News Archive 2020
Then The Traffic Lights Changed Back To Red.
20th October 2020
After only one band practice Lancashire was placed into Tier 3 of the Coronavirus Alert Levels. This meant that the members, even socially distanced, could no longer meet up. If the situation changes, hopefully band practices can resume.
The Traffic Lights Have Changed. 15th October 2020
The band is pleased to announce the recommencement of rehearsals. On Thursday 15th October 2020 they held their first rehearsal since performing together at their Spring Charity Concert on the 15th March.
The photograph above shows the band at the United Reform Church, Clitheroe, following strict Covid security measures, as recommended by Brass Band England.
The first piece played was “Deep Harmony”, an arrangement by conductor John Cowking, followed by the band’s signature march, “Slaidburn”, by William Rimmer.
The band expressed appreciation for the restarting of rehearsals and looked forward with enthusiasm to their continuation.
Yet More Sad News, August 2020
The band is sad to report the death, in late July, of our former euphonium player Gwynne Jones after a long illness. Gwynne had been with the band since the early 1990s and had to retire in 2017 because of poor health.
He had been involved with the band not only as a player, but helped with our beginner's groups and was also our bandmaster from 1996 until his retirement. He was a loyal member, missing very few engagements or rehearsals. There was one engagement in particular which Gwynne was always absent from - Remembrance Sunday - when Gwynne would return to his home village in Wales, where his banding first began, to play the Last Post and Reveille - a tradition he maintained for over 40 years.
More Sad News, July 2020
The Band is sad to announce the death of former member Allan Wood, who played Bb Bass. He died recently at his home in Slaidburn. Allan was one of the villagers who helped reform the band when he joined in 1964 after it had laid dormant since 1954.
He and other villagers found the bandroom covered in cobwebs and the instruments tarnished black! They set to work cleaning things up, using pan scrubs and Brillo pads on the instruments to get them playable! He remained a loyal member of the band for nearly 40 years until eyesight problems forced him to retire.
His other great interests were photography (a favourite phrase at band jobs - "just one for the album,") and collecting memorabilia of Slaidburn. Many of the photographs in the band's gallery are from his collection.
An Anniversary Postponed, May 2020
During this summer the band should have been giving its 25th Anniversary series of ‘Brass at the Bounty’ concerts, beginning on 28th May. Unfortunately, Coronavirus and the ensuing restrictions have prevented this.
Ribble Valley Music Makers visited the Hark to Bounty at Slaidburn on 26th June 2014, and made a film of one of the concerts. It was published in 2017. This is available to view on YouTube, and can be accessed by clicking here.
9th and 30th April 2020
Quartet Entertains
Four members of Slaidburn Silver Band, who live close to one another, gave impromptu public performances in support of Clap for Carers, to say Thank You to the NHS and all critical and key workers, on behalf of the band. These were performed after the 8pm ‘Clap’. The performances can be seen by clicking here and here.
20th March 2020
Donation to Band
Local company, Dunbia, have kindly given a donation of £200 to the band from their charity fund. This is good news for the band, during this difficult and trying time for everyone. Many thanks to Dunbia. The picture shows conductor John Cowking receiving the donation from Charlotte Hall, Dunbia’s charity co-ordinator.
17th March 2020
Coronavirus Strikes
As a result of Government advice, regarding group activities, band rehearsals have been cancelled with immediate effect until further notice. It is expected that forthcoming engagements will also be affected. Please visit the Engagements page for up to date details.
January 2020
Sad News
The band is sad to announce the death of Audrey Barrett, a retired member of the band, who died on the 28th January 2020.
Audrey played tenor horn for several years and had retired from the band due to declining health. She was a dedicated member and will be sadly missed.
15th March 2020
Spring Charity Concert
On Sunday 15th March 2020 the band gave a charity concert at St Michael and St John’s Parish Centre in Clitheroe. Despite concerns about the current Coronavirus situation, the concert was well attended. The band performed a variety of musical items with connections from around the world.
Profits from the concert were in aid of ‘Mary’s Meals’, a charity providing children with one good meal a day in places of learning in developing countries.
As spring is a quiet time for the band the members made a decision to provide a free concert to support a locally supported charity. Conductor, John Cowking, invited applications for next years charitable concert.
Sad Loss of a Band Member, June 2020
The band is sad to announce the death of band member, Ken Smith.
Ken joined Slaidburn in 2001 on Eb Bass and was still playing with us, having moved on to cornet a couple of years ago, at our final concert in March of this year, before the lockdown curtailed our activities. He died at the age of 87 in Airedale Hospital on Thursday 4th June.
Ken had played for most of his life in a number of bands around the area. He regarded his time with Slaidburn as amongst some of the happiest of his banding life. His chats with members at rehearsals were much enjoyed when he told of his banding experiences and the many famous players, conductors and composers he had met during his musical activities.
Ken was a very loyal and committed member of the band and will be sadly missed.
© 2024 Slaidburn Silver Band