This article was written by the bands Musical Director, Darren Jenkin, and was published in the September edition of the Pendeen Outreach Magazine.

We recently held a very successful Band Week. The week began with ‘Brass on the Grass’ in the grounds of the Parish Rooms. This was the first time that the weather allowed us to actually play outside on the grass! It was looking slightly doubtful in the morning but come the time for the big event the sun shone and the Band enjoyed playing to a large audience.

Unfortunately the weather was not so kind to us on the Monday evening and we had to cancel our plans to play around the village. We held our car treasure hunt and barbecue on the Tuesday evening. This year the treasure hunt was set by Michelle Morse and once again The Radjel turned up trumps with the barbecue. The Band would like to thank Michelle, Pip and everyone at The Radjel for organising a very enjoyable evening. The treasure hunt was won by Paul Stevens and his friends – The Kevern family vowed to regain their crown next year!

On Thursday evening the Band performed in St Just Square. It was quite cold and windy but a large crowd still seemed to enjoy listening to the Band whilst sipping a pint and sampling Jeremy’s fish and chips.

The highlight of the week was our Friday night concert with Newlyn Male Voice Choir in Pendeen Church. This was the Choir’s first performance under their new Musical Director and with their new accompanist. They sounded superb during a varied programme that took us to various countries around the world. Annette Winters had travelled down from Norfolk especially to join the Band for Band Week and she also gave a great performance during her organ recital of the third movement from ‘Suite Gothique’. The Band was on top form and we were delighted to be joined by members of our training band as they gave their first public performance.

The learners have put in a lot of practice and Chris and Stephen are doing a fantastic job tutoring them. The group seems to grow in numbers on a weekly basis and it’s absolutely fantastic that we now have a couple of slightly more mature ‘youngsters’ who have followed their children by joining the Band.

During the concert the ‘Band Person of the Year’ trophy was presented to Chris Hatch. Chris has worked incredibly hard for the Band over the last 12 months- he teaches the learners and he is a very efficient Band Secretary. He has also revamped and re-launched the Band’s website (www.pendeenband.co.uk). The award was very well deserved!

We were all treated to an incredible display of dancing by Louise Trembath dressed as a nun during the bands performance of ‘Sister Act’. There were also some magical solo performances by Steve Garner, Megan Clemens, Charlotte Kevern and Liz Bawden during a concert that those present considered to be one of the best yet.

The Band held its sale in the WI Hall on the Saturday morning and this was extremely well supported by the local community. On Sunday we held our ‘Duck Race’ at Tregeseal River. There was a slight technical hitch on the day when we realised that the ducks had, once again, gone missing! Charlotte and Jacob Kevern came to the rescue with a novel polystyrene cup/ sail boat creation complete with Olympic rings on laminated sails – these were so successful that we may well use them again next year – even if we do manage to find our elusive ducks.

The overall champion duck/ cup/ boat belonged to our Chairman, Brian Stevens. The Band would like to take the opportunity to thank John and Marie Nicholls for their help with the race. The week concluded with the Band joining members of Pendeen Church for an open air service in Pendeen car park. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Band during Band Week and the last 12 months.

We are now busy rehearsing for Torquay Band Contest in November.

Darren Jenkin
Musical Director