Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday Fund Raising Concert

The Navigation Inn Band
Conductor: Derek Broadbent
Compere: Gilbert Symes
Uppermill Civic Hall
Saturday 13th January 2007

It doesn't really matter what sort of event it is, but the unsung heroes are the organisers; the people who work tirelessly to make sure everything for an event like this runs smoothly, and no sooner has it finished, they're already planning the next one.

Without these people, the reality is that the events would struggle to get off the ground.  It is a thankless task and within our movement, one that we depend upon an awful lot.  One of the biggest problems for an organiser can be finding the money to run the event; that much needed sponsor who'll put their name to something with a sizeable cheque to cover all that's required - including the prize money.  When that sponsorship is there life seems so much easier, and when its not, it creates one almighty headache that normally means, more fund-raising ideas. It can be a never ending circle.

This is something that Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday organising committee has been used too of late.  Regular funding came from Oldham MBC (amongst others) for the yearly event, which helped enormously, and then the decision was taken to stop sponsorship.  Like all organisers though, they're a resilient bunch, and it takes a lot to defeat them; private sponsors are on board, but those costs just keep rising year in, year out, (its an endless list but now includes public liability insurance and entertainment licences) making it a tremendous achievement that those Whit Friday contests continue to take place.

Fortunately many leading names within the band movement are aware of the need to raise as much money as possible and so they give their time freely to get together for a night of  music making. It's a night  that's supported by the locals who on a horrible filthy evening came out to dig deep, meet old friends and be royally entertained by this scratch band.

So what about the band? Taking its name from the pub synonymous with banding in these parts (the Navigation Inn, Dobcross) it was a combination of a number of players actively involved at the top level and those who still keep their lip in and enjoy nights such as this. 

Mike Eccles (Fairey) was on principal cornet, Alan Hobbins (Marsden) on soprano, Helen Fox (Fodens) in the flugel seat; Rebecca Landon (Hepworth) on solo horn, Kevin Holgate (Carlton Main) on principal trombone and a bass section of John Clough (ex Brighouse), Mick Morris (YBS), former Grimethorpe stalwart Roy Batty and Derek Jackson (ex Black Dyke, Fairey & Sellers).  In addition, the legendary James Shepherd was in the cornet ranks with daughter Claire and son-in-law Philip (formerly of Fairey and now MD at Ashton).  The conductor was Derek Broadbent whilst Gilbert Symes linked the whole night together.

The repertoire?  Very much the traditional variety of a band concert, especially when a band is pulled together on an occasion such as this with limited rehearsal time.

Hence, the popular favourites such as ‘Knight Templar', ‘Zampa' and ‘Force of Destiny' were all polished off without any problems as the players continued to get their lips back in shape after the Christmas break. There were a few though who may have needed a bit of extra lip balm at the end of the night.

The soloists on offer were a fine array of talent:  Mike Eccles featured in ‘You Raised Me Up' whilst Helen Fox delighted the audience with ‘The Sunshine of Your Smile'. Alan Hobbins performed ‘Let Me Try Again' (rather apt that given his recent excellent return to top form on soprano), whilst Kevin Holgate went for the old favourite, ‘The Acrobat' and Philip Rose performed ‘The Cavalier'.

The night was also an opportunity to acknowledge Alan Lawton MBE.  In addition to being highly-respected within the banding movement, Alan heralds from Saddleworth and his recognition in the Queens Honours List in 2006 gave the locals the opportunity to show their appreciation for the great brass bandsman who accepted a cheque for £2635 on behalf of the Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday Committee with all the money going into the Central Fund.

'Trumpet's Wild', ‘Little Serenade', the Symphonic Foxtrot, ‘Samum', and Bach's ‘Toccata in D Minor' were all featured during the night, but it was Wagner's ‘Procession to the Minster' that brought the concert (officially) to its close - but no-one left without an encore, in this case, ‘Radetzky March'.

An excellent evening, all in a good cause and none of which would have been possible without Phil Beck and Gilbert Symes, the band, conductor or the audience.  Anyone interested in helping with sponsorship within the Saddleworth & Oldham District should contact Chairman Bob Rodgers at bob@delphman.fsnet.co.uk

Unless a millionaire is found, you can take it as read that they'll be back in 2008 as well for another concert to raise funds to maintain the presence of Whit Friday.


Malcolm Wood

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