The band had a welcome visit from Jon Vail on Wednesday night. Solo horn player Jon currently resides in Dubai with his family – is this a record distance traveled to a rehearsal? Let us know!

The Band joined Soprano, long-term band member Phil Mottershead at his school (he’s the Head) in Crewe on Thursday night. A mixed night of entertainment (The band even learned a bit of Shakespeare…) was topped-off with a mini proms, complete with flags and cheering!

Busy weekend…. Saturday the TB is playing at the scout family day at Mickle Trafford. In the scout hut if it’s raining! Session is 3-3.45pm. Free BBQ for all junior members taking part. On Sunday we’re supporting an RAF parade at RAF Sealand, and then dashing back to the Mickle Trafford Scout Hut to get ready for the solo/group competition and BBQ. Starting at 5pm, the TB will play a couple of warm-up numbers, and then we’ll draw lots for the competition. Adjudicators Derek Mitchell (main band MD), and Andrew MacDonald (Wingate priciple cornet player – the hose-pipe man) will then be locked into the kitchen with a bucket(TB kids request after their Blackpool ‘regional’ experience). We’re looking for Gold, Silver and Bronze level performances, and will award an overall performance trophy. After the TB, the main band will play whilst the BBQ is fired up. Interested in coming, contact Ian on 07714 157 351

3 new starts bring the band numbers to 20. We had 26 players, including helpers, last Monday – a really good sound! Derek Mitchell is working wonders with a small group of beginners; thanks Derek. The main band have just purchased 2 used cornets for TB use – we’re out of most instruments now….. thanks to the MacDonald family for tracking these down. So places are still available for more new starts. The TB will be invited to sit-in during the summer hols with some main band rehearsals – please make them welcome. Maybe time to practice one-handed playing so you can leave you pointing hand free…. Congratulations to Helen Clowes for getting a Merit on her recent grade 3 Baritone exam. Well done to her tutor, our own TB MD, Paula Bell.

New players. As those who’ve attended main band rehearsals will know, we’re missing some key positions at the moment. Now’s the time to look out old phone numbers and contacts and see if you can draft in some experienced players….. Otherwise the Training Band are coming on; just not quite ready yet!

Our ‘free’ charity day, has turned into a day at the races! We’re playing on behalf of The Cancer Research Campaign, and have access to the open course area. Tickets will be provided for players, with ‘hangers-on’ having to pay the £4 course fee. We’re meeting one of the racecourse team at 12 O’Clock, who will tell us where to set-up. Either be there at 12, or if you can’t find the band, call Ian on 07714 157 351 and we’ll guide you in! A few contractor passes will be available for those transporting chairs, stands, percussion etc etc. Les or Ian will coordinate. Anyone who can help fetch and carry should volunteer to Les. Assuming a positive collection, the Charity have offered to provide ‘refreshments’ for the solo BBQ event on July 15th…. Watch this space. Don’t forget to save your pocket money for the winning horses! I understand Derek may be able to suggest a winner or two….

Mickle Trafford School Fete. A great outing for the TB. Thanks also to the MacDonalds who deputized for TB members playing football and dancing! The band supported the rose queen procession (not marching yet…), and did 3 playing spots (a dance troupe couldn’t make it so the TB did an extra spot). A ‘try an instrument’ session went down very well, with all our information leaflets being taken by interested parties…. If half turn up over the next few weeks we’ll be struggling for instruments, so we’ll have to explore the available options. If you want to know what some of the TB look like, take a look in the entertainments section of The Chronicle this week, where you can read all about them, and also see some of them, together with MD Paula Bell, in glorious technicolour! Also look out for Band Secretary Les Platt, doing an American marching band special with his bass in the background….. There was a full turn out in blue (Donnay) tops at this event, and it looked good. If you’re a TB member without a top, and you want one, contact Gill Townsend at a Monday night rehearsal. We’ve had an offer of 25 baseball caps for the Training Band from AirBP! If anyone else wants to offer support, services or goods to either band, then just email [email protected] .

A fantastic afternoon of relaxing brass (atmosphere, not lips!) by the river. The City Band playing in The City – all’s well with the world! A great turnout by the main band, with 4 places filled by friendly deps, and one extra horn. We collected £137. Once again the collection was bolstered by a great turn out by Training Band members and parents. I guess we need to chat over how to increase the ‘take’, all ideas welcome!! Fantastic ‘first time’ solos by Paula Bell (baritone) and Gillian Spragg (horn), together with the usual solos from Rob MacDonald, including a very well received post horn. Apparently the collectors were very busy following the post horn gallop.

Thanks to all who bought a choccy quiz sheet. We raised #37 for TB funds. This will go towards Xmas music (yes Xmas!). The lucky winners were: Sandra Hoose (who designed and made the new Training Band name board), Tony O'Dell, and Jean George. The Chocs are on the way.

Excellent coverage of the band in recent weeks. Unfortunately there is an error in the story asking charities if they’d like the band for the day – the phone number should be 07714 157 351. The papers have been informed of the error, and people have been making contact anyway, via the email address, or by using the phone book to track an alternative number. 4 charities/groups have expressed an interest so far for the 30th. If you fancy the band at YOUR event, give the correct number a call – you might be lucky!