Saturday, 22 January, dawned cold and bleak but it not deter some 30 Band members and guest musicians from gathering at the Manor Preparatory School in anticipation of a “a good blow”. They were not disappointed!

Under the direction of Band Conductor Philip Burditt and John Morgan, formerly Conductor of the Waterloo Band, Royal Green Jackets and one-time Conductor of ACB, who shared the four playing sessions, those assembled enjoyed tackling a varied selection of interesting new numbers: James Barnes’ Overture Alvamar, Oregan by Jacob de Haan, Gordon Jacobs’ Prelude to Revelry, Clari-nuts by Conn Humphries & Charles Payne, the Suite SPQR of Guy Woolfenden (one could almost see the Legions rallying to the Standard!) and the jazz hymn, Light-Walk by Barry Gott.

As the day drew to a close, all agreed it had been a most enjoyable, exhilerating and worthwhile exercise. The words on everyone’s lips as they left the wamth of the hall for the now damp car-park were, “must have another one”, which was interpreted as a measure of the success of the occasion and appreciation of the organiser’s effort.