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.
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