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So. Farewell then 2009.

An interesting and very busy year for Backworth Colliery Band, and thanks to all players and friends, our guest conductors, and our travelling support for helping us through 2009 and preparing us for the challenges to come in 2010.

2009 gave us many memories … the Regionals and Easingwold contests, saying a fond farewell to our Musical Director in June, carrying out a very successful summer concert programme, enjoying the experience of our guest conductors, engaging a new Musical Director, congratulating two players who became new mothers in the Autumn, surviving the Secretary’s maternity leave, saying our goodbyes to two senior players transferring to County Durham bands, cataloguing our 1000-piece library, competing at the Borders and Durham League contests, managing a relocation at short notice in November to a new home in Burradon, wishing two younger players well who left to pursue their dreams at Championship level, and – finally – completing a very well-received Christmas programme.

A year that gave us a new home, a sense of community and belonging, improvement in our contesting and deportment, better performances since our earlier disappointments at Darlington and Easingwold. And the prospects for 2010: younger players improving and showing potential and loyalty to serve their band, financial stability in a difficult climate, a pipeline that is already looking strong to secure another year’s banding, and a fantastic test piece to enjoy at the 2010 Regionals.

So. Farewell then 2009. And best wishes to all concerned for the New Year. See you at the next rehearsal, 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th January 2010.