Hythe Bandstand on 14th July proved to be an interesting and challenging prospect for the band for a number of reasons. When the engagement was accepted, Ian Lanceley, our MD was unable to be there due to a prior commitment with the Southern Counties Youth Band and he asked John Groves to deputise for him . Thankfully John accepted, and the band rehearsed the programme, only to find a couple of weeks prior to the concert that Richard, our principal cornet player had had a change of circumstances and was also unable to perform. Coincidentally, Ian’s SCYB engagement scheduling moved to earlier in the day and it meant that, providing the drive from Borde Hill to Hythe was without incident, he could be there. Having asked John to conduct it seemed unfair to then stand him down and try and find another cornet player, Ian elected to play cornet for the day – an experience that he describes as ‘interesting’! In spite all of the changing around the band performed to its usual extremely high standard and, as the photos show, to a sizeable audience, especially given the competition from the Cricket world Cup Final, the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final and the British Grand Prix. Well done to all of the soloists and thanks once again to John for his help.