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| Burwash Common Fete. Saturday September 4th 2009. The Final Blow of the Season. As Summer moves towards Autumn so the final engagement of the season arrived and the band assembled at Burwash Common in beautiful weather and pleasant surroundings. However,it was decided to relocate the gazebo owing to distractions of an olfactory nature emanating from the pavilion drains-even then, these distractions continued to manifest themselves. Undaunted,the band played on ! A distraction of an auditory nature was provided by one of the PA speakers-next time a swift rotation of said speaker will remedy this. With her customary good humour,patience and occasional gritted teeth,the MD controlled proceedings and the band responded with tuneful enthusiasm which was appreciated by the visitors which included a wedding party who were most impressed with the rendition of Congratulations-played not once but twice ! At the break delicious scones were provided by the flugel player who professed to be fascinated by the MC's admission to play a 3 inch harmonica-down tiger !! The second half concluded with Sussex by the Sea and was greeted with enthusiastic applause . The final Ladies versus Gentlemen competition did not take place owing to various other commitments and so the result of this fiercely fought contest was 3 all. Well done,everybody. Our sincere thanks go to all those who have helped the band this season and,on a personal note,the writer would like to thank the MD for her encouragement and First Bari for her support. See and hear the band during the Festive Season and until the next time,goodbye. Second Bari. Framfield and Blackboys Fete. Saturday,August 8th 2009. The Bark Choral, Summer fetes in England are slightly idiosyncratic inasmuch as they comprise certain 'must have' events : Guess the Name of the Teddy Bear,Weight of the Cake,Balloon Race,Soak the Vicar-to name but a few. The Framfield and Blackboys Fete had Terrier Racing,next to which the band assembled 'neath an extensive gazebo. In addition, one special event could not have been missed-Wheelbarrow Racing, of which more anon! A beautiful day greeted fete goers and the band played a rich and varied programme,providing a wonderful and atmospheric accompaniment to the canine chaos which descended every time the terriers were put into their traps prior to their races-which were often. Crescendo da capo,I think ! Our MD maintained discipline and control despite competition from the MC! " Right,when he draws a breath..." she was heard to say through gritted teeth ! And so to the Wheelbarrow racing. The Ladies versus Gentlemen race ensued and even prior to the off the result was in no doubt,the winner hurling his passenger across the line with panache whilst there was a certain amount of ' trundling ' among the also rans-who,it has to be said,entered the event with great enthusiasm. So-3 all and everything to play for as the fete season draws to a close. Refreshments were provided by a member of the bass section-scrummy-and the terriers raced on !! Second Bari. Merrie Harriers - Cowbeech Sunday August 2nd 2009.
The weather was kind, considering the previous day's downpours. The band set up near the tea tent and overlooking the usual displays of stalls all around the field. Having strolled round sussing out the competitions ready for the usual 'men v women' break time challenge, it was a choice between maggot racing and hay sack tossing!! Not the best of challenges but after a few 'heated' discussions it was decided that the hay tossing would have to suffice. Our first session of playing was, as usual, well received especially by one elderly gentleman who took great delight in recognising the marches we included in our programme. Now it was time for a quick cup of tea and down to the competition. Luckily the apparatus had been set up but not been put to use so it didn't cost us anything to run the challenge. Our principal cornet (and most competitive) member began the game. As two of the ladies guided(!) the rope higher the challenge was set for each person. After many a toss it was all between our female flugelhorn and our male cornet - the determination showed on both faces. Unfortunately (despite help from the rope guiders!) the men won the challenge - only just I hasten to add. Official score now stands at 3 -2 to the ladies. Back to playing with a few aching arms. We followed two wonderful ladies who had serenaded the crowd with topical wartime songs. The whole afternoon's playing and competing was rounded off nicely by our flugel player producing one of the largest cakes I have seen. Apparently someone offered to buy it as she carried it into the event!! What's on the menu next week? We performed many a genre of music, again including some wartime marches and ended with our usual signature tune 'Sussex by the Sea'.
M.D. Concert on the Green,Rushlake Green. Sunday July 26th 2009 The band assembled on the green to play a concert devoted to fundraising for band uniforms ( the writer has yet to be presented with a jacket! ) and although the programme initially provided accompaniment to the rounders game an appreciative audience soon gathered round and enjoyed an excellent couple of hours. Some amusement was had in the middle section during a detailed discussion on First Aid and CPR but order was restored and although pegs and music were threatened by the gathering wind and drizzle the band played a varied programme which concluded with its traditional finale and was enjoyed by the audience who braved the elements. The writer earnestly hopes to be the recipient of the aforementioned jacket in the near future! Second Bari.
Warbleton Flower Show, Rushlake Green. Saturday July 25th 2009 A beautiful Summer's day greeted the band as they set up 'neath the gazebos on the green to contribute to a traditional English afternoon; the peg bag came into its own as the breeze,not content with being a gentle zephyr,increased to being a slightly disruptive Sou'Westerly ! After several enthusiastic announcements from the MC the programme commenced-Nights in White Satin almost making the grade ! Earlier,a member of the bass section announced that it was their first anniversary of joining the band and that the competition would be Bowling...and with that,the band played on. At one stage in the procedings the Musical Director confessed to having never been a sports champion but she then availed band members with the secrets of aerodynamics and how its scientific application ensured success in the egg and spoon race! A member of the middle section provided Welsh cakes which were consumed during the first few seconds of the interval and then the Bowling competition took place:a tie was declared which necessitated a play off between the aforementioned member of the bass section and middle section and amidst much crowing and heckling the Ladies won. The band concluded its programme with its signature tune of Sussex by the Sea and a sizeable and appreciative audience were very generous in their applause. Second Bari. Chiddingly Fete. Saturday July 11th 2009 After a truly typical Summer morning of heavy drizzle and temperatures in the mid teens the band assembled under the beech trees in the Old Vicarage garden and after some diplomatic negotiations about chairs they managed to play seated ! The fete was opened by actor Bob Hoskins who was,according to our Band Master,quite delightful . Photographs were taken. The programme was an extensive rendition of traditional and modern and the setting was excellent. Home made coffee and walnut sponge was provided and cups of tea were consumed-the percussion section achieved the notable feat of eating cake and drumming simultaneously! The competition-filling the jar with marbles-was allegedly won by the Ladies but this was loudly contested by a member of the front row and the writer is unsure of the final outcome but will court controversy by assuming the Gentlemen won ! The rain held off until the band had concluded their programme with ' Sussex ' and the assembled throng were generous in their applause. Second Bari. Punnetts Town School Fete. The weather looked decidedly doubtful as the band assembled in the school playground-typical early July and the aftermath of the heatwave so we had grey,scudding clouds and the threat of rain but it held off and the band played on,starting the programme with a stirring rendition of Barnard Castle and setting the tone with a mixture of traditional and modern . The writer acknowledges that a section of Nights in White Satin has become something of an issue-a baton solo-and is resolved to put the matter right in the very near future ! Refreshments were taken,the quiche being particularly delicious but the suggested competition-how many burgers in three minutes-did not materialise;good taste must be preserved . The gentle rebuke levelled at a certain member for tardiness was countered by a helpful suggestion about Planning...whereupon the band found itself in direct competition with the announcement of the results of the raffle and the programme was prematurely concluded without the playing of 'Sussex.' However,the appreciative audience were generous in their applause. Second Bari. Laughton Fete
Saturday July 4th 2009
There is nothing quite like a traditional English village fete to banish all thoughts of political skullduggery, credit crunch, price of diesel etc and while the magnificent Williams sisters fought for glory on Centre Court, the Warbleton Brass Band assembled in the sunshine with most under the old oak tree. The high winds that beset last year's event were absent and we were not situated next to the barbeque - the writer finds it rather incongrous to be playing ' English Country Garden ' assailed by fumes and smoke from burning burgers !! A wide range of music was played , albeit in a slightly abbreviated programme, and occasional murmurs of approval were heard form the Musical Director who, in addition to wielding her baton, gave practical advice on how to keep cold drinks cold. Having won the Ferret Racing at a previous event, a challenge was issued by the ladies in the matter of Welly Whanging and despite their efforts - which at one stage came close to encroaching on spectators' space - the event was conclusively won by the gentlemen with an amazing Whang by the percussion section. Ladies and gentlemen are now level pegging. Delicious buttered scones were provided by a member of the back row and there was a suggestion from the bass department that a cake competition may ensue. Watch this space. The afternoon was concluded with ' Sussex by the Sea ' and was greeted by a ripple of applause from the appreciative audience. Second Bari .
Saturday June 13th 2009 A beautiful day for a traditional fete on the lawn of the Rectory greeted the band as they arrived for what turned out to be an extensive programme. As in a previous engagement we were seated on a slope but, undaunted, the band commenced playing, to the appreciation of all. One member eventually overcame the embarrassment of forgetting to bring his music-the back up system provided by our Secretary caters for just these eventualities and his music soon arrived: in the meantime his sight reading was focused ! The aforementioned member was also prevailed upon by his colleagues to say a few words to the assembled throng after which the band played on. Several members provided delicious snacks for an al fresco lunch after which Ferret Racing was enjoyed by the ladies and gentlemen-a final race being won by a lady member. Towards the end of the engagement requests were played and the band concluded with their keynote of Sussex by the Sea.
Second Bari. Mid May Wedding Reception, Punnett's Town
Saturday May 16th 2009
In spite of previous showers,the band gathered in fine weather to play for arriving guests. The marquee was pitched on an incline making the members feel as though they were on the deck of the Titanic - at the early part of its plunge - but fortified with cups of tea, the band played on !
The selection of music sought to establish an English garden party atmosphere which was well sustained throughout, being only slightly compromised by the rendition of Chanson d'Amour and YMCA - both of which were enthusiastically received by the audience as they strolled through. The inclusion of Teddy Bears' Picnic was a surprise item,especially to those whose sight reading is still rather challenged.
Towards the end of the engagement the entire band were invited to make room for the construction of a discotheque ; this placed them on the dance floor in close proximity to the ornate wedding cake which was seen to remain on its plinth !
After a vote of thanks the band concluded with its signature piece - 'Sussex by the Sea' - and a pleasant time was had by all.
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