December 2014 News

In a very busy month for the band, we have lots to update you all on.

December began with the news of our percussionist Raymond Berry’s ill health. He was taken ill one evening at the band room and continues to be unwell. We all wish him our very best and a speedy recovery.

Our first jobs of the month were performing at St Chad’s Primary School for their festive evening and at Kirkwood Hospice for their annual Light Up A Life services. Both of these are long standing engagements for the band and we love to be able to support them each year.

These were swiftly followed by playing in Little Gomersal for their annual Carols Around The Tree event, during which children from Gomersal St. Mary’s CE(C) Primary School joined in with the festive carols. A similar event was also held in the village of Drub.

Two other regular jobs are playing at Knowl Club for their annual carol sing-along and at The Flowerpot, both in Mirfield. As always, the patrons there were fabulous company.

Supporting St. Bartholomew’s Church in Grange Moor is very important to us, so playing at their Christmas Fair was a delight. Our own annual Christmas concert, held at the church, was a roaring success. The concert featured plenty of Christmas carols and a few other items including Pete Rhodes and his solo, “O Holy Night” and Lisa Pitts who performed “Rainy Days and Mondays” on baritone. Some of the training band’s members also joined us on this occasion.

The training band joined the main band at many of our events this Christmas, in particular at Grange Moor Primary School. Mr Rodgers from the school said he thought they did really well!

Other highlights were playing in Bradford for the Christmas light switch on day and alongside the ice post box in City Park.

As well as all this, throughout December, we went out busking in various locations. We would like to thank all of the following for inviting us to play for them:

• 315 Bar and Restaurant in Lepton
• Aden Mount Care Home in Huddersfield
• B&Q in Keighley
• Blacksmiths Arms in Grange Moor
• Da Sandro in Huddersfield
• Fenay Bridge in Huddersfield
• The Black Horse Inn in Clifton
• The Gray Ox Inn in Hartshead
• Toby Carvery in Ainley Top

We ended the month, however, with the sad news of the passing of our former bass player Granville Parker. He spent a long time playing with nearby Emley Brass Band on euphonium, baritone, trombone and bass. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Thank you all for your support over the year. We look forward to performing for you in 2015!