REPORT BY DENNIS J. CARNEY GAYNES SCHOOL UPMINSTER BRASS BAND REUNION SATURDAY 12th JUNE 1999 The Reunion, held in Gaynes School Hall from 7.30 p.m. was acclaimed a great success with about 150 people attending. The buffet was organised by Mrs. Angela Warmsley, the music was provided by Fairlop Brass Band conducted by the Director of Music Mr. Kevin Jordan, and the audience was further entertained by Mr. Peter MacDonald with a song from ‘Fiddler’ and Mr Huw Edwards compered the proceedings. It was great to meet both Bandsmen and former and current staff from Gaynes, as well as a good number of ardent supporters over the years Following that final instruction, when the Brass Band closed in June 1994, ‘We meet again in five years’ the Committee was formed earlier in 1999 to organise the Reunion and invitations went out to as many former members whose addresses were to hand and the response was enthusiastic Mr Keith Bonny, Headmaster and President of the Band for 15 years, and Ms Jean Winstone, present Headteacher and President for 3 years, formed the reception party along with Mr Dennis Carney, founder and Bandmaster throughout the entire life of the Band Some members had travelled a good distance to share in the Celebration and it was good to meet again after so many years The two peripatetic brass teachers, Mrs. Glenda Goldsmith and Mr Phil Lawrence were especially welcome guests as were Gaynes School staff Miss Margaret Griffiths had journeyed back to Upminster from Worcestershire and looked quite radiant, Mr & Mrs John and Marion Long were the picture of health, and a special welcome was reserved for Mrs Helen Bull, who attended the founding of the Band in May 1977 and the closure in June 1994 — our longest serving supporter. Mrs. Jill Jenkins, Mr Brian Buxton, Miss Joan Bullivant and Mr John Newman have been keen supporters over many years and were also present John Newman received a special ovation from the audience when Dennis Carney recalled that in 17 years, he and John as respective Heads of Music and P E had never failed to reach agreement when events involving members clashed, and that John Newman was one of the very few other persons to conduct the Brass Band, this being at the ever-popular morning assemblies when the focus was on ‘Teamwork’ The Reunion date saw many of our keenest Bandsmen and Supporters on distant shores (quite literally in fact!) Some examples from the apologies received — Rick Elmes working in Malaga in Spain, Richard Warmsley having reached Malaysia on his round-the-world trip, Jason Mossman in the Balearic Islands on holiday, David Walker in Corsica on a Science Conference, Greg Fanning in New York, Mrs Ann Ball, formerly Senior Secretary in Greece, Mrs Pauline Crawley, also a former Senior Secretary in Portugal etc. etc Other names sending apologies will be familiar to many — all former Bandsmen — Ian Hayden, Simon Twinley, founder members Deborah Leeson and Stuart King, Nigel Palmer, our famous master-magician Andrew Hitchcock, Heidi Arlett, Richard Threlfall, Steven Yems. More apologies from Mrs. Doreen Hagan, Mrs Pat Jones, Mr Peter Can (former Head of History), Mr Tony Lamberton who had played cornet for a good number of years in the I 980’s’ Mr Bill Brooks (a signature on the foundation document) and Mrs. Marjorie Gray (former Deputy Head of Gaynes School and a great supporter of all Gaynes Music). Bouquets were presented ‘ with thanks’ to Mrs Bonny, Mrs Warmsley and Ms. Winstone, before which Dennis Carney spoke for a few minutes paying tribute to the work of the Committee and to the inspiration that had come from Fairlop Band over so many years The closing of the Band in June 1994 provoked sad memories. We recalled the great spread so generously provided by Miss Betty Heath, for School Governor and great supporter, present with us at the Reunion, and now five years on we were meeting as promised. At the end of the evening Jean Winstone presented Dennis Carney with a beautifully crafted crystal gramophone It had been a super evening Members of the audience were urged to use our E-Mail and the Web Site and we promised to reply to those who communicated with us As to the future — well — who knows7 The Committee meet later in July to discuss what might be Therefore .. WATCH THIS SPACE! DENNIS J. CARNEY