Frank Squire

It is with deep regret that the band has to announce the death of former chairman Frank Squire who died in the morning of Sunday the 9th of May during his sleep.

Frank was a kind, gentle and a generous man who always put others before him and was a true champion and a loyal supporter of the band for many years.

Frank will be greatly missed by his wife Eileen, his family and all of the members of the Betteshanger Band.

2 May 2004

Fine weather made the first of Betteshanger’s 2004 outdoor concerts a pleasant occasion for all concerned.

A large crowd turned out at the Deal Memorial Bandstand and the band put up an excellent performance and it seemed that both the band and the audience were pleased to get the winter over with and get down to some live music again.

The players of Betteshanger Band are very proud that they both open and close the season of concerts on our town’s bandstand and there can be few more pleasant locations to play in Britain

Nigel Bogue, in his new role of Principal Cornet, played exceptionally well and gave a confident performance especially during his solo piece ‘Spanish Eyes’ as did Alan Finnemore who was standing in for our usual Flugel player Amy Shepherd and played the Flugel Solo ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from the motion picture ‘Titanic.’

Our very own ‘Two Tenors’ Fred Thomson and Mick Sole did a fine job playing the lovely Euphonium solo ‘Serenade Les Millions d'Arlequin’. The day had not started too well for Fred who had accidentally cut himself during the morning and had attended at Deal Hospital not long before the concert having bled quite heavily and turned up with minutes to spare sporting a rather large dressing on his right ear. Things had gone from bad to worse when he attempted to warm up on the bandstand and his euphonium flatly refused to play. To be more accurate it refused to play anything other than flat and Fred looked rather perplexed until the instrument was turned over, banged and the offending item fell out with seconds to spare before the start. Apparently Fred’s glasses cleaning cloth had migrated from its normal position and had decided to take up residence deep inside the instrument.

Other highlights of the afternoon were the performance of ‘Three Jolly Sailormen’ by the cornet trio of Nigel Bogue, Rosie Cullen and Peter Bryan. Peter was obviously having a great day and remarked to me at the end of the concert that he would like to do the whole thing again! Now that’s stamina.

Sales of the band’s CD went well during the interval and reaction of the crowd was very encouraging and bodes well for the coming season.

Following the concert I was told the amazing news that our Flugel player Amy Shepherd has been appointed as the Principal Flugel player for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain! On behalf of the whole of Betteshanger Band, well done Amy, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Steve Griffiths.