2019 visit to Eastbourne

Saturday

 

 

 

The weekend of the 22nd – 23rd June saw the band at the Eastbourne Corps – an engagement that has been a regular diary date for many years. The hospitality received is second to none and on arrival we sat down for the first of several meals.

The evening festival started with a firm favourite of the band, the Festival March ‘Solid Rock’ by Paul Sharman, followed by the cornet solo, ‘Lord show me what I need’ by Ray Bowes played by the bands principle cornet Alan Moyse.

 

Two other solo items featured brothers Maurice and Adrian Horwood. Maurice on trombone with a Samba style arrangement of ‘Blessed Assurance’ by William Himes and Adrian on Euphonium with Eric Leidzen’s ‘The Song of the Brother’ both played with great artistry and eliciting an enthusiastic response from the audience. Later, the trombone section along with Flugehorn played the upbeat ‘I will follow him’ from the movie Sister Act. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the heart of the programme was the classic by Dean Goffin ‘Symphony of Thanksgiving’, still challenging but as thrilling to play as ever with the glorious rendition of Praise my soul the King of Heaven. A new piece to the band is the sensitive arrangement of ‘The Water of Tyne’ arr, Philip Harper made more evocative with a media presentation – a feature of all the pieces played.

 

Following the Scripture and comment by bandsman John Moye reminding us not to miss out on all blessings offered in Christ, the band played Wilfred Heaton’s ‘Just as I am’. The intensity and emotion of the playing reflected in the silence that followed, so much so, the comment was made that it seemed wrong to intrude on such a moment.

 

Another comment heard was how the congregation enjoyed the variety of the programme that also included the Selection ‘Music Maker’, Festive arrangement ‘Call of the Gospel’, Male voice item ‘God’s love to me is wonderful’ and to finish a thoroughly enjoyable evening the March ‘Bournemouth Centennial’.

 

Roger Gadsden

 

Sunday

The Band began the day with prayer. At 9.45am Bev Hudson led a short period of prayer and reflection, sharing verses from 2 Peter. Four bandsmen offered prayers for the day ahead.

At 10.30am, Alan Moyse prayed at the start of the morning worship service – led by Adrian Horwood with the theme “God and me”. The Band’s pre-meeting playing of the hymn tune setting “Colne” (Thomas Rive) and “In God’s Presence” (Andrew Blyth) prepared the congregation for worship. During the service the Band contributed “A Special Moment” (Steven Ponsford) – reminding us that this hour was indeed “God’s moment for you”- and the song arrangement “His Provision” (Ivor Bosanko), assuring us that “His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer”. A joyful song from the Eastbourne Citadel Children’s Singing Group further enhanced worship and Kelvin Yendell’s children’s story had lessons for all. Following the congregational singing of “Who is on the Lord’s side”, Adrian showed a powerful video clip of the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In his address Adrian asked when, why and how we come to God? He reminded us that we too can receive the Holy Spirit. The Band then sang “What will you do with Jesus?” (arr. Norman Bearcroft), its chorus asking “What shall the answer be?”. In the concluding song the congregation affirmed that “He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater”.

Time for a quick cup of coffee before proceeding to the seafront, joining Eastbourne Citadel Salvationists for their weekly open-air service at noon in front of the Pier.

Paul Newman was the leader and his theme was “Blessings”. “Count your many blessings” was one of several hymns sung during the service and the united bands played the march “To Regions Fair” (Bearcroft) and song arrangement “Light up the Sunshine” (arr. Maurice Ozanne). John White testified to blessings received from the healing of a seriously ill grandchild. The large brass band, lively music and Paul’s communication skills attracted much interest from the many people passing along the seafront on a pleasant summer’s day. For over half an hour the Christian gospel had been faithfully and positively proclaimed to the “whosoever”.

Appetites were large after a busy morning and lunch eagerly awaited. Fortunately, Eastbourne Citadel’s catering is Premier League standard! Roast beef and all the trimmings followed by apple pie was today’s fare and very much enjoyed by every member of the Band.

At 2.45pm the Band returned to Eastbourne Pier, this time for an open-air mini-concert on the Pier (in an area previously damaged by fire and not re-built on). A wide ranging 45-minute programme of music was presented. Three marches were featured – “Britannia” (Ken Smith), “Emblem of the Army” (Arthur Gullidge) and “Light-Bringer” (Martin Cordner), plus the hymn tune/song arrangements “Praise, My Soul” (arr Michael Babb) and “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” (arr. Ozanne). Lovers of classical music enjoyed the final movement of “Gems from Beethoven” (Albert Jakeway), Beatles fans were treated to Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday” (arr. Goff Richards) featuring the cornet section and many were pleasantly surprised to hear the jazz-style music of “Happy” (Pharrell Williams) from the popular children’s film “Despicable Me 2”. Throughout the Band’s programme a strong wind attempted to remove music from the stands and it was a constant battle to prevent this. But we succeeded and our efforts were much appreciated by those who listened, from their deck chairs and also “pier strollers” not expecting to hear a brass band concert when embarking on the pier.

Just time for a welcome cup of tea and cake before the final session of the week-end – the Praise meeting in the Citadel at 5pm, led by Roger Gadsden. “Crown Him with many crowns” was the opening song, followed by prayer from Graham Hardwick. The Band presented five items during the meeting: the marches “Britannia” and “Light-Bringer”, the selection “Songs of Australia” (Howard Davies), the suite “The Crystal Tide” (James Wright) and the song setting “Mid all the Traffic” (Len Ballantine). Eastbourne Songsters contributed “On the Rock” and the congregation sang “In Christ Alone”. Roger’s theme was “Who is This?” – the question raised by the disciples when Jesus calmed the storm on Lake Galilee (“In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” – Luke 8:25). Our wonder and faith in Him were further encouraged by the Band’s singing of Catherine Baird’s “When Jesus looked o’er Galilee” (arr Les Condon). The meeting ended with the congregation singing “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”.

Rosemary Steadman-Allen (Chatham) was the Band’s guest flugel horn player at Eastbourne. We are delighted that she was able to join with us in an uplifting week-end of music making and Christian ministry.

 

John Moye