News

Date
03/09/2008  

25 August 2008 Winchcombe
Winchcombe gathered for its annual flower show on a breezy August bank holiday. There were plenty of activities and stalls such as terrier-racing, second-hand books and locally produced food and drink.  The band entertained everyone either side of the famous vintage tractor parade.  Watch out for flying music if those pegs aren’t tightly secured though!  Check out photos from the day in our photo section.

03/09/2008  

10 August 2008 Stroud
The world’s finest athletes were competing in Beijing but Winchcombe’s finest musicians went for gold in the centre of brass banding in the Cotswolds.  ‘Faster, higher and stronger’ inspired the band as it opened with ‘The Contestor’ march and then dived into an entertaining program with its new pacemaker, Martin.
 The band sprinted through Cats and the Blaydon Races, then Breezed down Broadway in perfect synchronisation to earn maximum points.  Turning back to the summer of love for a Whiter Shade of Pale and classic James Bond themes, Team WCB put in an Olympic performance!

28/07/2008   27 July 2008 Stratford-upon-Avon
On one of the hottest days of the year, the band played to a packed park along the banks of the River Avon in the centre of Stratford.  We entertained the tourists and locals as they basked in the sun, with a range of tunes such as ‘Mack the Knife’, ‘Lustspiel Overture’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. There were also features from our trombone and cornet sections and a beautiful solo by our soprano cornet, Mike with ‘Nonnechor und Lied der Laura’ from Casanova. Our euphonium soloist, Joe kept things jolly with ‘Blaydon Races’ and the band rounded off a fine concert with its traditional finale, complete with audience participation and a dance from our conductor!

12 July 2008 Winchcombe Railway Station
Plumes of steam billowed from the engine as the train pulled into the station to the sound of the band playing ‘Ticket to Ride’.  All the passengers disembarked and we played a string of old favourites that had our audience dancing on the platform!  The second half was a Proms theme, including Dam Busters, Fantasia of British Sea Songs played at break-neck speed and a glorious finale of Land of Hope and Glory with much flag-waving.  The concert was then followed by spectacular firework display!

21 June 2008 Marle Hill WI
The band provided musical accompaniment to a sumptuous feast of puddings for Marle Hill WI. Each of the 6 home-made courses was introduced with poetry and then a pudding-themed piece by the band.  Think cheesecake, profiteroles and trifle - delicious!

1 June 2008 Malvern
The band launched their summer season with a lively set to entertain the crowds in the wonderful setting of Malvern bandstand. The weather held off as the band played a mixture of waltzes, marches and show-tunes before ending up with our favourite encore!

25 March 2008 25th anniversary concert
The band celebrated its 25th anniversary by having a special concert and inviting back some old friends to play with us again.  This concert was a greatest hits concert and the band revived some old favourites like Men of Harlech, Grandfather’s Clock and Backdraft, as requested by the audience at the start of the concert itself! We also proudly aired our new uniforms, bringing the band right up to date with cutting-edge sartorial elegance. Thanks to all the Friends of the Band who continue to support us and travel to come to our concerts.
07/12/2007   The band is very sad to hear that Edgar Davison has passed away. He has been a member of our band for many years and we all have very fond memories of him. Edgar has contributed massively to the local music scene for many years and will be missed by a great many people.
11/10/2007   Brasscast is a brass band podcasting website. Listen to the interview with Roger Cook conducted on the telephone from New Zealand in their October 7th podcast at http://www.brasscast.com/main.htm
13/1/2007   The band has donated £300 to the Acorns Children's Hospice. This was raised from playing carols before Christmas outside the Methodist Church on Winchcombe's late night shopping evening; the collection from the carols in Abbey Terrace and also from the collection whilst playing carols at Tesco in Bishops Cleeve.
30/9/2006   The band is pleased to announce that members of the band have been successful in the following contests.

There was an excellent result for the newest registered band member, Rebekkah Musto, at the First Annual Forest of Dean Solo, Duet & Quartet contest in July. She WON the Junior Duet category playing with Rhiannon Symonds from Bream Silver.
Her dad, Martin (known as the GingerMaestro elsewhere on the net) from West Mercia Police Band, won the Open Slow Melody section and was second in the Open air and variations section at the same contest. We are continually grateful for Martin's help with our band and for bringing Rebekkah to rehearsals.

Our Solo Euphonium, Joe Cheshire, also helped West Mercia Police Band to WIN the Wychavon Festival of Brass Third Section at the contest on 17th September.

30/9/2006   Photo of the band at Broadway in 2006 has been added to the photos page. Click Here to see
26/7/2006 On Sunday 30th July the Band will be playing at the Stratford Park in Stroud at 2.30pm. Click here for directions.
New Naunton engagement added to our list
15/7/2006   I am pleased to say that the web hosting issues have now been overcome. Upgrading to Broadband and useless ISP technical support about domain names have finally been resolved. (Not by the ISPs though). There are still a few issues about the amount of webspace available to be resolved, so for the moment there is no room for the photos, but hopefully these will be back soon. The engagement list is up-to-date though and I hope to add details of our Switzerland tour soon. I have also added a few links on our home page to other pages run by our talented band members.
16/05/2005   As Weston-super-Mare was our first contest for a while the band had a few new registered players who have joined recently.
Joe Cheshire - Euphonium
Ann Seville - Cornet
Kevin Palfrey - Cornet
Wouter Vorstman - Cornet
Glynis Wilsdon - Horn
Terry Brookes - Percussion
16/05/2005   The Band competed at the Weston-super-Mare contest at the weekend. The feeling was that the band had played well so the result is disappointing. Winchcombe were placed 11th out of 12 bands, first place went to Verwood Concert Brass, this year's fourth section South West Area champions. Bream were second and Severn Tunnel were third. The full adjudicators comments will be posted soon
16/05/2005   Click here for the new Fourth Section Grading table following the 2005 South West Area contest
19/02/2005 Winchcombe Concert Brass are pleased to announce the reformation of the Training Band. Gavin and Jack, two of our trombone section, will be setting this up in the coming weeks and the band is very excited about the prospects. Anyone who is interested should send an email to the address on the contacts page   
03/02/2005 Unfortunately Winchcombe Concert Brass will not be able to attend this year's Area contest at Torquay. As serious as all Band Players take their responsibilities, there are some things which are more important. Our Solo Trombone player has decided that he could not possibly cancel his wedding on that day and as his guest list includes other members of the band we have decided to compete at the Weston Super Mare contest on Sunday May 15th instead.
The band wishes to congratulate Gavin and hope that it is a fantastic day.
03/01/2005 The band would like to thank Greg Morgan for conducting the band for the last six months. The first rehearsal in 2005 will be on Tuesday 11th January at which Greg's Dad will be conducting for a trial rehearsal.
11/08/04 On Tuesday at Rehearsal the Band was pleased to welcome Joe McMullen all the way from New Hampshire in the USA. He had been on a band tour to Wales and extended his holiday with a stay in Winchcombe.
He had checked out the Internet and found our site and came along to play Euphonium with us and then share a beer in The Plaisterers afterwards.
We hope he enjoyed the evening and we look forward to staying in touch.
14/07/04 On Sunday 25th July the Band will be playing at the Stratford Park in Stroud at 2.30pm. Click here for directions.
On Tuesday 3rd August the Band will be holding its AGM at the Conservative Working Men's Club in Winchcombe at 8pm
08/07/04 On Sunday (11th July) the Band will be playing at the Festival of Naunton Service at 11am. This is being held at the Dovecote in Naunton. Click here for directions.
30/06/04 The Band will be busy this weekend playing at the Pershore Midsummer Brass Festival on Saturday (3rd July) at 11.20am in the Abbey and 1pm at The Angel Inn.
On Sunday (4th July) the Band will be at Sanders Park in Bromsgrove from 2.30pm - 4.30pm. Click Here for directions.
22/06/04 Congratulations to Jon Roskilly who passed his Grade 8 on trombone with Distinction a few weeks ago. 
04/05/04 Click Here to see the new Grading Tables after the Area Contest.
Also In Summary:-
SECTION PROMOTED RELEGATED
Championship   Lydmet Lydney
First Bournemouth Concert Brass
Lanner & District Silver
St Keverne
Torbay Brass
Second Helston Town
Otterbourne Brass
Bugle Silver
Launceston Town
Third Bristol East
St Dennis
St Stythians
Bream Silver
New Forest Brass
Penzance Silver
St Breward Silver
Tewkesbury Town
Fourth Bratton Silver
Downton
 
27/03/04 18th Place at the Area Contest in Torquay. Click Here for Adjudicator's comments. Click Here for Results
24/03/04 Extra practice on Thursday for Saturday's contest. Click Here for directions to the church where we are going to warm up on Saturday morning.
17/03/04 Extra Practice on Friday 19th March will be at 8pm in the Guide Hall. That is through the metal gate on the opposite side of the road to the Methodist Church, about 20 meters before the stocks on the corner of North Street.
18/02/04 4th Place at the GBBA contest - Click Here for Adjudicators comments. Click Here for Results
There is a Horn Sectional Practice on Wednesday 25th February at 8pm
11/02/04 There is an extra  rehearsal on Thursday 12th February for the Entertainments Contest on Sunday. It is at the normal time at the normal place.
On Sunday 15th February there is a practice at Longhope Village Hall at 9.30am before the contest. Click Here for directions
24/11/03  2nd Place at the GBBA contest - Click Here for Adjudicators comments. Click Here for Results
19/11/03 On Sunday 23rd November there will be a practice at Longhope Village Hall at 10am before the contest. Click Here for directions
12/11/03 IMPORTANT     Practice next week will be on Wednesday 19th November not Tuesday 18th November. Though it will be same time, same place

Click Here for photos of the 20th Anniversary Concert

25/09/2003 Click Here for photos of the band playing at Worcester on Sunday 21st September
23/09/2003 The next engagement is Sunday 5th October at Naunton for the Harvest Festival service. Click Here for directions
18/09/03 The Band is playing at The Fountains in Worcester on Sunday 21st September at 2pm. Click Here for directions. (Come into Worcester off the motorway, pass the Cathedral on your left, go down Deansway and then left into Copenhagen Street)

Posters and tickets are being distributed for the 20th Anniversary Concert on Saturday 18th October at 7.30pm. It looks like it is going to be a great concert.

24/07/2003 Here is just a quick update on recent events in the band. We were pleased to see Rachel back safely from New Zealand, unfortunately she has a temporary job too far away from Winchcombe so she is still taking extraordinary steps to miss practice.

The Friends of The Band scheme is gaining pace and on behalf of the band we say thank you again to all of the people who have kindly contributed to the band.

We have heard some positive comments about our last performance at Pershore, especially for Mike's excellent soprano solo in the Abbey.  We would also like to take the opportunity to thank our friends from Malvern and Tewkesbury for their help on the day. It was a pleasure as well to see Rachel (a different one!) down from London to play in the band again. We all wish her well in her search for a new teaching job.

Our next engagement is on Sunday 3rd August as Stratford park in Stroud. Click Here for directions

04/06/2003 To help people find this site it has now been submitted for registration with Yahoo and Google. The address has also been given to the web page run by the Winchcombe Business Forum so hopefully a link will be added to their page as well. The address for that site is www.winchcombe.co.uk 
02/06/2003 Despite what the Gloucestershire Echo said last week, the booking for Montpellier Gardens on 14th June is confirmed as Winchcombe Concert Brass. We are playing from 2.30pm until 4.30pm. Click Here for directions. Be warned though, whenever we play here it seems to rain !
16/05/2003 This is part of the booking clause issued concerning parking for the job at Stratford-upon-Avon on Sunday 29th June

Regrettably, despite representations from Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust, the District Council will not allow band vehicles any access or parking within the bandstand enclosure for the present time, unloading must take place at the new electronic barrier and parking must only be in officially designated areas. This means that, when unable to find parking away from the recreation ground,  performers will have to pay parking fees. We stress that this is not the fault of the Trust or our client, David Roberts who is in attendance to welcome bands each week, therefore band personnel are asked to refrain from addressing unnecessary criticism towards him personally. Any unpleasantness by individuals or refusal to abide by the District Council ruling can only jeapardise the whole of the Bandstand Season and will result in the particular band concerned not being invited to participate again.

30/04/2003 The grading tables have arrived. Hayle Town, Camborne B and New Forest Brass are promoted to the 3rd Section.
To see the complete table Click Here
13/04/2003 Read the adjudicator's comments and see the marks from the Area contest. Click Here
8/04/2003 TOP HALF OF THE TABLE IN THE AREA CONTEST

Winchcombe Concert Brass came 12th out of 26 bands (25 played and 1 withdrew) in the Area contest at Torquay. A great result with probably the smallest band on stage with 20 players. It was a lovely hot day down by the sea, and went off without too many problems apart from one player getting the wrong day and the bus nearly running over the Solo Horn player's car. Also the zip broke on our 2nd Euphonium's trousers so she had to play on stage with them held up by the badge borrowed from the steward on the door.
We also congratulate our friends in Tewkesbury Town Band who played 1st and came 10th out of 17 in the 3rd Section.

28/03/2003 Practice schedule for the Area contest

Sunday 30th March 10am - 12pm at the Guide Hall in Winchcombe
Tuesday 1st April 7.30pm - 8.30pm Cornets Sectional at the Band Room
Tuesday 1st April 8.30pm - 10pm Full Band practice at the Band Room
Thursday 3rd April 8pm - 10pm Full Band practice at the Band Room

We have also signed up another 3 players for the contest, so the band keeps growing at the moment which is fantastic news

21/02/2003 Read the adjudicator's comments and see the marks from the GBBA contest
Click Here
 
09/02/2003 A GOOD RESULT FROM THE GBBA CONTEST

The results of the GBBA Entertainments contest were split into two parts, playing and entertainment, and then combined to give an overall placing.
There were 6 band in the 4th Section and Winchcombe came 3rd in the playing marks and 4th in the entertainment. This put us joint 4th overall.
As the band has not competed for almost exactly 2 years, a 3rd place in the playing was an excellent result. Full points and adjudicators remarks will be posted soon.

06/02/2003 It has been a good week for the band regarding registering players.  We have just signed 9 new players ready for the GBBA Entertainments contest on Sunday and the Area contest down in Torquay.
08/01/2003 The things some people do to miss band practice !  Click here for pictures of Rachel having fun in New Zealand before she started working in a hospital in Auckland
16/12/2002 The Fourth Section test piece for the  regional area contest in 2003 is 'Lydian Pictures' by Simon Dobson. The contest is in Torquay on Saturday 5th April
09/12/2002 After a break from the contest scene, Winchcombe Concert Brass will be competing again at the GBBA entertainment contest on the 9th February in Coleford. The programme will feature our Solo Trombonist, Gavin Mellor, playing 'Blue John' and the rest of the programme can be heard in effectively a dress rehearsal at our concert in Winchcombe Methodist Church the day before, Saturday 8th February 2003.
 
20/07/2002   After the band's successful performances at Fairford Air Show, the Tattoo FM station describing the day announced that  Winchcombe Concert Brass were 'Awesome'
 
05/06/2002 Following the success of the Jubilee Service at the recreation ground, the band has been asked to play again at a church service in Naunton to help raise money for an Egyptian Orphanage. The hymns to be played will be from the following list:
  • There is a name I love to hear
  • Praise my soul the King of Heaven
  • Glorious things of thee are spoken
  • There's a work for Jesus
  • Blessed assurance Jesus is mine
  • Jesus is Lord
  • When the Lord in glory comes
 
14/02/2002 The Band will open the Tewkesbury District Twinning Association Concert on Friday 22nd February at Winchcombe School on Greet Road, Winchcombe at 7.30pm.

The programme that the band will play is as follows:

  • Castell Caerffili
  • Pastorale by Goff Richards
  • The Lincolnshire Poacher arranged by Derek Broadbent
  • A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square by Maschwitz and Sherwin, arranged by Alan Fernie
  • The Boy From Menaem (A Frisian Air) arranged by Gordon Langford
  • When The Saints Go Marching In arranged by Gordon Langford
 
16/08/2001 Winchcombe Concert Brass is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Davidson as the new resident conductor.
 
31/07/2001 Winchcombe Concert Brass would like welcome any new players who would like to come along to our practices. Email any of the contacts for further details

 

This page was last updated 03/09/2008