Minehead 2006

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Day 1 - Saturday 22nd July 2006

Tour 2006 began at 6 am from Sandbach as we set off for Minehead for a week of concerts.

After a long day of coach travel we arrived at Minehead Barbarians Rugby Club which was to be our accommodation for the week. Compared to past experiences the Rugby Club was luxury for the band as it boasted 2 sets of showers, a bar, playing fields, dining areas, large living areas and a skittle alley!

After we had unpacked and settled in we then had to travel a further 2 hours to Yeovil for the evening concert at the Gateway Theatre.

Sarah and Ellie relaxing before the Concert

The Concert was played to a good welcoming audience who were so impressed by the quality of the bands' entertainment that they would be following the band to hear us play at other concerts during the week. Members of the audience also got to know the members of the band during the interval and were keen to get to know us.

Day 2 - Sunday 23rd July 2006

After a tiring opening day and concert day 2 began with a concert at Blenheim Gardens. The band played 2 spots, morning and afternoon, to a large audience. In between there was free time for the band to enjoy.

The Band's second concert

Susannah plays a solo for the first time

Between the concerts at Blenheim the band enjoyed free time on the beach at Minehead.

Band members on Minehead Beach

Brian, Nigel and Jane enjoy some refreshment.

After just 2 concert venues the bands tour was off to a flyer, CD sales were at their highest level yet and more copies of them had to be sent down due to the demand!

Unusually there was a free evening on day 2, the band enjoyed a roast dinner courtesy of the committee and then took part in a game of rounders.

Day 3 - Monday 24th July 2006

Day 3 began with a performance on Ilfracombe Bandstand, once again there were 2 spots to be played with free time in between, today the band enjoyed fish and chips during the break.

Nigel addresses the public

A Group Photo

After the Bandstand concert we then travelled to Bridgewater Social Club where the local Lions Club had provided a buffet for the band. We then repaid the buffet food by playing a concert for them, on one of the hottest days of the year this proved a real effort.

The Bands Principal Players Pose before the concert

Day 4 - Tuesday 25th July 2006

At last there was a lie in for the Band! Today's concert was at Dunster Castle just a short distance from our base. Although this seemed a nice short journey there was a slight problem as the venue was a castle so the bus could only park at the bottom of a hill. This meant carrying all of the equipment up around 200 steps to reach the performance venue. Luckily we managed to arrange a shuttle to take the heaviest bits up.

So with all of those hurdles overcome the band were ready to play but for one person; Nigel had forgotten his conducting stick!

The bands cornet section at Dunster Castle

The Back of the Band

The Evening Concert was at Kingsmead Community School for the Taunton Lions Club. Once again there was a small but appreciative audience. One of the highlights of this tour was that many members of the band were given the chance to play solos for the first time in concerts, tonight was no exception.

The Band end the concert in typical entertaining fashion!

Day 5 - Wednesday 26th July 2006

Today was especially looked forward to by all as today's venue was the Butlins Holiday Camp Minehead. We arrived early so that there was plenty of time to enjoy the facilities such as swimming in which the whole band, including coach driver, all joined in. After this there was a meal for the band followed by a concert in the main arena. There was tough competition in the arena that day as we had to follow 'Bob The Builder' onto the main stage, some of the band enjoyed watching this more than others!  

The Main Arena, Butlins

The Warm up Act

Today's Evening Concert was at St. Decumans church Watchet. Once again there was a long walk for band to carry equipment from the coach to the venue, but now experienced in this task the band were building all sorts of new muscles! The band performed well in tight conditions and mainly wearing each others shirts due to the confusion during a quick change in a very small cupboard!

Brian is feeling the strain!

Day 6 - Thursday 27th July 2006

Thursday began with a concert at Bridgewater Town Centre, a nice change of scenery for the band, especially the female shopaholics amongst us who were getting sick of bucket and spade shops! The band entertained passers by as well as the local mayor and members of the Bridgewater Lions Club who collected donations from many generous people. One of these generous passers by had already seen the band earlier in the week and took it upon herself to buy everybody chocolate and party poppers! The Members of the band also chipped in to buy Nigel, Brian and Jose T-Shirts featuring pictures of the band on them.

The Band plays in Bridgewater

The Mayor, Local Lions representative and Nigel

Later that evening there was a concert at the Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-Sea. Before this concert there was more free time for the band to relax. The Concert was for the Burnham-on-Sea Lions Club and it was good see that there was a packed audience who enjoyed the concert and between them bought all of the bands' remaining CD stock.

Before the Concert

The Band at the Princess Theatre

Day 7 - Friday 28th July 2006

This mornings concert was back to the sea side to play at Watchet Esplanade for our hosts the Minehead Lions Club. There was a large audience watching us play in the harbour area.

Alex plays his solo

The New Dance Routine

The Final Concert before travelling home was at our base, the Minehead Rugby Club, this was a final chance to thank our hosts the Minehead Lions Club for all of their help in organising such a wonderful concert tour.

Sarah plays her Solo

Sarah and Phil in an unusual Singing Item

The Concert Ends

Day 8 - Saturday 29th July 2006

With the Tour almost over the Band packed up and said their goodbyes to Minehead. A long Journey was ahead but most importantly one more concert, this time back home for all of the friends and family of the band members. Before the concert the band stopped for a final meal together at 'The Romping Donkey' near Rode Heath. This gave us chance to say thank you to all of the people who had helped put the tour together.

The Band Meal

The Final Concert was held at Sandbach School to a packed audience and was thoroughly enjoyed by the band and the audience. Awards were given to Edward Miles (Bandsman of the Year) and all of the leavers who were performing for the last time with Lions Youth Brass, they were Sarah Raisbeck (Principal Cornet), Phil Dobson (Solo Cornet), Steven Bebbington (Baritone), James Darlington and Edward Miles (Bass)

The Band Before the final Concert

A Surprise Item

Tour band members

An official band photo

Cornets: Sarah Raisbeck (Principal), Phil Dobson, Tom Hancock, Charlotte Wilson, Matthew Darlington, Dan Balding, Amy Ball (soprano), Abbie Edwards, Chris Johnson, Claire Hopkins, Jenny Hindle, Wilson Taylor, Ellie Baker

Horns: Danielle Unwin (flugel), Neil Raisbeck, Zack Rodgerson, Charles Gorse, Leanne Withnell.

Euphoniums/Baritones: Alex Holsgrove, Susannah Ball, Steven Bebbington.

Trombones: Ashley Taylor, Jack Robinson

Basses: Andrew Felton*, James Darlington, Edward Miles, Alistair Miles, Sarah Allcock, Rob Hilliard.

Percussion: Mark Thomas

*Indicates ex-member returning to help - our thanks to them all*

Our travelling Committee 2006

Travelling Committee: Nigel Birch (Musical Director), Brian Stubbs, Jane Stubbs (Chairman), Ruth Jenkins, Katie Stubbs, Jose (the Bus Driver).

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