Archived Articles

Sponsorship for Further Year
(December 2004)
6th Place at Royal Albert Hall
(October 2004)
Matt Baker Returns for Grand Shield
(April 2004)
New Flugel Player for Travelsphere
(April 2004)
Band-Aid Solo Competition Success
(February 2004)
More Welcome Returns to Travelsphere
(February 2004)
New Principal for Travelsphere
(February 2004)
Best Wishes to Mike Barratt and Carl
(January 2004)
Welcome Home!
(January 2004)
Sponsorship Secured For Another Year
(December 2003)
New Cornermen and More!
(December 2002)
Pairing Up
(March 2002)

New Player Signings
(March 2002)
All Change!
(March 2002)
New Musical Director
(February 2002)
New Trombonist
(February 2002)
New BBb Bass Line Up
(February 2002)
Band's Person of the Year 2001
(January 2002)
Baby Congratulations
(January 2002)
Midland Area Qualifying
Championships 2001
(04/03/01)
Pre-National Finals Concert
(20/10/00)
Narrabri Shire Band  visit
(20/04/00)
Sponsorship
(01/04/00)
Songs of Praise
(05/04/00)
Midland Area Qualifying
Championships 2000
(05/03/00)

Travehsphere Holidays Offer Sponsorship for Further Year
(December 2004)

The Travelsphere Holidays Band were delighted to learn that their sponsors, Travelsphere Holidays, would once again be sponsoring them during this coming year to December 2005.

The band and supporters were overjoyed with the news and they look forward to promoting the company name through their very busy schedule of public performances throughout the forthcoming year.

The band were delighted to receive 6th place at the National Brass Band Championships 2004, held at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 16 October 2004.

The inspiration of the David Stowell's (conductor) interpretation, together with the tireless preparation of the band made for a  memorable performance of the specially commissioned "...All the flowers of the mountain ..." (written by Michael Ball).  [more info].

The band is pleased to announce that Matt Baker will be returning to the Principal Cornet seat for the forthcoming Grand Shield Contest.  Matt has been on a long-term break from regular banding since last year's British Open, due to work and family commitments.  

Due to the unavailability of Angela Whelan, who helped the band to win this year's Midland Area Championship, the band are very pleased that Matt has accepted the invitation of playing Principal Cornet once again.

The band is pleased to welcome Clair Tomalin to the flugel horn seat.  She brings with her nearly 20 years of championship section playing experience and is looking forward to participating in  the bands forthcoming busy schedule of contests and concerts.

The band is very proud to announce that David Read (2nd Trombone) has won a national competition and brought with his success a wonderful concert opportunity for the band and its audiences alike.

Following David's success at the Brass Herald's Besson Band-AID competition, instrument manufacturer Besson have donated the services of two of their top soloists to perform with the band. The competition was promoted by the new magazine 'Brass Herald' (edited by Philip Biggs) and Besson Marketing Manager, be able to offer the choice of some of the world's finest soloists to Travelsphere Band for what will surely be a great concert."

David Read commented "Travelsphere is already blessed with some wonderful soloists in the band but I'm especially excited to have this opportunity to play with some of the all time greats and hopefully pick up some tips too!"

Following their long association with the Besson Artist, Alan Morrison, The Travelphere Band is delighted to be able to invite other members of this special team of soloists to perform with them in an exciting concert scheduled for later this year. 

Band Manager Shawn Pagington said, "We are very proud of David's achievement and absolutely delighted that, with the generosity of the competition organisers and sponsors, we will be able to present a 'concert of a lifetime' with some of the best soloists of our time."

The band is delighted to welcome back two more of their previous members.  Robert Woods rejoins the band on Solo Euphonium, and Lloyd Shipp comes back to the Solo Baritone chair.

Both players had needed to leave the band previously due to heavy work commitments, but they are now pleased to return to their banding 'home' and are looking forward to the forthcoming contest season.

The band is very fortunate to acquire the services of Angela, who currently plays for "Fine Arts Brass Ensemble" and was previously the Principal Cornet for CWS Glasgow.  She will lead the band into this, the first contest of the 2004 season.

Mike Barratt has now 'hung up his mouthpiece' and decided to retire from full-time banding.

Having been the band's Principal Cornet and more recently their Flugel Horn player, it is true to say that his musicality, sound and experience will all be greatly missed.

To mark the occasion, the band made a presentation and offered their best wishes for his retirement.  

Carl Hobbs has now taken the Flugel position and performed his inaugural concert at Wellingborough on 10 January 2004. 

2004 sees the return of 4 players to the Travelsphere Holidays Band.

We are delighted to welcome back to the cornet section Mark Gibson, formerly Assistant Principal when Alan Morrison led the section, and Dave Wilkinson, who now takes up a full-time position having played with the band on a temporary basis throughout 2003.

Returning to the trombone section is Nigel Love who, after a short break re-joins on bass trombone.

We would like to welcome all 4 players to the band and look forward to working with them in this busy forthcoming year.

SPONSORSHIP SECURED FOR ANOTHER YEAR
(December 2003)

The Travelsphere Holidays Band were delighted to learn that their sponsors, Travelsphere Holidays, would once again be sponsoring them during this coming year to December 2004.

Everyone involved with the band, members and supporters alike, are very grateful to Travelsphere Holidays for their continued financial assistance and they look forward to promoting the company name to glory in the forthcoming contests, concerts and performances scheduled for 2003/2004.

The Travelsphere Holidays Band is pleased to welcome four new signings to the band from the 1st of January 2003.

Matt Baker is to take the principal cornet chair following the departure at
the end of the year from Alan Morrison who announced his departure in
November. Matt was best known for his time as principal cornet at  The Black
Dyke Mills Band and is looking forward to returning to the top flight with a
band with another illustrious history and an exciting future.

Joing him will be his brother Paul on principal euphonium. Paul will be
joining from First City Brass.  Paul will be taking over from Rob Woods, who
after many years of fine service with the band has decided to have a break
from banding for a while after the Christmas schedule is completed.

John and Lisa Grimshaw will be rejoining the band after a couple of years
away. John will be joining on B Flat Bass, with Graham Patterson moving to E
flat to replace Robin Norman who will be leaving after the Christmas
schedule due to work committments. Lisa will be taking the vacant position
on Repiano Cornet.

Following on from Simon Kingsleys departure, Mike Wallbridge will be
returning to the band on solo trombone, with David Read moving back on to
second.

The band are pleased to welcome the afore mentioned players and look forward
to a succesfull 2003, staring with the Midland Areas in March.

At the same time a public thank you and best wishes to Alan, Rob, Simon and
Robin for their  contribution to the band should also be made.

The Travelsphere Holidays Band are pleased to welcome a new player to their membership.  

The band's soprano player, Gary Fountain, is now being joined by his wife, Kathy Fountain, on the 2nd cornet position.  The band are delighted with their new addition and look forward to a successful future with this husband and wife team.

NEW PLAYER SIGNINGS FOR TRAVELSPHERE
(March 2002)

The Travelsphere Holidays Band are delighted to announce the signing of a number of new players to the band.

Paul McGhee is the most recent new member to the band, and is welcomed as the 2nd Eb Bass player, assisting Robin Norman in the line up.

Tim Jones joined the percussion section prior to the Midlands Championships, coming from Kibworth Band.  He's delighted to 'keep it in the family' as his father, Dave Jones, played soprano with the band about 20 years ago!

Chris Bayleigh joins the Baritone section on 2nd Baritone and Martin Cooper joins the front row cornet section.

Gary Fountain takes the soprano seat following the recent Midlands Area Championships and brings with him a wealth of banding experience.

The back row cornet section is also pleased to welcome, on a permanent basis, David Purkiss as their new Repiano cornet player.  He is currently a student at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

In addition to new players, there have also been a few changes  for the Cornet, Euphonium and Baritone benches.

The Euphonium duo is made up of Robert Woods on the solo spot, who has been joined by Sean Pagington who moved from the 2nd Baritone position to complete the section.  In the meantime, Lloyd Shipp retains his Solo Baritone position whilst being supported by the recent new signing, Chris Bayleigh.

Unfortunately, the band has had to say farewell to Chris North (solo cornet) and wishes him well with his future pursuits.   However, new player Martin Cooper joins the front row whilst Karl Hobbs moves forward from the 2nd cornet seat.  

David Purkiss now takes the Repiano position and Sarah Henson takes over the 2nd cornet seat from Karl Hobbs.

NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED
(February 2002)

The Travelsphere Holidays Band are delighted to announce the appointment of Brian Grant as full time Musical Director.

Following the departure of the bands resident conductor, it was decided to review the musical direction of the band and as such was looking for a conductor that would be able to take the sole responsibility of this.

Brian was the Musical Director of the Ransoms band before taking up the post of Associate Conductor with the Williams Fairey band.

Since then he has freelanced on a professional basis with bands all over the country.

Brian is delighted to be re-associated with the band having spent 13 years with them as Principal Cornet when they were under the name of GUS in the 70’s and 80’s.

His appointment is with immediate effect and he is looking forward to taking the band to the Midland Area Championships in March 2002.

NEW TROMBONIST FOR TRAVELSPHERE
(February 2002)

The band would like to welcome Richard Walker to their trombone section.

Following the departure of Mike Walbridge, the Solo Trombone position was recently filled by Simon Kingsley.  This move left the 2nd Trombone seat vacant, but has now been successfully filled by a new member of the band - Richard Walker.

The full line up of Simon Kingsley, Richard Walker and Nigel Love makes for a force to be reckoned in trombone terms, and the band is looking forward to the first contest airing of this new section at the forthcoming Area Qualifying Championships in March.

The BBb Basses have got new blood!  With a move from Eb Bass, Graham Patterson is a welcomed team member to the BBb Bass section.

The 'Tour de Force' now has Johnathon Mott and Graham working well together on BBb with Robin Norman effectively holding the fort on Eb Bass.  A new compatriate for Robin will hopefully be announced shortly - so 'watch this space'!

Robert Woods, the band's Principal Euphonium player, was this year's winner of the William Smith Memorial Trophy as Band's Person of the Year.

The trophy was presented to Robert at the Band's Christmas Concert at Stantonbury Campus Theatre after an over whelming ballot was undertaken from all the playing members of the band.

Robert was presented with the trophy for his ongoing commitment to the band, fantastic attendance record and for his flawless performances on both the concert and contest stages.

Congratulations to Graham Patterson and his wife Paula who became the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl, Abigail, on 24th January.

Abigail weighed in at a healthy 7lbs and the band are looking forward to welcoming her to rehearsals once she can replace a bottle with an instrument!

CHAMPIONSHIPS 2001
(4th March 2001)

Travelsphere Holidays Band won the area qualifying round and are now The Midlands Area Champions 2001. 

The British Bandsman reported:

"Playing off an early second draw slot, Travelsphere Holidays Band's performance of Philip Wilby's difficult Jazz held up against a field which produced high standards to clinch victory at the Midlands Regional Championships, for the first time in five years.

Led by Frank Renton, Travelsphere's performance coped admirably with the shifting tempi and styles, was anchored by the stylistically fluid cornet playing of Alan Morrison and had many in the audience pigeon-holing it as light years ahead of the pack of 11.

... for Travelsphere, who have experienced some gritty fortunes of late, it was a deserved moment in the sunlight for a performance which, according to their maestro in the middle, was easy to produce from the start.

"They approached the piece really well right from the beginning and I was lucky to have Alan Morrison as the band's principal cornet, who is well versed in all kinds of styles, so it was a really easy job" said Frank Renton.

The success at this contest has now secured the band a place at the National Championships of Great Britain 2001 to be held at the Royal Albert Hall on 20th October 2001. 

PRE-NATIONAL FINALS CONCERT
(20th October 2000)

We are delighted to announce that we will be performing a 'pre-national finals concert', on Friday 20th October with the Egham Band.  Full details will be provided on this website when available.   However, should you wish to be informed directly, please subscribe to our free mailing list - Curtain Call.

NARRABRI SHIRE BAND VISIT
(20th April 2000)

The Australian Narrabri Shire Band is about to embark on a tour of the UK and France.

A previous visit in 1996 by the band's tour manager, Peter Smith, incorporated a trip to one of the band's rehearsals at the Rigid Containers headquarters and we are pleased to report that he will be with us again, together with his band.

We have scheduled a joint rehearsal at the Travelsphere headquarters, Market Harborough, on 20th April of this year, and look forward to welcoming the group during their busy tour (details of which can be found on their website).

The Narrabri Shire Band has a lot of young members, and it is hoped that their participation in a joint rehearsal will enable the Travelsphere Holidays Band members to pass a collection of good advice, encouragement and assistance, and help to widen the youngsters' banding experience.

It is not confirmed whether the venue will be able accommodate interested onlookers, but if a public rehearsal is possible, we shall confirm the details on this website.  Alternatively, if you would like to be informed directly, please subscribe to our free mailing list - Curtain Call.

Following the confirmation of a sponsorship deal with Travelsphere Holidays, tremendous pressure has been put on well known uniform makers R & J Handley to provide the band with its new stage uniforms in time for its first engagement under the new banner of Travelsphere Holidays Band (formerly GUS).  The band has been asked to perform on BBC 1's Songs of Praise.

The filming will take place at Tatteralls Sales Ring, Newmarket on the evening of Wednesday 5th April and incorporates a special celebration of the town's history of horse racing.

Donned with new uniforms to reflect the corporate colours of their sponsor, the band is really looking forward to the event.  In particular, the attraction of such an unusual playing venue - the band will be sited in the sunken sales ring with the audience being 6 feet above their heads all around them!

The programme is due to be broadcast in early May, but the exact date will be issued on this website when confirmation has been received.  Alternatively, if you would like to be informed directly, please subscribe to our free mailing list - Curtain Call.

SPONSORSHIP
(1st April 2000)

The Band are delighted to announce that as from April 1st 2000 a new sponsorship deal takes effect.  The Band have secured a deal with the travel and tour company Travelsphere Ltd.   Travelsphere are a major force in the escorted tour and holiday market and themselves being based in Market Harborough, the home of the band, the company is an ideal sponsor for them.

The Band will be renamed 'Travelsphere Holidays Band (formerly GUS)' for the present time.  Then, when the name of the band is more commonplace the GUS signage will be removed. 

Travelsphere's Joint Managing Director, Richard Mackay,  said "Travelsphere are well aware of the Band's prestigious history and are delighted to play it's part in enabling it to repeat former glories in the years ahead".

Band Manager, Mike Smith said "We are elated with the news.  It was important to maintain our local identity, which has now been achieved with Travelsphere's support.   We look forward to a long ad mutually beneficial relationship which has started well with our qualification for October's National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

CHAMPIONSHIPS 2000
(5th March 2000)

After a difficult week of preparation involving the use of several rehearsal venues in a number of local towns and villages, the band has qualified for the National Championship Finals which will take place in October at the Royal Albert Hall.

We were also pleased to welcome our Guest Principal cornet player, Russell Gray, to the band for the week prior to competition.  Russell cemented the cornet section together in just 5 rehearsals with skill and confidence and demonstrated his own ability with a fantastic performance on stage at Burton On Trent's Town Hall.  It was a delight to have Russell with the band and we thank him for his work.

The day itself got off to a bad start when the band was informed that they had received the dreaded 'number one' draw.  However, they played with confidence and style to a packed hall, and the audience reaction of obvious enjoyment was well matched with that of the adjudicator, Bill Relton, who recognised the band's quality by awarding 195 points which gave them a third place.

Qualification was then confirmed when NSK-RHP Ransome received a 2nd place (they had already received an automatic qualification to the 2000 National Championships due to their high ranking in the 1999 National Championships, and so on this occasion the 3rd placed band receives an invitation).

After receiving qualification for the 2000 National Championships, combined with the knowledge of a sponsorship deal with Travelsphere Holidays, the band celebrated in style and now looks forward to working towards its next competition challenge - The All England Masters, being held in Cambridge in May.

Details of the National Championships will appear here in the near future.