News
7th September 2008
Yesterday the band played at the Exmouth Entertainment Contest. Lympstone took the audience to the Cannes Film festival for 25 minutes, unfortunately the weather outside was anything like that of the Cote d'AZUR!! Lympstone's film themed programme consisted of the fanfare from 20th Century Fox, Chicken Run, Concerto de Aranjuez (Flugel solo - Fran Bowman), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Hymn to the Fallen (from Saving Private Ryan) and Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony (also found in Babe!). The
adjudicator, Dennis Wilby placed us 5th out of the 15 bands that entered, which was a little disappointing but Fran deservedly won
the soloist prize. Thanks to Nick Annear who helped us out on Percussion.
12th August 2008
We would all like to welcome into the band Ken Cassidy on Bass Trombone and Derek Roberts on BBb Bass. They both join us with loads of experience and ability and will boost the band in the areas most needed. We are still looking for Percussionists and Cornet players if anyone is interested!
Preparation for Exmouth Entertainments Contest is well underway with our programme nearly sorted! For those who would like a day of free Brass Band music, all the competing bands will be performing in the Exmouth Pavilion Gardens on 6th September from 10am. We will be performing in the gardens at 4.25pm to 4.55pm. We will also be playing inside for the audjudicated contest at 3.05pm for 25 minutes. We hope to see you there!
4th August 2008
The band was out in force at this years Lympstone Furry Dance. Firstly the training band performed at the Furry Dance Fete in the afternoon to a large audience, probably the largest they have ever performed in front of, and did a fantastic job. Later, some of the training band members joined the senior band to lead the dancers through Lympstone.
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25th June 2008
Colin Dance has launched a new website for Dance is with Music, it can be seen at www.danceiswithmusic.co.uk
On the website you can view Colin's arrangements and original compostitions and listen to a few of them online. The band have played many of Colin's arrangements in concerts and wish him luck with his new business venture.
22nd June 2008
Yesterday the Training Band played for a packed crowd at the Honeylands Children's Hospital fete. It was the band's first engagement wearing their new polo shirts and were looking extremely smart! Not only that but they played so well that they have been booked again for next year! Well done!
If you want to join the training band either as a beginner or inexperienced player then please get in touch or come to a rehearsal. The Training Band is not just for the youngsters so if you want to start a new hobby then don't hestitate, it is a lot of fun!
20th May 2008
After a successful rehearsal on Sunday the band took to the stage at the Winter Gardens in Weston-Super-Mare to play Fantasy for Brass Band by Malcolm Arnold. We played well, especially our soloists, Tim, Claire and Sheila and came back with a 4th place out of 7 in the highest section with 188 points. You can read our adjudication from Professor Philip Wilby here. Thank you to our helpers on the day - Dave and John from Phoenix Brass and Joy and Gaz, two of our regular helpers.
The rest of the results of the Championship/1st section were:
1st - Poole Borough
2nd - Shirley
3rd - Yeovil Town
4th - Lympstone South West Telecoms
5th - Chalford
6th - Ibstock Brick Brass
7th - Abergavenny
Withdrew - Portishead and Swindon Pegasus
More information can be found at http://www.themouthpiece.com/vb/showthread.php?t=33139&highlight=weston
18th May 2008
We will competing this afternoon in the Championship/1st Section at Weston-Super-Mare own choice contest. You can follow the live reporting and predictions from the Mouthpiece.com at http://www.themouthpiece.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=82
12th April 2008
The band would like to thank both Trevor Naughton and Huw Williams for taking over the baton whilst our Musical Director has been away. Although we had small attendances due to school holidays they were very productive in preparation for the upcoming contest at Weston-Super-Mare.
We would also like to welcome back Fran Bowman after a short break from the band.
Long hours were spent at the bandroom this Saturday, but this time not practicing! Thanks to Richard, Robbie, Jan, Claire, Tim, Bryony, Becky and Brad who all helped in sorting out the store room and music library. Special thanks to Claire for providing lunch!
8th March 2008
The band performed at the West of England Area Champioships today in the
First Section playing James Cook Circumnavigator by Gilbert Vinter. Out of a strong field of 14 bands, the band was delighted to be placed 4th in only their second year in the section. The band played well and special mention must go to all soloists who really played well on the day. The contest was the last performance of two long serving members of the band - Colin Dance and Sam Strawbridge. A presentation was made to them at the rehearsal and we hope our result was a fitting way for them to leave the band in style. We send each of them our very best wishes and we hope they keep dropping in to visit us. The rest of the band got a Creme Egg each, a gift from our conductor which is becoming a bit of tradition at contests!
Thanks to Richard Burton, Steve Green and Andy Wighton for helping out due to illness and work commitments, we hope that they will be able to play with us again soon.
3rd March 2008
The band performed outside the Globe Inn and Swan Inn, Lympstone on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the opening of the first stage of the cycle path between Exmouth and Exeter. The village was packed with people who had walked or cycled the 1.5 mile path. Although the band got very cold it was a great afternoon and we had many good comments about how well the band played and looked in our new jackets!
11th February 2008
The band enjoyed the weekend at the Start Bay Centre in Slapton where we had a full schedule of full and sectional rehearsals along with a quiz courtesy of Tim and a few drinks. Congratulations to the winning team - Nigel, Robbie, Jack and Colin! Thanks also goes to the cook - we had lots of good food!
The band are now really looking forward to the next month where the test piece for the area, James Cook - Circumnavigator will be taking shape.
12th January 2008
The band are looking forward to a weekend at the Start Bay Centre in Slapton on the 9th and 10th February where the band will be undergoing some intensive rehearsals on James Cook - Circumnavigator, the 1st section area test piece.
11th January 2008
The band received some bad news that Bb Bass player Andy Harris will be taking a break from band due to family and work commitments. We hope that he will return soon, but we are now looking at alternative arrangements for the area contest in March.
2nd January 2008
Unfortunately in the poll for website of the month (December) on themouthpiece.com we have come only 3rd out of 5 bands with 7 votes. The winner was Blackburn and Darwen Band who got 15 votes. Obviously, looking at the numbers of voters, you guys didn't vote! Shame on you! But Blackburn and Darwen have a great website, well done to them. If there is anything you would like to see on this site email info@lympstoneband.co.uk.
Happy New Year! No band rehearsal on Thursday 3rd January, rehearsals will recommence on 7th January 2008.
4th December 2007
Our website has been nominated as website of the month on themouthpiece.com. We now need all your votes to win! Follow the link and vote for a website that looks good, is up to date and very informative.
17th November 2007
Tonight the band took part in a joint concert, in aid of the Cancer Charity Force, with the Exeter Symphony Orchestra, the combined choirs of the Exmouth and Ottery St Mary Choral Societies and Soloist Alison Burnett. The Great Hall at Exeter University was packed out and the extended stage was full of about 120 musicians! It was a fantastic night which was expertly organised thanks to Dick Passmore who was also tonight's compere.
The programme included many popular classics including Overture - William Tell, Zadok the Priest, Hallelujah Chorus, Finlandia. We played Sousa's Semper Fidelis (which is Exeter's motto), Gabrielli's Canzon Seconda, Tchaikovsky's March "The Little Russian" and also Verdi's Force of Destiny. The night was rounded off by Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.
A fantastic night, enjoyed by all!
12th November 2007
A few weeks ago Mr Handley came to measure us all for new jackets - and today they arrived. They all fit perfectly and we can't wait to use them for the first time at the 'Classics Galore!' concert at the Great Hall in Exeter this Saturday. They are, I hasten to add, still red!
4th November 2007
The band were placed 6th out of 8 in the open section at the weekend. The band competed against some of the best bands in the South West and it was the first time the band had competed in the top section at the SWBBA contest. The open section allowed a choice of test piece and the selection on the day was great. We played Verdi's "Force of Destiny" arranged by Frank Wright.
29th September 2007
From the Exmouth Herald Friday 28th September 2007.
Pomp and Circumstance
There's nothing like a capacity house to raise the temperature. For Exmouth Rotary Club's annual Last Night of the Proms at Exmouth Pavilion last Thursday, September 20, the audience certainly did that.
The rousing welcome given to MD Charlie Fleming and his amazing Lympstone Band was only surpassed by the roar of ecstatic applause in appreciation at the end that brought the band back on for an encore.
Starting with Fanfare and Flourishes, the band tripped lightly through a classical first half that featured serious moments with Soprano Val Howells, in a crimson ball gown, performing Panis Angelicus, then an arrangement for
voice and brass of the Benedictus from a Mass for Peace, arranged by local musician Colin Dance, and a sing along
section, Keep Smiling Through, of wartime favourites.
The second half started with much clowning around as the band in festive hats performed a series of circus melodies, before the more traditional finale. Val Howells returmed, in a suitably outrageous hat and cloak over a sea blue
gown, for Rule Britannia and all that we associate with the Last Night patriotic conclusion, marking the 150th
anniversary of the birth of Elgar with a roof blowing rendition of his Pomp march Land of Hope and Glory. This was a really hot night. If you missed it, be there next year! A wonderful evening that made over £2,500 for Rotary
charitable causes. Thanks to the people of Exmouth and all visitors for their support.
David Capel-Jones
Rotary Club
25th September 2007
We would like to welcome Sam Aynsley from St Stythians band on Solo Euphonium. He has just moved to Exeter to study English at the University of Exeter. This will bring a few moves in the band, one of which will be Robbie from Solo Euphonium onto Solo Trombone.
21st September 2007
The band enjoyed a full audience at the Exmouth Pavilion last night along with their flag waving and singing! The
night organised by the Exmouth Rotary Club was fantastic. We'd like to thanks David Capel-Jones for organising it
and compliment him on the great advertising for the event. Val Howells our guest soloist was also fantastic,
especially when we accompanied her with Benedictus 'A Mass for Peace'' arranged by Colin Dance. We are all hoping
that we will be asked back next year!
Congratulations to Richard (2nd Baritone) and Fen on their wedding anniversary, which always lands on a band
engagement!
16th September 2007
The website now has new guestbook. Please leave us a message.
11th September 2007
The band are now rehearsing hard for the Exmouth Rotary Club Last Night of the Proms, which is to be held at the Exmouth Pavilions on Thursday 20th September. On stage the band will be joined by local singer, Val Howells. The programme on the night will include some of our repertoire from the Exmouth Entertainments contest, Panis Angelicus and of course the well known Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem. The tickets have been selling very well and should be a sell out. This is a fantastic opportunity for the band as we have never been asked to take part in this annual concert before.
7th September 2007
The band get a good review of Saturday's Entertainment contest in the Exmouth Journal.
4th September 2007
The band took part in the SWBBA Entertainments contest at Exmouth Pavilion on Saturday and received 3 prizes:
3rd place overall, Best Soloist and Best in 1st Section.
Our programme consisted of:
Come follow the band - arr Colin Dance
Entry of the Gladiators
On with the motley (Soprano cornet solo - Paul Luford)
Be a clown
Send in the Clowns - arr Colin Dance (Flugel solo - Richard 'Scotty' Burton - pictured)
Dance of the Comedians
Click here to see our remarks.
5th August 2007
Yesterday the band took part in the Lympstone Furry Dance where the whole village turned out. The band also played a short concert for the gathered crowd at the end of the dance outside The Swan pub.
4th July 2007
Unfortunately, our Principal cornet, John has had to move away for a few months. We are, however, very pleased to announce that Trevor Naughton has agreed to become our new principal. Welcome back to Lympstone Band, Trevor. Trevor has previously played with the band but has recently been conducting Torbay. Congratulations on your new baby too, Trevor.
16th June 2007
Today the band played a concert at the Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton. Joining the band on stage was the church choir. It was a successful concert with the band and the choir joining together for Benedictus, Abide with Me, Kumbaya and Hymns of Praise. The band also performed Suite Gothique with the church organist. Although, another notable highlight was the performance of 'The Holy Cross', the middle movement of Colin Dance's St Michael Ley Line - the premiere of the piecein the church it was named after. John, our principal cornet has been away for the last few engagements and the band would like to thank Tim for stepping up. Thanks to Gibby and Joy for helping out too.
25th May 2007
Alli has once again gone off to Scotland to compete in the Adventure Racing World Championships. The race starts tomorrow and will finish by 2nd June if not before.Alli's team is in The North Face team (no. 18). You can see their progress on www.arcw2007.com.You can also read about Alli and her team here. Good luck Alli, I hope it goes well!
22nd May 2007
Yesterday we competed at Weston-Super-Mare in the Chmpionship/1st section against 7 other bands. We played Eric Ball's High Peak, however the audjudicator Geoffrey Whitham didn't feel we played it well and placed us 7th. The MouthPiece website were also doing live coverage of all the bands. Click here for the write up on us. They thought we deserved 3rd! See here for the full results.
12th March 2007
Last Saturday saw Lympstone's first ever contest in the First Section. We came 9th out of 13 playing The Wayfarer at the West of England Area Contest at the Riviera Centre in Torquay. The band were happy with the way they played. The band put in a lot of work over the last few months and enjoyed their first experience in the First Section. Hopefully, it will lead to even greater things!!
Thanks to Gibby for stepping in the night before to play 4th man down due to Alli's family bereavement. Sadly Alli's father passed away the day before the contest, naturally as anyone would expect Alli went straight away to spend time with the rest of her family. The thoughts of the whole band are with Alli and her family.
The bands' soloists played well - special mention to John, Colin, Fran, Sheila, Bryony, Robbie and Nigel (good effort everyone). And yes, Fran did make it to play with us, although we didn't see her until the day! Fran actually was competing in Crufts with her mother's dogs on Friday and came a fantastic 3rd! I wonder if we'll see her on TV?!
The forthcoming contest at Weston-Super-Mare will see our debut in the Championship/1st Section!
More work in the next 2 months then.....!
28th February 2007
I would like to Apologise for being off line.....Sorry!All our thoughts and condolences go to Fran and her family after the
sudden death of her mother. Fran hopes to rejoin the band for the areas but
in the meantime the band are preparing for the worst.
23rd February 2007
We welcome back Annabelle on 2nd Horn after a brief break. She has now moved house and is able to contest with us at the area. And what a huge difference she's made!15th February 2007
Welcome to Andy and Tom Harris who have joined us on Bb Bass and Cornet respectively. They will not be playing for the area on 10th March but will become full time players after. Welcome and we hope you enjoy your time at Lympstone!9th February 2007
Preparations for the West of England areas are well underway. The band have extra rehearsals and sectionals planned and will be rehearsing in different venues to get ready for the large concert hall of the Riviera Centre in Torquay. We are also happy to announce the return of Ben the Doctor to the bass ranks!
5th February 2007
The band held their AGM last night and there have been a few changes to the committee. They are as follows:Bryony - Web master and Librarian
Claire - Assistant Librarian
Jack - Youth representative
Paul - Publicity Officer
All other positions remain the same.
January 2007
Happy new year everyone!
We have had a few band changes for the new year. Colin has taken up the Soprano Cornet seat and Alli has moved onto Solo Cornet (4th man down). Bryony has moved to 1st Baritone after the departure of Kelly. We also welcome Bev Brown on 2nd Trombone.
December 2006
The band had a great Christmas season with many engagements which were all very sucessful. Thanks to all the band who have worked extremely hard this year.
4th November 2006
Today, the band competed at the SWBBA Contest at the Riviera Centre, Torquay. The band, however, were very disappointed to come away with only 7th place. A lot of work was put into preparing the test piece, Land of the Long White Cloud, but this is an experience that will benefit the whole band as we move into the First Section next year. Many people outside the band thought we deserved a higher placing..........but that's contesting for you!!!!!It was also lovely to see Jonathan at the contest and we hope his doctors will let him come back soon. The band would also like to thank Annabelle Harvey who stepped in to play Solo Horn, Annabelle has also decided to take a break from banding due to increasing work commitments. We hope to see her return to us soon.
9th October 2006
Our thoughts go out to Jonathan, our Solo Horn player who has unexpectantly become ill. We hope that he will make a full recovery and be able to return to us soon. In the meantime the band will be making some adjustments so we can still compete at Torquay in less than 4 weeks. GET WELL SOON JONATHAN! Tonight was also the time to say good bye to Roy, our 1st Baritone who will be moving to Spain next week! We will miss him tremendously, especially hisflexibility to move onto almost any instrument to help the band, and not to mention his skills as a librarian and carpenter! Good luck Roy, we hope the move goes well without too many problems! We look forward to seeing you again at Christmas. Remember to keep playing! BYE!
28th September 2006
Welcome to Devon Fran! Fran, from Gresley has moved to Exeter to complete a PGCE (Teaching).Fran is actually Sam's (Pope) cousin, so we've lost one, but gained another. Fran plays Cornet and we welcome her and hope that she will settle in and sign for us soon!!!
Retrospective from 4barsrest: Lympstone South West Telecoms and Charles Fleming drew the short straw and the early draw may have affected the band's confidence slightly, with a number of errors in all three movements proving costly in the end. There were good attempts at the quieter dynamics and given a bit more luck, we can expect to see the band further up on its next outing.
25th September 2006
Despite a very enjoyable weekend in Harrogate, the band were disappointed to finish in 14th place out of 16 bands that competed. The band played off the difficult number one position but were glad just to be playing at the National Finals. First Section for us next year remember.......
11th September 2006
All concentration on the Finals now, extra rehearsal Saturday 16th Sept at 10.30. Horn sectional 9.45, don't forget Charlie!
9th September 2006
Well done Lympstone! 2nd place and Best Percussion at Exmouth Entertainment Contest.
Thanks to Sam and Tim for helping out, especially Sam, you obviously contributed to the the Best Percussion award! I thought the bang at the end did it, great percussion effects!
22nd August 2006
Alli's team, Barclays/The North Face finished the race today in 10th place out of the 32 teams that started the race. They were also the only British team to finish! Well done, Alli....see you back in band soon!!
12th August 2006
Good luck Alli! Alli is once again displaying her complete and utter madness! Alli and 3 of her team mates are one of 32 teams from 14 countries which will soon line up for the 2006 Adventure Racing World Championship, starting in Hemavan/Tärnaby in Northern Sweden on Wednesday 16th August. The race which will take 7 days to complete is an 800km course through the Artic Circle regions of Sweden and Norway. The disciplines included are Mountainbike, Trekking, Kayaking, White Water paddling , Glacier-mountaineering, Ropeworks, Coasteering, Canyoneering, Inlines and Caving! You can follow her progress on www.arwc2006.com. Alli's team is the GBR Barclays capital/ The North Face.
7th August 2006
The band received a great reception from the village of Lympstone during the recent Furry Dance. The Training Band entertained at the Furry Dance from 3:30pm and then joined the Senior Band later in the evening for the dance through the village to the Saddler's Arms and back. It was a fantastic day, the band, which was out in force, despite numerous players being away on holiday, did a magnificent job. Well done everyone!3rd July 2006
Well Alli burst through the finishing line at Candy's Field, Lympstone at about 2pm
this afternoon. The Fun Day was well supported and the whole event seems to have
been a great success. Pictures of Alli arriving at Lympstone are now online. Thanks to EVERYONE that helped and attended our Fun Day, we had a wicked day, and raised loads of money. I will let you all know how much when I know exact amounts. Don't forget those who haven't had the chance to sponsor us yet, you can still do it online at www.lympstoneband.co.uk/sponsor.html
Just now time to get your sponsorship money into Jonathan! And last but by no means least..... Well done Alli! Distance: 323.34 miles
Time pedalling: approx 20 hrs
Rice Pudding: x 2 tins!
Cups of tea: Many.....
Chocolate: Only what was left after the support team found it!!!A few words from Alli.... "Can i just say a big thanks to all the support from everybody over the last few days. The ride went well and I surprised myself just how fast I managed to do it, must have been the thought of that cream tea!!!
The Band played a stormer though, the fun day was a great way to finish......lets hope we'll play a stormer on stage in September...harrogate here we come ( again!!)"
22nd July 2006
Alli has begun her journey! Take a look at the photos! They left Harrogate International Centre right on time at 7am, unfortunately the great British
summer weather played its part and there was a lovely thunderstorm to see her underway.
It took her an hour and a half to get to Skipton.
She disappeared in Blackburn........her support team lost her for a brief time!!
Wigan at 11:19.
Warrington and 85 miles at 12 noon.
13:05 100 miles gone and now south of Northwich, they can't seem to be able to get her to slow down!!
15:45 Telford and slap bang into the middle of a cycle race......we think she was trying to win that too.
15:56 Alli is now half way home to Lympstone and setting a cracking pace!!
18th July 2006
The time is nearly here, Alli I hope you are well prepared!
17th July 2006
Please see our thread on tMP.
The Lympstone South West Telecoms Band were delighted to qualify for the National Finals at Harrogate and will very proudly be representing the West of England in the Second Section on the 23rd September, 2006. The band's conductor, Charlie Fleming, stated that
"....the work the band put in during the build up to the West of England Regional was superb. To have qualified for the National Finals and receive promotion to the First Section was a fabulous achievement for the band. I am so pleased that the band as a whole are making such dramatic efforts both in and out of the bandroom to make our appearance at the National Finals a success."
It will, however, cost the band in the region of £8000 to be able to compete at the National Finals.
In a bid to raise money for the forthcoming event, Alli Northcott, the band's soprano cornet player will be cycling
non-stop from the Harrogate International Centre (home of the National Finals) to Lympstone Band Room. This
continous bike ride, which will take place over July 22nd/23rd, is well over 300 miles and Alli will be cycling all day
and night, battling tired legs and the worst British summer weather can throw at her. After leaving Harrogate
International Centre, Alli will be crossing over to Blackburn and passing through Warrington, Telford, Kidderminster,
Gloucester, Bristol and Exeter before her triumphant return to Lympstone. This is what Alli had to say about her
mammoth journey
".....cycling is something I can do! I was gently persuaded by my fellow bandsmen and women to undertake something of 'challenge' in order to raise funds for our appearance at the National Finals. So does the thought of 30 plus hours of cycling. covering half the length of the country daunt me? Of course it does, I've never spent that much time on a bike before It's going to be tough, really tough, but then again, so is qualifying and playing at the National Finals! I know that at the end of it, my team mates will be there on Sunday, playing me in with a nice Devon cream tea waiting for me! Oh, and if you see me over the weekend, give us a shout, or even better...some chocolate!"
Commenting on Alli's venture Charlie Fleming said
"I am confident that Alli will succeed no matter what she comes up against and her attitude is reflected throughout the whole band. That's why I am looking forward to conducting the Lympstone South West Telecoms Band at the National Finals in Harrogate so much
Alli's return to Lympstone will coincide with a Fun Day organised by the band to be held at Candy's Field,
Lympstone commencing at 12 noon on Sunday 23rd July. Events during the day will include:-
Variety of stalls
BBQ
Live music
Refreshments/Cream teas
Fancy dress 5-a-side football
Penalty shoot out
Raffle
Games
Bouncy Castle
Maybe a fire engine......and lots more besides.......
The highlight of the Fun Day will be Alli's triumphant return to Lympstone but the big question is what time will it happen and how long will it take her to complete the distance? Any guesses?
If you would like to sponsor Alli on her long journey please visit If you would like more information on the event please e-mail info@lympstoneband.co.uk
I'm sure you would all want to join me and wish Lympstone South West Telecoms Band and especially Alli all
the best with this ambitious venture.The Lympstone Band would also like to thank their sponsor, South West Telecoms and Tony Rowe for the use
of a van during the event and printing undertaken to support the band in their quest. The band would also like
to thank the Parish Council for allowing them to use the field for their Fun Day.
27th June 06
All the band members should now have there copies of the sponsor form for Alli's continuos cycle. Please get as many sponsors as you can and we will be able to make it to the finals! For those of you who don't know about the continuous sponsored cycle that Alli, our Soprano Cornet player, will be doing on 22nd and 23rd July. She will be taking on the 300 miles from Harrogate to Lympstone.... all on a bike! Don't forget we will all be greeting her upon her arrival to the bandroom, in Candy's field, Lympstone on 23rd July. Time...... well we'll see!!! Alli is hoping to complete the mamouth task in just 30 hours, bringing her back to Lympstone by 4pm on Sunday.
26th June 2006
We have a date for the band quiz at the Swan Inn, Lympstone, 8pm. All proceeds will be towards funding the finals trip. Any donations for prizes would be much appreciates, please see Bryony or Charlie. It will be on 3rd September 2006, please keep this date free!
23rd June 06
Thanks for a great turn out at the Lympstone Cricket Match. The village should be proud of us for that!
22nd May 06
Well done guys, another great result! 2nd place at Weston Super Mare own choice contest. See the remarks page for the thoughts of TheMusicMan from theMouthPiece.com. The aujudicator's (Steve Sykes) remarks will also be posted up soon.Next committee meeting - 26th June
20th May 06
Rehearsals for Weston-Super-Mare contest have gone very well, let's hope they've gone well enough as the contest is now only tomorrow! For band members - don't forget where you are catching the bus, and at what time..... 9.30 - Ivybridge 10.30 - Lympstone - Meeting lane 11.00 - Sowton Park & Ride Let's keep our title!!
24th April 06
I hope everyone had a nice Easter, most of us were ready and raring to go at Monday nights rehearsal. Where were the rest of you?!? I also have some sad news for those who haven't already heard. Sam Pope, our Chairman, Training band leader and principal Euphonium will be leaving us to begin her new job near Leicester as of September. She will be tremendously missed and has been the back bone of the band for many years. We wish her luck in her new job, and hope that she will continue to visit! All our concentration is now fixed on the test piece for Weston Super Mare, which is less than 4 weeks away! Next committee meeting will be 22nd May at 18.30pm.
18th March 06
Congratulations everyone! 2nd place out of 15 bands at the West of England Area Championships. We have qualified for the finals for the 6th time in 9 years, and have been promoted to the 1st section. Well done to our contest virgins, Hanah Vodden and Matt Potts. And especially to Annabelle Harvey, normally our Flugel Horn, who played percussion. It seems that all our hard work and focus has paid off!
13th Feb 06
AGM - 7.15pm Thanks to everyone who attended and especially those new committee members, whose contribution will be greatly appreciated and useful. Changes to the previous years committee: Bandmaster - Colin Dance Youth Representative - Tim Wright Other Committee members - Annabelle Harvey, Kelly Saunders, Liz Courts and Jan Wallis.
30th Jan 06
Congratulations to Jo and Nick Brancher on the safe arrival of Matthew Jonathan born on Sunday.
23rd Jan 06
Well what a positive few weeks we've had! Steve has provided us with many helpful tips and comments with the fast approaching Area contest. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Steve for all his help and the band for the great turn outs we had for him. Let's keep it up because we still still have a lot of work to do, and so little time. Charlie will not recognise the band he has come back to!
14th Jan 06
I have uploaded excerpts of our recording for 'Sounds of Devon' now for you to listen to on the Listen page. Go and listen 'til your hearts content!
12th Jan 06
Welcome back to Debbie who has had a break from band for a few months. She rejoins us on 2nd Cornet. Also plans have been put into place for Steve Sykes (professional conductor to join us for 2 mondays - 16th Jan and 23rd Jan as Charlie will be on holiday in Florida. (It's alright for some!)
5th Jan 06
First night back of the new year. It began well and rehearsals have now begun on the area test piece - Images of the Millennium.
3rd Jan 06
Happy New Year to all band members, family, friends and website users. I hope it will be a successful one. Band starts again on 5th January and don't forget our belated christmas party on Friday 6th January.
22nd Dec 05
Congratulations to the band and volunteers at our Christmas Concert. It was an all round success. Many thanks to those who helped with advertising and selling tickets, keep it up for next time. CDs again proved very popular with the audience as did Charlie's "It was on a Starry Night" poem, adapted especially for Lympstone Band! Also well done to the Training Band, they worked hard on their performance. They get better every year, but seem to get younger, or is it us getting older?
12th Dec 05
The CD 'Sounds of Devon' produced by Reality Recording was released this weekend and was a sell out at our Christmas concert at the White Ensign Club in Exeter. They are just £8 each and are available from each band that took place; Lympstone SWT, Soundhouse Brass, Exeter Railway Band, Crediton Town Band, Tiverton Town Band, Sidmouth Town Band, Riveria Concert Brass. CDs will be on sale at our Christmas concert on the 21st December 2005 at the Holy Trinity Church, Exmouth. Or you can contact the band through info@lympstoneband.co.uk or call Reality Recording on 01392 255194.
8th Dec 05
Congratulations are in order for our Bb bass player, Colin Dance as he wins the 60th Anniversary SWBBA Composers Competition.
Colin's composition “Celebration South West”, which will now be published and receive its first public performance as the 4th section test-piece at the Association’s 60th Annual Championships to be held in the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay, on Saturday 4th November 2006. Colin will, in recognition of his achievement, receive a cheque for £250 together with an Engraved Crystal Glass Trophy. The final of the South West Brass Band Association’s Composers’ Competition,initiated to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the SWBBA, was played out last Sunday, 4th December, when the St Austell Town Band and the Mount Charles Band each played three of the six compositions before the assessors/judges appointed by the Association, namely Leonard Adams and David Marshall. The other finalists were Richard Huw Cole (Pillowell), Dr Peter Hartley (Poole), Nicholas Kimberley (Cannock), Paul W Norley (Winchester), Terry Treherne (Exeter), all receiving the high accolades of the judges. As observers of the above final, Ray Kingdon (chairman) and Brian Elliott (secretary) convey the SWBBA’s appreciation to the finalists, and indeed to all the fifteen entrants who submitted entries to the Competition.
Well done Colin, now our resident composer and arranger!
3rd Dec 05
Success at the annual Christmas Concert arranged by Lympstone Parish. Our performance was supported by the Balilika ensemble and Taiko Drummers from Exmouth Community School who were once again outstanding. The band played well and had a great response from the audience. Thanks goes to Simon for helping out and Colin for the last minute percussion. Get selling those tickets guys.
27 Nov 05 (Recording 28th Nov)
Christmas is nearly here, but first things first, our recording date has finally come for the Sounds of Devon CD that Charlie has devised. Many bands have already contributed with their favourite pieces of music, including brass bands from South Molton, Sidmouth, and Tiverton. CDs will be available from any of the partaking bands after completion. More details to follow.
6 Nov 05
Well done to everyone for their performance at Torquay yesterday, especially to those who are new to the band. Even though the result wasn't as good as we could have hoped for we have done ourselves proud with the great performance, commented on by many of our supporters, friends and the audience. Well done. The comments will hopefully be passing my eyes at some stage and will be on the remarks page asap, you can then make up your own mind about the performance. Thanks everyone.
30 Oct 05
Preparation for the Contest on Saturday has been going well in our new bandroom. Let's hope we can prove ourselves to be the best band in Devon once again. Practices this week are Monday in the Church, Wednesday (Bandroom), Thursday (Bandroom) and Saturday 1pm in the Rainbow Rooms in Torquay. The 2nd section commences atn 3pm at the Riviera Centre.
24 Oct 05
Thanks to everyone for the great job in Exmouth for the Trafalgar Day. Special thanks goes to James Stugges, Lisa Riggs, Sarah Ratcliff and Chris Ratcliff for your help. Lots of great photos have been published in the paper, giving us great publicity. Thanks.
17 Oct 05
Welcome to 4 new players, Lowenna, Lara and Liz who have joined the ranks of the Back row Cornets and to Andrew who has joined the Solo Cornets. We hope that you will enjoy your time with the band.
1 Oct 05
The day of our move Finally we have come to the moving day! Many of the band turned out to help clear out, transport and organise the bandroom for our first rehearsal in the Youth hut on Monday 3rd October. For those of you who don't know we will now be changing our rehearsal nights to Monday and Thursday, 7.45-9.45pm.
26 Sept 05
Welcome to Kelly Saunders from Pendennis Brass (Falmouth) who has just begun her studies at University of Plymouth - Exmouth Campus. She has joined the Euphonium section and we hope that she will enjoy her stay with us!
04 Sept 05
Undeserved result at Exmouth - see adjudicators remarks The band put out a great performance at Exmouth on Saturday, entertaining as always to its great standards despite Griff breaking his finger! But it wasn't quite enough to beat the awe inspiring Mount Charles Youth Band who won Best overall performance and most Entertaining Performance. In the afternoon we had a great audience enjoying every minute of our concert that took place out in the gardens of Exmouth Pavilion. What a shame about the result.
18 July 05
Thanks to all the had effort put into the 'An Evening in America' concert on 15th July at the Holy Trinity Church,in Exmouth. We recorded some of the music played on Friday evening, and it will be on the Listen page as soon as possible. There was a huge amount of excellent feedback and we hope that we can bring more of the local community to listen to us. So next time please bring your friends and neighbours!
9th June 05
WE HAVE A NEW HOME!! Thank you to all the committee that has put a lot of effort in to finding us an alternative rehearsal room. We are moving to our new premises, situated in the village of Lympstone in the beginning of October. The run down youth club is being renovated and will be a perfect rehearsal room with adjacent practice rooms and large library and band store. The move is made possible by the generosity of our Sponsor "South West Communications Group", and their Chief Executive Tony Rowe.