Brassed Off!

Posted on February 12, 2012 by colin
The Lympstone South West Telecoms Band has been asked to take part in a production of Brassed Off!  By Paul Allen and directed by Howard Eilbeck, the play is based on the 1996 hit film by Mark Herman which starred Tara Fitzgerald as ‘Gloria’, Stephen Tompkinson as ‘Phil’, Ewan McGregor as ‘Andy Barrow’ and the late Pete Postlethwaite as ‘Danny’. The show is being performed by the Topsham Estuary Players in Matthews Hall, Topsham between Tuesday 27th and Friday 30th March.

The hit film Brassed Off!

The play tells the story of the closure of a coal mine (and the demise of an entire industry) in the 1990′s by the Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher, the effects of this closure on the local community and the spirit of hopelessness endured 10 years after the miner’s strike through the eyes of the members and families of its brass band – the Grimley Colliery Band, who go on to become the ‘National Champions’ despite the political turmoil going on around them.

The story broadly reflects the history of the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band who starred in the original film and who are currently touring Great Britain on a 15th Anniversary Brassed Off! tour.

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England Saxons vs Ireland Wolfhounds

Posted on February 12, 2012 by colin

On a bitterly cold and windy Saturday 28th January 2012, Lympstone South West Telecoms Band were delighted to perform at Sandy Park, Exeter when Exeter Chiefs hosted the international rugby match between the England Saxons and the Irish Wolfhounds.

 

 

The now famous Military Wives sang their hit ‘Wherever You Are‘, and the Lympstone SWT Band played a selection of marches on the pitch before the kick-off. Playing at the National Anthem ceremony, the band performed a specially arranged version of ‘Ireland’s Call‘ to welcome the visiting Irish team.

The match, which England Saxons won 23 – 17 in freezing conditions, was broadcast live on Sky Sports One and attracted a huge international audience.

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Annual General Meeting

Posted on February 10, 2012 by colin

Colin Dance at Torquay in 2008

Following a successful and graciously brief Annual General Meeting on Monday 6th February 2012 before practice for the Regional Contest in Torquay next month, the band has it’s committee for the next 12 months. We welcome Hannah Vodden as Band Representative, and also Colin G Dance back to the fold as the Publicity Officer and Conductor of the Lympstone Training Band. The Training Band has been on hold for a while, and was previously conducted by Tim Gittins (get well soon, Tim), and Roger Riggs before that, but is going to be started up again under Colin’s direction. Whilst the full details have yet to be finalised, it will probably be held weekly on Thursday evenings prior to Senior Band, or on Saturday mornings. Full details will be published once known. Contact Colin on 07854 829230, or email him through Dance is With Music if you’re interested in joining.

 

 

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Classics Galore! was a huge success

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Band Manager

jfs_2180 Classics Galore! was a huge success raising a total of £15,150 for FORCE Cancer Charity. We received many fantastic compliments about the band, such as ‘It was a magic performance’ and ‘a brilliant performance’. The band played Death or Glory, Judges of the Secret Court, Band of Brothers, Procession of the Nobles and joined with the Orchestra for Battle Hymn of the Republic and the finale.

Just the following morning the band were all up early again to do their bit at the Taunton Remembrance parade and again in the afternoon at the Dawlish Remembrance parade. Principal Cornet, Bryony Snell also sounded last post and reveille to the crowd that had congregated. You’d think we’d all deserve a rest after all that, but no, it’s Christmas and we have a busy schedule! In particular, we will be playing at Princesshay on Thursday 15th and 22nd December for late night shopping. Please come and support us!

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Busy few weeks

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Band Manager

It’s been a busy and productive few weeks, very successful and enjoyable both for the band and the hundreds of people who have had the chance to enjoy our performances. We have had the opportunity not only to entertain, but also to help raise money for some important and worthwhile local and national charities. A Saturday afternoon performance at Darts Farm back in September was well appreciated by the shoppers and a nice sum of money was raised to help support Vranch House in Exeter. Then, at the Band Centre, a concert performance in aid of Shelter Box raised a healthy £145. The band really enjoyed this performance and used it to “showcase” some of the fine soloists within our ranks. The highlights were virtuoso solo performances by Baritone player, Brent Heyworth, and Soprano Cornet, Paul Luford who played perfect performances respectively of Concert Piece by Guilmant and Capriccio by Philip Sparke. The previous week the band had played on the Bandstand in Dartmouth as part of a national initiate called “The Bandstand Marathon”, as Devon’s leading Brass Band, we were selected to play at this prestigious venue. The band were well received by the hundreds of local people and day trippers.

Unfortunately a couple of band members have been quite poorly of late. Tim Gittins who many people will know, recently a Lympstone resident, is recovering back in South Wales after surgery. Long standing band stalwart Keith Gibson is also recovering after a nasty infection. We wish them a very speedy recovery. In the meantime, life goes on for the band and only last week we put in a magnificent performance when we carried the name of the village to the South West of England Brass Band Championships. Not in the prizes on the day, the band never the less impressed the adjudicator and a large audience alike.

Continuing with the charity theme, as I write, the band prepares for a concert in the Great Hall of Exeter University on November 12th. This is the third time the band will have performed in the Classic’s Galore Concert which has already raised £20,000 for the cancer charity Force. The band are justifiably proud of their involvement in this massive and successful event.

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Bandstand Marathon in Dartmouth

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Band Manager

On Sunday 25th September the Band were honoured to perform in the picturesque setting of the Royal Avenue Gardens Bandstand in Dartmouth as part of the 2011 Bandstand Marathon. The weather for the day was beautiful – warm and sunny, although this was not apparently the case further north! The band performed a full concert of solos, popular and classical brass band repertoire including Voice of the Guns, New York, New York, Abba Goes Brass and Hot Toddy to a very appreciative audience. Soloists included our Soprano Cornet – Paul Luford playing ‘Demelza’, Solo Horn – Sandie Heyworth playing ‘Try to Remember’, Solo Baritone – Brent Heyworth playing ‘All I Ask of You’ and Euphonium Duet, ‘Deep Inside the Sacred Temple’ with Colin McEwen and Claire Luford.

The event, involving hundreds of bands and other musical groups performing in bandstands across England, Scotland and Wales, is now in it’s fourth year, and has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark four years in a row. As part of the Cultural Olympiad, the Bandstand Marathon aims to humanise public spaces by having as many bands performing on as many bandstands and outdoor performances spaces all at the same time on the same day throughout the UK. The event is organised by Superact and widely supported by the brass band movement.

More information can be found at www.bandstandmarathon.org.uk and the 2012 date has been confirmed as being on Sunday 9th September 2012.  We are now hard at work preparing for the South West Brass Band Association Annual Contest in November 2011, and hopes to be able to continue its support for Bandstand Marathon in 2012 – Olympic Year!

dartmouth-25-sept-11

 

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Farewell to Tom Harris and Matt Hawkins

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Band Manager

The band have sadly had to say farewell to two of our young players. Tom Harris, who played bumper up Solo Cornet has gained entry to the Royal Marine Band and started his training at the beginning of September.  Good luck Tom and we hope to see you soon!

Matt Hawkins, Eb Bass has moved to Huddersfield University to study Music (BMus) and assures me that he is already missing the band!  Good luck Matt!

The band now has vacancies on Solo Cornet and Eb Bass.  If you are interested please get in touch with us.

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Get well soon Tim

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Band Manager

The back row has been rather quiet the past few weeks without the band’s (rather loud) Flugel player, Tim Gittins.  We wish Tim well after an operation last week and hope he returns to us very soon.

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Classics Galore!

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Band Manager

The Classics Galore! concerts in 2007 and 2009 were such huge successes that another has been arranged for November 12th 2011. Once again we will be participating alongside the Exeter Symphony Orchestra, the Ottery Choral Society and the augmented chorus of St David’s Players.

The concert will take place at The Great Hall, University of Exeter, and will commence at 7.30pm. The musical content will be on similar lines to that of previous years, with popular items of classical music – nothing heavy, nothing obscure, but items that will be recognised by everyone, even if not the name of the piece, or the composer. Handel, Rossini, Coates, Sousa, Lloyd-Webber, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi – everyone’s tastes are catered for – and we will of course have the usual “Proms-style” finale with audience participation!

Every penny raised will be for our own fantastic charity, FORCE which funds Exeter’s own Cancer Support Centre. The wonderful thing is, of course, that we know where every penny goes, and this year much of it will be used to further the Centre’s expansion plans.

Tickets for Classics Galore! are on sale now and as it is anticipated that they will again be in great demand, it is advisable to book as early as possible. For further details of how to book tickets, or for more information on the concert, go to www.classicsgalore.co.uk or contact the organisers, Dick and Rosemary Passmore, on 01392 832405, or email dick.passmore@lspubs.plus.com

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Help make a difference with Lympstone SWT Band

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Band Manager

Lympstone South West Telecoms Brass Band will be performing their next concert in the band centre on Saturday 1st October 7.30pm in aid of ShelterBox. They provide emergency shelter and supplies around the world who are affected by disaster and have most recently been supporting families in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Our concerts are getting increasingly more popular and as ever the band will be performing a wide range of music – much of it new to the band. There will be some classical favourites with mixture of up beat numbers to get those feet tapping. There will be the normal sprinkling of solo spots from within the band and a bit of the Proms in the 1812 overture too. We will also be playing the Henry VIII inspired Pastime with Good Company! It’s your good company we would like to see at the concert – you won’t regret it!

Please bring a cushion if you want to sit in complete comfort!

£3 for Adults, Under 16s FREE

Tickets on the door

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Raising money for Vranch House at Darts Farm

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Band Manager

We will be playing at Darts Farm tomorrow from 2.30pm and we will be raising money for Vranch House. See you there!

Vranch House is an Independent Day School in Exeter for children with significant physical difficulties, a centre for the treatment of outpatients and a provider of various therapies in other schools in Devon.  They promoting and provide facilities for the care, education, training, treatment and welfare in their respective aspects of handicapped people and advise, help or cater for the needs of the parents or others having the care of handicapped people.

www.vranchhouse.org

Help us raise funds for this worthy charity

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Successful Concert in aid of The Friends of Lympstone Church

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Band Manager

The concert in the Band Centre on the 18th June was very successful. The concert featured a wide range of traditional brass music as well as popular tunes. The soloists were terrific and we would all like to thank the audience who made this event possible. The aim of the concert (other than to show off the talent of the village band) was to raise money for The Friends of Lympstone Church. In the end £121 was raised. Thanks again to all who participated in the concert, helped with tickets and most of all the audience. We plan to have future concerts in the Band Centre, the next on the 1st October but please keep an eye on the website for details of all of our future engagements.

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Band played on during heavy rain in Taunton Remembrance Parade

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Band Manager

The band made their way up the motorway to Taunton through rain and wind hoping that the weather would be better in Somerset. Well… it wasn’t, but the band still played on and marched the large parade to the Centotaph in Vivary Park for the service of Remembrance.

We were a bit luckier in the afternoon with our parade in Dawlish, the weather held off and we kept dry. Solo Cornet, Tom Harris, sounded the Last Post and Reveille for the short service afterwards.

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A few more new players join the band

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Band Manager

The band welcomed Garry Brailsford to the Cornet section in September after attending our Last Night of the Proms concert in Exmouth. Garry is an ex Army Musician where he played Euphonium but has decided to try Cornet due to our current vacancies. Garry also plays the bagpipes and the band already have ideas to use this talent!

Just before the Last Night of the Proms concert we welcomed Chris Hoban on Tuned Percussion. Chris is head of music at St Peters School in Lympstone and although he is not an experienced percussionist he is a great musician and will be a great asset to the band.

The SWBBA contest saw both Chris and Garry compete for the first time with Lympstone Band. It was also a first for new BBb Bass player, Ian Brown

We have also recently welcomed Gareth Davies on Percussion to the band. Another great asset for the band who fills a long time vacant position. Gareth recently completed a Music degree at Dartington and now works as a chef in Exeter.

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Disappointment at SWBBA contest

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Band Manager

The band competed in the highest section of the SWBBA contest on Saturday 6th November performing John O’Gaunt by Gilbert Vinter. Whilst the band performed well on stage it didn’t appear to be to the audjudicators, (Dennis Wilby and Derek Greenwood), taste and came 7th out 8 bands. It was a stiff competition and shows that we will need to work hard to do well in the area contest in March next year.

Thanks go to Michelle Hudson for stepping in on Flugel, Gary Halsey on Bass Trombone and Chris Spreadbury adding support on 2nd Trombone.

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Fundraising concert for Lympstone Village Hall

Posted on October 23, 2010 by Band Manager

The band helped raise £145 for the Village Hall Fund by holding their first concert in the band centre. Thanks to the Village Hall Fund Committee for helping organise the event and supplying refreshments.

The band hope to be able to put on 3 or 4 concerts every year utilising the fantastic facility we have. Although the centre can only hold an audience of up to about 120 we will still need your support to fill it!

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Last Night of the Proms success

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Band Manager

From local press – Tues 28th Sept 2010

CLASSICAL music lovers turned out in force at East Devon’s own version of The Last Night of the Proms.

The event was fundraiser for local and international good causes at Exmouth Pavilion organised by the Rotary Club.

Lympstone South West Telecoms Band was once again led by Charlie Fleming after a hiatus following a road accident last year.

Weeks of rehearsal paid off and the show began with a flourish with ‘A concert prelude ‘by Phillip Spark, and the ever popular ‘Stars and Stripes’ march by Sousa.

Several soloists were featured, Colin McEwen, and husband and wife team Brent Heyworth and Sandie Heyworth on the solo horn and a guest soloist Gary Halsey on Trombone, playing Rhapsody for Trombone by Gordon Langford.

Soprano Val Howels made a welcome return singing Hine e Hine before the audience joined in the ever popular musical tribute to the war

The second half showed off the band’s virtuosity with exciting numbers which included ‘Putting in the Ritz’ by Irving Berlin and ‘How Do You Like Your Eggs in the Morning’ an American breakfast number by Cahn/Brodsky.

The Rotary Club’s Mike Weathrall-King said: “The crowed roared when Val Howels returned to perform Britannia wearing a chiefs feather headdress at which point Charlie put on his own feathers for the occasion and led us all to the pomp and circumstance finale.

“Another splendid event in aid of International Rotary Charities and Exmouth Rotary Club thank all who supported their fundraising on this occasion.”

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The Band look forward to Last Night of the Proms

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Band Manager

The Band have been rehearsing for some weeks in preparation for this concert and are really looking forward to it. We are featuring 3 of our soloists, Colin McEwen – Solo Euphonium, Brent Heyworth – Solo Baritone and Sandie Heyworth – Solo Horn along with a guest soloist and friend of the band Gary Halsey on Trombone. He will play Rhapsody for Trombone by Gordon Langford.

The concert on Thursday 23rd September which is at Exmouth Pavilion is nearly sold out but it’s not too late to get your tickets. You can get them from the Pavilion box office and are just £8.

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Lympstone welcomes new players

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Band Manager

In the last few months we have been lucky to have gained some new players to the band.

Wendy Perry joined the band back in March after being inspired by ‘A Band for Britain’ on BBC 2. Wendy is originally from Oldham, Lancashire where at school she used to play the Cornet. Wendy is now a Molecular Biologist for DEFRA and lives with her husband and daughter Eva. Wendy takes up the vacant 3rd Cornet position.

Jane Sword is our next arrival who joined the band in April 2010 after moving to the village with her husband and two children, Heather and Ian. Jane is a Consultant in Stroke, Geriatrics in Exeter. Jane will be playing 2nd Baritone along side Richard Bound.

Our next new player arrived in July and has filled a spot that has been vacant for sometime now. Ian Brown learned to play in the Salvation Army Band at the age of 8 and after 16 years on Euph/Baritone he moved to Eb Bass for another 14 years. He returns after a lengthy break and has taken up our BBb Bass vacancy.

We’d like to welcome all of our new players! We still have a few vacancies left in the band on Solo Cornet, Bass Trombone (or Tenor) and Percussion. So if you would like to get involved please contact us.

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Lympstone band become French Open Champions!!

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Band Manager

During the June half-term the Lympstone South West Telecoms Band went and competed at the 16th French Open Brass Band Championships held in Amboise on the banks of the Loire.

There were 16 entries altogether from Belgium, Holland, France and the UK, including some of Europe’s best bands. There were three different competitions held on the Saturday which consisted of a march contest, a test-piece contest and an outdoor concert. Lympstone came second in the test-piece contest playing ‘A Moorside Suite’ by Gustav Holst – we were beaten by the local favourites the Brass Band Val de Loire! We were not placed in the march contest but are proud to say that we were recognised as one of the smartest bands in the competition. However, we were crowned French Open ‘Prix du Public’ Champions as we were judged to be the most entertaining band in the outdoor concert. It was a very hot, but very successful weekend with the band winning over £1000 in prize money. We hope to go back and defend our title next year!!

However, don’t worry, you won’t have to travel to Amboise to see us over the next few weeks (Shame I hear you say…..!!) as we can be seen performing in Lympstone at the Sea Sunday service and of course at the Furry Dance.

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