Not on the Rec

Not on the Rec. Not on the Rec.

See how it rains. See how it rains.

They all ran off to a nearby farm,

Which thanks to the Allams, worked like a charm,

Did you ever hear such musical alarums,

As Band in the Barn?

Band and villagers - Friday 16th July

 Band in full swing

Louise on bass clarinet

 A beautiful barn for a concert

Lynn on euphonium

Play time

Burger King

Drin King

With thanks to Mike Weston for his photos of the band

(click on photos to enlarge)

Bandstanding in Forbury Gardens

We've played in Forbury Gardens in Reading several times now, and each time the audience grows! Last Sunday was no exception.

This year our conductor, Robert Roscoe introduced Dave Brubeck: It's About Time to us and our listeners, together with a generous selection from Fiddler on the Roof.

We had something for everyone: with Holst's Second Suite in F; The Simpsons putting in an appearance from TV; a really exciting rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean; and the seductive tango, La Cumparsita.

We even attracted a few dancers!

Of course, there were many other pieces too, but what I don't understand is why, with the sun providing full support, no one took advantage of The Stripper: perhaps it needed even more brass than we could supply?

Photos by Helen Skinner (please click to enlarge).

We received this letter following our performance at Englefield and thought, as it was so complimentary, that we should share it.

The Forbury - 5 July 2009

A chap came up to Graham Shipp after the event and said, 'How come you have such a great band from such a small village as Beenham?' Graham said that we were so lucky to have Robert Roscoe as our Director and that this was a major factor in this. Then he realized what a tremendous compliment we had just been paid...!

Band on the Rec 2009

As I drove along the lane through Beenham on Friday evening, I passed quite a few people on foot, walking quickly in the same direction, and holding onto children, blankets, and other oddments.

Not refugees, it turned out, but pilgrims. Drawn by the lure of Beenham Band's annual extravaganza, Band on the Rec.

When I arrived at the Rec there was already a fair sized crowd, but it was to swell quite a bit more as time went on.

Luckily, this year we were not rained on. Indeed, it was perfect weather for a spot of banding, because the skies cleared and freshened, letting us play comfortably in good light, sustained by beer and Pimms, while our listeners lolled comfortably on their blankets and garden chairs, sustained by their picnics, until we closed at 9.30 pm.

I don't know for sure which music was most appreciated, but Pirates of the Caribbean, The Stripper, Dambusters, Hootenanny, the Muppets, Grease, and Copacabana seemed to score highly.

Look forward to seeing you at the Rec next year.

(Thanks to Clara Morsley for the photos - please click to enlarge)

Beenham School PTFA

Thank you for joining Beenham School on Friday for our Carnival BBQ. I wasn't there myself but I hear that the event was a success and that we made approximately £1,800 for the school, AND IT DID NOT RAIN!!!!!

Can you pass on a thank you to all of the band, your participation in the event was appreciated by everyone.

Lorna Hadman

Carol singing by tractor

On Wednesday 17 December 2008, 14 of us gathered at the The Six Bells, to clamber aboard a trailer, pulled by Marcus Allum on his tractor. We set off with a few singers, down Clay Lane, into the Strouds, Stoneyfield, Back Lane and the Victory Hall, finishing up at the Six Bells. Glynnis allowed us to play in the pub, and then provided mince pies. It was fairly chilly, but not freezing or wet, and we all had a great time! We collected for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity close to our hearts at the moment.

Englefield flower show

Our last engagement before the summer break: the Englefield flower show, held in a field behind the primary school, Andrew McBirnie conducting.

A well arranged venue for the band - we were under an awning in the middle of the field with the various stalls arranged around us in a ring: a large captive audience!

We opened with the glorious Hootenanny, and closed, upbeat, with the Dambusters.

Charlie left soon after the interval, telling us he “only had time for one” - so we played One once with him.

Warm and sultry, it was a great afternoon for the band to play, and for people to sit and listen as they supped their tea and cake, reading their bookstall haul.

Not many hats on the band this time, but as you can see, Lynn sported a fine boater.

The flower show’s competitive entries were in a marquee off to the side, and it was pleasant indeed to wander round afterwards and see the enormous gladioli, colourful sweet peas, assorted cakes, perfect vegetables, varied garden designs, and fine photography.

Decidedly warm though.

(Click on pics to enlarge).

Band on the Rec 2008

There was a beer tent, photographers’ tent, barbeque and band for this year’s “Band on the Rec”.

As we started playing, people brought out their chairs and umbrellas and settled down to enjoy themselves.

Hootenanny made for a vibrant start, and we moved on to Oklahoma, the Dambusters march, Colonel Bogey, Les Miserables, Vaughan Williams’ Folk Song Suite, and more.

From time to time it rained and drizzled, but having started we carried on.

Ann Zebedee played her euphonium crouched under a large umbrella; Robert conducted under a broad rimmed floppy hat; and some wore coats; but others seemed oblivious to all but the music.

Perhaps we tempted fate by stopping for an interval, because soon afterwards the sky darkened, the rain set in in earnest, and the second half edged out to next year. Well, it was good while it lasted!

Meanwhile, under their brollies, our phlegmatic audience carried on eating their picnics, quaffing their beer and champagne, and playing on the swings. What’s a bit of weather?

Then it was off to the Six Bells - the favoured haunt of band members late on a Friday evening.

My music, which is hanging pegged out over the bath, seems to have dried now, although it is no longer smooth or flat. In years to come, as it undulates over someone’s music stand, each sheet will be a testament to the spirit of the Beenham Band, 2008.

Well done, Simon!

(Click on pics to enlarge)

Band To Tea: Hungerford Fete

This fete was almost a secret. Luckily Simon made himself useful as a mobile sign and I found my way in. Others were not so lucky, eh Daphne?!

We settled ourselves in a shady corner of the field and proceeded to entertain the crowds.

Andrew McBirnie slotted in easily to conduct us once again, and led the band briskly through the programme.

Pegs were in increasing demand as the afternoon went on, but Louise Bell came to the rescue and avoided several players getting in a flap.

The beer tent was disguised as an information desk, and perhaps for that reason most of the band took to the tea and cake tent for their refreshment: the cream and strawberry cake was best!

Others went shopping.

A knowledgeable chap with plenty of gold round his neck led the appreciation. To judge from the applause I’d say Copacabana was the audience favourite this time, but Pirates of the Caribbean, the Great Escape, and The Stripper went down well too. (More nominations welcome).

When we were thanked for nearing the end of our performance we took the hint and made our getaway ...



(Click on photos to enlarge).

Stripper in the Forbury Gardens ...

It’s “Good Afternoon!” from the Forbury Gardens bandstand in Reading.

The large crowd’s loving it: early ripples of appreciation turning into great waves of applause as we romp through the second half of our performance.

Pirates of the Caribbean, The Stripper, Hootenanny, Pink Panther, the Stars and Stripes - it’s all there!

The sun is out and playing warmly on the backs of the lower brass and percussion. A gentle breeze chills some of the clarinet section who reach for extra layers. But a bright and cheerful day.

And our guest conductor, David Wirdnam, is in good form, patient and cheerful, as he guides us along with a little wry humour, getting back into the saddle with his old band. Nice to see you again, David!

Not too many beers in the interval, but quite a few ice creams. Some of the audience come over to say hello, and Tony sells one enthusiast the idea of joining the Brock Barracks cadet band when she is 12.

A very fine man even tells us how good it is to hear trombones who are not afraid to play out!

Playing in the open

I really enjoyed playing at the fête on Saturday, but I'd forgotten the 'pleasures' of playing outside - including clothes-pegs.

Is there a more "professional" solution to keeping the music from flying everywhere while we're playing, and still be able to play? I've seen wind-irons which the R.A.F.A. band use, but these seem to make life just as difficult for fast turns as clothes-pegs. Anyone got any bright ideas?

Cheers,
Ian

Beenham Band on TV

It wasn't mentioned in the Annual Report, but on 21 December 2001 the band was televised live, playing carols outside The Bell at Aldworth. Meridian TV were let down by another band, and rang us the day before to see if we could do it. We managed to get a respectable group together, although doing it live was a bit scary!