Latest News from our Beat

Updated 04/01/2006

The Band Dinner Dance is now to be held at the Clumber Park Hotel on the A614 just opposite Clumber Park, Lime Tree Avenue entrance. Timings remain the same.

Menu
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Seasonal Melon
with fruits of the forest

Smoked Salmon & Dill Terrine
with lime mayonnaise

Cream Of Vegetable Soup

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Breast Of Turkey
with chipolata, sage & onion stuffing & traditional gravy

Roast Sirloin Of Beef Hunters Style
sliced beef in white wine, tarragon & mushroom sauce

Goats Cheese & Cherry Tomato Tart
with rocket leaves & sea salted new potatoes

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Christmas Pudding
with brandy butter

Lemon Tart

Chocolate & Mint Torte

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Coffee & Mints

The Marriage of Mr Simon Willis to Miss Catherine Harle.

Saturday 17th December 2005.

The joyous couple tied the knot in true style at a beautiful service held in blustery Droitwich Spa on Saturday 17th December 2005.

Catherine, looking radiant took the hand of Simon after friends and family converged on the beautiful town of Droitwich.

Much could be said about the day.  The fabulous attire, wonderful 10 piece band and the speeches! (Groom speech a record 37 minutes 47 seconds... who did win the sweep stake?)

Hopefully a full write-up will hit the web site shortly, penned by the happy couple.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

News Archive

Sunday 6th November 2006

Hogg Roast

Carla with some supper!

Some of the Gang enjoying a social get together at Carla's house.

Steve at the sharp end!

Yes Mike.  That bit goes into the bread roll.. Go on.. Well Done!

Simon "Bigsy" Willis

Stag Report!

7am Monday 24th October 2005.  Simon "Bigsy" Willis and a team of carefully selected individuals muster at a top secret location near to Ollerton village to commence a monumental Stag trip to the beautiful and historic City of Prague. The team managed to escape the watching gaze of the media and hot footed it up the A614 where the a private jet was waiting at the end of runway 3.  However we chose to get on our own budget flight which was soon airborne from the new Doncaster Robin Hood Airport.

On arrival in Prague (following gafores of "Does my Bum look Big in this plane?) we were hastily (infact very hastily) deposited in our hotel rooms.  Various complaints were raised about the toilets being the wrong way around, making it very uncomfortable to sit on, however suitable advice was given and we were soon off to the bowling centre.

The team was split into two and soon there was lots more banter and male bonding going on.

Needless to say the sightseeing of beautiful Prague and architectural debates heavily dominated the remainder of the trip leaving little time for anything else apart from a very brief taster of Prague nightlife!

Fantastic Simon.  Well organised.  Look forward to the next one!

September 2005.

It's been a busy month for the Band.  Five Concerts including two Charity Concerts, Proms night, Medal Presentation and the unveiling of Ged Walkers memorial at Bulwell.  Everything has gone well and the team are busy working up the programme for Saturday the 8th October at Retford Majestic Theatre. This will be a superb evening.  Don't miss it!!

The venue has been set for our next Concert.  In the grounds of Thoresby Estate, next to Thoresby Hall Hotel the Band are to perform an evening of entertainment with the Thoresby Colliery Band and Please Y'Self Skiffle Band.

Tickets are priced at £10.  Bring a bottle and a picnic! 

6pm onwards. Saturday 3rd September 2005.

The Backdrop to Thoresby Estate. Venue for our next outdoor Concert.

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Beaumanor Hall 2005. 

The crowd enjoy a fine performance!

The Nottinghamshire Police Band thrill an amazing crowd of over 2000 at Beaumanor Hall Woodhouse Leicestershire.  Joint concert with the Heart of England Orchestra complete with a Spitfire fly past and full firework 1812 finale!

Several New Pieces Hit the Music Stand!

Robbie Williams - Swing when you're winning!

Music from Braveheart

Startrek Through the Years

Birdland

The Great Escape

A Bridge Too Far

and........

New Banners soon to be on order!

The Nottinghamshire Police Band teamed up with Carlton Male Voice Choir to perform a Concert at Southwell Minster named "After the Tsunami" on Friday 20th May 2005.  The Concert which was perceived over Christmas and New year 2004 took place in the Minster to a capacity audience.  After a small panic when we realised that we could not get onto the stage provided, further staging was rapidly erected to cope with Bands the 54 players!  The Band opened the evening following the address and welcome with "Strike Up the Band".  Following that, renditions of "Over the Rainbow" "E.T." flooded the walls of the magnificent building together with music from the Beatles, John Williams "An evening at the Pops" and with the additional material supplied by the Choir, virtuosic performances from Florian Rago (Violin) and Adam Powell (Flute) plus the wonderful singing voices of Sara Lawson (Soprano) and Jana Puterova (Mezzo Soprano).

A Brilliant Concert which raised thousands for the appeal!

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Music Report

Two new fantastic pieces of Music are about to hit the Concert stage!  The Band have been rehearsing E.T. by John Williams and Silver Screen (Paul Hart).  Both pieces are to be performed at the Nottinghamshire Police Aid Convoy Concert on 7th April '05.

NOT EASY! But - it will be very entertaining and well worth the effort over the last few months.

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STRING BASS soon to add some rich sounds to the bottom end!

Steve Smith is soon to join the ranks on string bass.  Stave, a retired inspector admits that he discovered the band a bit late, having retired over two years ago!  Steve came along to his first rehearsal on 30th March and was very impressed with what he heard!  He was last seen heading south on the A606 clutching a pad of music which he is eager to practice.

Welcome to the Band Steve from everyone at Notts. Police Band.

.....STOP PRESS.....STOP PRESS.....

Cancel the missing person report!

Jim Brough, who first showed interest in becoming a member of the Band over 18 years ago, makes it over the threshold!  Yes, 18 years, some e mails and phone calls, Jim finally made it to the practice room.  Undeterred by the callings of "What time do you make this?" and "Typical Tuba - always late" Jim has taken his place with the heavies.

Good to have you with us at long last Jim, you are very welcome!

Georgia Else says farewell to the Band. 23rd March 2005

After many years service to the Nottinghamshire Police Band, Georgia says farewell, albeit hopefully for a brief period of time. 

Good luck Georgia.  Don't be a stranger to us.

All the very best from Gary and the Band.

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New Management team due to be announced shortly.  Come back soon for news and profiles of the hardworking bunch!

D.V.D. Available NOW featuring the very first joint emergency services Carol Service from Southwell Minster.  Only £4 a time with profit going to charity.

Caroline Bradbury joins the Magnificent Flute Section, and what a baptism of fire she had!

Caroline Bradbury, recently moved into the area from Cambridge after qualifying as a Veterinary Surgeon walked into the Band room to find herself sight-reading E.T. Not easy.  Not easy at all! But, a jolly good sound emanated from Caroline's instrument and within 20 minutes, proved herself worthy of joining this Band of merry musicians.

Welcome Aboard Caroline! 

Enjoy our challenging, stimulating and rewarding Band!

After the formal awards came the Dance. 

Did we have a good time? Judge for yourself!!

Derek & Celie soaking up the atmosphere!

Ken and Olive.

Dave and Angela Hufton

We used to wear these in the Marines! "Just like that!"

How do you play these?

Simon with an identity crisis!

Look. It's my ice cream and I will eat it any which way I choose!

It had to be New York, New York!

Well  Hello.  Do you come here often?

I think this reed needs changing!  Can't get a note out of it!

Natasha Kaplinski has nothing on me!

Ma Lud. The defence is as follows ££££

Yo Baby!

Da Ra..Da Ra..Da ra ta ta!

All together now!

The Band expands it's ranks....

This month sees two new players join the Band. Steve Bawdon has finally decided to sign up full time on Trumpet to work alongside Mark Wakeland.  No sooner here than gone though as Steve has gone on his annual pilgrimage to South Africa for a month of Sea, Sand and whatever else springs to mind!

Nice to have you on board Steve!  Look forward to seeing you with a no doubt disgusting tan when you get back to blighty!

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Caroline Bradbury joins the Flute section. Caroline who has recently moved into the area from Cambridge was greeted with a baptism of fire as she entered the Band room.  We were in the process of taking "E.T." (John Williams) to pieces!  A very demanding Flute part to say the least.  Caroline did exceptionally well and will no doubt prove to be an asset to the Flute Section.

Profiles on both players to hit this page any time now.  Come back soon for the inside info!

Alan McKenzie set to come back to his beat....

Alan "The Metronome" McKenzie is due to return to the Band after a period of being horizontal with a glass bad back. Our intrepid reporter, D. Rummer says that a reliable source has seen Alan moonlighting as a Ken Dodd double in and around the County.  Alan was last sighted at a local Theatre where he was seen, although heavily disguised in a B&Q apron, to be whisked away via a rear door into a waiting fast car.  Alan, who has been with the Band for the last seven years is currently unavailable for comment, although the Police have received various reports of "strange rhythms" emanating from the back bedroom at a certain house in Woodthorpe.

The Bands Director of Music commented "It is fair to say that the Band room has not been the same since Alan took ill. Alan's Musical prowess adds "something unique" which is very hard to describe"  23/2/05.

Jo McClelland's Big Day

Joanne McClelland, who plays trombone in the band is getting married on Thursday 2nd September.

She's from Glasgow and moved to Nottingham with work, she's a veterinary surgeon at a local practice.  She met Stuart Webster - aka Webbie - whilst they were at school.  Last year, they went on holiday with Jo's sister and her boyfriend, and Webbie got down on one knee there.  The wedding will be a traditional Scottish wedding, up in Glasgow, with most of the men wearing kilts, etc.
Jo has just returned from her hen weekend, a place called Millport, on the island of Cumbrae, just off the west coast of Scotland.  A fantastic time was had by all 22 females present.
For their honeymoon, Jo & Webbie will be touring around Southern Ireland for 3 weeks.

" Hard up, kick the can
Jo McClelland's got a man
If you want to know his name
His name is Stuart Webster"

The Band visit Germany

Thursday 13th May '04 .  The Band assembles in eager anticipation of a trip to Langanelb Music Festival.  The previous evening had seen the final rehearsal, the van had been packed and sent off as an "advance party" and everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the bus to take us to Stanstead. The bus arrived and we were all on board when we ran into our first 'drama'. The bus would not start.  The driver's sense of humour failed when the director of music hailed everyone off the bus to push!  Eventually the beast kicked into life and we were off! Stanstead airport.  Pre flight drinkies in the bar saw a certain faction incur the wrath of the party organiser - Dave Webster.  Lateness would not be tolerated  - the lack of sync was blamed on a faulty watch.... got away with it!

The journey was swift and in no time we were all speaking with false German accents, very slowly deliberately whilst gesticulating to each other as if we were infact unable to communicate in full with ease! The next few days saw the band pull together and become closer than ever.  I don't think you couldn't have paid for a better team building exercise!  A brewery trip, visit to an Arts Centre, Castle, walk in the Black Forest , Monastery Visit and of course the main highlight of the music festival itself - our Concert.

Being on stage with a German audience and compare was a bit daunting - double guessing the introductions and hoping the humour had not got lost in translations!  I have to say the Band performed very well!  This was echoed by the fact that the packed auditorium gave us three ovations - we just couldn't get off stage!  The party leader Dave Webster was positively gushing when the immortal words were uttered forth "Wasn't too bad that was it" Praise indeed from Dave!

The immense hospitality of our German hosts continued to the very end when they packed us off on the bus at 7am on the Tuesday morning.  I am sure they breathed a sigh of relief to see us depart back to blighty!

Tired but very satisfied and happy the Band finally arrived back at Epperstone where the final round of backslapping and hand shaking took place.

Fair to say that the six days we were together formed many, many memories - too much to consider here, but I believe everyone has the same thoughts....  

"A BRILLIANT TRIP!"  

Thanks to everyone for all their hard work.

 Gary