We had a disappointing result at the 4th Section National Finals yesterday in Cheltenham.  The band were placed 13th by adjudicators Stan Lippeatt and Barry Thompson.  On the brighter side, we were placed higher than 6 of the other competitors!

Ian, our MD, was very pleased with the way the band played and was happy that we parked our best performance of the testpiece Henry V by Ralph Vaughan Williams, firmly on the stage of the Centaur.  What was more important to him was the hard work and practice that each individual player put in to making our trip worthwhile.  Ian said “I am really confident that all the work will be used, going forward, to improve the overall quality of the band sound and technique – which makes for better concerts for our audiences.”

The band were delighted to have the support of President Dennis Wilby and his wife Margaret, Vice-President Chris Line, former LGB players Greg Palmer and Sharon Williams, as well as the entire families of Richard Sherlock and Mark Welch, Gavin & Sally Stewart, Sue Robbins, Helen Goldsmith, Tess Emberley and Dr. & Mrs Gietzen.  We were also grateful to Matt Tallamy, Fabian Edwards and Peter Cowlett for being our fantastic percussion section – they didn’t even get mentioned in the remarks, which means they were absolutely bang on!

Dignity Funerals allowed us to use their Community Minibus and very generously sponsored the fuel for the trip. Euphonium player Richard Sherlock was a real star, as he drove the bus and didn’t have a drink – even when he took the band for a curry after the competition!  Now that really is dedication!

Our next engagement is on 22nd October at All Souls, Eastbourne, where the band will be giving their services free of charge in a concert to mark the centenary of the MacMillan Trust.  We look forward to seeing many of you there.