And following its hugely successful concert at Alford’s Corn Exchange a few weeks ago, and its annual awards ceremony recognising the achievements of some of its members, the band is in buoyant mood.

Bandmaster Alan Waite was recognised as the outstanding Bandsman of the Year for his unstinting efforts behind the scenes. Alan spends hours organising the band and in finding stand-in players when band members are not available for engagements.

“It’s true to say that without Alan’s efforts, we would sometimes struggle to meet our commitments,” commented band chairman Martin Briggs. “Our musical standards are extremely high, but it’s the unseen work that Alan does that helps our performances to be as professional as they are.”

Principal cornet Josh Wilkinson was voted by his fellow band members to be the Player Personality of the Year. Apart from being a gifted player and excellent leader ofr the band, Josh has become asset to the training section where he conducts the beginners’ group before mentoring the more advanced trainees.

11 year old Kira Roberts received the Progress Cup for the player who has made the most improvement during the year. Kira only recently moved up from the training band to take the 2nd baritone seat but is certainly not out of her depth.

And 11 year old Olivia Willey was recognised as showing great potential within the training section, receiving a trophy donated by the band’s newly elected President, Mrs Margaret Sutton from the donor herself.

Assistant conductor Richard Walker will lead the band at the Village Hall in Sea Road, Chapel St Leonards on Saturday, with the performance set to start at 7.30 pm. And with tickets costing just £4 and available at the door, it promises to be yet another great evening of musical entertainment from this much-in-demand band.

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It was poignant occasion for the Band as its president, Tom Porter had only recently passed away.

Introducing the concert, the Band’s acting president, Margaret Sutton gave a moving tribute to Tom, describing him as “a true gentleman, but also a very real and memorable character who was totally supportive of the Band, fully involved and a friend to all the Band members, irrespective of age.”

“Tom loved evenings such as this, when he could introduce ‘his’ Band and often compere the show, always with good humour and a few jokes,” continued Margaret.

The Band then paid its own special tribute by playing an emotive piece composed by its assistant conductor, Richard Walker, entitled simply Hymn for Tom.

Then musical director Steve Walker led the band through a performance of which Tom would undoubtedly have been proud. Faultless solos were featured by principal cornet Josh Wilkinson (High on a Hill), solo tenor horn Bev Burton (If) and virtuoso trombonist Richard Walker (The Joker), interspersed with a variety of lively numbers that had the audience tapping their feet and clapping along. And musical director Steve Walker’s quick wit and jokes at the expense of his players really capped off a wonderful evening of entertainment.

“This band is well worth travelling miles to see and hear,” was the comment of one satisfied member of the audience, “and to get the chance to do so in our own town is a real treat.”

“It was a great night,” agreed band chairman Martin Briggs, “and a fitting tribute to Tom. It was a near capacity crowd and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

The band’s next public performance will be at Chapel St Leonards Village Hall on Saturday 12 May

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The two hour concert was introduced by the Mayor of Burgh, Councillor Mrs Barbara Waite, who confessed to being “a groupie” to the popular band.

Under the baton of Assistant Conductor Richard Walker, the band entertained the audience with its slick and professional performance of a wide variety of music from Mozart, through Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and transported it from the gentle Yorkshire dales to the streets of New Orleans and the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Principal Cornet Andrew Taylor played the evocative solo High on a Hill before being joined by fellow solo cornets Tina Wood and Roger West to perform the lively three-part Twelfth Street Rag that had every foot in the hall tapping.

In the second half, Bev Burton gave a faultless performance of the beautiful tenor horn solo If, before the band’s talented young percussionist, Lewis Knight wowed the audience with a drum solo in Celebration, a piece penned by the conductor Richard Walker himself.

But the star of the show was undoubtedly Gladys Waite. Gladys, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday opened the second half with a faultless recital of a poem about her Lincolnshire youth, delivered without reference to notes in a strong and unwavering voice.

Fitting therefore that the band finished its performance with its theme tune, The Lincolnshire Poacher.

“It was a wonderful evening,” said band chairman Martin Briggs after the performance. “With the exception of last year, we have played at Burgh for over 30 years and it is very good to be back. We look forward to returning next year.”

Alford Silver Band’s next concert will be at the Corn Exchange, Alford on Saturday 21 April.

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TOM PORTER
BAND PRESIDENT

(1931 to 2012)

Alford Silver Band was greatly saddened by the death of it’s long-standing President, Tom Porter on 21st February.

Tom was a greatly respected citizen of Alford and was involved with many organisations in the town, one of which was the Band.

Although not a musician himself, Tom was a great supporter of the band who took his role as President most seriously. He was always there when we performed concerts in the town, often acting as compere, a role which he did with a great deal of wit and humour. He was active in keeping up to date with band news and was a real friend to all of the members, both young and old.

The Band was represented at Tom’s funeral on 6th March by several members.

A substantial part of the collection taken at the funeral service was gifted by Tom’s family to the band in Tom’s memory, which will be used to provide a fitting memorial in his honour.

Tom was a well respected Gentleman in the true sense of the word who will be greatly missed and remembered with fondness.

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Following its very successful start to its 2012 programme at Chapel St Leonards last month, Alford Silver Band now moves on to Burgh le Marsh.

The band will perform a two hour concert in The Village Hall, Jacksons Lane, Burgh le Marsh on Saturday 17th March, starting at 7.00 pm.

“We have enjoyed performing at Burgh for many years, but took a year off last year,” commented band chairman Martin Briggs. “We are really pleased to be making a return to the town. We have always enjoyed an appreciative audience there. The band is really looking forward to it.”

Under the baton of Assistant Conductor Richard Walker the band will show off its professional musical standard and wide repertoire with a variety of musical genres. And with tickets costing just £5 and including refreshments, an excellent evening’s entertainment is assured.

Tickets will be available at the door, but can be purchased in advance if preferred by calling Pat Capes on 01754 810337.

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The popular band has built up a tremendous reputation for the variety of its music and the professionalism of its performances that looks to make 2012 busier than ever.

“It’s nice to start the year off at Chapel St Leonards,” commented band chairman Martin Briggs. “It has become very much a second home to us. We always get a good crowd there that is very enthusiastic. The band feeds off that and performs to the very best of its ability as a result.”

The band will be under the baton of musical director Steve Walker, one of the country’s top professional trumpet players and a first class entertainer who knows how to make an audience enjoy itself.

“We have a hectic year ahead of us,” continued Martin. “We already have almost 30 varied bookings confirmed, including several Christmas bookings, and more coming in all the time. We are looking to start with a big performance at Chapel that will set the tone for the rest of the year.”

The concert will start at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall in Sea Road, Chapel St Leonards. Tickets are incredibly good value at just £4, available from 01754 874480 or can be purchased at the door on the night.

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Under the baton of its talented musical director Steve Walker, the band will play a special Concert of Remembrance to mark the 93rd anniversary of the Armistice the following day.

The concert will start at 7.30 pm and tickets priced at just £4 are available on the door.

“Playing four concerts at one venue in a year is challenging,” said band chairman Martin Briggs. “Steve is very keen to deliver a fresh programme that our audience hasn’t already heard. Fortunately, we do have an extensive library of music.“

The second half of the concert will be a Festival of Remembrance which will include an input from the vicar of Chapel, Father Terry Bardell, and will include a number of favourite numbers from the war years for the audience to sing along to.

The concert comes sandwiched between the band’s busy summer period and a looming hectic Christmas programme.

“You never have time to get bored as a member of Alford Silver Band,” chuckled Martin. “Our growing popularity makes significant time demands upon us, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. But we are fortunate that our players and their families are so understanding.”

Further information about the band including details of its Christmas programme and early 2012 engagements  can be obtained from the band secretary, Jane Taylor via 01507 466330,  or via secretary@alfordsilverband.co.uk or from the band’s website: www.alfordsilverband.co.uk

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Musical Director Steve Walker had compiled an ambitious programme that combined a variety of great music and humour to raise money for RAFT (the Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust), a small, independent, national medical research charity.

Four soloists featured in the programme. Bev Burton played the Hollies’ hit He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother on the tenor horn. Gifted young Principal Cornet Josh Wilkinson treated the audience to The Lazy Trumpeter. Mike Green made a passable appearance as actress Tara Fitzgerald to play Concerto de Aranjuez (Orangejuice) on the flugel horn from the film Brassed Off, and bass trombonist Richard Tagg was rudely interrupted by several of his band colleagues as he played The Bare Necessities and ended up chasing Steve Walker out of the church with his trombone!

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Since then, the band has been performing regularly at engagements throughout the area, including at the wedding of one of their own members, tenor horn player Barry Wood last Saturday.

“The variety of the engagements we perform at and the music we play keeps us all fresh and on our toes,” said band chairman Martin Briggs. “Last week was very special, playing for one of our own members. But Tower Gardens presents a different challenge, particular as the audience appreciated us so much last time.

“We always strive to make every performance that little bit better than the last. And musical director Steve Walker always gets the best out of the band to ensure that that is the case.”

The band will perform a two hour open air free concert from the bandstand in Tower Gardens on Saturday, starting at 2.00 pm. And with its wide ranging and extensive repertoire, there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.

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As part of the national “Great Poppy Party Weekend” organised by the Legion, this popular local band will be back at Chapel St Leonards for a two hour public performance at the Phoenix Care Home in Ancaster Avenue, Chapel St Leonards on Saturday 11th June, starting at 1.30 pm.

The band performed in sunshine at the Phoenix last year, entertaining residents, relatives and staff and as always, were greatly enjoyed. So when Phoenix decided to have an event that is open to the public as part of the Poppy Party, the band was the natural choice to provide the entertainment.

Fronted by musical director Steve Walker, the band will perform a varied programme, and weather permitting will once again be in the open air.

“Last year was a wonderful atmosphere,” commented band chairman Martin Briggs, “and the band is really looking forward to a repeat visit. Chapel St Leonards is very much a second home for us and we always draw a good crowd.

“We feel very honoured to be part of the Great Poppy Party celebration,” he added.

The band will be back in Chapel twice in July, performing concerts in the Village Hall on 21st and at the Carnival on 30th.

Further information about the band, including its performance schedule can be obtained from the band secretary, Jane Taylor via 01507 466330, or via secretary@alfordsilverband.co.uk or from the band’s website: www.alfordsilverband.co.uk

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