At the bandstand
2pm down at Mill Meadows and Bedford Town Band struck up the Dambusters March! It was stirring stuff and part of the 2009 Bandstand Marathon taking place across the UK. At the event a plaque to the first elected Mayor of Bedford, Frank Branston, was unveiled.
The Bandstand Marathon started in 2008 in the south west when 50 bands played at bandstands. This year 120 bandstands will be taking part, featuring an estimated 3,000 musicians. This was the first year Bedford Town Band had taken part and I have to say they sounded very good indeed.
The Bandstand Marathon hopes to encourage young people to keep their local bands going and is backed by the British Federation of Brass Bands. It is the most widespread event in the Cultural Olympiad, the four year celebration of the culture and traditions of the UK leading up to Olympic Games in 2012.
The Bedford Town Band are currently looking for new players, and always welcome new applications to join the Concert Brass and Progress Brass bands as well as the Decibels group. See the link below if you are interested.