Last Saturday’s job at Saughall was made that much easier by the presence of 2 guest players – David Alderslade on cornet and his son, the very talented Danny, on percussion. David and Danny have helped us out at Saughall before, as well as (with David’s daughter Rhian) at our 150th Anniversary concert in Chester Cathedral last year. Bands such as the City of Chester rely on the likes of David and his family to meet its engagement commitments throughout the year. Amateur music making can be a time-consuming pastime and not every band member is able to make every job; therefore, now is as good a time as any to thank all those players, from many different bands, who have helped us out in the past and who will (hopefully) continue to help us in the future. Thanks, one and all!

The Band paid 2 visits to Saughall over the weekend; on Saturday the Main Band led the parade through the village followed by a few musical interludes at the village fete then, on Sunday evening, the Training Band (ably assisted by some Main Band members) took part in the local Hymnathon. Saturday’s march and fete were overshadowed by the threat of rain, but the bad weather held off and the parade followed a route that seems to get longer each year (or is it the band getting older and therefore noticing it more?). Some of the narrow streets called for impromptu reorganisation of the Band’s marching formation in order to squeeze past the parked cars, but the obstacles were successfully negotiated without serious injury! A small section of the Band then provided a fanfare for the arrival on the field of the main procession, subsequently rejoining their colleagues to entertain the crowds with a varied programme of light music. Sunday evening saw the Training Band providing the music for the Saughall Hymnathon. Conducted by the Main Band’s musical director, Mr Derek Mitchell, it received its normal warm reception from the locals. As always, the Saughall weekend is renowned for the warm hospitality that the Band receives, and thanks must go to the organisers of the weekend’s events for making both the Main Band and Training Band feel so welcome, as well as keeping them supplied with lots of delicious refreshments! This particular evening was a cause for both celebration and sadness; celebration of the return from her gap year of the Band’s euphonium player, Christine C, sadness caused by the departure from the Band of Helen Clowes. Helen is a founder member of the Training Band, and has also progressed to play 2nd Baritone in the Main Band. She will continue to play tenor horn with Upton Concert Band, and everyone connected with the City of Chester thanks her for her efforts and wishes her well in her future endeavours.

A new computer will be available in the bandroom shortly, following a generous donation from another charity. It will initially be available for viewing the many photos of the band and may be used for the bands library and possibly inventory. Unfortunately there won't be internet access, web cam or e-mail but who knows.... maybe in the future.

For the first time in the history of the event (it started in 2000), the heavens opened for the Well Dressing. But that didn't stop the crowd (including the Lord Mayor of Chester) or the band - with some clever improvisation on umbrella and cornet by the front row! Thanks to those who supported the event, it really adds something special to the Well Dressing. Phil, Rob, Mandy, Sylvia (last seen heading home to dry out the music!), Christopher, Lizzie, Lauren, Les, Donna and Ian! Soggy photos on the pictures section of the site just as soon as the flash card has dried out - thanks to Andrew Jackson and Denise Hunt for taking the piccies.

Our Photo (in colour) of Eddisbury MP conducting the band at Waverton bowling club in Thursday's Evening Leader (17th June) alongside their story. Chester Chron (18th June) has the story too with their own earlier photo (B&W) - with 2 star cornet plays... Phil and Rob :) Chester Chron also mentioned the band in their piece on the Festival of Transport, but didn't use our photo :( Did the Leader cover the Festival earlier in the week? NOTE if anyone sees the band in the press please let us know as we can't catch everything!

We at least Wingates did. Whilst the England football team were tasting defeat at the hands (well feet) of the French, Wingates were gving the French some lessons in true british brass banding skills at the French Open Championship. Check out http://www.wingatesband.freeservers.com/ for the full story and congratulations to Wingates for their success.

The sun shone, the beer was OK, and the band played on. Keep an eye on the photo section to catch some of the band checking out a 1924 Buick! With Sylvia at the wheel :)

Update from Christine our wondering Euph player - who's now on her way back to the UK after her time down under.... Hey ! Arrived in Singapore safely, good flight & time seemed to go really quickly. Mum & dad met me at airport (very weird!!) Singapores great & so pretty at night when all lit up. Went to the bird park & singapore zoo - which is definetly worth a visit. probably the best zoo ive visited - a really natural environment. Also went on a night safari which was a different experience! Took a cable car from the mainland over to Sentosa Island & visited a butterfly park & orchid garden. Weather extremely hot & humid. Things arent expensive like everyone tells me. Taxis are reallllllly cheap. Everywhere very clean. Dad bought a new digital camera a few days ago - so having fun playing with that. Well gotta run! Off to a beach resort today in a place called Langkawi in Malaysia. CJ

A depleted training band put on a great show at Mickle Trafford school fair on Saturday (June 12th) - even rolling out their new James Bond arrangement (also accompanied at one stage by the ambulance siren!). Many of the band were away in Macclesfield representing Chester in the Cheshire Schools Sports competition, but a full programme was performed and many positive comments heard. So thanks to the main band members that came along to help, and a special well done to the many new players who played fantastically on what for many of them was their first outing. The band supports Mickle Trafford Fair because the Training Band rehearses in the Scout hut on Monday nights at 6.30. We're always keen to welcome new members - just come along and have a go. The band will be back in Mickle Trafford next Sunday (20th) leading the parade from Plemstall church to St Plegnums Well for the now famous well dressing ceremony. Worth going along just to see the fantastic job they do - puddled clay and everything!!

MP for Eddisbury ‘Bowls’ us over! The City of Chester Band became the region’s ‘music on the move’ on Friday when engaged to provide entertainment at the official opening of the Waverton Bowling Club’s new facilities. In addition, control of the band was temporarily handed over to the Shadow Secretary of State for Industry, Mr Stephen O’Brien MP, who had earlier cut the ceremonial ribbon to the Bowling Club’s new conservatory. Mother Nature put the Band’s adaptability to the test on this particular evening; we started our contribution outdoors, but were forced by the weather to move to a small marquee after the first item, only to find that our audience had retreated indoors and were unable to hear us. Never a band to allow an audience to get off that easily, we followed the crowd into the Bowling Club, to discover that the only place we could set up was in the snooker room! Forced to adopt an unorthodox ‘T’ formation, the Band nevertheless provided an entertaining programme which, by necessity, included an arrangement of ‘Singin’ In the Rain’. When the time came for the official opening ceremony, the rain had abated, so the Band resumed its original playing position outside and provided an appropriate fanfare to herald the cutting of the ribbon. It was at this point that a member of Her Majesty’s Opposition revealed his past as an orchestral conductor and relieved Derek Mitchell of the baton in order to conduct a replay of the fanfare. The Band’s thanks must go to the Waverton Bowling Club for their generous hospitality and, in particular to Geoff Lee, a former Secretary of the Chester Band, who ensured that we were well looked after and that events ran smoothly, despite the weather. It’s been a busy weekend for the Band, with the Training Band at Mickle Trafford on Saturday, and the grown-ups at the Roodee on Sunday. Next weekend sees the main band out again, at Ruskin High School on Friday the 18th, and Plemstall (for the annual Well Dressing) on Sunday the 20th. See the Band’s award-winning web site, www.chesterbrass.co.uk, for further details. Brian Mottershead keep an eye on our pictures area for photo's of the MP in action