Nice photo of Les on the footplate of The Evening Leader early in the week - checkout our photo pages to see a similar shot! Hoping to get placement in brass press, including our friends at 4barsrest.com - keep your eyes open! Band on platform photo alongside the Chronicle rail story this week. 2 photos; fanfare by train and 2 'juniors' Christopher and Kirsty with the town crier plus story, Evening Leader Fri 5th May:) Many thanks to the Leader for their continued support - we'll keep taking the photo's and sending in the stories!!

WANT SUNSHINE? BOOK THE CITY OF CHESTER BAND! report by Brian Mottershead, Band PR Officer For the 2nd time in a week the presence of the City of Chester Band at an open-air event persuaded Mother Nature to pump up the volume with glorious sunshine! The Bank Holiday weekend was a busy one for the Band, with appearances on consecutive days at the Concept for Living Show at Tatton Park, as well as an early start on Sunday morning at Chester Station sending off a group of dignitaries and steam train enthusiasts with a rousing fanfare. The weekend started well with a full band and excellent facilities at Tatton Park. The Band performed three 45-minute sessions, which tested not only our lips but Derek’s skills in producing a varied and interesting programme. However, succeed he did, and our largely transitory audience was kept entertained with everything from James Bond themes to Broadway Melodies, traditional Brass Band marches to music from the latest movies. Highlights of the first day included a guest soprano cornet player in the shape of Wingates’ Principal Cornet Andrew Macdonald and the discovery of the most sumptuous Portaloos the band has ever been privileged to use!! A near-disaster occurred when Phil Mottershead was delivering a splendid rendition of the cornet solo Solitaire only to have his music stand knocked over by two seemingly parentless children who decided to use the bandstand as a play area at the crucial moment! Like the Old Trooper he is, Phil carried on and completed his solo to great applause from both the band and the audience. The afternoon was full of hilarity and merriment particularly amongst the basses and back-row cornets. What were you doing at 9.30 on Sunday morning? If you had any sense you were in bed! We, however, were on Platform 4 of Chester Station serenading a steam train. We were there as part of an event to promote the Mid-Cheshire Railway Line, sending the passengers on their way with a few well-chosen melodies. Les Platt had his day made when he was asked to pose with his Bb Bass on the footplate of the steam locomotive. One unkind observer did ask whether it was the engine or the bass that had the most hot air!!! After announcements from Chester’s Town Crier and a fanfare from the band, the train departed for Altrincham and the band for Tatton Park. Day two of Concept for Living saw a smaller but no less effective band once again performing in glorious sunshine. Guest appearance today was by Chris from Audley Band on trombone and our thanks must go to him and all our other guest players who helped us out over the weekend. Phil Mottershead had learned his lesson from the previous day, with young Elizabeth Macdonald being roped in as Chief Stand Holder for his solo. Mind you, Phil wasn’t very happy later one and was heard to be muttering something under his breath about a £10 dragonfly, whatever that meant! Although all our lips were feeling the effects of the weekend’s exertions we all agreed it had been a splendid way to spend a Bank Holiday. The weather forecast for next Sunday is glorious sunshine once more, but only if you are in Marbury near Whitchurch where the band is performing at the village fete! Brian [email protected]

A quick trip to Paris has resulted in the engagement of Davyd and Kate!!!! No wedding date set yet... but keep checking the website where you'll hear it first.... Congratulations to you both!!! Davyd, I think that means the drinks are on you..... :)

Chester Chronicle have a picture of the band in their St George's day piece :)

Looking for something to do over the bank holiday weekend? Well why not come along to Tatton Park on Saturday or Sunday and visit the Concept for Living show. You'll be able to sit a listen to the band on both days :)

Sunday 2nd May We've been asked to be at the station, ready to play for 9.30!!! Please note this earlier start. Should be doen by 10.10 and on the way to Tatton....

report by Brian Mottershead, PR Officer St George did Chester proud on Sunday by blessing the annual St George's Day Parade with gloriously sunny weather. Despite the disappointment of a change of times preventing the Band playing down by the River Dee for the start of a charity walk, it subsequently assembled at Chester Castle and led the parade of local scouting organisations through the streets of the City. All the Sunday shoppers and tourists were treated to a fine display of co-coordinated bollard and mini-roundabout avoidance, accompanied by some well-known marches! Phil Mottershead was out of breath before reaching Upper Bridge Street and Les Platt has asked that his shoulder strap be replaced by an 18-hour girdle for the next march! However, one local business did benefit from the warm conditions - the landlord of The Golden Eagle was seen to be serving life-saving drinks to a number of band members after the event, with Costa Coffee dealing the rest of the band chocolate and fudge cake and cappucino!! Brian [email protected]

Another success for our TB tutor Peter Dalton.... Aine Jackson has just passed her grade 2 cornet with merit. Aine took up the cornet with the training band - and her Mum now plays trombone in both the training band and senior band. Well done Aine :)

Due to a last minute change of times, the band will not be able to play at the New Orleans and the job has now been CANCELLED. Band members should now go directly to the Castle Square at 10:30am for the Scout St Georges Parade. Thanks Come along and join the band on the march! Interested in playing or want more info, then tackle a band member after the march to the cathedral - you'll find them in their blue uniforms in the various coffee houses around Chester whilst the scouts are having their service :)

Special birthday greetings to our top website man, Philip, who's 21 today (Sat 24th).