MARCH: Band performed well at a difficult venue

DON'T blame the band.

Why do so many non-contributing people have to complain about the efforts made by others?

On the very chilly evening of the lights switch on in town a group of youngsters arrived at around 4.30pm and spent the next four to five hours outdoors setting sound equipment up and entertaining crowds of people in the Market Square.

A lovely and very festive atmosphere was created and everyone I saw was certainly having a good time.

It is very unfortunate that a small choir of carol singers from Neale-Wade were not easily heard, but any group of youngsters singing outdoors will find it very hard without sound equipment, as we have seen on several occasions.

There is no reason whatsoever to blame the very professional band who entertained so well at a very difficult venue.

I would like to send my thanks to them for a very enjoyable evening.

A MARCH TOWN RESIDENT

I AM writing in response to the letter you received from Dorothy Hiskett, published in your edition dated Friday December 12.

The article No One Heard the Singing’ left me feeling absolutely enraged that a member of the general public could write such an uninformed letter as this the season of good will’ approaches.

As a member of the band who performed that evening, I feel duty bound to rectify some of the accusations’ made by Mrs Hiskett to both the compere and my fellow performers.

The event in question didn’t start with the choir, as Mrs Hiskett pointed out but in actual fact with the band that had all left work early that day and had been setting up from 4.30pm to be ready for the 7pm start.

During this time the only person who approached us remarked, in a somewhat hostile manner, that they felt it our duty to consider the sound possibilities for the Neale-Wade School during their carol singing section.

As a teacher myself and a person who has been involved with music making within the community for several years, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Before any event involving the children I always pre-visit the sight and ensure that every eventuality has been thoroughly considered.

Nevertheless, we leapt to the challenge, after all this was a community event’ and said we would do everything possible to support the children upon their arrival.

As 7pm loomed the children begin to gather excitedly at the foot of the lorry; unable to perform on stage due to insurance reasons not because of our equipment or wires which seemed to be the popular opinion of the local on-lookers.

As it turned out the CD provided by the school wouldn’t play so the compere, who I would like to refer to as a lively and enthusiastic performer (as apposed to someone who has a tendency to shout) leapt into action to try and pick up any sound with his microphone, for the gathering onlookers.

Maybe the use of the term ineffectual’ should be preserved for the choice of performance in a bustling market place, rather than for the efforts made by the compere trying to pull a shambolic situation together.

I do agree that the position of the children needs to be considered more carefully next year so that their efforts can be truly appreciated; maybe under the Christmas tree with accompanying brass players.

However, if Mrs Hiskett echoes the voice of the community, than both the compere and band should continue with their paid Friday night performances rather than leaving themselves without remuneration and open to criticism from people unwilling to support the organisation of these community events but who wait in the sidelines ready to criticise their every move.

S EDWARDS

Via E-mail