Archive 2023

Return to Hill Lane Baptist Church

25th November 2023

After a four year absence, due to Covid and other commitments, the band returned to Hill Lane Baptist Church, Briercliffe, and gave a varied concert. Watch the video below to see the band performing.

Retirement of a long serving member

November 2023

Flugel horn player, Alison Cowking, has taken the decision to retire as a playing member of the band.

Alison, who is the wife of the band’s conductor, John, joined the band whilst still at primary school. She was a cornet player for many years before becoming the band’s flugel horn player.

Alison has also served as secretary to the band and it is hoped that she will continue in this role.

Hodder Valley Show

9th September 2023

The band made their regular appearance at the Hodder Valley Show, held this year in Slaidburn. However, conductor John Cowking did not wield the baton due to his commitments as President of the show.

Bandmaster, Barry Bleasdale, was in charge of the band for the day.

The photographs above show the band playing in the Show President’s marquee.

The other photograph shows ‘The Two Presidents’, John Cowking, the Show President and Anthea Hodson, the Band President.

Last Night of the Proms

22nd July 2023

This year’s Proms Concert was one of two halves as regards the weather. The first being rain affected, whilst the second half was fine and dry.

The music played commemorated the Coronation of King Charles III, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the centenary of Clitheroe Castle War Memorial.

Other music included “Take That’s” Greatest Day, to celebrate the release of the film of the same name, filmed on location in Clitheroe.

The concert concluded with the usual favourites from the “Last Night of the Proms”.

29th June 2023

A Presentation to the President

During the band’s second concert of the ‘Hark to Bounty’ season, a presentation was made, by conductor John Cowking, on behalf of the members, to their President, Anthea Hodson. The gift was a framed photograph of the band, with Anthea, taken at the Coronation Concert in May.

The presentation followed the band’s premiere performance of a song called “To Anthea” by John L Hatton, arranged by John Cowking, to words by the poet Robert Herrick. The music was found by Anthea, whilst she was tidying out a room at her home.

Music with a connection to our new King was played. This included a selection from Kiss Me Kate, from the year 1948, the year of his birth and the march Old Comrades, regularly played on The Goon Show, one of the King’s favourites comedy shows. The band also performed a piece by Debbie Wiseman, called Elizabeth Remembered, in honour of the late Queen. The concert was rounded off with a selection from the Last Night of the Proms.

To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023, the band gave a concert at Slaidburn Village Hall on the following day.

During the interval break a commemorative paving stone was unveiled on the village green, to mark the Coronation.

7th May 2023

Coronation Concert for King Charles III