CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

One of the really satisfying things about being involved in Leyburn Band is that so many organisations want us to play and so many people come to listen to us when we do! Our list of engagements is growing all the time and will exceed 30 events this year. These events vary from concerts in Leyburn, Middleham and Wensley Churches and in Bellerby Village Hall, to open air concerts on Leyburn Shawl and village greens. We particularly enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of playing at village events such as Finghall Barrel Push, Redmire Feast and Coverdale Fun Day. I believe that an important part of our function is to play for ceremonial occasions such as Remembrance Sunday and for occasions such as the 150th Anniversary of Leyburn Station.

Leyburn Band is playing three events during or close to Brass Band week. This is a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of brass bands in the cultural and musical heritage of UK . The idea is to make a wider public aware of the amazingly high standards of musicianship achieved by the top bands and the fact that bands are active in hundreds of communities throughout the country with many thousands of players. Bands make a major contribution to musical education and fulfil an important role in the lives of their communities.

On 19 May, Leyburn Band played at the invitation of the Wensleydale Railway for the celebrations to mark the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Leyburn Station. On Spring Bank Holiday Monday the band provided a cheerful backdrop to Finghall Barrel Push. On Wednesday 31 May the event was a concert for Bellerby Chapel in the village hall at Bellerby.

Running alongside Brass Band Week is Brass Band Aid, the brass band movement's contribution to the great Band Aid charity fund raising. Brass Band Aid is aiming to fund a school in Ethiopia and Leyburn Band took a collection for the fund at Finghall Barrel Push and donating part of its playing fees during the week.

Last year, following the Tsunami disaster, the band held a fund raising concert jointly with East Witton Male Voice Choir. The aim was to raise £1500 to build a replacement fishing boat for a community in southern India . This target was surpassed, with a total of £1700 being raised and the boat is now built a working to the benefit of that community.

Gerald Hodgson