In 2015 The Merseyside Tram Preservation Society had restored tram 245 and to assist in it's launch we provided a fanfare as it left the tram shed and then played a selection of marches on top of a tram as it traveled from the shed to Birkenhead's Woodside Ferry. If you click on the Band On a Tram image you can see and hear us playing the fanfare as the tram left the shed and then get a pedestrian's ear view of us playing while the tram passes by.

It was great fun, the BTPS people made us most welcome, and, for once that year, the sun shone while we played..

The video was created from work by David Hennessey and Monopodman.  You can see their full videos on Youtube by clicking on their names.

Joint Concert with Portsmouth Royal British legion Victory Band

In June 2019 we held two joint concert with the Portsmouth Royal British Legion Victory band.  The first was in Trinity Church in the centre of Ellesmere Port and the second at the National Waterways museum again in Ellesmere Port.If you click on the Joint Concert Video picture you can see a fairly short (nine minutes) video of snippets from the concert at Trinity Church. 

Bellow are a couple of images from both concerts you can see more by following these links:-

Trinity Methodist Church Joint Concert

National Waterways Joint Concert

Vale Park, September 2016

On a sunny September afternoon we played our last summer engagement for the year in Vale Park, New Brighton.  There was a large appreciative audience relaxing in their deckchairs, soaking in the last of the summer sun whilst we entertained them.

If you click on the Concert Video image of us in the bandstand you can see and hear some extracts from the afternoon - Spanish Gypsy Dance, The Entertainer - the camera microphone managed to catch an interesting whistled obbligato supplied by a member of the audience, the march Death or Glory and an extract from the Beatles' medley Beatles Gold.

We need to thank John Bridson and the photographer in the audience who were press ganged into taking the video.

Whilst Vale Park is a traditional site with a wonderful bandstand and an audience all settled in deck chairs Ashton Park  (click on the image of the park lake to visit their website) is different.  It does not have a bandstand instead we set up at the edge of playing fields in dip presumably dug out to make the field level.  The resulting edges are shored up with large concrete steps which the audience sit on whilst the band is usually housed inside a specially erected marquee.  This means that, if it rains, the band stay dry whilst the audience get wet.  One year the park manger had to call off the concert because of the weather, we were fine but the torrential rain was soaking the audience which, in true British fashion, refused to give up and go home.

This year however we were presented with a beautiful hot summer afternoon for our annual concert. You can find some images from the concert below.

Christmas Carolling - 2022

Gordale

On the 10th of November we helped launch Gordale Garden Centre's Christmas special.  We've played there each year for some time now and always enjoy it.  We were ensconced on our usual balcony giving our first run through of Christmassy tunes - Frosty the Snowman etc.   It was really well attended, and we are always made to feel welcome. A good, if somewhat early, start to the Christmas season.  Folow this link - Gordale Christms Exravaganza to see more pictures.

Pulford

Our first proper Christmas engagement was at Pulford, just outside Chester.  We were made very welcome, and it was an enjoyable start to the season.   Click on the picture of the band to see a short film clip of the event.

You can see more images from this event at Pulford Christmas Celebration.

Cheshire Oaks

On the 8^th December we played at Cheshire Oaks Retail Park in freezing conditions. Luckily no valves seized and we only suffered minor frostbite.  As you can see, they gave us an excellent spot to play. Unfortunately, however the LED lights don't give off much heat.   Follow Cheshire Oaks Caroling to see more pictures.

Asda, Ellesmere Port

On the 11^th December we were at Ellesmere Port's Asda. The weather was cold and we were sheltered in a trolley park -  although from the photo it could be a prison cell or perhaps a cage in a zoo.

The carols went down very well. One woman said she hadn't heard anything like it for fifty years.   We took this as a complement as she did put some money in our collecting box.

Ellesmere Port Market

On the 17^th December we were at Ellesmere Port's Market. The weather had warmed up to a balmy 4^o C but that was irrelevant as Dave Brown, Ellesmere Port Market's supervisor, had arranged fro us to play inside using one of the stalls where we were nice and warm.  We would also like to thank Tommy's Cafe for the complementary warming teas and coffees.   Follow Ellesmere Port Market to see more pictures.

Marks and Spencer - Cheshire Oaks

Our final carolling session of the year was outside M & S at Cheshire Oaks on the 22^nd December.  By this time our carols were well honed, and we made a good sound.  Chris, our flugel player, had to lead the melody until Steve arrived fresh from work.  The flugel, on it's own on melody, gave the carols a beautiful soft mellow sound.  When Steve arrived he quickly put a stop to this and made sure the melodies rang out from our pitch. Not wanting to be upstaged he also blocked her out from the picture.  You can just see her shoulder past Steve's back.   If you want to see everyone you'll have to have a look at the pictures at Marks and Spencer 2022.

When we finished we rounded the caroling season off with a well deserved pint at the the nearby Rake Hall where they have an excellent selection of bitters.