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Sunday 28th October
In The News

Band Together

During the half term break, Thomas Rose and Alister Talbot, together with 10 other members of Ifton Band, were on set for filming of an episode of the children’s series "Evacuation", due to be shown on BBC TV early next year.  The series takes modern-day city kids and sends them back to the 1940s to experience life as war time evacuees.

For this, the second series, thirteen children have been staying at Pradoe Hall near West Felton living on a 1940s country estate with actors posing as Lord and Lady of the manor and various staff.   Twenty Twenty Television, who produces the series, was looking for a musical group to help out with one of the episodes and contacted the band via a personal recommendation.  The band took part in episode 8 which re-enacted Empire Day, which originally commemorated British pride and was held on Queen Victoria ’s birthday.  A war time village fete was filmed at Pradoe Hall with the band and extras from the Attfield Theatre and West Felton WI.  The band performed a march followed by background music for the fete and then were allowed to try their hand at the various stalls manned by the film extras.  The presenter for the series is ex-Blue Peter star Matt Baker who kindly posed with the band in the accompanying picture.

Ifton Band is currently on a recruitment drive and players of all abilities are welcome to join the ranks. Rehearsals are held in the Miner’s Welfare Institute in St. Martins opposite Stan’s Superstore on a Monday evening for the senior band and Wednesdays for beginners. Contact Ray Lewis for further information on 01691 654182 or take a look at their website www.iftonband.co.uk.

Tom has also been playing with the Wem Jubilee Band for six months, playing solo cornet.  The band have just released their new CD, called Spirit of Life, on which Tom (on cornet) and his father (on euphonium) were lucky enough to play.  Wem are the current Midlands third section champions and are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year.  Tom also assists with the youth band and took part in a 10 hour sponsored blow to raise funds for the senior band's trip to the national finals in Harrogate.