A Harrogate band has represented the town at a flower festival in Luchon in France — a place twinned with Harrogate.
Tewit Silver Band, based in Huby, recently returned from Luchon en Fleurs 2023, which celebrated all things floral.
The band – which is made up of 30 players aged between 13 and 78 – and invited to feature in several parades.
It gave its first performance in Sqaure Lauret where its marches and overtures entertained the crowd despite poor weather.
The following show took place in front of the Mairie – the mayor’s office – and was accompanied by a procession of horses and dancers.
Pics: Tewit Silver Band Facebook
The final performance was held at a church in Garin and ended with a standing ovation.
The band said in a statement:
“Our free time was spent discovering the natural beauty of the surrounding area that was spectacular despite the weather.
“Members enjoyed walks, visits to the local areas, swimming in the lake and sampling a few of the local bars and restaurants.”
Tewit Silver Band, a charity, was formed in 2017.
It competes in various national and international competitions, as well as private functions and charity events.
Harrogate is twinned with Luchon and recently held its own floral festival – Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration.
The relationship between the towns is overseen by Harrogate International Partnerships.
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Tewit brass band wins national award
Tewit Silver Band has won national recognition for a second consecutive year.
The band, which was only formed three years ago to give ex and current Tewit Youth Band members the opportunity to play in at a higher level, won the third section of the National Brass Band Championships in Cheltenham.
The result promotes the band to the second section next year and means it has now gone from fourth section to second section in consecutive years.
Band member Owen James also won the soloist award for his rendition of the test piece called Kaleidoscope.
A total of 61 bands and 2,000 performers took part in the event.
Tewit Silver Band has now won all but one of the competitions it has entered. The most recent competition pitted it against 15 other bands.
The band has a concert booked at Starbeck Methodist Church on Saturday, November 13 and will also perform its annual carol concert at Stockeld Park.
Colin Gibbs, chairman of Tewit Silver Band, said that the adjudicators gave extremely positive feedback about the band, such as ‘an almost flawless performance’.
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Jayne Fearnley, Tewit Silver Band secretary, said:
“Like all bands we were unable to play for many months due to covid but we remained a strong unit. Players practiced at home, we met once a week on zoom to address the social needs of our members and we returned to the band room as a full, committed band making this win a very proud moment.
“Tewit Youth Band has long been a successful formula, but once players reach the age of 18, they have to leave. Whilst many of our young members move onto university, plenty stay local. Tewit Silver Band offers the perfect solution: they can continue playing in a safe a secure and familiar setting alongside experienced players who mentor them.”
Tewit Youth Band is holding an open day tomorrow from at The Methodist Chapel in Huby from 2pm to 5pm.
For more information on Tewit Silver Band, click here.