Taking advantage of the fortnights break from rehearsals a few intrepid souls made it back to Headquarters on 2nd January to give the band room a much needed face lift.

Thanks must go to Janet Marshall, Alan & Ann Marie Bateson, Geoff and Lydia Colling, Alan & Nerise Jones, John Backhouse and our Secretary Bernard Vause for their efforts with a paint brush. Well done!

On Thursday 20th December it was good to see Helen & Neil Metcalfe (ex members) on their first visit back in England since emigrating in 2005 to Perth, Australia. Their contribution to our practise - playing 3rd cornet - added a new dimension to the term "Vibrato".

We were undecided whether it was lack of practise, nerves or shivering having left OZ in temperatures of 30+ degrees.

We'll give them the benefit of the doubt ;)

The run up to Christmas found the Band extremely busy in and around Morecambe.

Every Saturday morning during December the Youth Band played at St Nicholas Arcade Lancaster Saturday afternoons saw the Senior band in Asda, whilst on Sundays the Brass Ensemble played at a variety of places including Morrisons Morecambe and Tesco Carnforth.

Everyone connected with Morecambe Band was greatly saddened by the death recently of Reg Thackrah.  Reg had been in intensive care at the Hospital following medical complications and died peacefully on 16th April.

He and Maureen first came into contact with the Band supporting their son Chris when he became a founder member of the Youth band in September 1981.  Since that time over 25 years ago both Reg and Maureen have given tirelessly of their time and energy  to the band …always present, always willing to help, always cheerful and supportive.   Morecambe band would not have been the same without them and we shall all miss Reg very much.

It was fitting that as the band played,  a large number of past and present friends gathered together at The Crematorium to say farewell to Reg followed by  a buffet at The Elms at which many happy memories were re-visited.


Bernard Vause
Secretary.