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Despite the lack of summer sun and abundance of rain, Neptune Band have been extremely busy since our last article. March saw both the Wind Band and the Big Band take centre stage for the Supermess concert in aid of RNRMC, and this time we played to a full house. We managed to raise over £300 on the night and I think everyone would agree that the concert was a resounding success. The month of May saw the Big Band feature for the first time on the beautiful banks of Loch Fyne for their annual Food Fayre. Despite the wind whipping through the marquee and icicles on our barnacles, we soon had everyone up swinging their pants to the sounds of some timeless classics and well-known numbers. The band members had time to sample the wonderful array of food and beverages on offer and Jim Clarke (trombone) can be forgiven for asking the vendors to trade his food tickets in for that well known Scottish amber nectar. Nice try Jim!
The Band handover took place in May when the Band said their fond farewell to BdCSgt Ann Miller and a big welcome to BdCSgt Zoe O’Gorman. Ann’s last gig took place in the Wardroom where the Wind Band provided the background music during a dinner. The Band had just finished several verses of roast beef and were just into the opening bars of their first number when the fire alarm sounded and everyone was herded outside to join our friends the midges. Finally we were allowed back in and resumed playing until we were drowned out by the sound of the bandit alarm and continuous overhead pipes from the base control. However, the Band played on and somehow managed to stay in control and deliver, despite the constant interruptions. All credit though to our Bandy who maintained her professionalism and managed to retain a confident smile throughout, although one can only forgive her for thinking that this surely had to be a joke! In a letter of thanks from the Wardroom the following day, Commander Riches congratulated us all for demonstrating our resilience and professionalism and likened the situation to that of the sinking of the Titanic (no disrespect intended of course). Ann will never forget her last gig with her beloved Neptune Band. June was a busy month and, not letting the dust settle under her feet, our new Bandy was kept on her toes with her first gig and also a first for the Big Band when we were asked to play for ‘Help the Heroes’ at ‘Madness’ nightclub in Glasgow city centre. A great night was had by all and Zoe’s baptism of fire went like clockwork as did her jazz French Horn playing. In her own words, it was just ‘blue wicked!’ Next on the list saw the Big Band feature at the Inverclyde Navy Club and then again in the same venue to an extremely packed audience for the Armed Forces Day a couple of weeks later. Just as we had time to catch our breaths, Bandy was asked at short notice to provide background music for the Royal Marines’ annual summer barbeque and I say this with tongue in cheek as the weather and midges were not in their favour. However, never one to let the weather stop us from enjoying ourselves, the Big Band again played with gusto and their efforts were greatly appreciated by all. The next evening saw the Wind Band play for Cdr Iain Riches’ leaving dinner in the Wardroom, complete with piper Iain McPhee, to play for the last time his favourite piece, Highland Cathedral. The Band members presented him with an engraved quaich in recognition and thanks for his hearty and staunch support towards the Band in his time at Faslane. We wish him a long, healthy and happy retirement with his wife and family. As you can see, the Band have been extremely busy and are now in preparation for the next gig in July when the Marching Band will beat the retreat for the Tall Ships extravaganza in Greenock over two days. No doubt this will provide good practice for the upcoming Volunteer Band festival in September. Yes, we are really looking forward to getting back into marching practice although some are more enthusiastic than others! Parish Notices This edition welcomes many new joiners to swell our ranks. We say a big hello to Sgn Cdr Nick Imm who joins the Sax rank along with POMA (SM) Charles ‘Chloe’ Lowe also on Tenor Sax. MA (SM) Mark ‘Cas’ Caswell, who can play almost any brass instrument and has settled for the Euphonium, also joined recently. We also welcome some young blood in the form of Rosa King and Alisdair Jeffes both on Flute and their friend Kathryn Thorn on Clarinet. At last, some woodwind! Lastly I would like to welcome home in anticipation our very own hero James ‘Kenny’ Dalgleish or ‘Spingeri’ as he is fondly known by his Afghan colleagues, meaning ‘old man’, Kenny is nearing the end of his six-month tour. The band room has been very quiet since January and we have missed Kenny’s somewhat witty and dry sense of humour. Hurry back Kenny, we look forward to your stories from the deserts of Helmand but most importantly, we need you for the festival and for goodness sake, please bring some sun with you! Karen Axl. Last updated 14 December 2011 |
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A big summertime greeting to all of our friends from everyone north of the border in HMS Neptune Volunteer Band. While the rest of the country basks in hot sunshine and drought situations, us hardy volunteers up here are still in fleeces and woolly socks while we wade our way through our daily lives. Summer arrived in April and lasted until the beginning of May when the monsoons came and haven’t stopped since. 
