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Behind Every Great Man..

This year Phil Mason will be handing over the last of his main roles within the band in order to be able to, in his words, “just turn up and play for a change”. I felt his long involvement with the band, over sixty odd years, deserved to be marked in some way. Although we could have filled the whole newsletter, I will do my best to keep it to just one page, and hope it does him justice. Some say that he was one of the founder members in 1897, but in fact Phil’s journey with the Band started in the school summer holidays of 1953, following advice from his parents that he would be putting some of this quality time to good use that way. His first real memory was as a 10 year old, walking through St. Chad’s graveyard on a cold, dark, winter’s night on his own, to rehearsal at the isolated bandroom at the end of Church Lane, hoping that stories of ghostly souls would not rise to greet him. Quite an introduction! Those early days before street lighting was installed in

the area, Christmas caroling was often a challenge as the only illumination was usually provided by an old pump-up Tilley lamp, suspended from a shepherd’s crook. Phil progressed during the early years with the Band from third to first cornet, via Repiano cornet and Flugel horn. Then at the age of 17 he was presented an opportunity that he craved, solo Euphonium, a position he held for many years. Recently he has adopted a more nomadic role within the band playing a variety of instruments as needs required. In 1999 he set up and ran the 100 Club which has been a vital part of the funding for the band. Roland Twydell took charge 5 years ago and continues this excellent work. He has held the post of Vice-Chair and Chair until 2006 when the current chair, Tony Pugh took over. He has been an active committee member since the early 90’s as well as working across publicity, media and general organiser. Phil also held the post of secretary, a role which has now been split and shared between Amy Leather (admin secretary) and to Jackie Mellor-Jones (jobs and events secretary), and they both continue to do a great job for the band. Not surprisingly Phil was also heavily involved in the development of the content of The Bands History – The Friendly Band, published in 1997, and has held the position of Band Person of the Year three times! Phil was also involved in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, in Manchester, not amongst the medals, but with several other Farndon players playing for the closing ceremony getting absolutely soaked-through as top coats were not allowed because the uniforms had to be on display for the television cameras. In 2003 he was awarded the 50 Year Diploma of Honour from the North West Brass Bands Association for “Long and Meritorious Service to Banding in the North West”. I will leave the last words to Phil who wrote, “You might say that whilst I have been fortunate to have been able to have been committed to the Band for so many years I must specifically thank Deb, the lady in my life, who has supported my banding activities throughout our 55 years of courtship and marriage. She frequently reminded me that she knew and understood where my loyalties lay”.

Singing in the Rain

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Band visited All Saints Church in Hoole for a fundraiser for Hoole Christmas Lights. On the night the weather was heavy rain, but the weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm from the audience on the night, and the joint concert with the Entourage Ladies Choir was very well supported in the wonderful venue. Particular thanks must go to Christina, the centre manager, whose organisational help was invaluable, and also the Rev Kirkland for granting permission. Entourage perform regularly in Chester & North Wales, and have entered the North Wales International Choral Festival twice and won both times.

Cancer Research UK

In early December the band played at St.John’s church in Wrexham to help raise funds for CRUK. Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed February 2002

by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. As the world's largest independent cancer research charity it conducts research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Louise the local organiser sent us this message, “Thank you Farndon Brass Band, for playing at our fundraising evening for Cancer Research UK, we raised a fantastic £730. The band were fantastic and so hospitable, and we cannot wait to arrange a further event next year, thank you again, from Larchwood Road Community Group, Borras, Wrexham.

The St. Chad’s Christmas Tree Festival Switch On Chris Marks from the organising committee of St. Chad’s Christmas Tree Festival told The Bandsman that their fifth annual Tree festival which opened on Friday November 29th comprised twenty four trees sponsored by members of the local community, and a further nine junior trees provided and decorated by local children. In addition other local children for the first time this year cut out, coloured and decorated angel shapes which were suspended above the pews and will remain there over the entire Christmas period. As in previous years, the event was supported by our Band on the Friday night to accompany the carol singing while the church Christmas tree was lit. All those present then walked down to the centre of the village with the band to see the village tree lit by the Parish Council. The committee and Parish Council were grateful to the band for their support once again in almost freezing conditions.

Winter Wonderland

One of the Band’s first jobs in the diary at the festive time of year is Santa’s arrival at Bellis Brothers. It is always a magical night for the families who come in great numbers to support the event. This year was no exception and as well

as the parade, there were Santa’s reindeers, the stalls and rides in the funfair, Santa’s grotto, not to mention Farndon & District Brass Band playing in the parade as well as entertaining everyone in the garden centre afterwards!

Pictured left, the stalls and rides seem to be bigger each year and again attracted many families on the night. Top right some of the cast from Grove Park Little Theatre brought a touch of glamour and above the band playing.

Junior spotlight Jackie is BPOTY

Jackie Mellor-Jones has topped off a very hard working year by collecting the Farndon Band’s Band Person of the Year trophy. She is pictured above at the Christmas concert at Bellis Brothers where she manned the drinks stall, which not only added to the general enjoyment of the event, but also generated much needed funds for the band. As well as her work with the junior band, she is also taking up the position of Jobs & Events secretary from Phil Mason. She recently joined the committee and has shown a wide range of skills raising funds at several events. Well done Jackie from all of us.

As a Band we play several events at Bellis Brothers over the festive period, and the resident polar bear in the restaurant has become an attraction for all the children when we play the annual Christmas concert, and this year was no exception. So it made sense to organise a group picture of the junior players with him. We must think of a name for him before the concert next year!

Below are all the nominees for the Junior Band Awards which this year are being presented at the Band’s Annual Presentation Dinner at the Holt Lodge. Left to right - Hugo Higazi , Mila McCann, Janet Barraclough, Nia Morgan and Olivia Higazi. All were nominated for their efforts this year and for the first time the Junior awards will have equal prominence to the senior band awards. Well done.