Oh you take the high road, and I’ll take
the low…
Cornet player, Maggie Stallybrass,
reviews
the band’s successful trip to Scotland:
After a summer packed with band jobs across
the South East, CPB was looking forward to
the highlight of the year – the annual trip.
This year the band thought they would stay
nearer home, and so over the August bank
holiday weekend we set forth for Scotland.
After a 13 hour coach journey we eventually
reached our destination of Fort William …
having realised many hours before that North-west
Scotland was not very near to Penge! Despite
the tiredness from the journey, we soon settled
in and relaxed for the rest of our first
day on tour – in the hotel, the pool, and
of course the bar! Of course, a band is never
truly off-duty and we duly "entertained"
the hotel's residents with our accordian
playing and unique cornet-karaoke.
Saturday morning saw the first of our two
concerts in Fort William in Cameron Square
in the centre of the town. The second half
began spectacularly when conductor, Mike
Gray, was treated to a surprise rendition
of 'The Celebrated Wee MacGregor'. He was
expecting 'The Great Escape'! The surprises
continued, as a pipe band marched through
the streets of Fort William, seemingly heading
straight for us. Luckily CPB were so fearsome-looking
the pipe band simply carried on marching
past - but we like to think we scared them
off!
After a successful concert and lunch at the
hotel, we were rewarded with a trip to the
local whisky distillery. After an informative
and interesting tour we were then treated
to free samples of the whiskey produced –
a highlight and fantastic shopping opportunity
for all those whisky lovers who came on tour!
Saturday evening at the hotel bar was another
time to make new friends and try new experiences.
The luckily couple who decided to book the
hotel for their wedding at the same time
as a brass band was staying didn’t mind,
and indeed seemed to encourage the members
of the band to enjoy themselves as much as
they wanted. As a result that many band members
found themselves ceilidhing (Scottish Dancing!)
around the dancefloor surrounded by men in
kilts…
Anyway, back to Sunday morning! For those
with the energy and inclination, the mountains
beckoned, and we took a gondola up to the
local ski resort, with magnificent views
of Ben Nevis, the valley below and the lochs.
Then we returned to the hotel for what we
thought would be the main concert of the
tour. However, the stunning weekend weather
meant that very few hotel guests were around,
and so we played to the few members of hotel
staff who were off duty, and the midges who
were swarming round!
Sunday evening was our last time to socialise
in the bar, and many took full advantage
of the opportunity, though they may well
have been regretting it on Monday morning
when we set out for the long trip home! After
a stop at Gretna Green for lunch but no weddings
(not with a 3 year waiting list!), listening
to Basil’s recording of Sunday afternoon’s
concert, and an awards ceremony to reward
those members and incidents of the tour we
will all remember, the coach finally arrived
back in Penge just before midnight.
Many thanks must go to Roger Clements
and
Kiddles Coaches for organising such
a fantastic
trip. And if you want to read more
about
the tour, see the embarrassing photos,
or
find out who won the McHangover Award,
visit
the band website – www.crystalpalaceband.fsnet.co.uk
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If you wish to contact the editor, please
do so via the following ways:
clarelipscombe@hotmail.com or ring Clare
Lipscombe on 020 8655 2511
If you have a general band enquiry (e.g.
you would like to join the band, or would
like to book the band) please contact the
Secretary, Rachel Bleach, on 020 8776 2520,
or riz.bleach@btinternet.com - or visit the
website, www.crystalpalaceband.fsnet.co.uk
The views expressed in this newsletter are
the personal views of the Editor and are
not necessarily that of Crystal Palace Band.
No part of this newsletter may be reproduced
in any way, including on websites, without
the express permission of the Editor.
© October 2003
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