Tewkesbury Town Band has certainly been enjoying celebrating its 40th Anniversary, thanks to the commissioning of a special 4.2% ABV band beer named 'TTB Gold' from the local micro-brewery, Popes Brewery, near Worcester.

Brewing process

Band members were able to participate in the brewing process and the beer was available throughout Tewkesbury during late July and at their annual appearance at the CAMRA Cotswold Beer Festival.

In June the band held a well-attended concert on the lawn at Tewkesbury Abbey as a thank you to the people of Tewkesbury for their continued support since their reformation in 1974, whilst other events have been equally well supported.

Centrepiece

The centrepiece of the anniversary celebrations has been the commissioning of a special work made possible by grants from the Arts Council England and the Norman Jones Trust, as well as donations from local businesses, communities and individuals.

‘Images of Tewkesbury’ has been written by Dr Peter Meechan (above) with words by the Gloucestershire Poet Laureate, Brenda Read-Brown. It describes the history of the town through the ages and is performed alongside local school choirs and even a town crier.

Images of Tewkesbury has been written by Dr Peter Meechan with words by the Gloucestershire Poet Laureate, Brenda Read-Brown4BR

References

Structured in eight continuous movements, it took audiences from the original Saxon settlement and Abbey Monastery to the famous Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. Then it moves along a Dickensian thoroughfare to the Mop Fair and of course there is the inevitable reference to Riverside Flooding.

Meanwhile, in November the band will also mark the 80th birthday of the one player that has been an ever present part of the band’s history, percussionist Keith Rose.