Saddleworth Players - Access for All Appeal

The Navigation All Star Brass
Derek Broadbent
Uppermill Civic Hall
Compere:Gilbert Symes
Saturday 8th January 2005

Since Boxing Day, the World has united in its support of the terrible scenes that have of unfolded through the media because of the effects of the tsunami tragedy.  This situation is as high profile as you can get, and millions of pounds has been raised to help those unfortunate people that it has blighted so terribly, and even though the horror of the tsunami dwarfs perspective, there is still a continued need for people in general to raise funds for local community initiatives. 

Saddleworth Players is a case in point.  An amateur dramatic society founded over fifty years ago, the society manages the Players' Theatre in the Millgate Centre, Delph.  To safe the guard the future of the building, making it sure it complies with legislation that has been introduced, the need has been to raise £100,000.  This can only be done of course with many hearty souls working tirelessly to do this.

The fund raising has been going on for some time and this concert was dubbed as ‘The Finale' – the fourth concert in early January where well known names in the banding world give their time to play to a packed house and raise money in the process.

The compere for the night and the man who persuaded everybody to perform was Saddleworth's Gilbert Symes.  The ex B&R  player is a well known character in the area and Gilbert was in his element; stories, anecdotes, and taking the ‘Michael' out of those on stage. It was all part of the event for the packed audience.

The band?  Well, a large percentage was of the current Brighouse and Rastrick Band, including Alan Morrison, John Lewis, Alan Hobbins, Leigh Baker, Ian Dust, Ian Harper, Scott Quarmby and David Hebb.  Helen Fox (Fodens) was on flugel and 4BR's Player of the Year 2004, David Childs was on Principal Euphonium.  The bass section for the night could tell more than a few stories between them.  Apart from David Hebb, John Clough, Derek Jackson (now at Sellers) and Simon Gresswell (YBS) graced the back row with plenty of quality (and sound).  The conductor was none other than Derek Broadbent, retaining Gilbert's Brighouse connections to the full.

The repertoire?  Very much the traditional of a band concert especially where you've pulled a band together for one night with limited rehearsal beforehand.

Hence popular favourites such as 'Ravenswood', the 'Overture' to 'The Barber of Seville', 'Shepherd's Song', 'Dance of the Tumblers' to name just four were all performed without any problems, as all the players got their lips back in to shape after the Christmas break.

The soloists on offer were a fine array of talent.  Alan Morrison featured the title track from his latest CD (available from the shopping area) ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow', whilst Helen Fox and Gilbert Symes serenaded one another in ‘Loves Old Sweet Song' arranged by Howard Snell.  The arrangement encourages Helen to play in the bell of Gilbert's bass providing a different sound, along with more than a few chuckles in the audience.

Principal trombone of Brighouse, James Stockdale was showcased in ‘Here's that Rainy Day', whilst Soprano cornet, Alan Hobbins gave an outstanding performance of a Leigh Baker composition ‘Remember Me' (also featured on Alan Morrison's latest CD).

The final individual ‘artiste' of the night was euphonium virtuoso, David Childs.  David's performance of ‘Carnival of Venice' was worth the entrance money alone, whilst his playing throughout the concert was quite stunning. . 

Melvyn Bathgate, Ian Dust and Ian Harper revived a classic Brighouse number from the early 80s in ‘Hey Jude', and the opportunity for a good sing in ‘Calamity Jane' and with some ‘ABBA' hits, the audience certainly enjoyed themselves.

The popular ‘Pines of Rome' was used to round things off and featured some delightful flugel playing from Helen Fox, but no one was leaving without an encore, in this case, ‘Blaze Away'.

These four concerts in recent years have contributed over £15,000 too the overall much needed fund of £100,000.  Hopefully, that target isn't too far away, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see a ‘Navigation All Star Band', back in Uppermill in the near future raising more money for local charities.

Malcolm Wood

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