Shaftesbury Carnival

Despite a late departure from Dorchester, we managed to arrive on time to play in the Band Parade with 18 members.

John Brooks has just undergone a knee operation, so the lead was taken by John Arnold. Thanks and well done John - you did us proud!

This year we were asked to lead the Carnival and left 20 minutes before the main procession to entertain the crowds along the route. The turnout on a damp and breezy evening was excellent. A great feeling of fun and warmth from all the people lining the route was quite infectious. This always makes the band's job so much easier!!

Some of the local children - and some of the parents - were up there with us and joining in the fun at the various stops on the way round.

The band must have done something right - as we won the Most Entertaining Bant Shield. Thank you Shaftesbury - it's a pleasure to be involved.

The only dampener on the evening (quite literally!) was the downpour at the last half hour! If you've ever seen a bunch of clowns marching, playing and singing in the bucketing rain......you can imagine the scene if you weren't there!!! Fortunately our driver had the foresight to turn on the heating in the bus......

All in all we had a lot of fun and it was a pleasure to be involved with such an excellent Carnival evening. The work and involvement from all the people of Shaftesbury and surrounding districts was well in evidence. Well done and thank you Shaftesbury!

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