Tim Vinall

Born and educated in Wales, Tim moved to Kent in 1989, to take up the post of assistant director of music at Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs. There, he became Director of Music and then set up the Performing Arts Faculty before moving to Brockhill Park Performing Arts College and then to his current position as Head of Music at Herne Bay High School.

His brass-banding began with the Melin-Grifith Brass Band, formerly the Excelsior Rope Works Band, in Cardiff; he then joined the Lewis Merthyr Colliery Band in the Rhondda Valley, before going away to University where he played for the Aberystwyth Silver Band. At sixteen he gained a place in both the National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Brass Band of Wales. For the past decade or so, Tim has been a member of the Betteshanger Colliery Band – he is nothing if not versatile – having played with the band, at some point, every instrument, with the exception of trombone.

Tim has played in and directed a wide range of musical ensembles over the years and is really looking forward to working with the fine body of musicians which is the Betteshanger Colliery Band.

 

 

‘All change please’ A true tale of buses and of conductors.

On Saturday 18th March the band travelled up to Stevenage to take part in the 2006 London and Southern Counties Regional Championships at the Arts and Leisure Centre.

It was a close run thing as to whether the band would compete or not when the choice of music was announced as being ‘Images of the Millennium’ by Howard Snell, which is considered by many to be far in excess of a Second Section test piece.

In fact this opinion was born out when the music arrived and there were many at Betteshanger that believed the band would never be able to do the piece justice and seriously wondered if it was worth the effort and possible disappointment especially in light of our recent success at the ‘own choice’ autumn contest at the Leas Cliff Hall.

MD David Burridge decided to have a look at the piece and make a decision after a few weeks of playing the piece and, when the day duly arrived, David was still unsure. Given that the band always has mixed feeling about going to Stevenage anyway as it is a long and expensive trip for the band for 15 or so minutes playing, David decided to put it to a secret ballot so that all of the players could be honest about their feelings and not feel influenced one way or the other.

In fact the vote was almost unanimous in favour of going, which I think surprised everyone but no one more than poor David!

Following the decision the band really knuckled down and the piece improved beyond belief over the next few months thanks to the direction of David and Tim Vinall (Soprano Cornet) who took a number of the rehearsals. And, after a while, even hardened ‘I don’t like it’s’ began to find themselves humming bits of it in lifts and cars.

Eventually the day arrived and started with a telephone call from our transport ‘monitor’ Lucy Lockwood (cornet) who announced to band Secretary Karen (Tenor Horn) that the coach would be half an hour late as the door was broken and would not close. It was a bit of a chilly March day to travel with the door open so we waited, and waited, and waited…. until at 1030 a replacement coach hove into site with Lucy riding shotgun. A few minutes later we were on our way and Ivor Thomas (Eb Bass), who was not playing with the band at the contest, waved us off.

 

 

As luck would have it the contest was delayed by half an hour anyway but we are all very grateful to Rosemary Eastbrook who had travelled up by car with her husband and our trombonist Mick for acting as the bands representative at the 1 o’clock draw where she drew us to play 10th out of the 15 bands playing.

Following a rehearsal at the Thomas Alleyne School the band travelled the short distance to the Arts and Leisure Centre with plenty of time to spare and, feeling a bit peckish, a group went to McDonalds where Fred Thomson (Euphonium) told those present that he would not be doing the Stevenage contest again and intended to take more of a back seat role with his playing. This is a great shame and Fred will be a very hard act to follow but is understandable as he finds the longer band jobs and trips very tiring.
Eventually our turn arrived and we launched into the piece. 15 minutes or so later it was all over and David brought us into a safe landing with no one injured to await the results.

Most of the players reported that they had felt the performance had gone quite well and the band seemed hopeful of a decent result. Our travelling fan club of Amy Kemshall, who is our newest cornet player and a product of our learner band, and her grandmother Cath reported that we had sounded ‘good’ to them and we settled down to see what the Adjudicator Chris Wormald had to say about it.

As I was the only one with my band blazer and tie on at the reading of the results I somehow ended up on the stage as the bands representative. The top four places were read out and I was disappointed that we were not in the first four as I was convinced we had done quite well and the performance had felt secure from where I was sitting with no major problems other than our percussionists Ian Thomas and Helen Rose having to run around like nutcases as we were a percussionist short.

As it transpired we were placed 5th which is very creditable given the complexities and challenges this piece had presented us with and I think we all deserve a pat on the back.

Most of all though praise indeed must go to David Burridge and Tim Vinall for their sterling efforts.

This result though marks the end of another era in the band’s history as David has decided to step down as our MD. His decision is purely as a result of his having developed tinnitus and of course standing in front of Betteshanger Band going at full tilt twice a week does little to help his condition. His decision to step down as MD comes as a disappointment to us all as David has been an excellent front man for the band and, as the results below and at Folkestone last year show, has been very successful. As well as the purely practical he has been a good friend to the band and always been a true gentleman even forgoing his fee when the band was less than financially buoyant without so much as a grumble.

On behalf of the whole band we take this opportunity to genuinely thank you for all of your time, effort and patience and we are glad that you will be continuing your association with the band as a player from time to time.

Helen Tesh who is a music teacher in Ashford and obviously an expert in good timing, her arrival coinciding neatly with David’s departure, approached the band following adverts placed for an Assistant MD.
Helen is proving to be popular both as an individual and to play for and all of the players I have spoken to hope that Helens arrival is the start of a long, happy and successful association with Betteshanger Brass Band.

Welcome to the band Helen!

 

Results.
1 Jersey Premier Brass 182.
2 Denham Hendon Brass 181.
3 Egham 180.
4 Epping Forest 179.
5 BETTESHANGER 178.
6 East London Brass 177.
7 Tilbury 176.
8 Brighton & Hove City 175.
9 Grimsdyke Brass 174.
10 Cawston 173.
11 Ware Brass 172.
12 Yiewsley & West Drayton 171.
13 Fairlop Brass 170.
14 Hitchin Town 169.
15 Capitol Concert Brass 168.

Betteshanger over the last few years:
2005: 8th (D. Burridge)
2004: 6th (D. Burridge)
2003: 14th (D. Burridge)
2002: 16th 1st Section (K. Dennison) (rel)
2001: 8th (K. Dennison)
2000: 13th (G. Harvey)

Steve Griffiths.
March 2006

December 2005

‘Good tidings we bring…….’

As I sit writing this the band have two more carolling jobs and the traditional visit to Deal Hospital on Christmas day and that will be it for another year. But what a year it has been!

An action packed diary has swelled the coffers of the band and given both band and audiences alike a year to remember.

As usual we have done our tour of the bandstands, and have done the majority of our ‘regular’ jobs such as the incredibly worthwhile Burma Star and Remembrance Service at Hamilton Road War Memorial and have received some lovely words of thanks for our efforts.

We were unable to play for the Remembrance Service at Deal Hospital though as we had been invited to France on the same day (see the ‘News’ article for details of this trip) and our thanks go to Snowdown band for standing in for us at quite short notice to provide the music for this service.

January saw the band make the trip to Skegness for the Butlin's Mineworker’s Brass Band Contest under the baton of Trevor Attwood who had stood in for Musical Director Dave Burridge who was, on this occasion, required to play Euphonium as Fred Thomson was unable to make the trip. The band was placed in the middle of the pack but had a great weekend away despite a mix up over rehearsal facilities resulting in us being unable to rehearse since the previous Thursday.

In February we did a charity concert on behalf of the Deal Air Training Corps, which, although it was disappointingly supported by the public, apparently helped them on their way to their goal of purchasing a mini-bus to ferry the cadets around.

March saw the annual pilgrimage to Stevenage for the regional contest (details of which can be found in the news section). Performances at Deal and Broadstairs Bandstand were well received in May, as was the visit by French school children to the bandroom. This is the second time the school have visited us and was organised by Alan Langley. The young people are studying the British mining industry and in particular the events of the 1980’s. A few band members play a selection of band pieces to the visitors and then answer questions on brass bands whilst the former miners are able to answer questions relating to the former mine.

Fetes were the order of the day in the summer and Warden House, the ever-popular Eastry fete and ‘Brass on the Grass’ at Shepherdswell giving us the opportunity of frightening the local children with the strains of ‘Zulu’.

A second helping of us at Deal Bandstand, a drumhead ceremony at Deal pier, Churchill Hotel and De Bradelei Wharf in Dover, and a lovely church in Ashford completed the summer’s engagements.

The changes made within the band at the beginning of the season seem to have made a terrific difference and Folkestone contest in the Autumn will long live in my memory. This was a wonderful result for the band, which achieved a fist place for the test piece, hymn tune, conductor and Euphonium (Fred Thomson) in the First Section. It is strange how sometimes everything goes like clockwork and playing the piece felt like we were all cogs in some kind of musical machine, which was, I have to say, running very well on the day. As the results were being read out I was quietly confident of a placing and as 3rd and 2nd came and went I was feeling less confident and was willing the adjudicator to start with a ‘B………’. When he did and finished it with ‘etteshanger’ it was one of those moments that made all of the work (and the patience of my neighbours) worth it.

It seems ironic that our former Chairman Frank Squire who died last year, attended at Folkestone year in year out to support the band and was never able to hold any silverware and the year following his death we walk away with so much.

A reorganisation of the band committee has given all of the committee member’s specific jobs in an effort to relieve some of the burden from band secretary Karen in particular. Karen has been successful in her bid to obtain more cash for the band and recently managed to get a significant figure for the purchase of some instruments to replace some aging ones and is now working hard to obtain sufficient funds to get the band its own band room. This is a bold and ambitious project, which will require a lot of effort over the coming months just to obtain the money, and we all wish her luck and our support with her biggest project to date!

The Betteshanger Learner Band goes from strength to strength under its leader ‘Joe’ Baggs. During the summer its members took part in a local youth talent concert and gave a fine account of itself and recently took part in the main Christmas concert at Dover Town Hall. There are approximately 20 members in the learner band including a couple of adults meeting every Monday before the main band and paying £1 for an hour. For this they receive tuition, an instrument of their choice and a band waistcoat made by R.J.Handley. This pool of younger player should ensure the future of the band as some of the players will develop to a point where they can move up to the main band. One such young person who is due to make the move in the next month or so is Amy Kempshall who has been sitting in with the main band from time to time and whose grandmother is so proud she is buying her a new cornet!

Last week we did our Christmas concert at Dover Town Hall and along with the Learners gave a performance, which was well received by the audience, whose numbers had swelled since last year, our first at this venue for a number of years.
This year the ‘Atkinson’ shield was presented to Liam Sturgess of the junior band who was considered to be the most improved young player by Joe Baggs although this was a difficult decision for Joe as many of the youngsters have come on considerably of late.
The ‘Jack Storey Trophy’, given to the ‘Bands-person of the Year’ was presented to Nigel Bogue (Principal Cornet) and was extra special this year being presented by Jack’s daughter Cathy Bye who, with other family members had made the long journey to Dover.
I do not know how I was talked into it but ended up dressed in a Native American outfit doing YMCA with Nigel Bogue (Principal Cornet and American Policeman), Phil Linkin (BBb Bass and Builder), Ian Thomas (Percussion and Cowboy) and Tim Vinall (Soprano Cornet and Biker). I am somewhat concerned that so many cameras were flashing at the time and nervously await the ‘evidence’ the flashes will no doubt have produced! I have been variously described as looking like ‘Cher’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ hopefully on account of my flowing locks.

This concert provided the ideal vehicle for a piece composed by MD Dave Burridge entitled ‘Christmas Ceilidh’ which is a weaving together of a number of Christmas tunes and carols into a very effective piece and would, I’m sure, be played extensively by other bands if Dave publishes it. We were able to play it for again at Martha Trust care home where we did a free concert for the residents and at Manston village hall the other night and I will look forward to doing it again next year.

Christmas has proven to very busy for the band and carolling has been hectic to say the least. A carol concert was held in Hythe for Tim Vinall’s school and various shopping centres, schools and pubs have seen our carolling activities and I think we have had two nights off out of the last nine. This included a trip to see Tim who, following an operation was recovering at home until an intrepid group, complete with hardhats and lamps, turned up at his house to serenade him with the ‘Londonderry Air’ arranged by Alan Finnemore (Flugel). Once inside the house mince pies were the order of the day and it only seemed fair to stretch Tim’s stitches by making him laugh.

For my part I have had a great year with the band. It is wonderful to be part of such a friendly band and at a time of such success. Things are going well for the band and the trick now is to keep the momentum going. We are still on the look out for an assistant Musical Director and are looking for someone who will assist David Burridge and who understands not only brass bands but can fit in with the mentality of the band.

For us banding is a relaxation, and escape from work and life’s stresses. It is certainly true that we do want to be successful but it is far more important to us to enjoy playing, entertaining and spending time in each others company than to have the sort of band where players are competitive to the point of ruining the harmony of the band.

On behalf of the whole band we wish you the seasons greetings and a Happy New Year.

Steve Griffiths.
December 2005.

Ayayaaaa Ashoooooo.

I blame Elton John really! Or should it be Walt Disney? Anyway who ever the fault lies with I’ve got to ‘sing’. Actually it is more of a chant really and features during ‘The Circle of Life’ from the ‘Lion King’.
Someone cleverly suggested we play something from the Lion King and band secretary Karen ordered the ‘Circle of Life’ from a music supplier and I remember it clearly as the postman delivered it. I wrestled the dog from his ‘attack the postman’ position and gained control of the doormat following a brief struggle before recovering the music and taking it through to the kitchen for a sneak preview. I read with amusement the ‘ayayaaaa’s’, and the ‘hem’s’ written for the band to sing but was generally relieved that there was nothing spectacularly vocal for me to do. There was, indeed is, a requirement for the 3rd cornet to give a drum a good thrashing towards the end of the piece but I figured that with months of intensive training, a week in a health spa and an appropriate nod here and there from MD Dave Burridge that it was within my capabilities.
Imagine my horror then when at band following the Regionals (more of that later) Dave casually indicated to me to sit on Second cornet!
The piece started quite well but eyes grew ever larger and rounder as the vocal sections appeared, and went again, without so much as a vocal murmur from the entire band.
Dave had in fairness attempted to lead by example and had put in a good performance but from the band, silence!
‘Come on,’ said Dave, ‘don’t be shy. Someone has got it!’
I of course knew I had it. Dave knew I had it, and if the band didn’t know I had it Dave would soon tell them I had! ‘Oh well.’ I thought, ‘if I start it off the others are bound to join in in dribs and drabs. In for a penny’ etc. etc.
How wrong can a man be? At the appropriate time I started my first ever solo and the Horn section collapsed into fits of uncontrollable giggles.
Keith Davies and Fred Thomson eventually came to my rescue though with some enthusiastic ‘Ha’s’ and ‘Hum’s’. Thanks lads! Certainly one to watch out for on the bandstand.

Sunday the 20th of March saw the band make the annual pilgrimage to Stevenage for the Regional contest held at the local leisure centre.
I can’t remember the exact time the coach left but I do remember that we had to wake up the birds on the way to the band room as they were still in their nests sleeping. An early start was essential though in order to get to the Thomas Alleyne School for a rehearsal and warm up before the contest.

The band picked up the usual, albeit subdued, Deal crew and poor Andrew Shepherd turned up from Thanet hoping to play only to be told that we already had two Euphoniums and whilst he would be more than welcome to come with us he would have to fight with the other Euphonium players for his chair. As it turned out Andrew had to ring up his parents and get one of them out of bed to pick him up. Kid’s eh! Who’d have ‘em?

I cannot recall any other problems here but then I was not fully conscious at the time so may have missed all sorts of goings on.

The Whitfield pick up was delayed for a couple of minutes as Alan Langley and Don Peerless were found to have gone AWOL. I wonder if it is a coincidence that Peerless is an anagram of ‘sleepers’?

Anyway, on to Canterbury and we were just about to leave when we realised that Jane Clarke and Alan Finnemore were missing. A quick telephone call indicated that they would be with us soon and shortly afterward a gold car went zipping swiftly by. I do not know what kind of car it is but it goes quite fast and seems to park quickly too!

Once at Stevenage we met up with Dave Burridge who had wisely travelled up with Dale George and also met up with Mick Eastbrook who had travelled up with his wife.

The draw took place at 9:30 and I drew the band to play 11th.

The performance was a mixed bag of great bits mixed up with the odd bit of not quite so good but on balance was a brilliant effort at a particularly difficult piece, which was, until recently, a Championship test piece.

The adjudicator was Malcolm Brownbill and his assessment was generally fair and mainly centred on tuning. He obviously has not seen the ‘ Shillingbury Blower’s’ if he had he would know all about tuning problems.

We were awarded 8th position, which sees us safe in the Second section for another year.

This contest was the last time the band would play with this configuration and marked an opportunity for some moves within the band.

Dale George has moved from Soprano Cornet onto Euphonium whilst Tim Vinall takes the Sop spot but may regret it, as ‘Penny Lane’ seems to be on the cards for this season. He will need tight pants for that one.

Sue Holland moves the short distance to Third Cornet but I do not know if she realises yet that she has to have her head shaved to fit in with the lads at the back. If she does she has not mentioned it so far!

The new season beckons and kicks off properly with Deal Bandstand on the 1st of May. Be there or be square.
Ayayaaaa Ashoooooo.

'CLICK' for Stevenage photos

Steve Griffiths.
March 2005.

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