2001: BTB Year in Review Part IV - The Second Section Strikes Back

May-June:

• Several of our players popped off to Belgium in early May with local rivals Sussex Brass, and were joined by three members of the Ghent Brass Band (See Spring Contest!) playing in Hastings' twin town of Oudenaarde. Obviously the whole point of the trip was as a serious music-making exercise, rather than a chance to sample the Belgian beer. Strange then that I remember little about it all. Nonetheless, all seven of us would like to thank Sussex for their usual hospitality (especially Olau...) and look forward to beating them at the next contest. Sorry, that should have said "look forward to seeing them at their band barbeque".
  
  
• Later in the month we performed for the NSPCC in the St Mary-in-the-Castle arts centre in Hastings, apparently to rave reviews (it's funny, they looked like a fairly discriminating audience...). Band favourite Russell "Goldenballs" Kemp successfully reduced at least one person to tears with his playing. Nothing new there, you may say...however, this time it was for the right reasons as he played a fine rendition of Rodrigo's Concerto D'Orange Juice. A somewhat, ahem, spirited rendition of Goff Richards' "James Bond Collection" was also particularly well received, although not all of those screamer notes were actually written were they now? Thanks to Lucy-Ann for helping out at short notice. The traditional post-gig curry created a couple of interesting incidents. Firstly, a shock as Ruth Cavilla lost her curry speed-eating crown following a fantastic performance from dark horse Phil Baxter. Secondly (and less of a shock to be fair) an amazing beer and curry speed-recycling show from Alex, whose 6-pints-of-Cobra-plus-full-curry in less than an hour was quite a sight to behold. Indeed, for any non-believers, upon exiting the restaurant the results were there in the gutter as proof, a true work of art for all to savour... A mere youngster, but already a legend...Alex we salute you!

• The following day we took our first trip up to Dover to play on the new Pencester Gardens Bandstand. Again young Master Kemp wowed the assembled OAPs with his Memory Man impression. A fairly challenging programme was well played and well received by the crowd, and we even got a nice hot day (good for sweating off those extra pounds if your seat happens to be the only one on the bandstand not in the shade. As per bloomin usual). Thanks to Michael for helping out, and Lynne for hobbling along having bust an ankle the previous day. Undoubted highlight of the afternoon, however, was Olau's fantastic display of post-concert heroics, valiantly grabbing a "disruptive youth" (who had nicked a percussion instrument) in a headlock (scoring well on artistic merit, incidentally), forcing him to drop the stolen item and be left standing there looking as if he was about to cry. Nice work bouncer-type person!
  
  
• Also in May, there was a successful band social, with 10 relatively well-behaved paying customers enjoying an Italian meal; despite the Social Secretary having to dash off mid-way through to play the Last Post and Reveille for the TV cameras, it lacked the sheer vitality of Mr Hohenkerk's fantastic performance in the curry house the previous week (see above), but perhaps it's just that you get a more refined class of people on a Sunday lunchtime? Other news in May was that Olau annouced her engagement to Matt, and Dean and Jo broke the news that they were expecting their second child. Also, Sandra and Ricky took over as owners of the Chequers in Battle (thereby moving our drinking HQ!).
  
  
• June was a busy time for the band. First came a high profile concert at Claverham Community College, given as part of the annual Battle Festival and featuring guest soloist Steve Sykes on tuba (thanks to Boosey & Hawkes for sponsorship). Somehow 36 players crawled out from underneath their respective stones for the occasion! Steve kept the audience amused with some rather dubious tales, although his solos were somewhat better than his jokes... His rendition of Czardas was particularly dazzling, with the band finishing a good second! There was ample opportunity for Steve to demonstrate why he is known as one of the world's top players, and to show that the tuba can be a beautiful lyrical instrument (NB: In the right hands only...DO NOT try this at home) rather than simply the butt of musician's jokes (funny though they are). He was accompanied magnificently on the piano in a couple of pieces by a ruggedly handsome fellow whose name I didn't catch...(if you read this Steve, I'm still waiting for my fee). Due to the Soprano player having new teeth (!) and being busted down to Rep for the weekend, Dave Gullick (he of the flowing locks) finally got his long awaited chance to scare the audience by playing unnecessarily high and turning puce. The band played very well, especially given the challenging nature of some of the pieces, but even so were not overly keen on the President's suggestion from the audience that Poet and Peasant be encored...Thanks to ickle Howard for helping out in the kitchen department, and giving Ave Maria that much-needed pop-ballad revision. Let this hereby lie on the record as a salutory tale in favour of listening to whoever is announcing the next piece!
  
  

• The festival concert was followed up with a Sunday date on our home bandstand. For once, the crowd seemed to outnumber the band, and took the opportunity to laze in the sun and tan to the merry sound of our trombone section hammering Frolic for Trombones at them. Perhaps not everyone's ideal Sunday afternoon activity! Phil "Baby" Baxter merits a mention at this point for playing loudly in a rest during Sussex by the Sea, the simple march that we play to finish every single concert. Northeners eh? Anyway, snide digs at defenceless trombonists aside, the band again played very well. Orange Juice got another fine airing, and everyone was home in time for tea and scones. Thanks to Natalie "Songs of Praise" Thomas and Jon-Boy Delves for an excellent job in manning the bass section single-handedly (or double-handedly, rather) in the absence of any of our "award-winning" oompah team...
  

• The students returned for the Summer to contribute to the Commitment League (in which Russell had just been spectacularly knocked from his traditional top spot by Alex and Paul). Phil Davidson gained a 2:1 in Something-to-do-with-Epiphytes Studies (Biology?) from the University of Bangor. Chris Mills got a 2:1 in Probably-Maths-Or-Computing-Or-Something Studies from the University of East Anglia, and Louise earned a Very Boring First from Cambridge in Yawn-Yawn-Pumping-Oil-And-Things-Through-Pipes-Yukky-Science-Stuff. Easily enough done though.
  
  
• Regular readers of this site may remember the curious story of Pete Nest, the disappearing back-row cornet player. Strangely, a similar case now arose surrounding curly-haired former band heart-throb Phil Attril. Rumour had it that he was pursuing a career in what I understand is termed "Popular Music", together with goateed beat-poet looky-likey brother Colin. Disturbing reports were received that Phil was spotted in new band drinking HQ The Chequers on a rehearsal night, but made a rapid run for the door when he realised band members had seen him. From now on please report any sightings to the Webmaster so that we can keep track of his whereabouts. He must not escape.
  

• It was belatedly noticed that it had been 20 years since Peter Mitchell first took up the baton with the band. The likely explanation for nobody (other than him) having spotted this mementous feat is this: most of the remaining players from those days have long since lost what little remained of their marbles. Nevertheless, given this length of service it's something of a surprise that he's not gone (completely) grey yet. Must be the Grecian 2000 ("strawberry blonde" or something probably)...Anyway, well done from us all! Another 20 years and we'll make Championship Section yet*.

*not

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