The Colchester Band has just enjoyed a successful tour to The Netherlands.

Based in a fabulous, family run hotel in Maastricht, the band performed to capacity audiences alongside fellow musicians from Klaroen en Tamboerkorps Heer Voorruit, Fanfare Pey-Echt, Brassband De Vooruitgang Nuenen, Brass Ensemble Koperpoets and Brassband St. Gerlach.

Terrible weather, brilliant soloist

Despite a terrible outward journey due to the atrocious weather, the band finally made it to their destination – although with just 15 minutes to spare before their first performance.

The local audiences fully appreciated the effort the band had made to make it to the events and with the standard of the playing – especially from soloists, Chris McCarthy, Anne Ruddock, Ian Patterson & Murray Smith, David Maddocks, Ian Burton and Marcel Boom.

Lively

The lively social activity was never ending throughout the tour, enhanced by the wonderful welcome provided by the band’s Dutch hosts.

Colchester Band Vice President, Bob Harwood told 4BR: "The band thanks Marcel Boom, our principal host and a fantastic musician for organising the tour."