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Well, it's all done and dusted now, and what a day it was! My first experience of the manic Whit Friday marches...totally crazy, but total fun! Over a hundred brass bands whizzing up and down country lanes, playing a march then a set piece in each of up to twelve venues and then piling on the coach to go to the next one...the contests started at four o'clock and I got home at about 1.30am...
The weather forecast wasn't good to start with...torrential rain and high winds! In the end all we had to cope with was a slight drizzle, thank goodness. The craic on the day was so good that I don't think anyone really noticed it...
We didn't get lost as such...just temporarily misplaced...still, we managed to play at nine venues in six and a half hours! Thank goodness for mobile SatNav!
Arriving at Audenshaw Aldwinians RFC, there was a band already playing...
...then it was our turn!
Some of the band members deciding to add an impromptu harmonica section to Bramwyn?
Then it was on the coach and off to the next venue...
The organisation was phenomenal...there were coaches just everywhere!
Volunteers at each venue lead the march with a notice board announcing the name of the band.
We made sure that we didn't miss anything...
...including the obligatory (for some!) visit to the pubs in each village!
Our version of the "Three Wise Monkeys"...hear all, see all and say nowt!
The nickname for this lot was the "Condom Band"...
Ashton United, Hurst Village contest...good to be able to use the E20p that I have on loan!
The spectators came prepared...
...and even the little 'uns loved it...
The girl with the name board at Heyrod had her work cut out keeping the little 'uns in line. It was a real village/family atmosphere, with a line of kiddies marching up the street ahead of the bands...
I think I was in breach of the dress code....
The rain carried on persisting it down...
...and we had a race to the finish at Denton!
By this time it was pitch black...the band were playing on the cricket pitch with floodlights...
...remind me to take my tripod next time!
It was an absolutely amazing day...I can't wait until the next time!
Janet
The rest of the photos are here...http://www.flickr.com//photos/janets...89415756/show/
The weather forecast wasn't good to start with...torrential rain and high winds! In the end all we had to cope with was a slight drizzle, thank goodness. The craic on the day was so good that I don't think anyone really noticed it...
We didn't get lost as such...just temporarily misplaced...still, we managed to play at nine venues in six and a half hours! Thank goodness for mobile SatNav!
Arriving at Audenshaw Aldwinians RFC, there was a band already playing...
...then it was our turn!
Some of the band members deciding to add an impromptu harmonica section to Bramwyn?
Then it was on the coach and off to the next venue...
The organisation was phenomenal...there were coaches just everywhere!
Volunteers at each venue lead the march with a notice board announcing the name of the band.
We made sure that we didn't miss anything...
...including the obligatory (for some!) visit to the pubs in each village!
Our version of the "Three Wise Monkeys"...hear all, see all and say nowt!
The nickname for this lot was the "Condom Band"...
Ashton United, Hurst Village contest...good to be able to use the E20p that I have on loan!
The spectators came prepared...
...and even the little 'uns loved it...
The girl with the name board at Heyrod had her work cut out keeping the little 'uns in line. It was a real village/family atmosphere, with a line of kiddies marching up the street ahead of the bands...
I think I was in breach of the dress code....
The rain carried on persisting it down...
...and we had a race to the finish at Denton!
By this time it was pitch black...the band were playing on the cricket pitch with floodlights...
...remind me to take my tripod next time!
It was an absolutely amazing day...I can't wait until the next time!
Janet
The rest of the photos are here...http://www.flickr.com//photos/janets...89415756/show/
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