Saturday December 3rd was the date set for the reunion and concert.

The venue was the Church Hall at Blackhall. .

On arriving at the church hall, Kath and I were met immediatly by several old members, David Peel and Steven Grant, Karen and Stephen Wears, and Jeppers! The hall was a little cold to start, but it all warmed up quickly enough and more members started rolling in ready for rehearsal to start at 2pm. So how did the band shape up that day.

The Line up.

Solo Cornets
Margaret Ward, Graeme Ward, John Martindale, Georgie Cockerill
Soprano and Back row.
John Thirkell, Claire Martindale (flugel), Christopher Wears, Karen Wears, Stephen Wears, Jeff Wright
Horns
Paul Vickers, Kathryn Cockerill, Graeme Vickers
Euphs/Baris
Steven Grant, Stuart Cockerill, John Bruce, Trevor Knowles
Trombones
David Peel, Clifford Luke
Basses
Peter Lawson, Guest, Dougie Wardle, David Bruce
Percussion
Peter Forster

So a strong line up which survived the afternoon rehearsal, for the most part! Our first blow through Sons of the Brave, together, as a band was a decisive moment. Most people must have been thinking "this could be interesting". A make or break moment.

We survived and perhaps the high point was Graeme getting up to answer a telephone alert that Sunderland had scored. I suppose these days that's probably worthy of a little celebration in itself! Not that it'll do them any good,..........they're going down!

Anyway, a couple of hours break allowed time for catching up, eating and final setting up before the doors opened at 6.45 and the punters started rolling in. And boy did they start rolling in. By 7.20 it was clear we needed more chairs and when the concert started, a little late, we were playing to a full hall.

Notable arrivals in the audience, were Tommy and Jean Haswell, Dick Quinn, Belinda Quinn, David Bowman, Denise Smith, Gillian Adamson, Valerie Ord. A special mention to the doorman on the night, George Cockerill and Bryan Martindale, back in harness after all this time. They were ably assisted by Tristan Cockerill of course who also handled the technical wizardry of the video and audio recording,............... typical ten year old!

The concert went well I think. As with all concerts, it had its high,....and not so high moments. The most memorable moments for me were the march opening where it is fair to say the band established its presence. Sacred Hill at the end was a fine tribute to Albert's memory. A lovely horn solo, "Feelings" from Mr Vickers senior and also two euphonium players who got to the end of Largo al factotum! Of course Hootenanny was loud,....... perhaps too lound my daughter informed me.

Programme order

Sons of the Brave
Lustspiel
Trumpet Blues and Cantabile
Christmas Joy
Frolic for Trombones
Showboat
Jamie's Patrol

Bandology
Feelings
Largo al Factotum
Orpheus in the Underworld
Hootenanny
Sacred Hill

With photos, general relaxation, gossip and inhaling of beer, the night ended at around 1pm and we all drifted off to get on with the rest of our lives. We had a great day, we enjoyed seeing old friends and I think we provided a fitting tribute to Albert's memory.

Those of you who missed it, if you really couldn't make it, then that was sad, we missed you.