Visit to Belfast
It’s official – Derby Central the fastest band in the territory!!!!
Having just completed
a weekend away at Belfast in less than 24 hours this had to be one of the strangest
weekends in any Band persons life.
After arriving at East Midlands airport at 9.20am
to check in for a 11.20am flight to Belfast, the band personnel were looking forward
to the long awaited weekend with the people of Belfast.
Once checked in they were
informed that the flight would be delayed until 1pm. Most of the band descended upon
the café for a breakfast bap and coffee. As 1pm drew closer excitement grew. (helped
along by Derby County winning the first leg of the play offs)
Just before 1pm they were informed that the flight would now be at 3pm, many coffees
later 3pm came and went and the band were told 5.30pm – if they could just find a
plane!
Finally 5.40pm they were up, up and away, landing in Belfast just 45 minutes
later. The festival was due to start at 7.30pm but as the band only arrived at 7.30pm
this was an impossibility.
Fortunately the three Musketeers that drove the luggage and instruments in a van,
using the ferry crossing had set everything up for the band, so a quick change and
on the platform by 8pm.
The Band started the festival with “Salvations Song” and the
people of Belfast knew it was going to be worth the wait.
The first half of the evening
included a Euphonium solo by Darren Willis of “There will be God,” “Ave Maria” featuring
Soprano cornet, played by Alan Fox, a piano solo by Karen Sneade and “Be Thou my
vision” featuring the percussion section, heavily.
The second half started with a swing as the band played “Island dreams,” other pieces
included a cornet solo by David Purkiss – “This is my story” and “Three Kings Swing”
also featuring David Purkiss. There was a vocal solo by Andrew Ward “We are the reason”
and the final piece on the programme was “Glorifico Aeturnum.”
The band were very
well accepted by the people of Belfast, who said how much they had enjoyed the programme.
Sunday
morning worship was led by Band Sergeant Stuart Pegg and Major Ted Benneyworth. The
Singing Company from the home Corps sang a beautiful song featuring Amy who was celebrating
her eighth Birthday. There was also a children’s story from Bands woman Emma and
a Bible reading from Bandsman Matthew. The band played two pieces “Hine Hine” and
“Breathe.”
After morning worship both the home band and Derby Central band joined forces for
a march of witness round a nearby housing estate (where George Best used to live
– allegedly) lots of people stopped to watch the bands go by and many children followed
the band round the streets.
After lunch with the kind people of Belfast who took the
band personnel into their homes and looked after them for the weekend, there was
an afternoon praise / Salvation meeting.
The band started the final meeting with
“Olympic fanfare and theme” other music included a duet by Karen Sneade on piano
and Colin sneade on E flat Bass “Czardas.” A trombone feature “Peter, James and John”
a vocal solo by Andy Ward “you raise me up” and a duet “You are always there” by
David Purkiss playing cornet and Darren Willis playing Euphonium.
At the end of the
meeting the band enjoyed tea with the corps folk of Belfast and said their goodbyes
before boarding the coach and leaving only 23 hours after arriving.
Thankfully the
flight home was on time and the band personnel arrived back safe and well hoping
that they have brought some blessings to the people that they have made contact with
in the few hours they spent at Belfast.
Produced by and copyright of:-
Page by Page Web design © 2006