By Mary Blake
It was a busy year for the City of Southampton(Albion) Band in 2024. We started our concerts for the year with an afternoon at the movies on Sat 23rd March at St. James Road Methodist Church, Southampton featuring music from Les Miserables, Gone With The Wind, James Bond and many more.
We held our AGM on Monday 25th March in the band room. During the meeting, award certificates were handed out. Natalie Garwin won the Bram Taylor award, Ian Carter won the Robbie Henderson award, David Barker won the David Hill award and Ed Wright won the President’s award.
In May and August the band played at Romsey bandstand. On both occasions we had hot and sunny weather.
Some of the band, on a wet Sunday in May, played for a Rogation Service aboard the steam ship Shieldhall.
On Thursday 6th June a service was held at Holyrood Church in Southampton for the 80th Anniversary D-Day celebration. Players from the band were asked to provide the music. On the following Thursday the band provided the music at St. Michael’s church for the annual Master Mariners’ Shipping Service.
In the latter part of June, the band, with some guest players, went on a tour to Portugal playing at Portimao, Ferragudo and Carvoeiro.
In July the band were asked to play at Shirley Carnival in St. James Park and on Saturday 7th September the band were asked to go and provide some music for the Alresford Agricultural Show.
On Sunday 10th November the band marched and played at the remembrance parade at the cenotaph in Southampton though it was a small band it went off very well and there were some good comments passed on to Nick our conductor. Emily, Natalie and Mike played the last post and reveille excellently.
On Friday 15th November a small group of player played for the Christmas lights switch on in Southampton playing two sets outside Waterstones at West Quay and at the Marlands shopping centre. There was a good crowd of people who attended the switch on at the Bargate.
On Saturday 7th December we held our annual Christmas concert at St James Road Methodist Church which went well and there was a very good audience who came as it was an afternoon concert. The band were joined by the Shepperd Singers.
The following day, a few hardy band members wearing Christmas hats braved the weather and played carols at the German Christmas market.
On Monday 9th December the band played at a care home in Southampton and at the Crown pub.
The last three engagements of the year were playing carols at Marks and Spencers in Hedge End on Saturday 14th December, at the Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre on Monday 16th December and more carols at the Bargate on Saturday 21st December.
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