Bonchester Brass at the Copshaw Common Riding

 The band was absolutely thrilled to support this years’ Tub, Scott Adamson at the Copshaw Common Riding.

A wet start to the day gave way to a long sunny one filled with fun and laughter.

The first undertaking was to provide a fanfare at the Handing Over of the Flag.

The crowd cheered as the fantastic ,colourful Fanfaralonium banners were unveiled for the very first time sporting Common Riding phrases and adding an extra dimension to this very important ceremony. Excellent funnelonium playing from core members of the band and our guest player , Brian, from Hawick sent the Tub on his way in a happy frame of mind.

Further fanfares at key ceremonies during the day were required ,each being met with rapturous applause.

A well received Funnelonium Workshop ,held in the square during the early afternoon, attracted lots of attention and provided us with the bulk of our "plastic marching band" to lead the procession to the Sports.Both children and adults enjoyed being part of the occasion and the workshop was so successful that all our available mouthpieces were in use on funneloniums and we actually had to turn some disappointed people away....just be earlier next time folks!!

Attracting attention were our sousaloniums, all three of them in use to lead the march along the street and give a weighty note (or two!) to our rendition of Mungo Jerry’s "Pushbike Song".

Well done to all who took part we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Apart from all the funnelonium activity going on we also performed as a band along with fine accompaniment from Mark on drums.The ska and reggae set we’d produced went down well  and added to the holiday atmosphere of the celebrations.

The Newcastleton Tradional Music Festival takes place in the village on the same weekend as the common riding and at one point the weird and wonderful spectacle of a sousalonium jamming with a folk set did actually occur...this wasn’t on another planet ,as might have been expected ,this was Newcastleton and this was Bonchester Brass truly going where no band has gone before!

The band would like to give heartfelt thanks to Mark and Brian, for their musical input, Jacqueline, Su and young Beth for providing us with much needed support on the sidelines and the common riding committee, particularly Gary who made us all feel so welcome.

Pureous Bunkumos!!