also lead to young players meeting and befriending a larger group of young players who share the same passion for making music and carry on playing beyond their teens, securing the future of brass banding in our area.<\/p>\n

On Sunday 6th<\/sup> August, Players from Aldbourne Band were joined by players from Wroughton Silver Band, Brunel Brass<\/a>, and Royal Wootton Bassett Brass for the first such event this Sunday on the Green in Aldbourne. \u00a0It was an absolute joy to have a massed band on the village green with players aged from 12 to 87 all enjoying making music together and entertaining a large crowd with all the Proms concert classics along with some ‘golden oldies’ like Padstow Lifeboat!\u00a0 I was privileged to be invited to conduct the second half of the concert, but yet again we had to duck and dive as torrential rain storms passed through, and boy did we get wet.\u00a0 However, it didn\u2019t dampen the proceedings at all and is some ways added to the spirit of the event, with the crowds determined to stay under their brollies and ponchos!\u00a0 It was a great event and we look forward to collaborating in the future.<\/p>\n

On Saturday the 9th<\/sup> September, we are looking forward to playing at the Prospect Hospice Fete, following a break of a couple of years.\u00a0 We will be playing between the hours of 12:00 and 2\/:00pm; let\u2019s hope for some sunshine.<\/p>\n

Saturday 9th<\/sup> Sep \u2013 Prospect Hospice Garden Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 17th<\/sup> Sept \u2013 National Brass Band Championships\u00a0of Great Britain Finals\u00a02023, Cheltenham<\/p>\n

Tue 24th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 Masons Battle of Britain Private Dinner<\/p>\n

Sat 28th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 Private Wedding reception, Blunsdon<\/p>\n

Sun 29th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 British Palestine Police Association Remembrance Service<\/p>\n

Fri 3rd<\/sup> Nov \u2013 Armistice Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Fri 10th Nov \u2013 Armistice Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sun 12th<\/sup> Nov \u2013 Church Service and Parade to the War Memorial<\/p>\n

Sun 12th<\/sup> Nov \u2013 Afternoon Service at Radnor Street Cemetery<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

July 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having recovered form our travels up north, On the 10th<\/sup> June, we played at the annual Cream Tea fundraising event held at St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church, and run by Churches Together in Wroughton.\u00a0 It was a resounding success and I believe well over \u00a31,000 was raised for our local Prospect Hospice charity.\u00a0 Our musical contribution was sadly curtailed after an hour by sudden heavy rainfall, which sent us heading for cover, but we did very much enjoy our complimentary cream teas.<\/p>\n

On Saturday 17th<\/sup> June, we were invited to play at the Greatwood Charity 25th<\/sup> Anniversary event in the lovely surroundings of their grounds in Clench Common to the South West of Marlborough.\u00a0 Helen Yeadon, who runs this charity, was a very good friend of our late President, Julia Langton so we were pleased to be in a a position to support this event.\u00a0 There is a great deal of information on their website concerning the work they do rehoming former racehorses, supporting children with special educational needs and the provision of a wellness retreat.<\/p>\n

www.greatwoodcharity.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Over the weekend of the 7,8,9th<\/sup> July some of our members travelled to Pentylands Farm, for a \u201cband\u201d camp.\u00a0 The parents of Harry, our Bass Trombone player, own the farm and Harry\u2019s mother celebrated her birthday on the Saturday. \u00a0We put on a concert for her birthday playing in what we affectionately call Pentylands Symphonic Barn, due to it\u2019s incredible acoustic.<\/p>\n

On the 20th<\/sup> June we were privileged to play at the Parish Church for the funeral of the late Eric Barrett, a lifetime resident and businessman of the village, who sadly passed away on the 25th<\/sup> May aged 94.\u00a0 It was very appropriate that Eric was carried up the hill to the Parish Church on a Barrett Trailer.\u00a0 The family have been great supporters of the band over many years and I personally have known the family since childhood.\u00a0 When at school, I was one of Eric\u2019s Saturday boys at the works in Moormead Road, where Wainwright Mews is now.\u00a0 R.I.P. Eric.<\/p>\n

We are approaching what is traditionally the busiest period for the band and this year, following our great result at the South West Area Championships in March, we have been invited to compete at the National Brass Band Championships on Sunday 17th<\/sup> September.\u00a0 We are currently well into our preparations into the test piece \u201cThe Lost Village of Imber\u201d composed by Christopher Bond.\u00a0 The village of Imber on Salisbury Plain had been inhabited for over one thousand years when it was evacuated in 1943 to make way for military training during the WW2.\u00a0 At the time, with preparations for the Allied invasion into Europe underway, most villagers put up no resistance, despite being upset, with the belief that they\u2019d return once the war had concluded.\u00a0 To this day, Imber and its surrounding land remain a military training ground.\u00a0 The villagers never returned, and just the shell of what was once a community remains.\u00a0 Structured in three movements, it is on this very real story that this work is based, setting out the series of events of 1943 in chronological order.<\/p>\n

Dates for your diaries:<\/p>\n

Saturday 22nd<\/sup> July \u2013 Private Funeral event at Hodson<\/p>\n

Sunday 23rd <\/sup>July \u2013 Fox and Hounds Garden 3:00pm<\/p>\n

Saturday 9th<\/sup> Sep \u2013 Prospect Hospice Garden Fete<\/p>\n

Sun 17th<\/sup> Sept \u2013 National Brass Band Championships\u00a0of Great Britain\u00a02023, Cheltenham<\/p>\n

Tue 24th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 Masons Battle of Britain Private Dinner<\/p>\n

Sat 28th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 Private Wedding reception, Blunsdon<\/p>\n

Sun 29th<\/sup> Oct \u2013 British Palestine Police Association Remembrance Service<\/p>\n

Fri 3rd<\/sup> Nov \u2013 Armistice Concert Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Fri 10th Nov \u2013 Armistice Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

June 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I write this we are one day away, and looking forward to playing at St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church for their annual Cream Tea fundraising event in aid of our local Prospect Hospice.\u00a0\u00a0 If we listen to the weather forecast it could go two ways, I hope that it is dry and sunny so fingers crossed on that one.<\/p>\n

Our concert at St John Coles Park, Chippenham in May was very successful and well supported, and I thank Clive Compson for taking the stick for me as I was in Corfu on holiday, waiting for summer to arrive.<\/p>\n

On Friday the 2nd<\/sup> June, we again participated in what has become known as \u201cThe greatest free show on earth\u201d, that is the Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday Band Contest.\u00a0\u00a0 We were supported with some of our friends from Swindon Brass. \u00a0It was so much busier this year I imagine as a result of the lifting of COVID restrictions.\u00a0 Some of the busier villages hosted over 70 bands.\u00a0 As always, there is a mix of bands from all sections, including Championship section, one such band, Aldbourne our close neighbours, was also competing and performed well.\u00a0 We, however go for the experience and for the entertainment and social rewards.\u00a0 This year we 100% bought into the fancy dress, and we had so much fun being a band of Pirates, with the approach march, comprising the theme from Captain Pugwash and Pirates of the Caribbean going down well with the crowds.\u00a0 A long, tiring but rewarding day where we started at 4:00pm, and got back to our Hotel at 12:45am, we managed just 5 villages this year, Scouthead, Lydgate, Friezland, Diggle and Dobcross.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth Googling (other search engines are available) Whit Friday Marches just to get a taste of what this Brass Band phenomenon is all about.<\/p>\n

We have a date in our diaries where we will be playing (weather permitting) in the garden of the Fox and Hounds, Sunday 23rd<\/sup> July 3:00 to 4:30pm, and we look forward to seeing you there.<\/p>\n

Dates for your diaries:<\/p>\n

Sunday 17th<\/sup> June \u2013 Greatwood Charity 25th<\/sup> Anniversary event \u2013 Clench Common Marlborough<\/p>\n

Saturday 8th<\/sup> July \u2013 Private party concert at Pentylands Farm including band camp<\/p>\n

Sunday 23rd <\/sup>July \u2013 Fox and Hounds Garden 3:00pm<\/p>\n

Saturday 2 Sep \u2013 Prospect Hospice Garden Fete<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

May 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Sheila Preddy, who was a member of our band for many years prior to retiring to the South Coast.\u00a0 Sheila and her family\u2019s association with WSB is significant as not only did she play the cornet for many years, her grandfather, William Robinson, co-founded WSB, and her three sons also learned and played with the band as young men.<\/p>\n

Sheila is survived by her beloved husband, David, a long time contributor to the Wroughton Monthly during its early years, her four children Jayne, Jon, Pip (Paul) and Nick, their partners, six grandchildren and seven, soon to be eight, great grandchildren.<\/p>\n

Sheila who was born in Wroughton, grew up here, got married here, and raised her own family here, died peacefully at home on Wednesday 12th April, and will be missed greatly by all who knew her.\u00a0\u00a0 Her funeral was held on the 9th<\/sup> May in Poole.<\/p>\n

It is a particularly difficult time for David, as on the 30th<\/sup> March, just prior to Sheila\u2019s passing, his sister Wendy passed away suddenly.\u00a0 It was a privilege to be asked to play for the funeral service on Tuesday 2nd<\/sup> May at Gorse Hill Salvation Army.\u00a0 It was particularly fitting for me to lead the music, as I was part of the guard of honour for Wendy and her husband Peter\u2019s wedding at Wroughton Methodist Church nearly 60 years ago.\u00a0 Wendy and Peter ran a junior section, (Life Boys) of the Boys Brigade in Swindon and I was a member.<\/p>\n

We are all thinking of the families of Sheila and Wendy at this sad time.<\/p>\n

We are continuing with our preparations for our upcoming engagements and our annual visit to Saddleworth for the Whit Friday March Contests.\u00a0 We are hoping for good weather and will be posting pictures on our Facebook page in due course.<\/p>\n

Dates for your diaries:<\/p>\n

21st<\/sup> May \u2013 Bandstand Concert, John Cole\u2019s Park in Chippenham<\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup> Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests, Saddleworth, Oldham<\/p>\n

10th<\/sup> Jun \u2013 Cream Teas at St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church in aid of the Prospect Hospice<\/p>\n

We are currently looking to secure a Sunday afternoon in July, to play in the gardens of the Fox & Hounds.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

April 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

April has been a quiet month for the Band, as new music comes out of our library in readiness for the coming season.\u00a0 It\u2019s been a month of rehearsing music for this year\u2019s engagements, some familiar, some new and something a little more challenging to keep us on our toes.\u00a0 We are also awaiting the arrival of the chosen test piece for the National Finals later in the year.<\/p>\n

We are also preparing ourselves for our annual visit to Saddleworth for the Whit Friday Marches contests. \u00a0After the success of the Wurzels theme last year, we have chosen \u201cPirates\u201d as this year\u2019s theme.\u00a0 I have arranged a mashup of Captain Pugwash and Pirates of the Caribbean for the approach march, and we are using William Rimmer\u2019s Cross of Honour for the Contest march.<\/p>\n

I have received some sad news today, from Jon Preddy about the passing of his mother, Sheila.\u00a0 Both Jon and Sheila were former members of the band.\u00a0 Sheila moved to Barton-on-Sea, in Dorset with her husband David for their retirement, more recently moving to Poole to be closer to Jon and his family.\u00a0 I have no further information at this stage, in the meantime we send our sincere condolences to David and all the family at this sad time.<\/p>\n

Dates coming up:<\/p>\n

21st<\/sup> May \u2013 Bandstand Concert, John Cole\u2019s Park in Chippenham<\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup> Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests, Saddleworth, Oldham<\/p>\n

10th<\/sup> Jun \u2013 Cream Teas at St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church in aid of the Prospect Hospice<\/p>\n

24th<\/sup> Jun \u2013 Church Fete, Chiseldon<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

February 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

January February is often a very quiet time, engagement wise, for the band, as everyone settles in to the New Year, looking forward to longer days and some warmer sun, as it gets a little higher in the sky.<\/p>\n

However, we have been very busy in our preparations for the West of England Regional Championships held on the weekend of 11th<\/sup> and 12th<\/sup> March in Torquay.\u00a0 The test piece for the 3rd<\/sup> Section, Chorale and Toccata composed by Stephen Bulla is based on the Hymn Tune, \u201cVictory\u201d from a Magnificat by Palestrina 1591:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe strife is o\u2019er the battle done,<\/p>\n

Now is the Victor\u2019s triumph won,<\/p>\n

O let the song of praise be sung,<\/p>\n

Alleluia!\u201d<\/p>\n

For interest, there is a wonderful recording of this on UTube by the New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army.\u00a0 I will bring news from the contest in the April magazine.<\/p>\n

We have some private bookings for 2023 already the first being for a \u201csignificant\u201d birthday party at the Ellendune Community Centre on the 11th<\/sup> February, and the second for the 30 Sqn Reunion Dinner on the 27th<\/sup> May at the Hilton Hotel, Junction 16.<\/p>\n

The band AGM is on the 16th<\/sup> March held in the function room at the Wroughton Club, where we will reflect on the past year and discuss our future plans.<\/p>\n

Dates coming up:<\/p>\n

11th<\/sup> Mar \u2013 West of England Regional Championships<\/p>\n

21st<\/sup> May \u2013 Bandstand Concert, John Cole\u2019s Park in Chippenham<\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup> Jun \u2013 Whit Friday March Contests, Saddleworth, Oldham<\/p>\n

24th<\/sup> Jun \u2013 Church Fete, Chiseldon<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

December 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Christmas Carol Books and Christmas music have been out and well used over the lead up to Christmas, and as you read this, will be returned back into our library to rest until December 2023.\u00a0 Hopefully you have been able to listen to us over this crazily busy Festive period, we will have managed over 20 engagements in the run up to Christmas, and I would like to thank each and every one of the band members who have supported me during 2022, and every one who has supported us at our various concerts.<\/p>\n

I am really pleased to report that during 2022, our charity fundraising concerts netted the grand total of \u00a31,995.00.\u00a0 Broken down as follows:<\/p>\n

\u00a3260 –\u00a0 Springboard Special Needs Pre School<\/p>\n

\u00a3260 – Greatwood, the first charity to use former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with special educational needs.<\/p>\n

\u00a3975 \u2013 Royal British legion Poppy Appeal (\u00a3500 from our joint concert with Students from Ridgeway School Faculty of creative and performing Arts, and \u00a3475 from our Concert in Malmesbury Abbey with our guests the Malmesbury Community Choir)<\/p>\n

\u00a3500 \u2013 Help For Heroes, again from our joint concert with Students from Ridgeway School Faculty of creative and performing Arts.<\/p>\n

We look forward to 2023, which will start with our preparations for the West of England Regional Championships held in Torquay in March and we have also booked to travel up to Saddleworth, Oldham for the Whit Friday March contests.\u00a0 We have a decided on a theme but more of that closer to the time.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

November 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are rapidly approaching the end of what has been a very busy, but enjoyable year for Wroughton Silver Band.\u00a0 We have not only enjoyed playing at what have become our regular engagements; we have also had some new opportunities.<\/p>\n

Since last month we have entertained the Pleydell Lodge of the Wiltshire Freemasons in Old Town at their annual Battle of Britain Dinner and on the 4th<\/sup> November participated at the Armistice Concert held at the Ridgeway School where we share the stage with students from the Ridgeway School faculty of Creative and Performing Arts.\u00a0 It was once again a very successful evening with some fine singing and Drama from the Students, ably led by Becky Jankinson, Sharon Hodge and their teams and a varied programme of solo and ensemble pieces from the band.\u00a0 Interestingly, I was chatting to a couple of parents after the concert, and the conversation went something like this, \u201cI was at two thoughts as to whether I would come, as I wasn\u2019t sure if I would enjoy it, but I really did!\u201d\u00a0 She must have been thinking of the band.\u00a0 I think that is a good advert for those not familiar with brass bands, if you get the opportunity, do come and see us at one of our concerts, you never know, you ay be surprised too.\u00a0 All proceeds of this concert are divided equally between the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes and I hope to be able to report on how we did next month.<\/p>\n

This coming weekend, on Friday 11th,<\/sup> we are playing in the wonderful setting of Malmesbury Abbey November for the Malmesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion and this year we I am pleased to report we are to be joined again by the Malmesbury Community Choir.\u00a0 The band is proud to be once again leading singing at the Parish Church Remembrance service on Sunday 13th<\/sup>, and leading the parade to the service at the War Memorial, we are hoping that the weather is kind for all on parade that day.\u00a0 During the afternoon we are again playing for the Remembrance Service held at Radnor Street Cemetery.<\/p>\n

December for the band continues to be crazily busy, and the Christmas events starts on Saturday 3rd<\/sup> at Waitrose in Wichelstowe and Ridgeway School Christmas Market, and Wroughton Tree Lights switch on.\u00a0 In addition to all the other events, our two main concerts are both at Christchurch Swindon, on Friday 16th<\/sup> supporting Swindon Male Voice Choir and Saturday 17th<\/sup> supporting Swindon Choral Society.\u00a0 Both these concerts were sadly cancelled at the very last minute last year as there was a significant increase in cases of what was the new Omnicron variant of Covid; keeping our fingers crossed for this year.<\/p>\n

We shall be playing on the morning of Christmas Eve outside Tescos in Wroughton and through our normal route on Christmas morning, keep you eyes peeled on our social pages for the route and rough timings, it will be great to see you.<\/p>\n

Our full confirmed December Diary at the time of going to press:<\/p>\n

Saturday 3rd<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 10:30 Carols at Waitrose, 14:00 Carols at Ridgeway School,\u00a0 16:30 Wroughton Christmas Tree lights switch on<\/p>\n

Sunday 4th<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 14:30 Alexandra Park Residents Association Carols, 17:00 Janice Thomson Christmas Concert<\/p>\n

Saturday 10th<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 Pre match Carols at STFC, 19:00 Iron Horse Christmas Event<\/p>\n

Sunday 11th<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 10:30 Carols at Waitrose, 18:30 Shrivenham Christmas Tree lights switch on<\/p>\n

Friday 16th<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 19:30 Swindon Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert, Swindon Christchurch<\/p>\n

Saturday 17th<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 10:30 Carols at Waitrose, 18:15 Swindon Choral Society Christmas Concert, Swindon Christchurch.<\/p>\n

Friday 23rd<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 10:20 Carols at Waitrose, Carolling \u201ctour\u201d of the Wroughton Pubs<\/p>\n

Saturday 24th<\/sup> Dec<\/u> \u2013 Carols at Ellendune Shops by Tescos<\/p>\n

Sunday 25th <\/sup>\u00a0Dec<\/u> \u2013 am, Carols through the Village.<\/p>\n

May I on behalf of the members of Wroughton Silver Band, thank you all for your support during 2022, and whilst very conscious of the difficulties throughout the UK and the greater world, hope you are able to have a happy and peaceful Christmas with your families and loved ones, and sincerely hope for better things in 2023.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/a><\/p>\n

September 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re now right in the middle of school summer holidays, and whilst we don\u2019t stop rehearsing, our members with young families have been able to enjoy well-earned time away in this glorious weather.\u00a0 We have been using the time to rehearse some new music and also some more difficult music we\u2019ve had for a while but had difficulty in mastering it in the past all of which we hope to include in our concerts later in the year.<\/p>\n

I would like to thank everyone who came to support our Charity Concert held on the 16th<\/sup> July at our Parish Church.\u00a0 It was a very hot evening, and hats off to those who made it up the hill.\u00a0 The concert was very successful, the band rose to the occasion, with some very tight, musical playing.\u00a0 This concert was postponed for 2 years, and was put on to raise money for two the charities chosen by the families of Danny Lyons, who sadly passed away at the end of 2019 at the age of 95, just a few months after retiring from 60 plus years of playing with us and Julia Langton who was our Band President who sadly passed away earlier that year.<\/p>\n

It was lovely that Danny\u2019s granddaughter, Joanne spoke on behalf of the family telling us some history of Danny\u2019s musical journey after joining the Royal Sussex Regiment as a trainee bandsman after leaving school in Dublin at the age of 16.<\/p>\n

We were also delighted to welcome our current President, Olly Langton, the elder son of the late Julia and Robert, to the concert after travelling down from his home near Edinburgh.\u00a0 He spoke warmly of his mother\u2019s love and support of our band and also of the Charity that Helen Yeadon runs, Greatwood in X
\nClench Common, that looks after retired racehorses and the education of children with special needs.\u00a0 \u00a0It is this charity and Springboard, the 0-5 years specialist pre-school based in Chippenham chosen by Danny\u2019s family and I am delighted to report that a total of \u00a3520 was raised and split equally between the two.<\/p>\n

I would like to extend my thanks to the Revd Phill Harrison for allowing us use of the Church, Karen and Peter Ferguson for providing refreshments and Maja Witka, a student of Ridgeway School, who came and sang for us so beautifully.<\/p>\n

Upcoming dates for your diaries:<\/p>\n

Sunday 18th<\/sup> September – Bandstand Concert at Victoria Park Newbury starting at 3:00pm<\/p>\n

Friday 4th<\/sup> November \u2013 TBC Armistice Concert at Ridgeway School<\/p>\n

Friday 11th<\/sup> November \u2013 Armistice Concert Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sunday 13th<\/sup> November am \u2013 Service and Parade to the War Memorial<\/p>\n

Sunday 13th<\/sup> November pm \u2013 Service at Radnor Street Cemetery<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

August 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since last month, we have been on our travels.\u00a0 On Friday the 10th<\/sup> June, we travelled t\u2019up north to participate in the Whit Friday March Contests around Saddleworth.\u00a0 The M6 is often a bit of the gamble, but our journey was pretty good arriving at our Hotel near Chorley in plenty of time for lunch before setting off on our coach at just after 3:00pm.\u00a0 We normally stay in a Hotel at Hyde which is a little closer, but as it turns out more difficult to get to, but Ed Sheeran was playing Manchester that weekend, so rooms were scarce and prices up 200%!\u00a0 The weather was ideal, and crucially dry which makes for a better experience.\u00a0 We managed to play at seven villages this year, in this order, Lees out Springfield, Grotton, Lydgate, Friezland, Greenfield, Diggle and finally Dobcross where we were band the last but one band playing at 11:00pm 61 bands in total); makes for a long day.\u00a0 The bigger bands participate primarily for the prize money, Black Dyke who won overall came away with around \u00a37,000 in prize money, whereas we are among the entertainment bands, and go purely for the enjoyment and experience.\u00a0 As a band we dressed as the Wurzels and our approach march was an arrangement of Combine harvester. As the evening progressed with more ale consumed, by the crowds of course, the chorus of \u201cOoo Arrr, Ooo Arrr\u201d got increasingly enthusiastic!\u00a0 As quoted by Prof Nicholas Childs, MD of Black Dyke, \u201cThere is no better place to enjoy community brass banding than Whit Friday, with the sun out, great crowds, brilliant bands and fantastic marches there is nothing like it anywhere in the world\u201d and I wholeheartedly agree!<\/p>\n

On the 2nd of July, we were invited to play ay Chiseldon Church and Village fete, fortunately we were provided with cover as sadly the rain that was forecasted arrived and it was quite heavy which is a shame for the organisers but I have to say the visitors were pretty stoic and were taking cover under every spare foot of gazebo, we always had audience and as always we enjoyed playing and entertaining; fetes have a lovely relaxed community feel about them.\u00a0 The following day, we had a wonderful time playing in the Bandstand in Swindon Old Town Gardens. A few spots of rain as we arrived to set up came to nothing and it turned out a lovely afternoon and was really well supported, lots of familiar faces amongst the crowds of people. Our upbeat, lively programme appeared to go down well; a first for us was being applauded off the bandstand following our final piece.<\/p>\n

We are now preparing for a private event (birthday celebration) in Highworth on the 9th<\/sup> July for the parents of one of our members and final preparations for our Annual Charity Concert at the Parish Church on Saturday 16th<\/sup> July.<\/p>\n

Further dates for your diaries:<\/p>\n

Sunday 21st<\/sup> August, Bandstand Concert at John Coles Park in Chippenham starting and 3:00pm<\/p>\n

Sunday 18th<\/sup> September, Bandstand Concert at Victoria Park Newbury starting at 3:00pm<\/p>\n

Our diary is very full indeed for the last qtr of 2022, to be updated next month.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

July 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I write this, we have just returned from Dan and Sarah\u2019s wedding in Croatia where we all had a fantastic time, what a beautiful, clean country and lovely friendly people. \u00a0We are preparing to head to Saddleworth tomorrow (Friday 10th<\/sup> June) for the Whit Friday March Contests which I shall report on next month.<\/p>\n

It was a shame we were unable to feature in the Queen\u2019s Platinum Jubilee village celebrations, but nine of our members, including me, were in Croatia, but we are looking forward to playing at the St Josephs Catholic Church for the Cream Tea Prospect fundraising event on Saturday 18th<\/sup> June at 2:45pm, we are normally blessed with good weather, so fingers crossed.<\/p>\n

Another push for our Summer Charity Concert which is to be held on the 16th<\/sup> July at Wroughton Parish Church, staring at 7:30 pm.\u00a0 Free entry but there will be a retiring collection.\u00a0 This concert is in memory of two very people that were very special to our band, Danny Lyons, our very long-standing Eb bass player, who sadly passed away on the 1st<\/sup> October 2019 just a few weeks before his 96th<\/sup> birthday and Mrs Julia Langton, our late President and great support, who sadly passed away on 16th<\/sup> January 2019.<\/p>\n

Mark your diaries for our upcoming dates:<\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup> July Chiseldon Fete<\/p>\n

3 July Town Gardens Bandstand 15:00 to 16:30<\/p>\n

21st<\/sup> August John Coles Bandstand Chippenham 15:00 to 17:00<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

The band has been busy over the last month or so.\u00a0 Two of our members, my son Daniel Webb, Flugel Horn and Sarah Whitehead Repiano cornet are finally getting married on Friday 3rd<\/sup> of June in Croatia, having had to postpone it twice due to COVID.\u00a0 They really wanted to have music provided by our band, so we have recorded a fine selection of music to be used at various times during the ceremony.\u00a0 The families and friends are looking forward to joining them in Croatia and we all wish them every happiness in their future together.<\/p>\n

On the 7th<\/sup> May, we had the privilege to be invited by the family of the late Mary Barrett and David Barrett to play for the joint memorial service held at Wroughton Parish Church.\u00a0 It was a very fitting service led by Dr John Godfree with contributions from family and friends with us providing the music throughout.<\/p>\n

During the month of June we are playing music at the drinks reception following the wedding of Miss Olivia Feeney and Mr Tom Margesson of Burderop and will also be making the long journey up to Saddleworth to participate in the famous Whit Friday March competitions.\u00a0 This year we are using Wurzels as the theme, playing Combine Harvester as the approach march.\u00a0 Some of the more well known bands are very serious about these contests as there is a lot of prize money to be won, however, we go for the experience, to have fun and hopefully entertain; let\u2019s hope for some dry weather.<\/p>\n

Please mark your diaries for the annual Cream Tea fundraising event to be held at the St Joseph Catholic Church to raise funds for the Prospect Hospice.\u00a0 The date is Saturday 18th June and we will be performing from 2:45pm to 4:15pm.<\/p>\n

I have previously mentioned our Summer Charity Concert which is to be held on the 16th<\/sup> July at Wroughton Parish Church, staring at 7:30 pm.\u00a0 Free entry but there will be a retiring collection.\u00a0 This concert is in memory of two very people that were very special to our band, Danny Lyons, our very long-standing Eb bass player, who sadly passed away on the 1st<\/sup> October 2019 just a few weeks before his 96th<\/sup> birthday and Mrs Julia Langton, our late President and great support, who sadly passed away on 16th<\/sup> January 2019.<\/p>\n

We are supporting Springboard as chosen by the family of Danny and Greatwood again chosen by the family of Julia; both charities providing crucial support to children and young people.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpringboard\u201d is a specialist preschool based in Chippenham run on charitable based funds for children 0-5 years who help children that are experiencing delay.\u00a0\u00a0 This can mean neurodevelopmental such as autism, learning difficulties or children with medical needs. Their catchment area covers North Wiltshire and they are the only specialist service of that kind in the county<\/p>\n

To learn more, their heir website is https:\/\/springboardchippenham.co.uk\/what-do-we-do\/.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreatwood\u201d \u2013 is a charity based in Clench Common near Marlborough and was the first charity to use rescued and rehomed former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with special educational needs.<\/p>\n

Their website for further information is www.greatwoodcharity.org<\/a><\/p>\n

We look forward to being able to support both these charities.<\/p>\n

Other dates coming up: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2nd<\/sup> July Chiseldon Fete<\/p>\n

3 July Town Gardens Bandstand 15:00 to 16:30<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

May 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the Band\u2019s calendar continues to return to normal, our AGM was held at Wroughton Club function room on the evening of Thursday 7th<\/sup> April.\u00a0 The venue and catering provided by Krysia was excellent.\u00a0 The meeting was well attended by our members and we were able to get through the business quite swiftly.\u00a0 The committee must be doing a good job as the members were voted en bloc to continue for another year.\u00a0 Our Chairman, Michael Pentelow reported on our activities over the previous period and also on our membership.<\/p>\n

Votes were cast by our members for the annual awards, and Michael presented them as follows,<\/p>\n

Bandsman & attendance\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Michael Pier Solo Cup\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dan Webb, Flugel solo Concerto D\u2019Aranjuez in Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Most Improved player\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kate Pier Bb Cornet<\/p>\n

Most Improved section\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trombones (Bill Graham, Joy Jones, Andrew Bracher and Harry Livall)<\/p>\n

Performance\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul Collins, Principal Euphonium<\/p>\n

Musical Director Award\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Diana Wagnall 1st<\/sup> Baritone<\/p>\n

Roger Little after starting to learn back in 1958 has been an active member both playing and spells on the committee for 60+ years.\u00a0 Roger started on tenor horn and moved onto Bb bass.\u00a0 Recently his deteriorating eyesight and arthritis in his fingers contributed to his difficult decision to retire from active playing.\u00a0 We presented Roger with an engraved metal watering can together with some garden vouchers, as Roger\u2019s other passion is his garden. \u00a0We wish Roger every happiness as he leaves us to spend more time in the garden, and\/or the Carters Rest??<\/p>\n

We were sad to lose David Ferguson (Euphonium) in the Autumn as he moved to Canada to train and work as a snow board instructor in Vancouver.\u00a0 We have just learnt that he has secured on-going employment at Greater Vancouver Zoo and we wish him every success in his new career.\u00a0 We were lucky to fill David\u2019s seat very quickly, after a chance conversation with Fianc\u00e9e Claire, Michael March a very experienced player has settled quickly into the vacant seat.\u00a0 We have also recruited into our front row cornet section where we have been one short for some time, Mark Blackwell a friend and regular Dep for us, has joined us and has strengthened that section.\u00a0 With Roger\u2019s retirement, we have again been lucky to quickly recruit into our Bass section with another of our regular Dep\u2019s, Richard Sunderland joining us.\u00a0\u00a0 We welcome Michael, Mark and Richard into our ranks.<\/p>\n

Our AGM progressed to the social part of the evening where we progressed to our regular skittles where \u201cThe Big Dream Boys\u201d (Bass section) won the team game and by some fluke, I won the game of killer, \u00a3\u00a3\u00a3\u2019s.<\/p>\n

On the 3rd April, after an early start me made our way to Cheltenham Racecourse where we competed in the 3rd<\/sup> Section of the South West Region of the National Brass Band Championships.\u00a0 We were drawn to play second in the first half of the draw.\u00a0 We were very pleased with our performance and result, coming 4th<\/sup> out of 14 bands, and if the rules hadn\u2019t just been changed, we would have secured promotion to the 2nd<\/sup> Section.\u00a0 We would also like to congratulate our friends at Aldbourne who by winning the Championship Section become West of England champions, the first time since 1981; a terrific result.<\/p>\n

Dates in our diary:<\/p>\n

We are playing for a wedding on the 21st<\/sup> May, Whit Friday Marches on the 10th<\/sup> June, Cream Teas at St Josephs Saturday 18th<\/sup> June, Chiseldon Fete 2nd<\/sup> July, Swindon Town Gardens Bandstand on 3rd<\/sup> July, our annual charity concert Saturday 16th<\/sup> July at Wroughton Parish Church, Chippenham Bandstand 21st<\/sup> August, Victoria Park Newbury Bandstand 18th<\/sup> September<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

April 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first quarter of the year for us at WSB has now become the time where we prepare for the one Contest we participate in.\u00a0 We spend a fair amount of our time focussed on the test piece, both as a complete ensemble and splitting rehearsal into sections of the band to give us the opportunity to work up and try and perfect the more tricky elements of the music.\u00a0 It is a good discipline for the band and does bring the opportunity to improve the overall standard of the band\u2019s performance at our engagements.<\/p>\n

Looking forward to when we get out and about, following our AGM on Thursday 7th<\/sup> April our first engagement is a new one for us; we are playing for the 30 Squadron (RAF) Association dinner on 30th April.\u00a0 Following this on Saturday 7th<\/sup> May we are honoured to play at Wroughton Parish Church for the Mary Barrett, and David Barrett Memorial Service.\u00a0 The family have been supporters of our band for many years, and I worked for Eric at the Moormead Road works, where Wainwright Mews is now, as a Saturday boy.<\/p>\n

Other dates in our diary include a wedding on the 21st<\/sup> May, Whit Friday marches on the 10th<\/sup> June, Cream Teas at St Josephs Saturday 18th<\/sup> June, Chiseldon Fete 2nd<\/sup> July, Swindon Town Gardens Bandstand on 3rd<\/sup> July, our annual charity concert Saturday 16th<\/sup> July, Chippenham Bandstand 21st<\/sup> August, Victoria Park Newbury Bandstand 18th<\/sup> September.\u00a0 Returning from the restrictions imposed by Covid, it is thankfully quite a busy season for us to enjoy.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

March 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

I mentioned last month about our participation in the West of England Regional Finals of the National Brass Band Championships and the test piece, Facets of Glass we were starting to work hard on.\u00a0 You can imagine our disappointment when on the evening of 24th<\/sup> January we received a notification from the organisers, during a sectional rehearsal, that due to an extension of the venue\u2019s use as a vaccination centre, and with no alternative available, the contest was to be cancelled.\u00a0 Well, it was great to receive notification on the 1st<\/sup> February that a new venue had been secured at the Cheltenham Racecourse albeit it on a later date 7th<\/sup> April, so we\u2019re excited to be back on track and looking forward to the challenge.\u00a0 We are also starting to think about music for the coming year as our diary begins to take shape.<\/p>\n

As a heads up to get date in your diary, we are presenting a charity concert on Saturday 16th<\/sup> July and are very grateful to the Rev\u2019d Phill Harrison for again allowing us use of the Parish Church Building.\u00a0\u00a0 The concert is, as a result of Covid, a couple of years overdue; it is to raise funds for two Charities, the Greatwood Charity in Marlborough that cares for retired racehorses, and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust.\u00a0 The former is the chosen charity of the family of our late President, Julia Langton who sadly passed away on the 16th<\/sup> January 2019 and the latter the chosen charity for the late Danny Lyons, Eb Bass player with us for over 60 years who sadly passed away just a couple of months shy of his 96th<\/sup> birthday later that same year.\u00a0 We are looking forward to repeating the success of a similar event held at the Church a few years back where we raised funds for both the Prospect Hospice and the local Parkinsons support group.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

February 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dark nights are just beginning to shorten a little, although not that you\u2019d really notice quite yet.\u00a0\u00a0 However, it is no longer dark in any corner of our band room as, thanks to one of our members, Derek Webb, all our old fluorescent lighting units have been replaced by super bright white LED units which are both very effective and will be so more efficient.\u00a0 I am always entertained with the excuses, sorry reasons, for missing key changes, and we have one less now as we can all see!<\/p>\n

Sadly, the two main Christmas concerts where we were invited to join the Swindon Male Voice Choir on the 17th<\/sup>, and the Swindon Choral Society on the 18th<\/sup> both in Christchurch Swindon, were both cancelled at very short notice in light of the ever-increasing spread of the latest variant of Covid.\u00a0 It was of course the right decision but still a real disappointment for all concerned.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0I would like to extend our thanks to everyone who supported us over the Christmas period. Despite being few in number and up against it time-wise we were pleased to be able to play out on Christmas morning, it seems to go down well and is always a joy for us.\u00a0 So, all the Christmas music in our rehearsal pads has been returned to the library not to see the light of day for another 10 months or so.<\/p>\n

Our return to rehearsal on the 6th<\/sup> January gave us the opportunity to have our first look as an ensemble at the test piece for the West of England Regional Finals of the National Brass Band Championships to be held in March at the Torquay Riviera Centre.\u00a0 Composed by Gordon Langford, Facets of Glass was first published in 1984 originally commissioned for the Pilkington Northern Open Brass Band Championships, St Helens. \u00a0Written in four movements, Prelude \u201cFusion\u201d, Scherzo \u201cCelebration\u201d, Meditation \u201cLathom Park Chapel\u201d and Finale \u201cVisions\u201d.\u00a0 On first run through, I think we are going to enjoy the challenge.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

January 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

We were lucky in the south to miss the brunt of storm Arwen where other parts of the country endured severe weather.\u00a0 We were expecting disruption to the Wroughton Christmas Lights turn on event at the Ellendune but in the end it was just cold and quite windy with the tree this year looking quite resplendent, I would say the best ever. \u00a0At the time of writing, this was our first Christmas engagement with the rest of December looking very busy and I hope you were able to enjoy some of our Carols and Christmas music at some point during then month.<\/p>\n

We have received confirmation that the grand sum of \u00a3965.57 was raised at the Remembrance Concert held at the Ridgeway School back in November, which is another great result and so encouraging for all those that participate and support this event. As in prior years this is split equally between the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help4Heroes.<\/p>\n

With January comes the time where we sift though our library and start putting together the music for our 2022 performances.\u00a0 We are very lucky to have amassed over 2,000 titles many of which are out of print and there will be also many that are \u201ctime expired\u201d both in terms of title and arrangement.\u00a0 It is however something we have always tried to keep up to date in order to keep our audiences entertained and our members challenged.\u00a0 We have recently purchased a copy of the test piece for the West of England Regional Finals of the National Brass Band Championships held in March at the Torquay Riviera Centre.\u00a0 As we lead up to this our focus will be on the preparations to give our best performance, which is all I ask for; if we do well and get in the placing\u2019s in our section, then that is a real bonus.<\/p>\n

It is encouraging to already have quite a number of bookings already in the band diary for this coming year, both regulars and some new ones, which is great.\u00a0 We always welcome enquiries for our services and these can be directed via our website, myself or any of our members.<\/p>\n

Wishing all of our families and supporters a healthy and prosperous New Year.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb<\/p>\n

Musical Director<\/p>\n

www.wroughtonsilverband.com<\/p>\n

December 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

November has been a very busy month.\u00a0 I am immensely proud of what we have been able to achieve in the relatively short time we have been rehearsing in person. The annual Remembrance Concert at the Ridgeway School was again a sell out and as always the contributions from both the Ridgeway School and Wroughton Junior School made for such a good evenings entertainment.\u00a0 It has been wonderful to be part of this concert since its inception and whilst at the time of writing numbers are yet to be confirmed, going on prior years, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the proceeds are close to \u00a31,000 and will be split equally between the RBL Poppy Appeal and Help4Heroes.\u00a0 Thanks to everyone that makes this village event possible.<\/p>\n

Our Remembrance Concert at Malmesbury Abbey on the 12th<\/sup> was one of the best, if not the best since the beginning of my tenure.\u00a0 Our guests on this occasion were the excellent Malmesbury Community Choir under the Direction of Laurie Jones. We hope we can team up with them again in the future.\u00a0 It was suggested that we had been putting on the concert for the RBL since 1972, however our eldest member, Ken Habgood, who was band secretary at the time recalls that it was 1960 or 1961 when we first performed, that\u2019s 60 years! (well 59 as sadly along with so many other things it was cancelled last year)<\/p>\n

Sunday morning arrived and the weather was absolutely perfect, dry, still and very mild too.\u00a0 After playing for the hymns at the short outdoor service at the Parish Church, we led the parade down the hill to the war memorial for the service and two minutes silence.\u00a0 There appeared to be a record number of Wreathes laid this year which was a little challenging for us, having to repeat Nimrod 4 times before giving in to exhaustion! There are many videos that have appeared on the social platforms, I know I am biased but I think the band sounded and looked great on the day and I would like to thank all the people that have made such lovely comments.\u00a0 We are always pleased to be able to contribute to this important village coming together in Remembrance.<\/p>\n

After a hurried lunch, we attended the Radnor Street Cemetery In the afternoon and played for their Remembrance Service.\u00a0 There are 104 War Graves in the cemetery.<\/p>\n

As we return to rehearsals after this busy week, our pads will be full of Christmas music in readiness for December.\u00a0 Our diary is quite full, we are playing for the Wroughton Christmas tree lights turning on November 27th<\/sup> and during December, Alexandra Park Carols, Shrivenham Christmas Tree Lights, Guests for Swindon Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert and Swindon Choral Society both in Swindon Christchurch and various venues throughout the month Carolling culminating with our Carols through the village on Christmas morning.\u00a0 For further details please follow us on Facebook and our webpage, Wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/p>\n

As the year comes to a close I would like to wish all our friends and supporters a very Happy Christmas and look forward with positivity to a healthy New Year and all that brings.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

November 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Autumn is now upon us and we are rapidly heading into our busy November season of Remembrance.\u00a0 Posters for full details of our two regular Concerts are in this copy of the magazine, namely Wroughton, on Friday 5th<\/sup> November at Ridgeway School and Malmesbury, on Friday 12th<\/sup> November.\u00a0 We are hoping for fair weather for the Parade to the Cenotaph on Sunday 14th<\/sup>.\u00a0 It\u2019s feeling great to be back and the anticipation for us is palpable.\u00a0 Our first engagement on the 26th<\/sup> October is the Battle of Britain Dinner at the Masonic Lodge, Swindon Old Town, which has become a regular one for us and always appears to go down very well with those in attendance.<\/p>\n

Also, our Committee is back up and running on all cylinders and apart from all the \u201cnormal\u201d discussions we have been looking at our band room to seek out ways of reducing our carbon footprint, granted it is pretty small in the overall scheme of things but every little helps.\u00a0 We have started by changing our lighting, which consisted of very old fluorescent tubes.\u00a0 They are currently in the process of being changed to LED and apart from the anticipated savings in running costs the difference is amazing, so much so I will have to start powdering my forehead to reduce glare.\u00a0 Thanks to our member Derek Webb for organising this.\u00a0 We are also looking forward to progressing our replacement uniforms; lockdown has had quite an effect, most of our uniforms appear to have shrunk!<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

October 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday the 4th<\/sup> September, what a beautiful sunny morning and whilst it did cloud over a little in the afternoon it did nothing to deter the absolute joy we felt to be playing to an appreciative audience for the first time since March 2020 at the Churches together fundraising cream tea event at St Joseph\u2019s Catholic Church.\u00a0 The cream teas were, as always great and I understand over \u00a31,400 was raised for Prospect Hospice.<\/p>\n

Our diary over the next month or so is as follows:<\/p>\n

Tuesday 26th<\/sup> October\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Battle of Britain Dinner, Masonic Lodge, Swindon Old Town (Private Event)<\/em><\/p>\n

Sunday 31st<\/sup> October\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 British Palestine Police Association Remembrance Service, Blunsdon (Private Event)<\/em><\/p>\n

Friday 5th<\/sup> November\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Remembrance Concert at the Ridgeway School, just confirmed watch for further details.<\/p>\n

Friday 12th<\/sup> November\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malmesbury Royal British Legion Remembrance Concert at Malmesbury Abbey<\/p>\n

Sunday 14th<\/sup> November \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Remembrance Service and Parade<\/p>\n

We held our band AGM on Thursday 9th<\/sup> September at the Wroughton Club function room.\u00a0 The venue and catering provided by the club was excellent.\u00a0 Awards were finally able to formally make the awards for 2019.\u00a0 Noel Hunt, Bands person, Mike Webb Best Solo, Frosty the snowman at Christchurch, Diana Wagnall, most improved player, Diana and Bryan Jones, most improved section (Baritones) and Derek Webb, Muppet Moment award for when his mobile phone went off to the ringtone \u201cSweet Home Alabama\u201d during Noel\u2019s rendition of Last Post at the Palestine Police Remembrance Service.<\/p>\n

We were able to get through the business quite swiftly enabling us to move onto our regular skittles.\u00a0 The Cornet B team won the team game, and Roger Little won the game of killer with Wilma Naylor putting up a good fight taking it up to the wire.\u00a0 Wilma tells us she let Roger win as she provided the skittles and didn\u2019t want to be accused of fixing it, ummm?<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

August 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Good news, we have at last been able to hold regular indoor rehearsals as a full ensemble as we have found a suitable venue where we are able to work within the 2 metre social distancing COVID guidelines as currently set out, and it is so good, a long time coming.\u00a0 However, sadly, the Town Gardens bandstand concert at the end of June was cancelled due to the continuing COVID restrictions, as was our involvement in the British Palestine Police Association (BPPA) Centenary Service held at the Temple Church in London on Saturday 3 July.\u00a0 This was to be the most prestigious venue ever for the band, a once in a lifetime experience and we were so excited to be asked to play.\u00a0 The actual Centenary was July last year but along with so many other things, COVID forced the changes.<\/p>\n

I was very privileged to be invited to represent the band at the Centenary Dinner the night before held at Middle Temple Hall.\u00a0 We had an official tour earlier in the day, with so much history, I had a job to take it all in but one of the many facts was that the first performance of Shakespeare\u2019s Twelfth Night took place there in 1602!<\/p>\n

The following day we were led to the service by a young man playing the part of a young Palestine Policeman carrying the standard complete with mounted escort from the City of London Police into Temple Church which dates from 1185.\u00a0 It was a very emotional service and reflection commemorating the 349 men who gave their lives attempting to keep some peace in a troubled Holy Land.\u00a0 The service was led by The Rev\u2019d Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of Temple Church and the music and singing was provided by the Organist and a choir of 4 led by their MD, Roger Sayer. \u00a0\u201cThe Holy City\u201d is the hymn that is so important to the BPPA, it was so sad they were unable to sing, having said that the choir\u2019s rendition was simply stunning and took it\u2019s toll on the emotions of those in attendance.\u00a0 Whilst trying to put aside the disappointment of being unable to participate, I was thankful that one of our ex-members, Ian Standley, a Captain in the Salvation Army, who was transferred to Dulwich last year to work at the SA Training College, popped across to play the Last Post and Reveille to a standard worthy of the occasion.<\/p>\n

Our first engagement in our diary is at the Wroughton Churches Together cream tea event on Saturday 4th<\/sup> September a fundraising event for the Prospect Hospice.\u00a0 We are hoping to be able to play somewhere in the village before then. \u00a0Please follow our Fbook \u00a0and\/or Web pages for details as they become available.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

July 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

We thoroughly enjoyed our first full rehearsal at the barn in Highworth, I think I can speak for all of us there that it was quite moving as we produced our first notes together for 14 months helped by the surprisingly brilliant acoustic in what we have now nicknamed \u201cPentylands Cathedral\u201d.<\/p>\n

We are pleased and excited to be back rehearsing together albeit adhering to the social distancing measures we have to abide to.\u00a0 Whilst the Zoom rehearsals were a useful way of keeping things ticking over it\u2019s great that we are no longer staring into a computer screen and are able to be together.<\/p>\n

Really hoping that next month there will be more positive news to report as we get back to doing what we love, sharing our music with our supporters.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

June 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another month has passed, the days are drawing out and the evenings lighter.\u00a0 Things have been ticking over and we have been continuing with our on-line zoom rehearsals and our outdoor group of six and whilst only one of these has been cancelled due to rain, it has been quite chilly especially when the sun sets in the evenings.<\/p>\n

We were due to play in John Coles Park bandstand in Chippenham early June, but sadly this was cancelled.\u00a0\u00a0 However, all being well we will be playing in Swindon Old \u00a0Town Gardens Bandstand on Sunday 27th<\/sup> June 3:00pm which will be a real treat for us that\u2019s for sure.<\/p>\n

We are looking forward to being able to move indoors again for rehearsals from the 17th<\/sup> May, social distancing rules will still be in place, which means we can only have 13 at a time, but it will be a step forward.\u00a0 Also, one of our member\u2019s parents has a farm in Highworth and they have kindly given us access to a barn where we will be able to rehearse as a full ensemble; really looking forward to this as it will be the fist time since March 2019 that we have been able to do this.<\/p>\n

Arrangements are progressing nicely for our trip to London to play in Temple Church on the 3rd<\/sup> July.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

March 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s really hard to believe that it is almost a full year since we last played as a full ensemble to a live audience, yes we have undertaken some remote recordings and videos and in between the various stages of lockdown a few of us have managed to get together to play on half a dozen occasions but there is nothing like playing in the live setting, it\u2019s what we do and what we really miss.\u00a0 However since December we have explored the use of the dreaded Zoom to get some remote rehearsal time together.\u00a0 A little sceptical to start with, but we are now holding two rehearsals a week using this platform.\u00a0 How does it work? I can hear you ask.\u00a0 Basically I lead the rehearsal by playing a recording of each piece of music, whilst getting everyone to play along with the recording whilst muted on the zoom call.\u00a0\u00a0 Whilst it will never replace \u201cnormal\u201d group rehearsal, there are real benefits; it gives everyone the opportunity to get back into the routine of regular playing in a virtual ensemble where individually, they can only hear themselves and the recording and there is also the social side too, which we are all missing terribly.\u00a0 Downside for me is I cannot hear anything that is being played, as I too can only hear the recording \u2013 perhaps that\u2019s why the members are happy to participate!<\/p>\n

We are starting to get provisional dates in our band diary for 2021 but obviously cannot commit to anything as yet.\u00a0 The vaccination program locally has moved into the next grouping, so this afternoon, (9th<\/sup> Feb) I am grateful to be heading over to the Steam Museum to get my 1st<\/sup> Vaccination.\u00a0 This has to be our way out of this roller coaster ride of lockdowns and tier group restrictions.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s hope for more positive news next month and in the meantime, please stay safe everyone.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

January 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

The month of December was so far removed from normal for us, but it turned out we had a window of opportunity to be able to play on Christmas morning within the then guidelines.\u00a0 The weather was lovely albeit chilly it was dry, bright and very still, which is the perfect scenario for sound to travel.\u00a0 This helped us in our endeavours, as we made an appearance in the village playing Carols, albeit very small in number and a whistle stop tour, it was lovely to see some familiar faces as we made our way.\u00a0 We\u2019re normally out for three hours, but as Govt. guidelines changed reducing the already small window of opportunity for families to get together to just the one day, we decided to keep our time out to just one and a half hours enabling our members to get back to family celebrations in good time.<\/p>\n

I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of WSB, for the generosity of our supporters on the day.\u00a0 Brass Bands, even village bands such as ours are surprisingly expensive to run and maintain and here we are nearly a year into this virus with no performances or fundraising.\u00a0\u00a0 Our hopes for a quick return to rehearsing in this New Year have been dashed with the move into Tier 4 and now the necessary return to complete lockdown so we are now looking to explore new ways of remote activity.<\/p>\n

Keep safe and please continue to support all those essential workers in these difficult times.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

December 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am really pleased to report that, directly as a result of our Remembrance Facebook videos posted in November the grand sum of \u00a3228 was gifted to the Royal British Legion poppy appeal through our Facebook page.\u00a0 On behalf of the RBL, and us I would like to say a big thank you to all those who contributed in this way.<\/p>\n

As I type this, we are just about to come out of lockdown, moving into Tier 2 and awaiting official guidance from the Department for Culture Media and Sport as to what we may be able to do during December under the restrictions.\u00a0 So many people have been asking me whilst on my daily walks with Pippa my Border Terrier, if we will be able to bring some festive cheer by playing Carols at our usual haunts throughout the village.<\/p>\n

I really hope things worked out and the official guidance allowed us to play in some form giving our followers the opportunity to enjoy our performances, socially distanced of course.\u00a0 I also sincerely hope that you were able to enjoy your Christmas and New Year celebrations in the very best way within the restrictions.<\/p>\n

As we start this New Year, we at WSB, are all very much looking forward to being able to get back to rehearsing and performing as a full ensemble once again, we are missing the music making and each other\u2019s company; hopefully this will be not too far away.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

November 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

This last month has been a month of highs and lows.\u00a0 At the end of October we managed two rehearsals in our band room, after spending some time making our rehearsal room compliant with the rules as set down by the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport).\u00a0 The interpretation of these rules was greatly assisted with the help of Brass Band England, especially with our preparation of our risk assessment.\u00a0 To adhere to the distancing rules, we divided the band into two small ensembles and it was great to be playing together again albeit in groups of 13 in number.\u00a0 \u00a0Whilst sadly, \u201cLockdown 2\u201d has put a stop to this, we are now prepared and in a position to return immediately once we move out of lockdown.<\/p>\n

Our participation in the service at the Parish Church and leading the parade to the act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph is pivotal in our annual diary of events and it was so very sad that in these difficult times it was unable to go ahead its usual form.\u00a0 With this in mind a massive thank you goes out to the members of the Wroughton & District Branch of the Royal British Legion, Wroughton Parish Council and everyone who was involved in the organisation of the wreath laying at the Cenotaph, with social distancing measures in place and adhered to and the full event being live streamed on the Parish Council Facebook page.\u00a0 Daniel Webb, our Flugel Horn player was honoured to be asked to play the Last Post and Reveille and doing a sterling job representing WSB at our first public engagement since the middle of March, \u201cLest we Forget\u201d.<\/p>\n

For those that follow our Facebook page, you will have viewed a few video recordings culminating on the 11th<\/sup> November with our remote recording of the Royal British Legion March together with the montage of photographs of prior year parades and Acts of Remembrance at the Cenotaph; thanks to Pat Fletcher and Chris Moody for these photographs.\u00a0 Thanks also to our members who recorded their individual parts and Chris Webb who spent many hours putting these videos together and also to those who have donated to the Poppy Appeal fund using the link attached to our videos.<\/p>\n

December is going to be so different this year, we would normally have around 25 formal and informal engagements leading up to and including Christmas day, I hope we will be able in some way to bring some festive cheer by playing Carols and incidental Christmas music in our home Village.<\/p>\n

To close, on behalf of Wroughton Silver Band, I would like to extend our best wishes for the coming Christmas Festive season, and hope we are all able to spend some much needed time with our friends and families.\u00a0 As I type this, there are positive news reports on the development of a Covid-19 vaccine, l sincerely hope that for the New Year, with time, we can begin to return to some of \u201cnormality\u201d and a better place for all.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb MD<\/p>\n

October 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are now at the start of what would normally be our busiest period in the year.\u00a0 The month of November brings the period of Remembrance and it\u2019s really sad that as a result of Covid, the village will not be coming together to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of service men and women on the 8th<\/sup> November.\u00a0 This is the first year that our band has not been able to participate in the Church service and lead the parade and provide the music for the service at the Cenotaph since the band reformed at the end of WW2.<\/p>\n

However as our contribution this year, we have been working on some isolation recordings and if all goes to plan you may have seen these on our Facebook page where we hope to have set up a fundraising page to raise money for this year\u2019s Poppy Appeal.<\/p>\n

Our engagements over this period have grown for a while now, October normally sees us entertaining the Pleydell Lodge of Swindon Freemasons for their Battle of Britain dinner and providing incidental music for the British Palestine Police Association\u2019s service of Remembrance in Blunsdon.\u00a0 In addition to the Remembrance parade and services November would traditionally include playing at Radnor Street Cemetery for their act of remembrance, the concert at Ridgeway School and the Abbey in Malmesbury, which are probably our favourite concerts.<\/p>\n

It is unbelievable that nearly eight months have passed since the original lockdown in March, during this time we have been unable to rehearse or perform in any shape or form and we are missing it so much.\u00a0 I\u2019m really hoping I may be in a position to report something more positive next month.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, please continue to keep safe, and watch out for what we are up to on our Facebook and Web pages. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

Sept 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last month I wrote about our planned Band Camp in Chipping Norton over the weekend 14th<\/sup>-16th<\/sup> August.\u00a0 We studied the forecast with particular interest as very heavy rain was forecast for the whole of the weekend and even some of our seasoned campers were considering calling off.\u00a0 However, we took a real punt and apart from early hours of Sunday morning, when the rain was torrential for several hours.\u00a0 I still have this vivid memory of seeing my Border Terrier, on only her second camping expedition, looking at the roof of the tent and looking at me as if to say \u201cwhat the dickens is that noise!\u201d\u00a0 It was however a good test for all the tents that were in attendance.\u00a0 This may come as a bit of surprise to some of you, but several of us spent a couple of hours on the Saturday visiting the Hook Norton Brewery, a couple of miles north of the campsite.\u00a0 This Brewery is well worth a visit, a Victorian family owned Tower Brewery founded in 1849 and still has the working Steam driven pump for extracting the water; this is only used occasionally for the tours.\u00a0 The children particularly enjoyed seeing the dray horses, the adults enjoyed sampling the range of beers.<\/p>\n

Since my last report, we were encouraged by the publishing of guidance to help bands such as ours to return to rehearsing, both outdoors and indoors.\u00a0 To enable this there was, as you would expect a number of things we would have to do to enable a COVID safe rehearsal space.\u00a0 We are lucky to have our own rehearsal room, so Committee members spent time at the band room undertook a full risk assessment using a tool that was made available to us and we were able to put a plan together to enable indoor rehearsals, albeit with only half of the band number at a time in order to comply with the distancing guidelines.\u00a0 However, there were changes announced just yesterday, when the Gov\u2019t announced the banning of social gatherings above six.\u00a0 As a result of this, we feel there will be a specific announcement that will put the brakes, or further changes on the brass band movement\u2019s return to rehearsal.\u00a0 We of course understand the bigger picture, but it really is one pace forward two paces back.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the meantime we will continue with our isolation recordings.<\/p>\n

Please continue to keep safe, and watch out for what we are up to on our Facebook and Web pages. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

Aug 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Guidance was issued on the 3rd<\/sup> June that we could rehearse outdoors albeit limited to a group of 6, 3 metres apart which we managed on four dry evenings.\u00a0 It was encouraging that we were able to meet even with these restrictions to try and re-engage.\u00a0 It was however unfortunate that not every one of our members were able to participate when on the 9th July the guidance changed with immediate effect. \u00a0Stating: \u201cNon-professionals should currently not engage in singing or playing wind and brass instruments with other people given these activities pose a potentially higher risk of transmission.\u00a0 Research is on going and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has commissioned further scientific studies to be carried out to develop robust scientific data for these activities. Existing and emerging evidence will be analysed to assist the development of policy and guidelines.\u201d\u00a0 We have not received any further updates at this time.<\/p>\n

The famous Cory Band are hosting a virtual entertainment contest early September where bands are able to present a short ten minute programme of music of there own choice, recorded individually in isolation and we have registered to participate and will bring you news in due course.<\/p>\n

With Remembrance on the horizon and the real likelihood that we will be unable to participate as a band in any form due to the current restrictions, we are looking to create an online video, in a similar fashion to the one we did for the VE Centenary but with a just giving link in support of the Poppy Appeal for the two branches of the Royal British Legion that we have been associated with for so many years; Wroughton and Malmesbury and District.\u00a0 Please keep your eyes peeled for news with this.<\/p>\n

Last year, our Bass Trombone player, Harry Livall, suggested a weekend band camp in Cirencester.\u00a0 We had 8 pitches on the events field at the Mayfield site and it was a resounding success, so much so we repeated it July this year with the site owners looking forward to us putting on an impromptu concert, but it was the weekend of the announcement so sadly we were unable to.\u00a0 We are looking forward to a further weekend of camping in Chipping Norton during August, one of our members has decided camping is not for them, so has bought a caravan for this and future camps!<\/p>\n

Please continue to keep safe, and watch out for what we are up to on our Facebook and Web pages. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

July 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I sit down to prepare my update for this month, I was saddened to learn that the Italian composer Ennio Morricone has died in Rome at the age of 91 following a fall.\u00a0\u00a0 He scored more than 500 films over 7 decades leaving an incredible legacy of great music some of which is being featured on radio today as a tribute.\u00a0 His credits include the \u201cspaghetti westerns\u201d that made Clint Eastwood a star.<\/p>\n

As I think about his music, I am reminded that we at WSB are very lucky to have over many years, created a library of nearly 2,000 pieces covering all genres.\u00a0 Much is out of print and some also with more tape holding it together and annotations than what was actually printed.\u00a0 We have three pieces featuring Morricone\u2019s music, Gabriel\u2019s Oboe from the film The Mission, the main theme to Cinema Paradiso and a selection featuring music from the aforementioned spaghetti westerns, which concludes with the theme from the Good Bad and the Ugly.<\/p>\n

We are so looking forward to being in a position to be out playing his music along with others from our repertoire to our loyal followers, but as time goes on I\u2019m becoming more and more concerned that it will be a very long time before this will happen.\u00a0 In the meantime, we continue to work on isolation recordings and in line with current guidance, we will continue our recent practice of rehearsing outdoors limited to a group of 6, 3 metres apart, weather permitting of course.<\/p>\n

Please continue to keep safe, and watch out for what we are up to on our Facebook and Web pages. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

Jun 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, things have continued to be very quiet for us during the last month.<\/p>\n

However, you may have seen the great Cory Band on the National news at the beginning of April with their isolation recording of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the interview with their young percussionist, Emily Quick on BBC breakfast.\u00a0 Each player video records their own part at home and the technical wizard stitch them together to create a video recording of the whole band; all clever stuff.<\/p>\n

We are always up for a challenge, so starting small we went about initially creating small ensemble recordings of A Groovy Kind of Love, You and a couple of versions of Happy Birthday.\u00a0 Well we then went for it, took a while but with willing participants and Chris Webb doing the Tech bit, we created our own full band isolation recording of Disco Inferno and are just plucking up courage to post it on social media.\u00a0 It\u2019s been hard work and great fun in equal measure, but no substitute for the real live performances that we so enjoy.\u00a0\u00a0 We are now in the process of creating something for the VE day celebrations and if it all works, you will have probably spotted it on our Facebook page on Friday 8th<\/sup> May.<\/p>\n

Please keep safe, and watch out for what we are up to on our Facebook and Web pages. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

May 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Along with all group activities, WSB rehearsals came to an abrupt halt towards the end of March as we adhered to the government lockdown guidance.\u00a0 Whilst very much appreciating this is a very small price to pay with so many people suffering and lives\u2019 lost as a result of this terrible COVID-19 virus, we are all really missing the band family.\u00a0 Not only for the music making, but the banter, humour and friendships that have grown over time.\u00a0 This, just at a time when we returned on a real high from the West of England Regional Championships in Torquay, where we earned a very creditable 4th<\/sup> place in the 3rd<\/sup> Section following our promotion last year.\u00a0 We have been trying in a small group to start with, to find ways of using technology to independently perform as a group.<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly this virus has taken its toll on our immediate diary, which was filling up nicely.\u00a0\u00a0 Our annual visit to Saddleworth is the first casualty having been cancelled by the organisers and our charity concert planned on June 27th<\/sup> at the Deanery School has sadly been postponed until 2021.\u00a0\u00a0 This will be in support of two charities close to two people that were special to our Band, the late Julia Langton who was band President for many years and Danny Lyons who played Eb Tuba with us for over 60 years and passed away a few months back just a few weeks shy of his 96th<\/sup> birthday.<\/p>\n

Currently our diary looks like this, but given the current circumstances still very likely to change:<\/p>\n

June 6th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Churches together in Wroughton cream tea event at St Josephs Catholic Church in aid of Prospect Hospice<\/p>\n

June 28th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bandstand concert, Swindon Town Gardens.<\/p>\n

July 4th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Temple Church London, centenary service for the establishment of the Palestine Police Force.<\/p>\n

August 30th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bandstand concert, Victoria Park, Newbury<\/p>\n

We will keep our Web (wroughtonsilverband.co.uk) and Facebook pages updated with any further changes as and when they occur.<\/p>\n

I would personally like to extend my thanks to Noel Hunt who has recently stepped down from the demanding roles of Chairman and publicity officer, both positions he held for many years. I am pleased to report that following a virtual AGM vote we have been able to appoint Michael Pentelow as Band Chairman and David Ferguson as publicity officer.<\/p>\n

Neil Webb \u2013 Musical Director<\/p>\n

March 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

The early months in our year are always interesting and difficult to predict. Looking out of the window there is the encouraging signs of spring. Snow drops in full bloom, daffodil buds just starting to open and new green growth starting to appear. Contrasting this however it is still raining hard, blowing a gale and roof tiles are literally falling off around me. Luckily our band rehearsal evenings are more predictable. We are of course practising hard for the regional contest in Torquay on the 15th March. This year our test piece is called \u2018Endurance\u2019 and depicts Sir Ernest Shackleton\u2019s ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914-16. Being a narrative piece of music about such a journey, the music isn\u2019t all \u2018plain sailing\u2019.<\/p>\n

The band is already getting quite a lot of our summer \u2018Sunday afternoon in the park\u2019 engagements confirmed along with some new ventures for us. We are very excited and honoured that we have been asked to travel to London in July and play for the Palestine Police Association\u2019s Centenary church service at Temple church. Our first concert date for the year is June 27th<\/sup>. Following the great success of our concert last year we have organised another one for this year. The evening will be raising funds for two charities in memory of our late president Julia Langton and our late bass player Danny Lyon. The theme for the evening will be \u2018Musicals\u2019 so there should be something for everyone. More on these two events later in the year, but please put June 27th<\/sup> in your diaries now.<\/p>\n

Band Diary:<\/u><\/p>\n

March 15th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Regional contest in Torquay<\/p>\n

June 5th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Whit Friday marches, Saddleworth, Yorkshire.<\/p>\n

June 14th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Broadgreen Street food festival, Swindon<\/p>\n

June 27th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charity concert, The Deanery School, Witchelstow, Swindon.<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

January 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wroughton Silver Band is delighted to announce that Oliver Langton has accepted the invitation to take on the role of Band President.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Olly Langton was born in March 1981 in the Princess Alexandra\u2019s RAF Hospital, Wroughton living with his family in Hodson.\u00a0 After a brief experiment in Hertfordshire, the family moved back to Wiltshire in 1989 and Olly, with his brothers Charlie and Will have all lived in the area since.\u00a0 Olly studied at Edinburgh University and then went into teaching, first in Ecuador as a volunteer and then in Berkshire before moving to Radley College in Oxfordshire where he has taught History, coached sport and run a boarding house for 70 13-18 year old boys since 2013.\u00a0 He has plenty of talented musicians in his house and several excellent brass players, but is a (retired) pianist himself.\u00a0 His connection with the Wroughton Silver Band comes through his late mother, Julia.<\/p>\n

Olly is very proud to be following in the footsteps of his great uncle, Sir Henry Calley, his parents, Robert and Julia Langton, all of whom took great pleasure in supporting the Wroughton Silver Band in this role and is looking forward to continuing the long family association with the Band.<\/p>\n

December 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

On 27th<\/sup> October of course the clocks changed, luckily for the band it gives us the \u2018extra\u2019 hour. Just after ten o\u2019clock we assembled at Blunsdon House hotel for the Palestine Police Old Comrades reunion, so anyone forgetting to change their clocks would be early and not late. Having said that I don\u2019t think any of our members have ever been late. Although it\u2019s October the band counts this as our first \u2018Remembrance\u2019 engagement of the year. Sadly, each year sees a smaller gathering of veterans than the year before, but it\u2019s still strong gathering with the support of relations. The band has already been booked for next year\u2019s centenary gathering.<\/p>\n

Two weeks later we were at Malmesbury Abbey for our annual concert organised the local branch of the Royal British Legion. What a great evening it turned out to be with a very responsive audience and the band sounding really good. The concert was themed around Movie music and I\u2019m sure I heard some impromptu singing and humming from the audience. It was very nice to have the mayor of Malmesbury in the audience.<\/p>\n

Sunday the 10th<\/sup> of November was of course Remembrance Sunday. It was great to see the parish church once again packed with standing room only, and not much of that left either. The parade down the hill to the war memorial was bright and dry which was a thankful change from the continual rain from the previous day. Whilst the wreaths were being laid the band played \u2018Hymn to the fallen\u2019 from the film \u2018Saving Private Ryan\u2019. Just as the first solo drumbeats were sounding out the cloud moved away, and the assembled crowd was bathed in radian sunshine. My music changed from being on white cardboard to that of golden yellow. Wonderful timing.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s now onwards to Christmas and the band is going to be busier than ever this year. Once again, we are playing with the Swindon Male voice choir at Christ church in Swindon. This year it is their centenary year so I\u2019m sure there will be some extra special items from them. Unfortunately, at the time of going to press the tickets are virtually sold out. If you are disappointed this year all I can suggest is that you look out to book early next year. Hopefully you will have the opportunity to hear the band at some other time through December. Please come and have a chat and even ask us to play your favourite carol or Christmas tune.<\/p>\n

Dec. 1st<\/sup> Alexandra Park Carols. Alexandra House. 14.30<\/p>\n

4th<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carols by the Canal. Waitrose \/ H and W, Swindon. Time tbc<\/p>\n

6th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Lewis, Swindon. 18.00-20.00<\/p>\n

7th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Iron Horse Christmas Event, Kerrs Way, Wroughton. 19.00-20.00<\/p>\n

8th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bromham Church Christmas Tree Festival, Nr. Devizes.15.00-16.00<\/p>\n

11th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sainsburys Stratton, Swindon. 19.00-20.30<\/p>\n

13th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prospect Hospice, Wroughton. 19.00<\/p>\n

15th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Lewis, Swindon. 12.00-14.00<\/p>\n

15th<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shrivenham Village Christmas tree.18.30-19.30<\/p>\n

18th<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Lewis, Swindon. 18.00-20.00<\/p>\n

20th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SMVC, Christ Church, Swindon. 19.30-21.45<\/p>\n

21st<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ellendune Shops. 10.00-12.00<\/p>\n

21st<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Lewis, Swindon. 14.00-16.00<\/p>\n

22nd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Waitrose, Swindon. 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00<\/p>\n

22nd<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Methodist Church Service.17.00-18.00<\/p>\n

23rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Lewis, Swindon. 18.00-20.00<\/p>\n

25th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Village. 9.30-12.30<\/p>\n

On behalf of all in Wroughton Silver Band may I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Joyful New Year.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Wroughton Band Chairman<\/p>\n

November 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother Great Result\u201d.<\/p>\n

The morning of September 14th<\/sup> saw most of the band setting off on a coach from Wroughton to Cheltenham Racecourse. No, not to for a day out at the races, but The National Brass Band Championships sectional final. The whole band gathered at the racecourse at 8.15am to hear the order in which the bands were drawn to play. Would we be first on? Second?…..no last! We had to wait until all the other seventeen bands had played. An estimated time of 2.30 -3pm. Oh well, time for a last-minute practice. The other bands had come from across the country, an area stretching from Scotland to Wales and London to Cornwall. The top two or three bands from each of seven regions were competing.<\/p>\n

We had a guest conductor for the day, Simon Jones, as our own (Neil Webb) was away in sunnier climes on holiday, along with Brian and Joy and of course Hazel. Simon rather took us by surprise by \u2018suggesting\u2019, as part of our practice, that we sang our parts. Thankfully we were to play not sing on stage. Our time to perform came, some nerves, a lot of excitement and plenty of encouragement from Simon. \u201cJust do your best and enjoy it\u201d. It\u2019s one of those occasions that doing one\u2019s best doesn\u2019t guarantee that you win, but it does mean that you can be proud of what you achieve. We were extremely pleased to be placed a very commendable eighth out of the eighteen.<\/p>\n

With the music from the contest still ringing in our ears, rehearsal nights start in earnest for Remembrance weekend and of course Christmas. November and December are by far the busiest months of the year for the band.<\/p>\n

Diary of Engagements:<\/p>\n

November 8th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Concert and Service of Remembrance at Malmesbury Abbey. 7.30pm<\/p>\n

10th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Parish Church service and Parade. 10.00am<\/p>\n

15th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Concert and Service of Remembrance, with and at Ridgeway School. 7.00pm<\/p>\n

(tickets and details from the school)<\/p>\n

30th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Christmas Lights Switch on Event.<\/p>\n

December \u00a01st<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alexandra Park residents Christmas celebrations.<\/p>\n

3rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carers Christmas Concert. Christ Church, Swindon.\u00a0 7.00pm<\/p>\n

7th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Iron Horse Christmas Event, Kerrs Way, Wroughton. 7.00pm<\/p>\n

8th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bromham Church Christmas Tree Festival.<\/p>\n

20th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Christmas Concert with Swindon Male Voice Choir. Christ Church, Swindon.7.30pm<\/p>\n

(tickets and details from the Male Voice Choir)<\/p>\n

There is of course always a high demand for tickets for the Ridgeway School concert on November 15th<\/sup> and the Christmas concert on December 20th <\/sup>so buy yours early to avoid disappointment.<\/p>\n

Along with many people in Wroughton, we were all sad to hear of the death of Danny Lyons early in October. Danny had played Bass with the band for more years than I can remember. It was only earlier this year that he had decided it was time to \u2018hang up\u2019 his mouthpiece and retire from playing at the young age of 95. A true musician who could regularly \u2018fox\u2019 many of the band with his musical knowledge, understanding and ability. Thank you, Danny, for your many years of playing with the band and a fond farewell.<\/p>\n

Noel\u00a0 Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

October 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Autumn has once again arrived, with the evenings drawing in and central heating being set to come on. The band had a successful summer and to the large part the weather was kind to us. We enjoyed two good Sunday afternoons in the park. One at Victoria park in Newbury and one in John Cole\u2019s park in Chippenham. We did get a little bit wet at the Broad Hinton and Uffington fete but that didn\u2019t dampen our spirits or that of the members of the public. With our gazebo overhead we managed to play on through the rain with Dan and Andy even sitting out in the rain to play their duet. No, it wasn\u2019t \u2018Singing in the rain\u2019 either. \u00a0It wasn\u2019t quiet as wet as with the \u2018Titanic\u2019 but the phrase was heard, \u201cand the band played on\u201d. We have had a busy rehearsal time through the summer in preparation for the Brass Band National Finals in Cheltenham at the beginning of September. Our guest conductor, Simon Jones, visited for our regular rehearsal night and extra Saturday sectional practices. Our rehearsal schedule climaxed with an evening rehearsal at the new \u2018Deanery\u2019 school in Wichelstowe, where we had hired the concert hall. We were joined not only by Simon but had the privilege of Dr. Robert Childs putting us through our paces too. It was great to have Robert back with us again; he ran a master class day with us a couple of years ago. The contest final is on the 14th<\/sup> of September, so I shan\u2019t be able to write about the day until the November issue of the magazine. Although I guess many of you will find out how we get on before then. We hope our Musical director, Neil, enjoys his long-booked holiday in the sun while we are doing our best under Simon\u2019s baton. A huge thank you to Simon for agreeing to guest conduct us for the contest.<\/p>\n

There will be no rest after Cheltenham but rehearsing full steam ahead for Remembrance week in November. Our concert dates have been confirmed for Malmesbury Abbey and Ridgeway School. Both are always great evenings, particularly when we combine with the choirs and performing arts at Ridgeway. Make sure you get your tickets early, further details from Ridgeway school.<\/p>\n

Diary of Engagements :<\/u><\/p>\n

Novembe<\/u>r<\/p>\n

Friday 8th<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malmesbury Abbey. Concert and service of remembrance. 7.30pm.<\/p>\n

Sunday 10th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Service and Parade. Wroughton Parish Church. 10.00am.<\/p>\n

Friday 15th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ridgeway School. Village concert and Service of Remembrance. Evening. Time TBC.<\/p>\n

December<\/u><\/p>\n

Sunday 1st<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alexandra Park Residents Christmas event.<\/p>\n

Sunday 8th<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bromham Church Christmas Tree Festival. Afternoon. Time TBC.<\/p>\n

For all our up to date details check our web site or follow us on facebook. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> and @wroughtonsilverband.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

September 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since the last time I put my metaphoric \u2018pen to paper\u2019 a lot has happened with the band.<\/p>\n

Early in July we had our charity concert at Wroughton Parish church. There was an enthusiastic audience that almost filled the building. The band played music including James Bond collection, A closer walk with Thee, Gladiator and Highland Cathedral. By the end of the evening we had raised the fantastic sum of \u00a3735 to be shared between Prospect Hospice and Parkinson\u2019s UK. Thankyou to everyone who came and gave so generously. Thanks also to the helpers from Prospect, Parkinson\u2019s UK and to Revd Harrison for allowing us to use the Parish Church.<\/p>\n

The following weekend we had our band room \u2018tidy day\u2019. Making sure everything is spick and span for the next twelve months. Particularly outside the building before the seasons change.<\/p>\n

The 3rd of August saw us return to the parish church. This time to play for the wedding of Chris, our kit percussion player and his now wife Jo. With Chris\u2019s father, Neil, being our musical director, his two brother Daniel and Michael (also ushers) along with Aunty Joy, Uncle Brian and cousin Richard also playing in the band it really became a family affair in more ways than one. With all the logistics of being in the right place at the right time sorted all went well. A very enjoyable service. Congratulations to Chris and Jo and best wishes for a long a happy marriage from all in, and connected with, Wroughton Silver Band.<\/p>\n

Whilst preparing for both these important and happy occasions we are also rehearsing hard for our next contest appearance at Cheltenham in September. A challenge in itself with many of the band enjoying long awaited summer holiday.<\/p>\n

Although we have bookings starting to come in for the Christmas season, I won\u2019t rush the time away just yet by publishing them, but here are a few of our coming engagements:<\/p>\n

September<\/u><\/p>\n

Sunday 1st<\/sup> John Cole Park, Chippenham. 3-5pm<\/p>\n

Saturday 14th<\/sup> National Brass Band Championships, Cheltenham.<\/p>\n

October<\/u><\/p>\n

Tuesday 22nd<\/sup> \u2018Battle of Britain and D Day\u2019 night at Swindon Masons.<\/p>\n

Sunday 27th<\/sup> Palestine Police Old Comrades Association Reunion.<\/p>\n

To finish some more funny musical mis quotes:<\/p>\n

Con moto\u2014 I have a car<\/p>\n

Allegro\u2014a little car<\/p>\n

Maestro\u2014-a bigger car<\/p>\n

Noel hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

July 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summer is here! The band once again enjoyed playing at St. Joseph\u2019s Church during the afternoon cream teas on the 1st<\/sup> of June. Sat outside with cream tea in hand, or on a plate if you prefer, and the sun shining. It must be officially the start of summer. Last month I was writing that April and May was a quiet period for the band. Well it certainly has proved to be the \u2018lull before the storm\u2019. We are so busy over the next few months the we are unfortunately having to decline requests to play at some events. Not something that we enjoy doing, or in fact are used to doing, but there is, sadly, only so much we can manage in one weekend. Being out and about playing is what we are all about, so to have to decline that opportunity is difficult.<\/p>\n

Please do come up and chat with us at events and let us know what music that we play you enjoy or even don\u2019t enjoy. At some of our summer engagements we hope to have some brightly coloured plastic instruments available for anyone who wishes to have a go. No age limit, no pressure, just a bit of fun. All you have to do is hold and blow, what could be difficult in that?!…… You never know you may have hidden talent.<\/p>\n

Our big emphasis for July is out Charity concert on the 13th <\/sup>at the parish church. The evening has a Movie theme to the music. We will also be playing the piece of music we performed at the Torquay contest. There is no admission charge, and all money from the retiring collection is going to Prospect Hospice and Parkinsons UK. It would be great to have a full church supporting these two very worth while charities.<\/p>\n

Engagement diary:<\/u><\/p>\n

June 29th<\/sup> Chiseldon Fete (14.00-16.00)<\/p>\n

July 13th<\/sup> Wroughton Village Concert. Wroughton Parish Church. (19.30)<\/p>\n

August 3rd<\/sup> Wedding (private event)<\/p>\n

August 18th<\/sup> Victoria Park Band Stand, Newbury (15.00-17.00)<\/p>\n

August 31st<\/sup> Broad Hinton and Uffcott Village Fete<\/p>\n

September 14th<\/sup> National Brass Band Championships section final at Cheltenham racecourse.<\/p>\n

October 27th<\/sup> Palestine Police Old Comrades Reunion (private event)<\/p>\n

December 1st<\/sup> Alexandra Park Carols.<\/p>\n

My silly musical notations interpretations this month are with holidays in mind:<\/p>\n

Coda\u2014served with chipsa<\/p>\n

Codetta\u2014a child\u2019s portion<\/p>\n

Tutti\u2014an ice cream<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

June 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

The end of April and May have proved a welcome quiet period for the band. We\u2019ve had no engagements just lots of time for practice. It is however very much the lull before the storm as we look forward to a very busy few months. Being busy is good for us though as that is what we are about, playing music and performing.<\/p>\n

Last month you will remember that I mentioned a village concert to follow on from our contest success. I\u2019m pleased to say that it is all arranged and booked. The date and venue for your diary is, July 13th<\/sup> at Wroughton Parish Church starting at 7.30pm. The evening has a film theme so there should be lots of music for everyone to recognise and hum along to. Admission is free, with a retiring collection and all proceeds being shared between Prospect Hospice and Parkinson\u2019s UK. Please come along and enjoy a great evening of music and help us support these two very worthy causes.<\/p>\n

Engagement diary:<\/u><\/p>\n

June 1st<\/sup> Cream Teas at St. Joseph\u2019s church (tbc)<\/p>\n

June 14th<\/sup> Whit Friday Marches (Saddleworth, Yorkshire)<\/p>\n

June 23rd<\/sup> Town Gardens Band Stand, Swindon (15.00-16.30)<\/p>\n

June 29th<\/sup> Chiseldon Fete (14.00-16.00)<\/p>\n

July 13th<\/sup> Wroughton Village Concert. Wroughton Parish Church. (19.30)<\/p>\n

August 18th<\/sup> Victoria Park Band Stand, Newbury (15.00-17.00)<\/p>\n

August 31st<\/sup> Broad Hinton and Uffcott Village Fete<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

May 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

It Just gets Better and Better!<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s that time of year when things start getting better. Lighter evenings, warmer weather, spring flowers and blossom. Things are also getting better and better with the band too. You will remember last month I wrote about our success at coming second at the Regional heats of the National Brass Band Championships. We\u2019d only just got the trophy plaque engraved when we received another communication from the organisers to inform the band that we have been promoted to the Third Section, as of January 2020. To those not familiar with the system it\u2019s rather like the football leagues. The forth section is the lowest participating bands (forth division), up through the third, second, first and to the championship section at the top (premier league). If you see any members of the band around the village you can recognise them by a big, ear to ear, smile. With the amount of interest and congratulations that we received both in person and via social media (thank you to you all) we are organising a concert in the village to play our contest piece and a selection of our current repertoire. The provisional date is the 13th<\/sup> July, venue to be confirm but it will be in the in the village.<\/p>\n

We enjoyed an evening playing at the Swindon Stroke Support Club in early April. It\u2019s an evening that we look forward to and enjoy each year and judging by their enthusiasm the members do to. This year our play list focused on music connected with films, both new and old.<\/p>\n

Engagement diary:<\/u><\/p>\n

June 1st<\/sup> Cream Teas at St. Joseph\u2019s church (tbc)<\/p>\n

June 14th<\/sup> Whit Friday Marches (Saddleworth, Yorkshire)<\/p>\n

June 23rd<\/sup> Town Gardens Band Stand, Swindon (15.00-16.30)<\/p>\n

June 29th<\/sup> Chiseldon Fete (14.00-16.00)<\/p>\n

July 13th<\/sup> Wroughton Village Concert (19.30)<\/p>\n

For any other Information go to our web site www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

April 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wroughton Silver Band hit the right notes.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

It was in mid-February that the band held it\u2019s A.G.M. at the White Hart in Wroughton. A long with the usual report, accounts and committee elections we also present our awards for the previous year. These cover both the serious and fun sides of our year, from the Soloist award to the Muppet moments. It was with great pleasure that we were able to confirm that starting this year the soloist award would be presented in memory of our late Principal cornet player and friend Mike Pier. His wife was at the meeting to present a cup to the band engraved \u201cThe Mike Pier Solo Cup\u201d.<\/p>\n

The awards this year were:<\/p>\n

Bandsman:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ken Habgood<\/p>\n

Most Improved Section:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Basses<\/p>\n

Most Improved Player:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Diana Wagnal (Baritone)<\/p>\n

Soloist:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul Collins (Euphonium)<\/p>\n

Rehearsal \u00a0Attendance:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Roger Little (Bass)<\/p>\n

Well done to all our winners.<\/p>\n

We also had great pleasure in welcoming Mr. David Jennings as a new Vice President, in recognition of his ongoing outstanding contribution to the band.<\/p>\n

Following the meeting we had light refreshments and time for socialising and skittles.<\/p>\n

Some twenty years ago Wroughton Silver Band decided to stop competing in the National Brass Band Championships and instead focus on community-based concerts and charitable fund raising. Most of the present-day members therefore had little or no experience of competition playing. This year we decided we would widen our playing skills and enter the regional heats. It would be a chance to see how our standard compared with other bands of similar ability. The regional heats were held on the 9th<\/sup> of March in Torquay and our set piece of music for the forth section was \u2018Stantonbury Festival\u2019 by Ray Steadman-Allen. So from the beginning of the year to March 9th we have been practising harder than usual. Extra rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, guest conductors and rehearsing in different venues.<\/p>\n

Most of the band booked into one hotel in Torquay which gave time for some final rehearsal. Over the weekend the regional heats were held for all the sections from fourth right up to the Championship level. Somewhere in the region of two and a half thousand musicians descended on Torquay.<\/p>\n

With seventeen other bands from all over the west of England in our section, we hoped that our standard of playing would put us somewhere around tenth place. We were thrilled, proud and excited to be placed second, and dare I say just slightly surprised. This result offers the band a place in the finals of the competition, to compete with the other top three bands from each region in the country. A great result and experience for all in Wroughton Silver Band.<\/p>\n

Watch this space to find out what happens next, follow us on facebook or our website www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

December 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

What a month November has been. Getting used to the change of clocks, a definite drop in temperature and of course autumn colours. With the extra anniversary remembrance events this year, November has been the busiest the band has had for many years. I\u2019ll include Palestine police Old Comrades Association reunion which was right at the end of October. There is a phrase that they frequently use to describe difficult work that the Palestine Police undertook in the Middle East which I think we could all learn from – \u201cto the best of their ability, a job well done\u201d.<\/p>\n

Our annual concert in Malmesbury Abbey was on the 9th<\/sup> of November. The wet and wind didn\u2019t stop the audience, that was in good singing voice, turning out for an evening of music and song. The spectacular architecture rang to the sound of \u2018Keep the home fires burning\u2019 and then the more sombre \u2018Onward Christian Soldiers\u2019 and Last Post.<\/p>\n

The very next evening we were at Wroughton Parish church for the \u2018100 Armistice Anniversary.\u2019 Joining with the church choir and choral society made for a very special evening. The church echoed with music, verse and song. The formal music of Elgar, Parry, Greig and Hingley was mixed with the community singing of \u201cI do like to be beside the seaside\u201d, \u201cHello,hello! who\u2019s your lady friend\u201d and \u201cIf you were the only girl in the world\u201d. A very special village event for this year. Our thanks to John Henderson for all his hard work making this occasion a reality.<\/p>\n

A mere 13 hours later we were back at a packed parish church for Sunday morning service. It was really good to see so many from the young uniformed groups. Thank you all for showing that this special service has a relevant place in village life and that it has a good future. As the vicar said, it seemed particularly appropriate that there was so much life and energy in the building to mark the occasion. It is always a privilege for the band to play for this service, and then to lead the parade down the hill to the war memorial. Not only was the sun out and shining, but the village residents were out in force too. As flags fluttered in the bright autumn sunlight the Last Post soared over the silent figures and up through the shimmering trees. Three hours later, with the sun still shining, a small band were at Radnor Street cemetery for a short service to mark this year\u2019s centenary. Radnor street cemetery is home to a number of\u00a0 WW1 grave stones that have been restored for this year.<\/p>\n

At the time of writing of course we hadn\u2019t yet had our evening concert at Ridgeway school on the 16th<\/sup>, so on to Christmas!<\/p>\n

Our diary of Christmas engagements is growing by the day. Our main concert this year is once again with the Swindon Male Voice Choir at Christ church in Swindon, on the 21st<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Some of our engagements are:<\/p>\n

25th<\/sup> November \u2013 Old Town Christmas Lights Switch on<\/p>\n

1st December- Wroughton Village Christmas Lights Switch on.<\/p>\n

2nd -Alexandra Park community Christmas event<\/p>\n

2nd \u2013 Thamesdown Ladies Choir Carols at St.Barnabus church, Swindon. 7.00-8.30pm<\/p>\n

8th-Moormead Nursing Home<\/p>\n

9th-Bromham Church, Chippenham. 2.00-3.00pm<\/p>\n

19th- Prospect Hospice 7.00-7.30pm<\/p>\n

21st- Swindon Male Voice Choir, Christ church, Swindon.7.30-9.30pm<\/p>\n

This is a selection of our engagements over the Christmas period. For the full list of our engagements please see our web-site\u00a0 www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas, and a peaceful New Year, and to thank you for your support during 2018.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Wroughton Silver Band Chairman<\/p>\n

October 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, another month has flown by with weather for all seasons. With most of our summer holidays fading into the past already, we are looking forward to a busy period for the band. Our rehearsal pad of music is bursting at the seams. A very busy Remembrance weekend will be followed very quickly by Christmas music.<\/p>\n

Once again we had a really good afternoon at the Prospect Hospice Garden Fete, back at the beginning of September. Judging by the amount of people there, we weren\u2019t the only ones. The weather stayed fine and there was plenty of people milling about enjoying the stalls, teas and music. Thank you to everyone who sat and listened to the band and particularly the people who came up and chatted to us.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, we have a new venture this year which we are greatly looking forward to. On Saturday the 10th<\/sup> of November we are joining with our friends in Wroughton Choral Society and Wroughton Parish Church Choir for \u201cWroughton 100, Armistice Anniversary Concert\u201d. An evening of music, reading, poems and of course some songs to join in and sing. It promises to be a really varied evening with a wide selection of musical style and spoken word. Admission is free with a retiring collection in aid of SSAFA – the armed forces charity.<\/p>\n

Just prior to this on the 9th, the band will be at Malmesbury Abbey for our annual concert and service of Remembrance. All proceeds from this go to the Malmesbury branch of the Royal British Legion. Then following on a week later we join the Ridgeway School department of performing arts and Wroughton Infants School to present an evening Concert of Remembrance at Ridgeway School. Hopefully, once again, the village will come together to make this a \u2018sold-out\u2019 evening. Further details and tickets are available from the School.<\/p>\n

Diary of Engagements:<\/strong><\/p>\n

October 23rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Old Town Masons, \u2018Battle of Britain\u2019 evening meal. (Private event)<\/p>\n

26th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Conservative\u2019s Dinner at the Ellendune Hall. (Private event)<\/p>\n

28th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Palestine Police Old Comrades Association, Blunsdon House. (Private event)<\/p>\n

November 9th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Concert and Service of Remembrance at Malmesbury Abbey. 7.30pm<\/p>\n

10th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton 100, Armistice Anniversary Concert. Wroughton Parish Church 7.30pm<\/p>\n

11th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Wroughton Parish Church Remembrance Service and Parade 10.00am<\/p>\n

16th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Remembrance Concert and Service at Ridgeway School 7pm<\/p>\n

(with Ridgeway Dept. of Performing Arts and Wroughton Primary Federation)<\/p>\n

My silly musical mis-quotes for this month are:<\/p>\n

Con moto\u2014 I have a car<\/p>\n

Allegro\u2014a little car<\/p>\n

Maestro\u2014-a bigger car<\/p>\n

The proper definitions are available on Google (or other reputable search engines) and details of all Wroughton Bands activities are at www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us on twitter.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

September 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

What a summer we\u2019ve had. Clear blue skies and wall to wall sun. Occasionally dare I say possibly a little too warm and humid. There are down sides with the lack of rain, where my lawn used to be there is now a very neat dessert!<\/p>\n

Summer sun always sets the scene for the Sunday afternoon concerts in our local parks. Wroughton Band was playing in the Town Gardens in Swindon on the 22nd<\/sup> of July. A glorious afternoon brought out the crowds, filling every available chair and bench. A rare chance for me to listen from the audience as I was unable to play. Whilst listening to the music I was also able to talk with other people and hear how much they enjoyed the Sunday afternoons in the park.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The beginning of August saw us travelling a little further afield. Over the county boarder to Victoria Park in Newbury. A new engagement for us but one we will hope to repeat next year. Another glorious afternoon and another large audience enjoying this typically English afternoon out. Sitting in a deck chair, eating an ice cream whilst listening to a brass band.<\/p>\n

There is a slight lull in out engagements until we get to September.<\/p>\n

September 1st<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0 Prospect Fete<\/p>\n

September 30th<\/sup> Hilliers Bereavement Care Service at Christ Church, Swindon.<\/p>\n

November 9th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Concert and Service of Remembrance at Malmesbury Abbey. 7.30pm<\/p>\n

11th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Wroughton Parish Church Remembrance Service and Parade 10.00am<\/p>\n

16th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rembrance Concert and Service at Ridgeway School (Time TBC)<\/p>\n

(with Ridgeway Dept. of Performing Arts and Wroughton Infants School)<\/p>\n

Of course all details of our engagements can be found on our web-site www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us of facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

August 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last month I started with the fact that the summer sun had arrived. This month I can continue that sentiment with the fact that the summer heat has also arrived and looks like remaining for some time. It certainly made a glorious day for Wrougton carnival. It was unfortunate that the day clashed with an England World Cup game, although obviously the bands rendition of the \u2018Match of the Day\u2019 theme tune spurred the team on to their win!! Even with the match in full swing there was still a good crowd on the Wier Field enjoying the sun, stalls and sat around listening to the band. I don\u2019t think we have ever played to an audience with such a high proportion of women.<\/p>\n

Hopefully the fine weather will last a little longer as our next two summer engagements are outdoors. The Town Gardens in Swindon is a familiar summer engagement but Newbury Park on the 5th<\/sup> of August is a new one for us.<\/p>\n

August 5th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Victoria Park Newbury 3.00pm<\/p>\n

September 30th<\/sup> Hilliers Bereavement Care Service, Christ Church, Swindon.<\/p>\n

October 23rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Swindon Masons (Private event)<\/p>\n

All our details are of course on our web-site, www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

A couple of joke musical terms from a poster I saw recently:<\/p>\n

The Interval is- time to meet the players in the bar.<\/p>\n

A perfect Interval is- when the drinks are on the house.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman.<\/p>\n

July 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summer sun has arrived with a vengeance, even for TWO bank holidays! Unfortunately, the weather wasn\u2019t quite so settled in Yorkshire when the band attended the Whit Friday Marches once again. Damp rather than wet though and it certainly didn\u2019t dampen the enthusiasm, fun and enjoyment. The band performed well with very encouraging remarks, once again, from the adjudicators. The band was dressed in varying levels of fancy dress themed to the arrangement of music from the Lion King that they were playing. It can\u2019t be very often that you can see monkeys, giraffes and lions parading through Yorkshire villages.<\/p>\n

The sun certainly shone on the Wroughton village cream teas at the beginning of June.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see much cream melting away, but to be fair cream teas don\u2019t tend to stay around long enough to melt. It was good to see such a big crowd enjoying the afternoon. Chatting, eating and drinking and generally enjoying the sun and fellowship of the day.<\/p>\n

We hope to be performing as part of the of the Wroughton Carnival celebrations, but we haven\u2019t yet finalised the details. I\u2019m sure it will, once again, be a great day with all the usual fun throughout the village. Our next few summer engagements are listed below. Please do come and have a chat with us and we are always glad to hear suggestions of what you\u2019d like to hear us play.<\/p>\n

July 15th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Purton Memorial Hall 5.00pm<\/p>\n

July 22nd\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Town Gardens, Swindon. 3.00pm<\/p>\n

August 5th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Newbury Park Bandstand. 3.00pm<\/p>\n

All our up to date details are on our web site, por follow us on facebook. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

June 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

The last time I wrote in Wroughton Monthly the band hadn\u2019t played at any engagements this year. Since then we have had our first two engagements. Firstly, we gave our annual music evening at Swindon Stroke Support Club. They are always such an appreciative and responsive audience to play to which in turn makes it an enjoyable and rewarding evening for us too. Most years the evening manages to coincide with a birthday, either in the club or the band, so happy birthday is an added item to the programme. This year was no exception.<\/p>\n

Towards the end of April, we headed to Bromham parish church. A new venue for us to play at and what a pleasure it was. The church itself has a lovely acoustic (as most traditional churches do) to play in and once again a really great audience. The ticket price of \u00a310 included a glass of wine and refreshments at half time, great value. It proved a successful evening raising funds for the Church too. We played a wide selection of music including:<\/p>\n

A Tenor Horn solo \u2018Over the Rainbow\u2019, a Flugel Horn and Bass duet \u2018Under the Boardwalk\u2019, a Cornet trio \u2018Buglers Holiday\u2019 and a Trombone quartet arrangement of \u2018I will follow him. I don\u2019t know what arrangements we have for five solo parts, but it must be the next in the sequence!<\/p>\n

Our next engagement is about as far away as we go as a band. That of the Whit Friday marches in Saddleworth, Yorkshire on the 25th<\/sup> of May. This year the band is playing a march arrangement of music from the musical The Lion King which has been specially written for us by our great friend David Jennings. Many thanks David for another great piece for us.<\/p>\n

Following on from that we return to our more regular local engagements:<\/p>\n

June 2nd\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Churches Together Cream Teas<\/p>\n

July 7th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Carnival<\/p>\n

July 15th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Purton Memorial Hall 5.00pm (not June as advertised last time)<\/p>\n

June 22nd\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Town Gardens, Swindon. 3.00pm<\/p>\n

August 5th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Newbury Park Bandstand. 3.00pm<\/p>\n

For all our up to date details, engagements and news find us at www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Wroughton Silver Band Chairman.<\/p>\n

April 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just as spring seemed to have arrived and settled down, along came the snow. Like many other activities in and around Wroughton our Thursday evening rehearsal succumbed to the \u2018Beast from the East\u2019.<\/p>\n

Towards the end of February, the band had its AGM. Twenty-six members attended the meeting where the accounts were approved, new committee for 2018 elected, chairman\/secretary and treasurer\u2019s reports were heard and the band awards for 2017 were presented. The awards were for the Bandsman of the year, performance, section, deportment, up and coming\/ improved player, best attendance and Muppet moment (the biggest or funniest \u2018mistake\u2019 of the year). The social part of the evening then got under way with light refreshments which was followed by skittles. The numbers swelling with the arrival of family members and invited guests. With forty-two people playing skittles the time soon ran out but there was still time for the \u2018killer\u2019 round which was won this year by Chris Webb.<\/p>\n

The bands diary of engagements is starting to fill up with both private and public events throughout the year.<\/p>\n

April 12th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Swindon Stroke Support Club<\/p>\n

April 28th<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bromham Church, Nr. Devizes.\u00a0 7.30pm\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is a new venue for the band and a chance to perform to a wider audience.<\/p>\n

May 25th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Whit Friday Marches – Saddleworth, Yorkshire.<\/p>\n

June 15th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Purton Memorial Hall 5.00pm<\/p>\n

June 22nd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Town Gardens, Swindon. 3.00pm<\/p>\n

For all our news and engagements follow us on Facebook or check our website.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

January 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll start by referring back to last year and a very unexpected occurrence. You may remember that the band participated in the Whit Friday marches at Saddleworth in Yorkshire. The band got a write up in one of the local papers after the performance at Greenfield. I\u2019m not sure that the local paper actually knew where Wroughton is however! After our Remembrance concert in Malmesbury Abbey, in November, a gentleman came up to us and told us he was in fact from Greenfield. I\u2019m not sure he had travelled all that way specially to hear us, but who knows! It was great that he came over for a chat, and remembered that he had heard the band before.<\/p>\n

We had a really great start to the Christmas season with Old Town lights in Swindon \u2013 a cold afternoon, but dry. This was closely followed by Wroughton lights, again cold and dry, and it was great to see the Ellendune Hall full to capacity with all ages. The day after we were in the warmth at Alexandra Conference Centre for a great afternoon of Christmas music and a first mince pie!<\/p>\n

We\u2019re now all looking forward to another busy but enjoyable year ahead.<\/p>\n

Keep up to date with our news and engagements on our web site or on facebook. www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/p>\n

On behalf of all in Wroughton Silver Band, I would like to wish you a happy and healthy 2018.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

December 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Halloween has faded, Bonfire night is over and the sky\u2019s are once again quiet and still. Wroughton Band is however far from quiet and still. The beginning of November was, as usual, a busy time for the band. With our annual concert in Malmesbury Abbey on the 10th<\/sup> closely followed by the village parade on the 12th<\/sup> and then the concert at Ridgeway School on the 17th<\/sup>.\u00a0 With our engagements, weekly practice night and a few extra practices for good measure we were playing 9 times in the 20 days from October 29th<\/sup> to November 17th<\/sup>. No wonder it seemed so busy. This is only beaten by the two weeks before Christmas where we are playing every day and twice on some days. Except Christmas eve, at the moment!<\/p>\n

Unfortunately we aren\u2019t holding our own Christmas concert in the village this year. We will however be once again joining with Swindon Male Voice choir at Christ Church in Swindon on Friday the 15th<\/sup>. We will be playing carols and Christmas music during December at Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose and the Ellendune shopping centre. To see a full list of our Christmas season engagements please visit our web site, www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Other highlights include:<\/p>\n

Nov\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 26th<\/sup> Switching on of Old Town Christmas Lights, Swindon,4.45pm<\/p>\n

Dec\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2nd<\/sup> Switching on of Wroughton Christmas Lights<\/p>\n

3rd Alexandra Park carols, 2.30pm<\/p>\n

10th<\/sup> Shrivenham Christmas tree and Lights 6.15pm<\/p>\n

14th<\/sup> Prospect Hospice, 7.30pm<\/p>\n

15th Swindon Male Voice Choir concert, Christ Church, Swindon, 7.30pm<\/p>\n

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and encouragement throughout 2017. Whatever you do at Christmas and whether you do or don\u2019t celebrate it we at Wroughton Silver Band hope you all have a very enjoyable time.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

__________________________________________________<\/p>\n

November 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

September the 28th<\/sup> saw the band gathering once again at Swindon crematorium. Our ranks were swelled by friends from other local bands and further afield. This time we played a fond farewell to our long-time member and friend Peter Jones. Although a sad time it is a great privilege for the band to be asked to participate on such a personal occasion. Peter was for many years very active on the bands committee. I won\u2019t list the posts he held for risk of missing one, and of course he was also+ a much-valued member of our tenor horn section. Not only will we miss his playing but his smile and sense of humour. Farewell Peter.<\/p>\n

A few weeks later the 8th<\/sup> of October were playing at the Hillier Bereavement Care service at Christ Church in Swindon. This special annual event for so many people in Swindon had extra poignance for the band, so close after Peter Jones and Mike Piers funerals. The recently refurbished church was, as always, packed and the new wooded floor really helping to raise the sound of both music and singing.<\/p>\n

We are looking forward to playing in Malmesbury Abbey on the 10th<\/sup> of November for our annual concert in aid of the Malmsebury branch of the British Legion. A great venue to play in with the music resonating and echoing around the ancient building. Tickets are \u00a36 and available on the door.<\/p>\n

The week after, on the 17th<\/sup>, we are at the Ridgeway School, in partnership with their Performing Arts Department. A village concert of remembrance with young and old alike coming together to for a very moving evening. Tickets and further details are available from The Ridgeway School office.<\/p>\n

Then it will be full steam ahead for Christmas. Over first engagement is at the end of November, not even waiting for December to arrive! Sunday 26th<\/sup> with the switching on of Old Towns Christmas lights in Swindon closely followed by the Wroughton Christmas lights on the 2nd<\/sup> of December.<\/p>\n

Other highlights include:<\/p>\n

December 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0 Alexandra Park carols<\/p>\n

10th<\/sup> Shrivenham Christmas tree and Lights 6.15pm<\/p>\n

15th<\/sup> Swindon Male Voice Choir concert, Christ Church, Swindon, 7.30pm<\/p>\n

For details of all our other engagements and news please look at our web-site (wroughtonsilverband.co.uk)\u00a0 or follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Band Chairman<\/p>\n

______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

October 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

August turned into what seems a very typical English summer month. The beginning of the month started well with a sunny afternoon playing in the Town Gardens. The following weekend was a bit touch and go but in the end we had a very enjoyable Sunday evening playing in Purton. However, the following weekend we had to cancel playing in the village, at the Fox and Hounds, because the rain started. The following Wednesday, 23rd<\/sup>, the sun shone as we paid our last respects to our ex-principal cornet player, Mike Pier, at the crematorium. The band had the honour of not only playing but to lead the hearse on the final approach to the chapel. The respect and affection that Mike held in the band community was evident by the players the came to join us. Wroughton Band was joined by ex-players including one from Cornwall, and representatives from Aldbourne Band, Pegasus Band, Swindon Brass and Wantage Silver Band. Farewell Mike, and thank you for sharing all your talent, being an inspiration and basically being an all-round great chap. Mike will be sadly missed.<\/p>\n

Only a few days later we had more sad news to come to terms with, the sad passing of Peter Jones. Although Peter had been too unwell to play with the band for some time, he was still a close part of the Band family. Over the years he had a huge influence in the band, both playing with the band and with the less glamorous committee and behind the scenes work. All our thought and best wishes go to Phyllis and the family.<\/p>\n

The beginning of September saw the band playing at the Prospect Hospice Garden Fete. An occasion we are always very glad to support. For the majority of the day the rain stayed way but when it rained did it rain! This did show how localised our weather can be though. While we were playing in the sun around 2 o\u2019clock, Old Town in Swindon, approximately 2 miles away, was experiencing the rain that hit Wroughton at 4.00ish. It was really great to see so many people supporting the Hospice and it was good for us to have such an appreciative audience too.<\/p>\n

The next few months will be particularly difficult for the band with almost all our engagements relating to remembrance in one way or another, with the Hilliers Bereavement Care Service being particularly poignant.<\/p>\n

We are once again playing at Malmesbury Abbey, which is always an enjoyable evening particularly with increasing audience numbers. Closely followed by the concert at the Ridgeway School, in partnership with their Performing Arts Department. If previous years are anything to go by, you\u2019ll need to get tickets early to avoid disappointment. The people of Wroughton seem to be increasingly making this a \u2018village event\u2019 not to be missed.<\/p>\n

Then it will be full steam ahead for Christmas!<\/p>\n

Our future engagements include:<\/p>\n

October 8th Hilliers Bereavement Care Service at Christ Church, Swindon.<\/p>\n

November 10th Remembrance Concert at Malmesbury Abbey. 7.30pm<\/p>\n

Tickets are \u00a36 and available on the door.<\/p>\n

November 12th Wroughton Parish Church and Parade. 10.00am<\/p>\n

November 17th Remembrance Concert at Ridgeway School. 7.30pm<\/p>\n

Tickets are available form Ridgeway School.<\/p>\n

December 8th Christmas Concert with Wroughton Infants School at Ridgeway School.<\/p>\n

More details later.<\/p>\n

Details of all our engagements and news can be found on our web site and follow us on face book.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

_________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

August 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

The last couple of months have been a very eclectic mix for the band.\u00a0 Our engagements have ranged from travelling as far away as Yorkshire (see below) and staying right in the heart of Wroughton.<\/p>\n

It was another good year at the Wroughton Churches Together cream teas, although I\u2019m not sure much could spoil a good cream tea. Particularly with the fine weather and lots of people enjoying the afternoon. After we had played the \u2018Can Can\u2019 I had one happy lady come up and remark it brought back happy memories of her dancing it. Luckily, we only tried playing it!<\/p>\n

Chiseldon village fete similarly had good weather, oh and cream teas funnily enough. Even with one of the mini buses of players returning from Saddleworth that morning going a little too far on the M5, we still started on time and with plenty of puff left to play. The zip wire from the church tower was unfortunately only for teddy bears, but I am certain the teddy parachute wouldn\u2019t have taken my weight.<\/p>\n

Wroughton Carnival also had nice weather, luckily for us it was cooling down by the end of the afternoon though. We played for an hour to officially bring the afternoons events on the field to a close. There was still plenty of people enjoying the sun and fun fair when I left though.<\/p>\n

Our future engagements include:<\/p>\n

August 6th<\/sup> Town Gardens bandstand, Swindon, 3-4.30pm<\/p>\n

September 9th<\/sup> Prosprect Hospice Fete, Wroughton.<\/p>\n

Next month details of Remembrance and Christmas concerts<\/p>\n

For up to date details see our website www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

The band enjoyed it’s second trip to Whit Friday marches\u00a0t’up north in Saddleworth, Manchester. Thankfully,\u00a0last years rain did not return and we had\u00a0glorious weather. This did mean it was much busier, but we still managed to get to 5 villages: Grotten, Lydgate, Friezland,\u00a0Greenfield and\u00a0Dobcross. We started off, marching through the\u00a0packed streets\u00a0playing the joyful ‘Baggy Trousers’ which went down a treat!\u00a0 Then performing the march ‘Punchinello’ on the contest stand.<\/p>\n

Safe to say with the lovely weather, great company, great food and the occasional beverage ALONG with\u00a0seeing and hearing top brass bands\u00a0including\u00a0Brighouse and Rastrick, we all had a fantastic day and thoroughly look forward to our third appearance next year!<\/p>\n

Dan Webb<\/p>\n

Bandsman<\/p>\n

___________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

June 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just after midday on the 29th<\/sup> April the band started arriving at Immanuel church in Swindon for their master class with Dr. Robert Childs. I think there was every emotion present from anticipation and excitement through to worry and anxiety. If you follow the brass band world you\u2019ll know that Bob Childs is renowned worldwide for both playing and conducting. After a cup of tea and a few brief introductions, it was straight to work. From then on, I think, most of the worry went out of the window. Bob is such an understanding, encouraging, knowledgeable and enthusing person. The rest of the day just flew by. Over two hours of solid playing, solo session for four of our members, a session of Bob talking about technique, styles and answering question followed by tea and pizza. To round the day off, an hour\u2019s free concert performing the music we had been rehearsing through the afternoon. Donations after the concert raised over \u00a3100 for Prospect Hospice. By 8 o\u2019clock it was sadly all over, tired but happy and enthused we made our ways home.<\/p>\n

I think it was the first time, and possibly the last, that the band has been described, by Bob, as a bunch of sponges. No, not because we are all round, soft and wet but because we were so keen to absorb everything he was telling and explaining to us.<\/p>\n

One of our guest payers was Mr. Fran Cowley. Bob fondly remembered, from when he was a boy, attending contests for solo players and it was always Fran who was there and usually the winner. One of our players\u2019 response was, \u201csat next to Fran and being conducted by Bob, it doesn\u2019t get much better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thank you Bob – it was a privilege for us all.<\/p>\n

We had a day to recover before we were playing in Wroughton at the Duck race. Variable weather meant we could enjoy playing outside in the sun and inside when it rained. The best of both worlds. It was good to see so many of Wroughton out enjoying the day and the races.<\/p>\n

The next weekend we were out again this time in the glorious summer sun, playing in Chippenham park. This marked the beginning of our \u2018summer season\u2019. Hopefully the summer sun will carry on too.<\/p>\n

Diary of engagements:<\/p>\n

June 3rd<\/sup> Wroughton Churches Together Cream Teas. St. Joseph\u2019s Church, Wroughton<\/p>\n

9th\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Whit Friday Marches, Saddleworth, Yorkshire<\/p>\n

10th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chiseldon Fete, Holy Cross Church, Swindon.<\/p>\n

July 1st<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0 Wroughton Carnival<\/p>\n

8th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Haydon Wick Fete, URC Church, Haydon Wick, Swindon.<\/p>\n

August 8th<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Town Gardens Bandstand, Springfield Road, Old Town, Swindon.<\/p>\n

We look forward to seeing you at any of these events.<\/p>\n

See our web site www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> for up to date details and information about the band, and follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman.<\/p>\n

______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

April 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Easter is almost here once again. Longer, warmer days and the prospect of summer just around the corner. The band held it\u2019s AGM towards the end of February and after the business of the evening was over we had a social time playing skittles. This year we had some awards to band members who had made particular, notable achievements. These included, \u2018Most improved player\u2019, \u2018Highest attendance\u2019 at rehearsal nights, \u2018Best performance\u2019 and the \u2018Muppet moment\u2019 for the most outstanding mistake of the year. We gave out 7 awards in total. Who knows what this year may hold?<\/p>\n

The band is rehearsing hard for our main new event if the year, so far, a Master Class with Dr. Robert Childs, who is world renowned for his Euphonium playing, and conducting. We are having rehearsal sessions during the day and finishing with a short concert conducted by Dr. Childs. There will be no admission charge for the concert but any donations will go to Prospect hospice.<\/p>\n

Hot on the heels of this we start our list of engagements for the year. The Easter bunny is replaced by the Wroughton Duck (1st May), the hot cross buns by the prospect of cream teas (3rd<\/sup> June) and the Easter cross by the Victoria Cross event (2nd<\/sup> April) an one off event for this year.<\/p>\n

All of our engagement details are on our web site www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0 along with player profiles, archive programmes and photos of past events. You can of course also follow us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Engagements<\/u><\/p>\n

Sunday 2nd<\/sup> April Victoria Cross Event, Wroughton Cenotaph 10.30am<\/p>\n

Thursday 20th<\/sup> April Swindon Stroke Club (private booking)<\/p>\n

Saturdy 29th<\/sup> April Master Class day with evening concert.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Immanuel Church, Swindon. Concert 6.30-7.30pm Admission free.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday 1st<\/sup> May Wroughton Duck Race<\/p>\n

Sunday 7th<\/sup> May Chippenham Park band stand 3.00-5.00pm<\/p>\n

Saturday 3rd<\/sup> June Wroughton Churches Together Cream Teas. St. Joseph\u2019s Church.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

______________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

March 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Snow drops and crocus are appearing and the evenings are definitely getting lighter-spring must be once again on the way. Between Christmas and Easter is for the band definitely our quiet period for engagements. Plenty of time to practice though with new and old music alike. An extra incentive to get practicing is a very special day on the 29th<\/sup> April. We are going to have a \u2018Master Class\u2019 day and are very lucky that it will be led by Bob Childs. Bob is well known in the Brass band world and beyond. He has had a long career as principle Euphonium for many top-flight bands including Black Dyke. He has also been musical director for many bands including Cory, Black Dyke and director of Brass Studies at the Royal Welsh collage of music to name but a few. We should be in for a great day. We will finish the day with a short concert with Bob conducting the band at Immanuel church, Upham road in Swindon. The concert will last about one hour starting at 6.30pm and admission is free.<\/p>\n

This should put us in good stead for our up and coming engagements that we are starting to book in.<\/p>\n

Diary of Engagements-2017<\/p>\n

April 2nd<\/sup> – Victoria Cross Event, Wroughton<\/p>\n

April29th- <\/sup>\u00a0Master Class and concert with Bob Childs.<\/p>\n

May 7th<\/sup> – Chippenham Park<\/p>\n

June 9th – <\/sup>\u00a0Whit Friday Marches-Saddleworth, Yorkshire<\/p>\n

June10th<\/sup> Chiseldon Fete<\/p>\n

July 1st<\/sup> – Wroughton Carnival<\/p>\n

For all our up to date events and contact details please go to our web-site www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or see us on facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

___________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

October 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

It seems only a short time ago that I was preparing for the summer sun, and now I\u2019m lighting open fires and shaking off gloves and hats. Not only do we arrive and leave rehearsal evenings in the dark but all of our engagements are now in the dark evenings as well.
\nRemembrance weekends will mark the beginning of our busy winter season running up the Christmas.<\/p>\n

Our two Remembrance concerts are:
\nFriday November 11th at Malmesbury Abbey<\/strong> starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on the door at \u00a36 and all the profits go to the Malmesbury branch of the British Legion.
\nFriday November 18th at Ridgeway School<\/strong> starting at 7.00pm. This concert is with Wroughton Junior School and the Ridgeway School Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts.
\nTickets are \u00a35 each and available from the Ridgeway school office or on 01793 846100.<\/p>\n

Then Christmas will be rushing up on us before we know it. I noticed that Christmas puddings and mince pies were in the shops at the end of September!<\/p>\n

Our main Christmas events this year are:<\/p>\n

November 28th<\/strong>-Switching on Old Town Christmas lights in Swindon.<\/p>\n

December 3rd<\/strong>-Switching on Wroughton Christmas lights.<\/p>\n

December 10th<\/strong>– Concert of Christmas Music at Ridgeway School with Thamesdown Ladies Choir.\u00a0Mince pies and refreshments from 7.00pm.
\nTickets are \u00a35 each or \u00a310 for a family of 2 adults and up to two children (under 16).
\nThey are available from Cloud Nine hair and beauty in St. John Road or 01793-616165.<\/p>\n

December 16th<\/strong>-Christ Church, Swindon, when we will be joining Swindon Male Voice Choir.<\/p>\n

Details of all our other Christmas events are on our web site wroughtonsilverband.co.uk or on facebook.
\nNoel Hunt
\nChairman<\/p>\n

_______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

June 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

What a great start we have had to our 2016 playing calendar. We had a good evening playing for the Swindon Stoke Support Club. Although a slightly smaller group met than usual that evening, they were as enthusiastic and appreciative as ever. An evening that we thoroughly enjoy performing.<\/p>\n

This was closely followed by our first public concert of the year on the 23rd<\/sup> April. This was our third year running of being asked by the Swindon Lifeboat Committee to perform a fundraising concert. This year we made it an extra special evening for the band as well as the audience. Our programme included many pieces that had been either arranged, transcribed or written especially for our band.<\/p>\n

Pieces including: The Beatles-Echoes of an era, Over the rainbow, Lion King (sound track highlights), Fandango and Selection from \u2018Les Miserables\u2019. We presented an engraved bowl to David as a token of our gratitude for all his hard work over the years. Rumour has it there are more pieces in the pipeline. We can\u2019t wait to try them out.<\/p>\n

Many thanks to all who attended the evening and helped us to raise a total of \u00a3335.54 for the Lifeboats.<\/p>\n

Looking forward to the next few months we have mainly outside engagements.<\/p>\n

June 4th<\/sup> \u2013 Wroughton Churches together afternoon cream teas at St. Joseph\u2019s Church<\/p>\n

June 11th<\/sup>– Liddington Fete<\/p>\n

July brings two new very important and exciting engagements for us.<\/p>\n

On the 2nd<\/sup> we will be playing at the Swindon Hospital Radiotherapy Fundraising Day in Chiseldon and on the 16th<\/sup> we have been accepted to play at the Marlborough Jazz Festival.<\/p>\n

We look forward, as always, to seeing you at any of our engagements. More up to date details can be found on our website www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk<\/a> or on facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n

___________________________________<\/p>\n

Back towards the end of February the band had our annual AGM. We reviewed our achievements over the previous twelve months and looked at some ideas and initiatives for the next. We reflected that in a continuingly difficult economic environment we managed to support a number of charities, both local and national. These included: Help for Heroes, Prospect Hospice, Lifeboats, NSPCC and The Poppy Appeal. Our concerts had been well attended and we had a lot of private bookings as well. Looking forward we already have bookings through to August confirmed and a couple for next Christmas pencilled in.<\/p>\n

After the official part of the evening was over we continued with a selection of bar meals, plenty of chatting and catching up and some competitive, but friendly, skittles. This year the team game was won by the \u2018W\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Our first public concert for this year is on Saturday 23rd April. This will be the third year running that we have been booked by the Swindon Branch of the Lifeboats to give a fund raising concert. Once again it is at Bath Road Methodist Church in Swindon starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are \u00a37 each and can be reserved on 01793 521934 or purchased on the door. This year a lot of the music we are playing has been arranged or transcribed specially for Wroughton Band.<\/p>\n

Diary:<\/p>\n

April 7th<\/sup> Swindon Stroke Support (private booking)<\/p>\n

April 23rd<\/sup> Concert in aid of The Lifeboats @Bath Road Church 7.30pm<\/p>\n

June 4th<\/sup> Wroughton Churches Together Cream Teas<\/p>\n

June 11th<\/sup> Liddington Fete.<\/p>\n

Further details of all our events, band news and how to contact us can be found at our website www.wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\u00a0\u00a0or on Facebook.<\/p>\n

Noel Hunt<\/p>\n

Chairman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

August 2026 Our first ever visit to play in the Trowbridge bandstand was a worthwhile venture to our County Town.\u00a0\u00a0 The bandstand is not the traditional circular, iron-framed domed roofContinue readingNews<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-38","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P66MLc-C","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":485,"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38\/revisions\/485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroughtonsilverband.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}