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How the Draw was Done!

The Black Dyke Band's celebrated administrator goes to some lengths to ensure that our draw is fair and above board. For instance, the latest winner was decided by using the UK National Lottery numbers for the first week in July. The first number below 12 was used to indicate a month and the first number below 31 was used to indicate a day. The Friend who's membership renewal date matched these two numbers AND who's membership number contained, or was nearest to, the THIRD lottery number was the winner! Phew...what a system! No doubt Geoff will be devising a suitably convoluted method to determine the winner of the new draw, details of which you can find on our Prize Draw pages.

"PONDASHERS" FROM THE FAR EAST

At Black Dyke we are used to receiving "Pondashers" from all over the country, and the world. Some are in the area on business, or on holiday, for others it is something they have meant to do for a number of years. Whatever the reason we are always pleased to welcome them as when recently we received a phone call from Alan Jenkins of Brass Band World, stating that he had in his office in Stockport "Two Japanese gentlemen who can not speak English apart front the words "Black Dyke", and they would like to come to the rehearsal on Thursday". Alan, very kindly saw that they got the train from Manchester to Halifax, where our assistant librarian David Mitchell met them along with our Japanese interpreter Fusae Spencer, on arriving at the bandroom and in conversation, their story became more remarkable by the minute.

Takayuki Watanabe (Euphonium), left, and Osamu Takigavia (Tuba), centre, had graduated at University the previous Friday and decided to fly to England and listen to "Black Dyke Band". They had in their possession a Japanese "Who's Who in Japan", on music, and on one page was a feature of the visit to us last year by Breeze Brass from that country, with a picture of our bandroom at the top corner, and the words "Black Dyke Band, Queensbury". On arriving at London airport they tried to find "Queensbury", well of course there is a place by that name on the outskirts of London (built in the 1930's by a company down the road from Black Dyke). One can imagine their dismay when they got there and found it was the wrong one. Fortunately they also had a copy of Brass Band World which helped them to get to the North and thankfully to Alan's office. They thoroughly enjoyed their stay with us, their excitement and appreciation was a joy to behold. After the rehearsal had finished, members of the band spent some time with them socially. John French our 2nd. Euphonium took them to their hotel in Manchester, along with their posters, CD's, concert programmes etc. They flew back to Japan the following day. Proving yet again the international value of music.

STOP PRESS

Christopher Timothy, star of the famous James Herriot television series, has been confirmed as the special guest narrator for the second half of our Gala Concert.

CONCERTS AT

DEWSBURY TOWN HALL 18th. December &
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN HALL 20th. December

Special offer of a 'Black Dyke' pen, compliments of the band, to anyone attending both Christmas concerts and booking before 1st December. Claimants must present original programmes from each of the two Christmas concerts to qualify for for this early Christmas present.
Please book early on 01274 814970.

Black Dyke Band Win 1998 Yorkshire Area

Championships

Held on March lst 1998 at St. Georges Hall, Bradford, the Yorkshire Area Brass Band Championships have always provided competition of the highest standard. The Black Dyke Band, lead by Conductor James Watson, became this years champions playing the test piece "Montage" written by Peter Graham. Visit the Recordings area of our site for more details of this piece and to hear an audio clip from Part III of Montage.