Thursday, September 6, 2001

Annual report 2001

BEENHAM BAND
Registered Charity – number 1087848

Report of the Committee for the year ended 31 July 2001

Committee
Chairman - Simon Witcomb, Secretary - Mel Poyda, Treasurer - Eleanor Brooks, Librarians - Janette MacPherson and Ann Moore, Publicity - Mike Cooney, Events – Lis Allen

Conductor
We are very fortunate to have Mike Smethurst-Evans as our conductor. His charm and persistence continue to raise the standard of our playing and performances.

Constitution and object
The band adopted a new constitution on 18 May 2001, which enabled it to be registered as a charity on 3 August 2001. A copy of the constitution is available to all members. The object of the band is to advance the education of the public by raising the aesthetic taste through the performance of music.

Membership and rehearsals
Our average attendance during 2000/01 was 27, compared with 20 last year. We rehearse every Friday during term time at 7.30pm in Beenham School hall.

Music
We are building a library of music comprising arrangements of popular tunes and marches, music from shows and films, and light classical music, as well as pieces written specifically for wind band. Next year we hope to commission a piece of music for the band, and have already received a grant of £500 from West Berkshire Council towards its cost.

Performances
26 August 2000 Fete at Chapel Row
25 November 2000 Concert in Beenham
9 December 2000 Carols at Savacentre
18 December 2000 Carols at Beenham
24 March 2001 Concert at Ashford Hill
31 March 2001 Concert at St Mary’s Church Thatcham
1 July 2001 Newbury Carnival
7 July 2001 Fete at Beenham School
21 July 2001 Garden party at Beenham
27 July 2001 Open air concert in Beenham

· We raised £88 for Save the Children charity, by playing carols at Savacentre.
· Our concert at St Mary’s Thatcham was attended by about 150 people, and was favourably reviewed in the Newbury Weekly News.
· We won the first prize for live music at the Newbury Carnival for our float, Music at the Movies. Members dressed up as characters from films, and played theme tunes from great films, squashed onto a 40 foot trailer. We also raised £63 for the Newbury Cancer Care charity.
· For the open air concert in Beenham, we were joined by members of the Goring and Streatley Concert band, and the South Berks Concert Band. As the weather was warm and sunny, over 100 villagers enjoyed a programme of varied music, whilst picnicking.

Social
40 members of the band, including family and friends, enjoyed a lively Christmas meal at the Six Bells in Beenham in December 2000. Katherine Moore organised ten pin bowling in June, and Eleanor Brooks also hosted a BBQ at her house in July 2001.

Publicity
We have a web site (www.beenhamband.org.uk), which has been designed and implemented by Mike Cooney. This is kept up to date with copies of newsletters, music and performances, and provides members, prospective members and concert organisers with information about the band. We have agreed on a logo, and stand banners are being produced.

Finances
A copy of the accounts for the year to 31 July 2001 is attached. We are very grateful for the continued support of Beenham Parish Council, which allows us to use the Beenham School Hall for rehearsals, free of charge. It will be proposed at the AGM that the subscriptions next year will be £35 per year or £13 per term.

Future
Our main aim is to ensure that all members enjoy their music making, whilst meeting the objective of the charity. The Committee has developed a long term plan for the band, which will be discussed at the AGM.

Simon Witcomb - chairman
6 September 2001