We are very appreciative to the Co-op and all who have donated money for our cause in the Co-op community fund collection.

We were presented with a cheque towards band funds which we have used to buy nice warm band jackets and hats to keep us snug when we are playing out and about.

We had a great evening playing with our friends Ponteland Community Wind Band and Whittonstall Community bands at our annual Joint Spring Concert at Kirkley Hall, a new venue for us.

Whittonstall Band grow from strength to strength.

Thank you to our hosts for inviting us.

Rehearsals will resume on Saturday 16th January so blow the dust off those instruments and come and join us!

Apologies but it’s another rainy day so we have had to cancel todays planned event at the Glade in Prudhoe.  Fingers crossed for next week as it is our last event before the summer break.

The band a had a lovely weekend away for our annual residential weekend at Ridley Hall.

Sadly the atrocious weather precluded for the first time in living history the usual football match between Mr Hignetts team V the Rest of the World. There was also disappointment for those band members who sneaked off to watch Sunderland beat Newcastle in the afternoon and on the Rugby field with France narrowly beating England in the last few minutes of the match.

There was however better news on the Snooker table later in the evening with Mr Hignett and John K taking on all comers to win the annual PCB Snooker World Championships fair and square (on this occaision)

This victory was in the face of an inordinate degree of cheating and unsporting behaviour from all directions. Those band members know who they are!

Here we see the kind of thing the champions were up against.

Mr Hignett sadly had to leave us on Sunday but the the band had a valuable morning rehearsal under the baton of our illustrious chairman Steve Quill i’am, followed by a short informal concert for friend and family.

We have been out and about over the last few weekends entertaining the crowds during our Xmas Car Park Tour. We have a few more weekends to go so keep an eye on the Calendar if you want to catch us.

Here you see us briefly entertaining the good customers of Waitrose in Hexham.

Unfortunately our attempt to play 2 sets outside Waitrose were again curtailed due to another brush with the Councils parking enforcement officer.  Subsequent discussion of the merits of interpreting the parking regulations so strictly at this festive time were not fruitful.  Sadly there was not time for the band to relocate to his preferred place outside the store so we had to pack up and go home early.

We were invited to play for the skaters on the Sele Hexham at a new event arranged in the run up to Christmas. Everyone had a jolly time skating in the sunshine overlooked by a giant inflatable Snowman.

The weather held fair again when we played in Prudhoe last weekend.

This was probably our coldest day so far but the band is made of tough stuff and were appreciated by early morning shoppers passing by the ‘Glade’ (Cobbles).

Here we see MD Mr Hignett demonstrating his new Christmas singing tie through the PA.

Treasurer and ‘Slap’ Bass enthusiast Mr Lamb made an effort to get into the Christmas spirit with this fine outfit. (The beard is natural.)

We have been lucky to obtain the services of expert percussionist Mark Bolderson during the recent absence of Jack Ruddick.

Thank you for stepping in Mark. Jack will be back with us in the New Year.

Yesterday saw us performing at Brocksbushes Xmas Fayre. This very busy event marked the start of our Xmas fundraising tour around the region and got us off to a good start.

We play at the vagaries of the weather at this time of year but luckily we managed to play two full sets despite the sun in our eyes and the cold causing sticking keys on the Bass Clarinet.

We are very grateful to Charlie Conway of Wylam Electrical Services who has recently kindly PAT tested our electrical equipment  to ensure our ongoing safety.

Listen in to the Sue Sweeney show on Saturday morning 26th October between 9am and 12pm to hear a telephone interview featuring Prudhoe Community Band.

We are hoping to that this interview will raise the profile of the band in the region and attract prospective new members. We are particularly keen that younger players continue to join us as they are vital to the continuing success of the band.

Many thanks to Bev Bookless for setting this up with BBC Radio Newcastle.

We were delighted to be asked to perform at the Hexham Abbey Street Festival in September.  We were the finale to an interesting morning  of music and performance.Big thanks to Phil Rosier swapping Tuba for Drum Kit and stepping in at the last minute during the absence of our usual drummer Jack Ruddick.  Normal service to be resumed soon. Best wishes to Jack from the Band.Thanks too to Mike Coleman of Core Music for his involvement and providing the PA equipment.