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18th December 2009
Durham League Contest Photos ~ The Other Bands
Oops ~ the slideshow of the other Bands competing at Durham had the wrong link, so anyone clicking on that got North Skelton again. Now it does have the other bands on!
17th December 2009
Durham League Contest Photos ~ The Other Bands
A slideshow of the other Bands competing at Durham has been added to the Photos page. Once again, many thanks to Ste Edge for these.
12th December 2009
Durham League Contest Photos
These have now been uploaded
in a slideshow on the Photos page. Many thanks to Ste Edge for these (brother
of drummer Peter).
A further slideshow will appear at a later date. This will have the other
competing bands on.
Members of the Friends of North Skelton Band Facebook page can also view a video of the band playing Suite Gothique at Durham.
Website Counter
The counter passed the 10 000 mark this week.
Christmas Trombone Player
Remember the Lurpack Butter Trombone Player? Here is a quick Christmas carol from him.
7th December 2009
The next Practice Night........
.......will be Tuesday 5th January 2010. In the mean time, the Band will be playing Carols at the various venues listed on the Engagements Page.
The Band have written and asked Santa to send at least one new cornet player in the New Year........{:-D
2nd December 2009
Practice Night Changes
Practices are changing to Tuesday and Friday nights starting at 7:30pm. The Practice Page Link has been updated to suit.
Glaisdale Open Gardens Photos
A new slide show added of the band at Glaisdale in the Summer. Photos by Anne-Marie ~ Thank you :-) See Photos Link on the right.
Saltburn Remembrance Concert Photos
Another new slide show added of the Remembrance Concert on 6th November in Saltburn. More Photos by Anne-Marie ~ Thanks again :-D. See Photos Link
Durham League Contest Photos
I have received a CD of photos from the contest. Slideshow to follow.
28th November 2009
Practice Night Changes?
The band are currently considering
changing practice nights. Details to follow, if we do.
Young Composers Challenge
We have been notified of a Brass Composers / Arrangers challenge for those aged 19 and under [counts me out then, for a number of reasons ~ can't compose, arrange or claim to be under 19 :- ( ]. Details can be found here.
26th November 2009
National Finals Slide show with Music
Rob has done it again :-) The
Home Page now has an excellent Slide Show of the photos taken at the National
Finals rehearsals and on the day with sound clips from the recordings made
by Doyen Mobile. Thanks to Rob for this and to Doyen for permission to use
some clips.
A link has been added to the Doyen Mobile website.
Links Page additions
Links have been added to a History of Skelton in Cleveland website, to Doyen Mobile and an interesting Euphonium Duet.
25th November 2009
Durham League Contest
Last Sunday saw the end of an intensive two week run up to the Durham League. This resulted in the Band taking second place in Section B, playing the test Piece Suite Gothic. The Band were also awarded the Best Percussion prize. Congratulations to Gary and Peter. Peter collected the cups. I understand there may be some photos coming soon.......?
Results were:
1. Wansbeck Ashington
2. North Skelton
3. Murton
Congratulations to Ashington, who beat us by one point, in what the Adjudicator
described as a very close contest.
2010 Northern Area Contest
Josie, our Contest Secretary, advises that the Area Contest will be held on Sunday March 21st 2010. Section 3 starts at 13:00 (Yea ~ Lie in !! Seems too good to be true.....).
Guisborough Masons Carols
New date added to the Engagements Page.
Rosedale Ironstone Mine Exhibition
Sarah MacMillan writes from Northern
Landscapes (See Links Page):
"I thought you might be interested in a wonderful exhibition of paintings,
drawings & sketches of the remains of the Rosedale Ironstone Mines & scenery
around Rosedale by a friend of mine Andrew Cheetham of Scarborough.
The exhibition in Rosedale Reading Room (Dalehead) is to mark the completion
of Andrew's year in residence in Rosedale & is well worth seeing. This is
the
link for details of the Exhibition Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th December
2009."
Enjoy.
Northern Landscapes
Sarah MacMillan has also written
to say she was successful in winning an award from the Cinema & Television
Benevolent Fund in London in recognition of her Northern Landscapes Heritage
Films. They are also supplying her with new filming equipment & network support
for 12 months. Congratulations Sarah :-D
Enjoy her work via the Links Page on the left.
10th November 2009
Remembrance Concert Saltburn
Congratulations to Dave Pickard, our Chairman, for organising the succesful concert in aid of Help for Heroes at Saltburn Community Theatre last Friday. Thanks to Anne-Marie for providing photos of the event, which will be uploaded in the near future.
Harrogate Photos
Anne-Maries camera was also in action at the rehersals prior to Harrogate. Photos coming soon.
Coxhoe Video
This has been deleted from the front page due to Facebook problems. It can still be found via the 'Band on You Tube' via the Links page.
31st October 2009
Malton Contest
Due to illness amongst members, plus a broken wrist and the affect on rehearsals, the Band have reluctantly had to withdraw from the Malton Contest tomorrow. Hopefully we will be firing on all cylinders in time for the Durham League.
25th October 2009
New Email address for our Secretary
Clare Baxter can now be contacted direct on her new email address, secretary@northskeltonband.org.uk. The Contacts Page has been updated to suit.
Another 1000......
2000 added to the website counter since the Area contest weekend in March. We have had views from literally across globe including the USA and Russia. As you would expect the majority come from the UK.
22nd October 2009
Make Your Own Brass Instrument
Looking to amuse the kids at
the weekend? Or give your brass playing partner a present/ surprise?
This new link on the Humor section of the Links Page not only solves this
problem! It will also answer the long running question on just why a Flugel
Horn and the Basses have things in common with a horse and a rhinoceros.
20th October 2009
Saltburn Remembrance Concert
Tickets can now be reserved by 'phone for this concert. Details on the Engagements page. We are very pleased to have the support of Ecosyl Products Ltd for this concert.
National Finals ~ Evening Gazette article
The Band have had an article in last nights Evening Gazette. Details here.
World of Brass Radio
A link has been added to the World of Brass Radio Station. See the Links Page for details.
17th October 2009
Malton Contest
The Band have entered the Malton
Entertainments Contest, which is being held on Sunday 1st November. Details
on the Engagements Page.
Saltburn Remembrance Concert
Posters have been produced for the Band by Richard (Thank you). A copy can be found here and further details on the Engagements Page.
Vacancies
We have a vacancy for a Bb Bass Player and a 2nd Baritone Player. Details on the Vacancies Page.
8th October 2009
Whitby Spa and Runswick Bay/ Staithes Lifeboat Day Photos
Anne Maries photos of the two days have been uploaded. Thanks Rob :-) Glaisdale Open Gardens and Coxhoe Club to follow.
4th October 2009
Our First Anniversary
North Skelton reformed on 1st October 2008. Quite a successful and eventful year has followed. However, 1st October has quietly passed us by! Still recovering from the Nationals I guess.......
Durham League Grading Contest November 22nd
This is our next contest at a new venue in Peterlee. Contest Details and Grading Tables added to the Engagements Page. The test piece for our Section is Suite Gothique by L.Boellman/E.Ball
2nd October 2009
National Finals CD
The Band were professionally recorded by Doyen on stage at Harrogate. Anyone who wants a copy of the CD should contact Josie Coupland (See Contacts Link on the left). CD's are £7.50 each. Money to Josie by next Wednesday, 7th October, please.
30th September 2009
National Finals
The new photo on the Home Page has been supplied by Joy and Paul. Thank you both !
The Guestbook has had quite a few new comments following the weekend. We have had a much bigger hit rate on the site since the weekend :-D
New and Updated Engagements
There have been a few changes to the Engagements Page. Please follow the Links on the left.
27th September 2009
National Finals
North Skelton were very pleased to be placed second at the Harrogate Championships and bring a National Finals Trophy back to the Northern Area.
Many Thanks to all for the hard work put in, and to Tim for time spent getting our performance right.
The Band played with buttonholes supplied by Josie. Thank you!
Hannah was voted Star Player by 4BarsRest. Her photo and a separate one of Tim can be found here. The live review of the section can be found here.
The announced results were:
1. Brunel Brass (West of England)
2. North Skelton (North of England)
3. Cubbington Silver (Midlands)
4. Douglas Town (North West)
5. Coalburn Silver (Scotland)
6. Royal Buckley Town (Wales)
Best instrumentalist: Soprano,
Brunel Brass
The full list can be found on 4BarsRest here
Photos will be added in due course. There were lots of people taking photos, and we would love to have a full record of the day. If you have any photos you would like to submit, please send them via the Contact email address. This can be found via the link on the left.
24th September 2009
National Finals
4BarsRest Preview and Predictions for the Third Section contest at Harrogate can be accessed here.
There is also their usual round up of the other Bands in our section in 4BarsRest 'Runners and Riders'. This can be found here.
Area Test Pieces 2010
These have been announced today. Details here.
More Photos coming soon
We have received photos of Glaisdale Open Gardens, Whitby Spa and the Lifeboat Day. These will be uploaded after the National Finals weekend. Thank you Anne-Marie!
19th September 2009
Redcar Bandstand Photos Uploaded
The photos of the Band playing on the Bandstand at Redcar on 6th September have been uploaded (thanks to Rob). Follow the Photos Link on the left. We have had these submitted by Morebragg. He was passing the Bandstand when we started to play, so pure coincidence. Email addresses were exchanges and we have a record of the day. Thank you !
Morebragg lives in Redcar and takes about 20 000 pictures a year. He describes himself as "an old pro who has been here for years making a good living out of pictures". He has also said that "next time I take some pics of the band I will bring the big camera and not the toy i was using that day".
North Skelton at Redcar Bandstand on YouTube
Morebragg has also uploaded some of the photos as a slide show on YouTube. See the Links Page on the left.
15th September 2009
Tubalations
The Band have received notification
of an event for Euphonium and Tuba players. Tubalations is being held on Saturday
23rd January 2010 with conductor and euphonium soloist Derick Kane ISB. You
can visit the website and get more details here.
All proceeds go to the Clarence Adoo Trust.
One and a half weeks to go to the National
Finals...............
9th September 2009
Redcar Bandstand
The Bands last summer engagement took place on Sunday 6th September on a nice warm sunny day, although the rain came as we were packing up. We have received some photos of the Band (and have been promised more) these will be uploaded to the Photos page soon.
Two and a half weeks to go to
the National Finals..........................
30th August 2009
Durham Miners Gala 2008
The Links Page now includes the last outing of Langbaurgh Brass at the 2008 Gala. The Band were caught on video marching away from the County playing Tiger Rag. The Coxhoe Banner Group are bobbing about at the back in time to the music!
Redcar Bandstand Sunday September 6th
The Bands last summer job takes place next Sunday with our first visit to new Bandstand at Redcar. The town lost it's previous Bandstand in the 1960's. However one was created for the film Atonement when Redcar was used to represent the evacuation beach at Dunkirk. A clip from the film (rated "15") showing the bandstand is here. This inspired a local campaign to bring a bandstand back to the town. An application to the National Lottery resulted in a grant of £80,000 being awarded. Just like the film, the Bandstand is right on the seafront.
The bandstand isn't on Google Maps yet, but you can find it's location (and see Redcars successful campaign video) by typing in Redcar Bandstand here. Click on the letter B on the map to find the spot.
17th August 2009
More Ripon Photos
Part 2 of the Brass in Ripon photographs have been uploaded to the Photos page
Staithes & Runswick Bay Lifeboat Day Sunday 9th August
We had a small band out for the afternoon and early evening concerts and services at Runswick Bay and Staithes. Many thanks to the RNLI for their hospitality and a very nice tea provided at the Staithes Lifeboat Station. Visit the Staithes and Runswick Bay RNLI website here. We are hopeful of some pictures of the event to add to the Photos page.
Whitby Spa Concert Sunday 16th August
The Band left behind an enthusiastic audience on Sunday night. Feedback was all very positive. Tims excellent choice of programme ranging from Classical to Brass Band standards, via Film and Big Band music, clearly hit the spot :-)
There were a few photo flashes going off. We would be happy to receive any contributions to our Photo gallery from members of the audience.
Back to it on Wednesday. I wonder what we will be rehearsing for the next few weeks in the run up to the National Finals in Harrogate...............Did someone mention an 07:00 rehearsal in Ripon??
1st August 2009
Thanks to Peter Gilby of Brass in Ripon for more photographs of the Band at the Ripon Entertainment Contest at the end of May. These will be uploaded to the Photos page in the near future.
The band have some more engagements. See the Engagements page for details.
30th July 2009
The Engagements page has been updated. The Runswick Bay concert on the 9th August is now starting at 14:30, not 14:00 as previously listed.
26th July 2009
The Band would like to wish Jacqui, our Euphonium and Principal Marracca player, a speedy recovery. Jackie was hospitalised on Friday with a badly broken leg. Get well soon!!
23rd July 2009
Save our Steel ~ Teesside March
North Skelton band were assisted by players from Marske and Cleveland Police when we were asked at short notice to support the march in Redcar to Save our Steel in Teeside. The march drew attention to the threatened closure of Corus Teesside works. This event was covered by a number of media organisations, both TV and press.
As mentioned on the History page, the 'old' North Skelton Band were previously sponsored by British Steel, the forerunner of Corus.
We have previously linked our
site to Northern Landscapes. They have also covered the event. Please see
"North Skelton Band and Members on the web" section of the Links
page on the left to see Sarah Macmillans coverage of the March, which includes
the Band.
North Skelton on YouTube
Thanks to Rob who has not only uploaded the video of Jacqui and her Maracas onto the Home page, but also onto YouTube for the whole world to watch. If only I had found the 1MB memory card, it could have been sooooooo much longer.........
YouTube has also had a number of videos of other bands at Durham Miners Gala uploaded.
The video of members playing Christmas Carols from the Facebook page has also been added to YouTube (yes, I know its July........). See 25th December 2008 News below.
Finally, Jennifer Coupland is on YouTube again, playing at the Deal Memorial concert with the Royal Marines Band.
Go to all these YouTube videos via the "North Skelton Band and Members on the web" section of the Links page.
1000 Page Views
Last weekend, the website recorded
1000 Page Views since the Area contest in March.
12th July 2009
Some updates on recent events.....
Glaisdale Open Gardens Update
The Band played outside the Robinson
Institute in Glaisdale on Sunday 28th June in support of the Open Gardens.
Whilst there was the odd flash of lightning and rumble of thunder, the weather
stayed fine whilst we played. A couple of collection buckets received donations
towards Band Funds from the Open Garden visitors. We were pleased to be told
that our informal concert was enjoyed by all.
We have been told this week that the event raised £4 300 for the charities
that the Open Gardens supports. We were also very pleased to be told that
we would also receive a donation to Band Funds.
All told, a successful event for all concerned
:-)
Coxhoe Concert 10th July
Even though the concert at Coxhoe Working Mens Club was not due to start until
8pm, the club room was full at 7pm, with piped Brass Band music to get everyone
in the mood!
The club had invited a number of VIPS,
including the Mayor and Mayoress of Durham and their local MP. The Band played
a concert of light music either side of the break. Just prior to the interval
the roll call of Miners killed in the local pits was read out whilst the Band
played the Hymn tune Gresford.
During the interval the successful efforts of the Banner Group in raising
funds to purchase a Pit Wheel to erect in the village were detailed. In addition
they have had tremendous support to purchase a plot of land in the village
to erect the wheel on. The Banner Group now need to raise £52 000 to
put the wheel in place on the land.
The Band members received many positive comments on the music and performance
during the evening.
Finally, many thanks to Mark Sidwell for being our Guest Conductor for the
evening.
Durham Miners Gala 11th July
After the late finish at Coxhoe, we were all back for the early morning, playing
outside Coxhoe Club at 9am. After a short break the Band marched through Coxhoe
at 10am, stopping part way through the village to play Barbie. This was our
'party piece' for the County Hotel in Durham. Then off on the bus for the
trip to Durham. The Band set off with the Coxhoe Banner on it's ususal route,
marching through Durham to the show field. The Band got an excellent reception
in both directions at the County Hotel. Jackies Maraca playing generated a
lot of interest and cheering both from the onlookers, the TV camera crews
and the photographers.
We left Durham at about 4pm, going back to Coxhoe for refreshments provided
by the club.
The Band would like to thank Coxhoe club and the Banner Group for supporting the Band. We were especially delighted to see the new 'mini banner' that the Banner Group have provided with North Skelton Band and our Logo on.
Pictures of the day will be uploaded to the Photos page shortly. There is
also a short video of our Jackie playing solo Maracas at Coxhoe.
If there are any other pictures
or videos of the Band from the Gala day or the Coxhoe concert on Friday night,
we would be very pleased to see them. Please contact the band via the Contacts
Link on the left.
30th June 2009
Further update on the Engagement Page with a flyer for the Whitby Spa concert on August 16th added.
23rd June 2009
The Engagement Page has ben updated with further details of concerts. We have been advised that the March contest in Pickering on 1st August has been cancelled, so this has been deleted from the list.
The Contacts Page has also been updated with two people now sharing the Secretarys role. General Secretary is Clare Baxter and Josie Coupland is our Contest Secretary.
22nd June 2009
A lot happens when you have a holiday.....
Ripon Contest
Final results of the Ripon Contest
are below:
Music Results
1st North Skelton
2nd Ripon City
3rd Lofthouse 2000
Entertainment Results
1st Knaresbourough Silver
=2nd Lofthouse 2000
=2nd Ripon City
Overall Results
1st Ripon City
2nd Lofthouse 2000
3rd North Skelton
Best Soloist : Flugel - Dunston
Silver
Best March: North Skelton
Best Hymn: Ripon City
Many Congratulations to Ripon City and Lofthouse 2000.
Thanks to Clare for the photos
of our band playing in the Cathedral and to Rob for loading them onto the
site whilst I was away. We are also hoping for some of the 'official' pictures
of the event to add to our site.
National Final Test Pieces
These have now been announced. North Skelton will be playing Oceans by Goff Richards at Harrogate on 27th September. Further details on the test pieces for all the Sections can be found here.
Staithes Lifeboat Day
Further details have been added to the Engagements Page.
Remembrance Day Concert
The Band is organising a concert
on Friday 6th November at Saltburn Community Theatre. Initial details have
been added to the Engagements Page.
31st May 2009
Links to details of our informal concert at Glaisdale Open Gardens added to the Engagements page.
30th May 2009
The Band played well in Ripon, winning the contest, and also winning the prize for best march for the performance of "March Lorraine"
The Contacts page has been updated following our recent AGM. More details to follow.
23rd May 2009
The Band will be playing an afternoon
of informal music at the Glaisdale Open Gardens at 14:00 on Sunday June 28th.
Details have been added to the Engagements Page. Full information on the event
is awaited, but usually about a dozen gardens are open to the public, together
with displays of local crafts in the Church Rooms and refreshments in the
Robinson Institute. Up to 100 scarecrows of all shapes and sizes have been
on display in the village in previous years.
The Band will play outside the Institute if the weather is fine and on the
Stage of the Institute if the weather is wet. There will be a collection in
aid of Band Funds.
We are rehearsing hard for the Ripon contest next Saturday.
19th May 2009
Thanks to Rob for spending time
creating a Members Area on the website. Details for band members will follow
in due course.
The Ripon Contest Pre-Draw has been held. North Skelton will be playing in
the second spot at 16:00 on Saturday 30th May. Further details on the contest
itself can be found on the Engagements link on the left.
Northern Landscapes has been been added to the Links page on the left. The site carries many different aspects of life around our area, including a new video of the Cleveland Ironstone mines. This includes a clip of brass band music and a picture of Skinningrove Band amongst the pictures of the old mines.
28th April 2009
Thanks to Rob for formating the photos of the Reunion concert, which are now available via the Photos Link on the left. Thanks also to Clare for bringing in the 1939 photo from Norma, mentioned below. Messages on the Guestbook have already identified three members.
26th April 2009
The Band played for the St Georges Day parade and service in Saltburn.
Many thanks to Bob of the Coxhoe Banner Group. He has sent us a video of the Reunion concert in February. Still photos will appear on the website photo page soon.
25th April 2009
The Band enjoyed playing for Guisborough Round Table at their private Dinner at the Gisborough Hall Hotel last night. Jackie excelled as Principal Maraca player. Unfortunately not captured on video. You had to be there........
The Vacancies Page has been added. Please see Links on the left.
The History page has been updated. This now includes a newspaper photo and article on the Band following the Fourth Section National Finals in 1975 when North Skelton became Champion Band. Thanks to Chris and Josie for this. A Postcard of the Band from 1939 has also been added. Thanks to Norma Templeman for lending this to us for inclusion on our website. We are hoping to identify some of the members of the band from this photograph with Norma's help.
Following requests for more Polar Bear cartoons......another link has been added to the Humour section on the Links page.
19th April 2009
A "North Skelton Band and members on the web" section has been added to the Links Page.
18th April 2009
The Band has entered the March Contest at Pickering on 1st August. This has been organised by Stape Silver Band to celebrate their 125th Anniversary. More details are available on the Engagements Page via the link on the left.
We have received a press release from Phillip Hunt of BBC's Sound of Brass Radio programme. A series of three programmes are to be devoted to the music of Gilbert Vinter. You can access the programmes via the Links Page.
4th April 2009
The Links Page has been added to the website. Find out about the local area and Ironstone Mining in North Skelton and links to 4BarsRest and Geneva Trumpets. Other links take you to Brass on the radio and the internet, plus a humour section.
2nd April 2009
The band has entered the Ripon Entertainment Contest, which takes place on Saturday 30th May in Ripon Cathedral. Some details of the contest can be found here.
There is also a virtual tour of the Nave of the Cathedral where the contest is held. Click and drag on the top picture to get a 360 degree view.
Due to holidays over Easter, there will be no rehearsal on either Wednesday 8th April or Easter Sunday 12th April.
26th March 2009
Photos of the rehearsal and Contest added to the Photos page. Thanks to Tony Spencer and Dave Pickard for driving an unfamiliar camera.
24th March 2009
Details of the Third Section Retrospective can be found here on 4BarsRest.
More photos from the Hall and Rehearsal will be added to the Photo page soon.
22nd March 2009 Area Contest Darlington
After an early start and rehearsal
in Darlington at 8:15am, the Band drew No.5 out of 9. We are very pleased
to be representing the North of England Area after Richard Evans placed us
second. The top four places went to:
1. South Milford Brass (R. Wilton)
2. North Skelton (T. Oldroyd)
3. Marske Brass (A. Prest)
4. Ferryhill Town (S. Norris)
Congratulations to South Milford Brass.
Details of the results for all the sections can be found here on 4Bars Rest.
20th March 2009
Guestbook re-introduced. Many thanks to Rob Collins :-)
17th March 2009
4Bars Rest have carried a short article on the band today. Thanks to Josie.
There is also some information on the Bands competing at Darlington and the 4BR predictions..........
15th March 2009
North Skelton Band return to the Area Contest at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington in seven days time. Now in the Third Section our Test Piece is The Once and Future King by Andrew Baker. The Band last competed at the Areas in 2006 as Langbaurgh Brass. Our longer serving members will be able to say when the name of North Skelton Band last appeared in an Area Contest programme.....
The following Bands are competing. Good luck to all !
Billingham Silver; Dunston Silver; East Riding of Yorkshire; Ferryhill Town; Marske Silver; North Skelton; Ripon City; South Milford Brass; Stape Silver.
14th March 2009
History Page added. Contributions welcome. Thanks to Paul, Josie and Des for contributions so far.
12th March 2009
A message from our Chairman, Paul Dering:
North Skelton Band reunion concert 27th February 2009
I was a 13 year old boy in the summer of 1969 when I heard that someone was going to start a brass band in the village and, being short of things to do during the summer holidays, I thought it might be a good idea to have a look along. So there I was the only child at the very first meeting in the Band room to discuss the reforming of a brass band in North Skelton.
Since that first meeting I have continuously played in a brass band based in North Skelton throughout my banding career, almost 40 years. I played with North Skelton & District Silver Band, later named the British Steel Teesside Band, then after it ceased to exist signed for Langbaurgh Brass, which had been North Skeltons' junior Band and now re-named North Skelton Band, and I am the current Band Chairman.
The idea of a reunion concert happened when the Band recently changed its name, going back to its' roots to try and promote the Band in the local area and generate a bit of interest. We often meet ex -members of 'Skelton' Band at contests or concerts and many of them regularly mention having a reunion, so we decided that now was a good time to give it a go.
When we sat down and started to list ex-players and friends of the Band the list started to get very long indeed, and trying to get in touch with them all would be a mammoth task. But once the ball was rolling, the internet searched and letters sent out we soon started to get plenty of positive responses and it became apparent we should see plenty of old faces at All Saints Church in Skelton on the night.
Despite our efforts though there were still a number of players that we didn't manage to get hold of and quite a few who couldn't make it because of other commitments, we'll have to try harder next time!
I'm glad to say the concert was a great success, a packed Band played lots of old pieces that the Band used to do to a packed house and there was a well attended buffet in the Bull's Head at North Skelton afterwards where many old friends took the chance to reminisce, share a joke or a tear or two with those who had come along.
For me it was a fantastic feeling seeing so many of our ex-players both in the band and sitting in the audience together with many old friends and supporters that made it such a special night, one that I can certainly say was a highlight of my banding career.
Of course the reunion concert could not have gone ahead without a lot of hard work so I must take this opportunity to publicly thank all those involved, especially Skelton and Upleatham Parochial Church Council for the use of the Church, the band committee for their tireless work, the Coxhoe Banner Group for their support and bringing along their magnificent Miners Banner, George and Margaret Benson of the Bull's Head for the buffet and use of the pub and most of all, all of you for turning up and making it a night to remember.
Thank you so much
Paul Dering - Chairman North Skelton Band.
March 2009
The band website has started to be updated and revised following a significant increase in available Mega Byte-age. We will shortly have an email address to add to the contacts page to make contacting the band even easier. Various new pages and ideas are in the pipeline.......all whilst learning web page editing :-)
27th February 2009
The Reunion and Reformation concert was held at All Saints Church in Skelton. The concert was compered by our Chairman, Paul Dering, in full original North Skelton Band uniform (complete with frilly shirt). In front of a large audience the band played favourites from the early days of the North Skelton Band as well as more recent music. The current band was joined by the following former members for the evening:
Gill Longstone - Barton Band; David Moore - Billingham; Gary Reed - Black Dyke; Mike Holiday, Trevor & Wizz Bateman - Easington Colliery; Jayne Bateman & Keith Hepworth - Fishburn; Mark Sidwell - Grimethorpe Colliery; Robin Winspear, Nigel Barnes, Leslie Reed. - Lockwood; Jo Campbell - Marske; Derek Warley - York Railway Institute.
A conductors baton was presented to Derek Warley in recognition of his contribution in conducting the band during the recent lean times.
25th December 2008
Members and friends played Christmas carols on Christmas Day in North Skelton.
December 2008
The Christmas Meal at the Whinstone View Bistro near Great Ayton was enjoyed by Band members and supporters. Some interesting (!) pictures have appeared on the Facebook page.........See the Guestbook Link on the left.
23rd November 2008
The reformed bands first contest at the Durham League. We were entered in Section B. Test Piece: Rhapsody in Brass by Dean Goffin. Results were:
Section prizes were given to Best Cornet (North Skelton) Best percussion (North Skelton) and best Middle of the Band (Cockerton Silver).
November 2008
The new band ties with the Pit Head Wheel / NSB logo arrive in time for the Durham League contest in Peterlee.
Rememberance Sunday November 2008
The band played at the outdoor Rememberance Day Memorial Services in Skelton and North Skelton.
1st October 2008
Langbaurgh Brass reformed as North Skelton Band