February2000.htm

2000: BTB Year in Review Part III - A New Beginning

February:

We again entered a Quartet into the SCABA Quartet/Small Ensemble Contest at Godalming. Congratulations to Russell, Shelley, Rachel and John for improving on last year's 5th place with a well-deserved 3rd place from 14 groups. This is our last contest in the 3rd Section (for the time being) due to promotion, so they could well have had the honour of winning our last silverware for some time to come! I wasn't there, but I can only imagine it was much the same as last year (ie very very early on a Sunday morning, long drive, lots of coffee, ragged nerves, pub lunch, wonder how some bands manage to enter six different groups) with the exception that this time Peter remembered to bring the registration cards.

The band witnessed the return of a former player to join Pete Wright and the convalescing Chris Willard in our all-new star-name 3rd Cornet razzing line-up. Former Sop/Cornet Phil Attrill had been missing presumed studying/travelling for some years but had temporarily (?) popped back, presumably until he can find some way of getting out of the area for good! Still, nice to see him (to see him, nice) back anyway and hopefully he'll stay for a while. Pretty please. With sugar on top.

This year, in amongst the usual speeches, perusal of accounts, proposing and seconding, several things could be salvaged from the wreckage of red tape-induced apathy that was the AGM. Namely that Derek Bishop, who had been the band Chairman for several years now after being associated with us for our entire 25 years - over 20 as a player - decided to call it a day to concentrate on other things. We would all like to extend our grateful thanks to him for all he has put into the band over that time and wish him well for the future. Andy was nominated as our new tea-maker in-chief in Derek's absence.

In the meantime, Ron Page (was) volunteered to be our new Chairman, and a most popular choice at that. I would say that, however, as he is a) Bigger than me and b) Has, in the past, threatened violence if I am not nice to him on this site.

Also at the AGM the first band award of the year (or the last of last year depending on your view) was presented. The "Holland Cup" for services to the band went to some dodgy Soprano player with precious little tone and still less stamina who happens to maintain some kind of band website. This person then managed to leave the cup behind after rehearsal. Good work.