The Lyme Regis Band recently enjoyed performing the premiere of a new march, written for them by Howard Snell.

Entitled ‘Black Ven’, it formed the musical centerpiece of the band’s annual workshop, led Philip Harper.

Gig racing boat

Howard had dedicated the march to the band in honour of the builders of the Black Ven pilot gig racing boat in Lyme Regis.

No souless know all

He had described that his family history was connected with a notable boat building school in the town, and had great admiration for the racing gig ‘Black Ven’, built at the Boat School by Gail McGarva and shaped entirely as he said, ‘...by her boatbuilder’s eye, no soulless know-all computer blurring her vision.’

He was also impressed by the band, which he added provided Lyme Regis with, ‘another element essential to civilised life’.

Honour

Before its first performance, Philip Harper emphasised the honour the band had received through the dedication of this march to them by such a giant of the brass-banding world.

Before its first performance, Philip Harper emphasised the honour the band had received through the dedication of this march to them by such a giant of the brass-banding world4BR

Story

He outlined the story of its composition and Howard’s aim of pleasing and amusing the listener through the tapping of hammers, the sound of sawing, a ship’s bell and a repeated snatch of, ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’

A recording of ‘Black Ven’ was made at the end of the workshop, which will be sent to Howard, now living in France.