On Friday 27th June, the Bourne Concert Band set off on its annual weekend away, this time staying in Wetherby, Yorkshire. Our first stop was in York for an afternoon of sightseeing. Attractions included the Yorvik Viking Centre, the National Railway Museum and Betty’s Tea Rooms, where we enjoyed afternoon tea and a Fat Rascal.
On Saturday morning we played a concert in the cobbled market square in Ripley, an attractive village complete with its own medieval castle. The following weekend would see the Tour de France passing through Ripley as well as some of the other towns and villages we visited. In preparation, local people had festooned buildings with bunting made from little knitted jerseys, and had mounted yellow bicycles on walls, bridges and lamp posts. We also spotted polka dot-painted houses and scarecrows, wearing berets and strings of onions, sitting by the roadside ready to watch the race.
Saturday afternoon saw our second concert, this time in the bandstand at Ripon Spa Gardens. The day was rounded off with an evening meal together back at the hotel.
On Sunday morning we visited the spa town of Harrogate, with its myriad of natural springs, for some more sightseeing. Many band members enjoyed the annual 1940s day, held in the Valley Gardens, “really good morning out. Everyone enjoyed it” said Graeme MacFarlane. Others took in the sights (and smells in the case of the old sulphur well) of Harrogate. In the afternoon we played our final concert of the weekend, in the picturesque town of Pateley Bridge, before setting off home. As usual, we all had a great weekend.
Sue Barber, Bourne Concert Band.
“Ran very smoothly. Every visit and stop was almost to the minute of the itinerary. Excellent trip.”
Graeme MacFarlane