MD's Report
Ian Lanceley – Musical Director’s Report
2024 was another year of varied and enjoyable music making as far as I am concerned. The Band performed at several new venues as well as some of the regular ones and, although we didn’t get a slot on Deal Bandstand, that is booked in for 2025. Interestingly, the Band was busier in December than at any other time of the year with a number of small group as well as full band engagements.
The standard of performances at all of this year’s concerts was once again fantastic and is clearly reflected in the comments from our audiences. I don’t think that I was disappointed in any of them
Thanks must go once again to Graeme for chasing up new and repeat venues – I know that this is becoming increasingly more difficult as financial belts are tightened everywhere. Hopefully he will have as much success in the future!!
Contesting success proved to be somewhat elusive in 2024 but that is the way these things go. I am happy that the process served its purpose in tightening up the way the band played although I am disappointed that the current scaba system marks us out as a non-Contesting band before we even go on stage. Who knows what will happen in the future as the is no contest in 2025?
Congratulations to Greme, Klara and Finn who are this year’s award winners – all are thoroughly deserved!
Thanks, as always, to the committee and any others who have chipped in to help with the smooth running of the band, it’s great to know that things will get dealt with as and when the need arises. I must also thank Liz and Siân for all of their work with the Safeguarding aspects of the Foundation and Training Bands.
On the player front we’ve also had to say goodbye to Jem and Yvette – Jem to university life and Yvette for the reasons discussed a few weeks ago. Sadly, we will also be saying goodbye to Bob in the near future as he and the family move to pastures new. It is difficult to quantify what Bob has brought to the band over the years because his contribution (both playing and smelly cheese wise) has been so large. We, and I in particular, will miss both your personality and your playing and I wish you all the best in the future (I’ve lifted this paragraph directly from last year’s report…!). However, it’s nice to see that David has joined, and Jayme has rejoined, us on the back row. It is also is brilliant to see that we now have 6 youngsters in the Main Band who are, or have been, members of the Training Band. Hopefully this trend will continue in the future.
Ian Lanceley
March 2025
Chairman's Report
David Newsom – Chairman’s Report
2024 was another really strong year for the band. As ever I am in danger of repeating Ian’s comments in many ways but thank you to all the committee for their hard work during the year.
We’ve made significant improvements in respect of our safeguarding, with Siân and Liz putting a lot of work. While it is frustrating at time to be held to such onerous rules (particularly if you compare them to the rules that apply to sports clubs for example) a number of the new procedures are sensible and the right thing for us to adopt.
Graeme continues to do a great job of booking concerts for us that bring us the income we need with the carolling gigs in 2024 being particularly good I thought. The amount of time this takes is considerable and isn’t seen by most of us (and can be particularly time consuming dealing with some of our less organised customers!).
I know everyone is busy and we have a large band, but please do make every effort to be at the concerts. It is increasingly difficult (and expensive!) to secure deps.
Alan as ever puts in a lot of time behind the scenes to keep our finances in very good order and again deserves our thanks.
Thank you also to Mette for the work she does keeping our considerable library organised. Not an easy job!
Ian of course continues to lead the main band with his usual passion; thank you for energy and dedication as ever.
Charlotte and Ian have done an amazing job over the last 12 months with the Foundation and Training Bands. Thank you to you both for all your hard work. It really is important in so many ways.
Charlotte devotes a lot of time in more than one Primary school and with her hard work, as well as regular support for Mark, Siân and others, the Foundation Band has gone from strength to strength. It’s great to see some pupils from Susan Fulford’s school starting to come along and for several young players to move up to the Training Band.
The Training Band continues to be stretched every week by Ian, who challenges them to improve and learn at a somewhat frightening rate at times! Most of the music they play is arranged by Ian which is a time-consuming task but is so important to make sure that each player has a part that is right for them.
Finally thank you to you all for your contributions setting up, putting away, taking kit to and from gigs and for your overall support for the band and the committee.
Training Band
Ian Lanceley – Training Band Report
I am continually amazed at the progress that the members of the Training Band make week on week. Their work ethics in rehearsals is absolutely spot on and a delight to see. The net result of this is that they are now playing much more difficult pieces of music to a much higher standard as time goes on. The quality of their playing in the two concerts at St. Dunstan’s, Lamberhurst Church and, in really quite difficult conditions outside the Coop, is a direct reflection of this.
Unfortunately, Lenny has had to stop playing brass since having a brace fitted but I’m delighted to report that he is having drum lessons and will soon be back with us in that dangerous capacity!
It’s really excellent that Leon has progressed to the point where he has joined the other youngsters in the Senior Band. We have also gained Archie, Quin, Tristan and Zara who have moved up from the Foundation Band.
Charlotte will, I am sure, write her own report but I am delighted to see the progress that is being made by the Foundation Band and I am hopeful that some of the more advanced members will shortly move up to the Training Band.
Congratulations to Finn on his Most Improved Player Award
Ian Lanceley
March 2025
Treasurer's Report
Alan Smithers – Treasurer’s Report
2024-25 Accounts & Bonus Ball Winners. The Treasurers Report is Password Protected. Band Members please ask the webmaster for details.
Foundation Band
Charlotte O’Neill – Foundation Band Report
Foundation band continues to average about 12 players each week. This year, 4 players have graduated to Training band with another couple of potential movers next term. It’s great to now see young players from other local schools joining as well, most recently Claremont and Dulwich. Advertising has gone out to Sissinghurst so hopefully some of their players can join too.
The band played superbly at the Co-op and in Lamberhurst, given that some players had only been playing for 3 months. They also did an outside job in the trolley bay at Tesco at Christmas which was very challenging weather wise but acquitted themselves very nicely.
Hawkhurst primary has maintained around 25 learners, mainly on cornet, it would be nice to be able to encourage more low brass learners over the next 12 months.
As ever, Foundation band couldn’t run without the support of many other players, particularly Mark, Susan Sian and Nick who give their time and energy – thank you all. If anyone else could come and help, the extra hands are always welcome, as are spare instruments!
Meeting Minutes
Minutes of AGM held on 6th March 2025 at 21.30
Attended by: Ian Lanceley, Sian Lanceley, David Newsom, Viv Lovewell, Alan Smithers, Emma Pettifer, Liz Hatcher, Graeme McAusland, Colin Batt, Phil Godden, Mark Hayman, Jonathan Vokes, Xan Kite, Jon Vail, Pip Maynard, Olau Dadswell, Charlie Butler, Michael Skidmore, Gareth Burrows, Charlotte O’Neill, Jayme Davison, Russell Kemp, Sue Hopkins, Paul Hopkins, Geoff Collins, Bob Turner, Imogen Burrows, Pip Maynard, David Akam
- Apologies for absence: Mette Lundorf Fisher, Ollie Duncombe, Paul Bullough, Charlotte O’Neill, Nick Sermon, Caroline Fernandez, Keith McClintock
- Agreement of minutes of AGM held on March 7th 2024: Proposed by Imogen and seconded by Xan.
- Matters Arising: The donation from the Co-Op was much larger than had been expected.
- Annual reports (Musical Director and Training Band, Chairman, Treasurer, Foundation Band). Written reports were provided.
A few additional comments were made as below.
Foundation Band: Charlotte was congratulated for her work with this band as was her daughter, Lorelei who helps each week. There are 25 learners at Hawkhurst Primary School and Charlotte also teaches at Sissinghurst Primary School. Thanks were given to Mark, Susan, Sian, and Nick for their weekly help with the Foundation Band.
MD’s Report: Ian reported that his comments for the Training Band are recorded in his report. He is pleased with their progress and. He receives help from Pip, Nick, David and Claire each week. He mentioned that the committee have spoken about obtaining some lessons for those children who attend band but do not have lessons. Ian arranges much of the music for this band to ensure that they are appropriately challenged.
A question was raised about safety in the car park, when the evenings are dark. The car park becomes very congested at the time when the Foundation and Training bands leave and the main band arrives. David indicated that the committee will try to find a solution to this problem.
It was suggested that members of this band who have issues/points to be raised at committee will pass their ideas to Pip who will feed them on to Xan, who is on the committee.
Main Band: No further questions were raised.
Chairman’s Report: David thanked all people who help out with tasks. He was pleased that the co-op funding had been used to provide hoodies and polo shirts for the Training and Foundation Bands. He thanked Russell for organising the purchase of this clothing.
Treasurer’s Report: No questions were received after the accounts were sent out by e mail to band members. Alan encouraged players to participate in Easy Fundraising which is used for the Tour Fund. David thanked Alan and commented that the band was really fortunate to have the finances so well recorded and presented.
5.Subscriptions
The following charges (incorporating a few changes) were accepted unanimously by the band.
Subs remain at £120 for the main Band and £60 for those in full time education. OAPs will not receive a discount to bring us into line with other bands and local organisations. David and Sian to look at the constitution and make the necessary updates.
Training Band at £30 per year.
The treasurer pointed out that subs can be paid in full, quarterly or monthly. Nobody will be excluded if they are unable to pay the full subscription.
6.Election of the 2025 Committee
All members of the existing committee were willing to stand for another year. Proposer – Jon Vail. Seconder – Imogen Burrows. Re-elected.
7. Any Other Business
- Road Closures – due to roadworks at the crossroads in Hawkhurst, road closures are planned. Additional time to travel to band rehearsals will be required.
- Contesting – the current situation is complicated (SCABA, 4th Section in Oxford, Areas and Nationals). It was proposed that a summary sheet should be prepared indicating the options. A quick vote taken at the AGM indicated that most band members were interested in contesting.
- Tour – this is being planned for in 2027, on a similar basis to previous years. It would take place on the second Bank Holiday in May, leaving on the Friday after work and returning on the Monday. The venue is likely to be Holland/Belgium.
- Percussion kit – a small group of volunteers will join a Whatsapp group to get out the percussion kit before the start of the rehearsal. This means that Ollie can text if he is unable to come or is running late.
The meeting closed at 21.58.