RN Volunteer Band HMS Collingwood

BdCSgt Paul Johnson BMus(Hons) ARCM(Hons) CTABRSM RM

With the ‘Baltic’ weather conditions and treacherous ice adversely affecting many thousands across the country, the New Year, not surprisingly, heralded something of a slow start for the Band. Such was the impact of the ice and freezing temperatures in the local Fareham area that all personnel within HMS Collingwood, having just returned from leave, were sent home for an additional week’s leave - perhaps not the worst start to the year, you may say! Unfortunately not everyone in the Band was able to enjoy the benefits of a few extra days at home and additional time off work. Anne Bebee, our principal trombonist, discovered ‘up close and personal’ just how ‘anti-Health & Safety’ ice can be in the process of slipping over and fracturing her left wrist. Turning up to her first rehearsal with her wrist in a cast and unable to hold her trombone, Anne, ever the stalwart, resolved this small setback by switching to euphonium; still keen to play her part in our fast approaching first concert - Anne, you’re a star!

The concert in point arrived soon enough at the end of January when the Band was invited to participate in the inaugural concert of this year’s Portsmouth Music Festival. Now in its 78th year and going from strength to strength, this community based event, sponsored by the Mayor of Portsmouth, sets out to provide a showcase for young musical talent in the local area. Sharing the stage with us for the concert was the Highbury Youth Band where such talent was abundantly clear and on show for all to see. The excellent standard of this Band is due, in no small part, to the dedication and commitment of the Band’s two musical directors, themselves no strangers to Volunteer Bands: Mr Steve Tanner, ex Nelson VBI, and Mr Richard Horn who also finds time to play euphonium in Collingwood Volunteer Band (Richard is the older looking one of the two!). Congratulations to you and your band on a fantastic performance and long may you keep up the excellent work.

For our part, this concert enabled us to take full advantage of the opportunity to field a full band able to perform some of the bigger arrangements and more adventurous pieces from our repertoire. The programme, in parts, was extremely demanding and I would like to thank all those who participated for their hard work and energy. The concert proved a big success with all those in attendance, as well as a suitably grandiose launch for the Festival to follow.

On the personnel front, since our last article, the birth stork has made a couple of aerial passes. Cdr Tom Sharpe is now the proud father of a baby girl while Judith Driver returns to us following maternity leave with news of a baby boy. Congratulations to you both.

As I look forward and with congratulations still the order of the day, I would like to take this opportunity, albeit somewhat belatedly, to congratulate Jenny and Tony Flatman on their good news;  in July they will be expecting the arrival of a second ‘bouncing’ addition to the Flatman household. All the very best wishes for you both in the months to come; suffice to say, Jenny, your expert contribution to the Band will be greatly missed by all of us at this year’s Festival. On the subject of the Festival, our congratulations go to Steve Wood and Lorna who have finally got around to booking a date for their July wedding. Last but not least congratulations must go to our resident Band Officer, Lt Rachel Smallwood, who was recently informed of her forthcoming promotion to Lt Cdr - see, I told you I would put in a good word for you!

So, with the Volunteer Band Festival looming large on the horizon (some time in July, I think?) and with preparations well under way, I would like to wish all those participating all the very best in your endeavours, safe in the knowledge that, if all else fails, at least the venue for the social is confirmed.

Johno

Last updated 10 August 2010