Anyway, that’s enough about me. Comments which drifted across the chapel floor after the concert included…”the Mozart was really crisp… ” “… they seemed really at ease in the Elgar…” “…didn’t young Paddy do well…”. I have it from no less a person than Paddy’s Dad that “he (Paddy) owes it all to his mother’s genes.” Who am I to disagree, although I fancy there was a fair bit of nurture alongside the nature, and that doesn’t happen without Mum and Dad collaborating, does it? So, well done ‘Family Evans’, but especially Paddy, who looked us all in the eye, raised his baton, and took no prisoners.

The concert ran for about two hours playing time, (including applause; make that ninety minutes playing), and we played styles ranging from classical (Mozart) romantic (Schubert and Elgar), early 20th Century (Dukas and Warlock), film and TV scores( several of those), and some jazz pieces. Oh, and the Teddy Bears Picnic.

We were served cake and wine in the interval, an irresistible combination, and we all went home shortly after 9.30. Our audience were really nice and appreciative, but you expect that in Brackley, don’t you?

As you missed this concert (supposing you did), please, please make a date in your diary for the Apple Weekend at Sulgrave Manor, 9-10 October, when we will be performing on both days. You can’t afford to miss it, can you?

We thought it was pretty cold when we played outside at the Farmers Market on the Saturday before Christmas, but last Saturday saw some of the ensemble at it again in temperatures down in minus figures! Of course we suffer for our ‘art’….well some of us did. I myself managed to get booked into the afternoon performance which was mercifully performed in the warmth of the Town Hall.

The event itself was to promote the extent of community activity going on in Brackley and many local groups had stands and information about their organisations. We played a few old Beatles favourites such as Yesterday and When I’m 64 as well as a jaunty Gavotte and ended with the delightful Teddy Bear’s Picnic. We hope we have we have enthused a few people who may like to come and play with us in the future to come along to our open evening on 10th February. Many of us learnt to play when we were a lot younger, had a good few years of not playing and now really enjoy the fun of playing again with a group. The ensemble is going from strength to strength and Saturday was another chance for us to show that. Thanks to all the performers for coming and for all those who took the time to listen to us.

It was Saturday 19th December 2009 and here are a few members of BWE braving the bitter cold to play carols at the Farmers Market in Brackley. We raised
over £30 for local charities and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! People even stopped to watch and applaud which we appreciated.