Hathern band’s visit to the Emerald Isle
The members of Hathern Band recently made a trip across the Irish Sea to Belfast to visit the 1st Old Boys Band and enjoy some of the attractions of Northern Ireland. Alan Haworth, a former player with Hathern, is now resident in Northern Ireland and plays solo euphonium with the 1st Old Boys.
The flight to Belfast from East Midlands Airport was at 07.00 am, which meant an early start but everyone reported in present and correct (well perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration in Duncan’s case!) to Stephanie who issued them with their itinerary for the weekend.
The flight went very smoothly and soon we were all congregated outside Belfast International Airport waiting for the bus to take us to the Holiday Inn. Musical Director, David Newman, is a keen ornithologist since his “early retirement” and was very surprised to spot an Oyster Catcher patrolling the airport’s grounds – don’t think it found any oysters! We began to appreciate that Irish time is slightly different from what we’re used to when the bus arrived about 30 mins after we had been told it would be there in 30 seconds! Loading the instruments was fun, particularly when in trying to locate the extra storage required, the driver opened one section and was surprised to see that it held the engine!!
However, we duly arrived at the Holiday Inn and were able to leave all the luggage there and go to explore the city. Many of the group took a bus tour of the city. This proved to be very interesting as it included many of the infamous areas of Belfast, which previously most people had only heard of or seen on the TV.
After reporting back to the Hotel to check in and have a rehearsal, the evening was free for everyone to do their own thing. There was a concert of music by Leonard Bernstein at the Waterfront Hall, which several of the group attended. It was an excellent evening’s entertainment, all the more so as, thanks to the BBC, the tickets were free.
There are numerous bars in Belfast, very often featuring live music and many of the Band felt it was their duty to undertake some serious research in this area of the city’s culture. There were some interesting tales the following morning about pictures of Gerry Adams, knives, and very talented fiddle players with amazing eyes!
On Saturday afternoon the 1st Old Boys Band had arranged for Hathern to play in Carrickfergus. The actual venue was the Castle and we had assumed this would be inside but, no, it was outside. Fortunately, the threatening black clouds didn’t produce any rain but several players had fun and games trying to hold on to their stands and music in the rather chilly brisk wind. The Band’s supporters could just about be seen under many layers of clothing, although rumours that Marion had turned blue were wildly exaggerated! The Band played a wide selection of numbers including Breezin’ Down Broadway, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, Something Stupid and The Champions and seemed to be appreciated by the passers-by and the wedding party on their way into the Castle.
After Hathern had finished playing, the crowds and sun came out to see the Band and Pipes of Royal Irish Regiment being given the freedom of the Borough – perhaps Hathern’s uniform was a little dull and we didn’t have any large canine mascots.
For Saturday evening members of both bands met at the Harland & Wolf Social Club and a pleasant evening was enjoyed by all with plenty of the ‘black stuff’ being drunk.
The final day of the visit was busy, starting with the Band playing at the morning service of Cairnshill Methodist Church. The Band was made very welcome by the Minister and congregation, although the Minister did find the pronunciation of Hathern a bit tricky. The building was an interesting contrast to the Parish Church in Hathern, being relatively modern and brick-built. Also, the congregation had no need for hymn books because the words were projected on to a large screen on the wall at the back of the Band. This was an excellent idea and definitely seemed to encourage the congregation to sing heartily, perhaps to make themselves heard above the Band?
Following tea and biscuits at the Church, it was off to Belfast Zoo for the final engagement of the weekend. Hathern and the 1st Old Boys gave a joint concert, which saw both bands performing individually as well as together. The 1st Old Boys played the very appropriately entitled march, The Elephant; Caravan; a cornet solo of I’d Rather Have Jesus by Mark Bingham and Just a Closer Walk, a piece in the style of a New Orleans Street Band.
Amongst Hathern’s numbers were Ashoken Farewell and Symphonic Marches and their featured soloist was Radio 2 Young Brass finalist and principal horn, Vicki Reynolds, who gave a superb rendition of Gordon Langford’s arrangement of The Lark in the Clear Air.
The massed Bands ended the programme with I Got Rhythm, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and the march, The Cossack.
It was then farewell to the 1st Old Boys and back to the airport. The flight home was slightly delayed due to a problem with an extra piece of luggage – percussionists are always a problem! Once back at East Midlands everyone went their separate ways, however, one player was at the airport somewhat longer than anticipated due to a technical problem with a crooklock and no key. No names will be mentioned, other than to say that the Chairman was slightly more grumpy than usual for a Sunday evening.
All the players and supporters who went on the trip would like to pass on their thanks to the 1st Old Boys Band for their contribution to the success of the weekend and in particular Maurice (Chuck), ‘the Alans’ (Hunter and Haworth) and Brian (Spoons). It is hoped that the 1st Old Boys Band will be able to make a visit to Hathern in the near future.
However, the final huge thank you must go to Hathern’s Secretary, Lesley Bentley. Without her determination and brilliant organisational skills none of this would have happened. Thank you, Lesley and here’s to the next trip?!
Louise Haworth, June 2005
For more pictures please visit the gallery