Sponsored Blow – Part 1

Article from the Courier News Paper

Alan Mallion, one of the bands Bass players

CRANBROOK will be alive with music next weekend in an epic attempt to raise money for the town’s band.

It will be a feat which will leave many holding their breath to see if it can be done, as Cranbrook Town Band will play continuously for ten hours.

Entitled the Sponsored Blow, the lung-busting event on Saturday, July 23, will be raising much-needed money for the band.

David Newsom, chairman of the band, said members were hoping to hit the high notes with spectators and attract the crowds.

“There will be all sorts of songs played, from pop to classical, to film soundtracks, to hymns and marches.

“The average concert is two sets of 45 minutes with a break, and our rehearsals last two-and-a-quarter hours so this will be a big challenge.

“Anyone who can play is welcome to join us and play as long as you want to.”

Mr Newsom explained that even the band had felt the squeeze in today’s tough economic climate, so were hoping that where there is brass, there will be money.

Mr Newsom said: “As a part of the local community, the band provides free brass tuition for pupils in three local primary schools as well as performing a number of free concerts for local and national charities during the year.

“The aim of the event is to raise enough money for the band to be able to continue to offer both of these activities.

“It is getting more difficult to get paid for concerts. Councils are cutting their budgets, which means they are no longer putting bands in their bandstands.”

“This year we have been to Deal and Broadstairs, but we used to cover Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone too.”

On the day the band aims to play outside the Hospice in the Weald shop in Stone Street in the centre of the town and will perform continuously from 9am until 7pm.

However, the members are allowing themselves a ten-minute break in each hour.

Should it be raining, the event will take place in St Dunstan’s Church during the morning and then move to the Vestry Hall and take over from the farmers’ market in there for the afternoon and early evening.

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