01 December 2025 - November Update 2025

November usually comes and goes as we usher in the winter months, but what a successful month it’s been for our village band.

We started off at the Wychavon Contest in Evesham on Saturday 1st November where we competed in the First section and won 1st Prize.  Our star soloist Darcy won the soloist prize playing the Marimba solo Zimba Zamba, our percussion section of Andrew, Darcy, Edward and Julia won the best percussion prize and it was topped off with Robin and Mandy Hamer winning the best baritone prize.

We then entered the Championship section later in the day and came 5th out of a field of 12 bands, but more importantly, gained qualification to the Spring Festival in Birmingham which takes place on 2nd May next year.  We were really pleased with this as we missed out by one place last year.

Remembrance Sunday was next for the band where about 35 of our band and training band gathered to pay our respects to the fallen and there was a good turn out in the village for the service again this year.  Thanks to the Parish Council and the Lydbrook Branch of the RBL for arranging everything.

On 23rd November we went contesting again, this time at our local Gloucestershire Brass Band Association contest in Gloucester and came away with another selection of trophies.  We won the First section contest and were winner overall of the contest.  Special prizes went to Phil Turner for best Cornet and best instrumentalist of the day, Scott McLain for the best Euphonium player of the day.  The trombones won the best section of the day and the percussion section again won best percussion section of the day.

For both these contests the band was conducted by Colonel David Barringer who has been our guest conductor for the past couple of months.  David has been an inspiration and has brought many years of experience to our band - what a pleasure it’s been to have him in our band room.

Our Training Band also competed at the contest winning a Gold Award, with Principal Cornet Bertie Barzillia winning the best soloist in the unregistered section - congratulation Bertie and well done to all the Training Band members.

We look forward to seeing many of you over the Christmas period.