2006Tour

Four years had passed since the Band flew out to Catalonia and yet there was a sense of déjà vu as we arrived early in the morning at Manchester Airport. The tone for the week was set by one or two stalwarts who nobly forced down a beer or two before take-off at around 8.00 a.m.

The journey was uneventful, apart from the apparent absence of the two coaches on our arrival at Barcelona. We all sunbathed in the high temperatures that greeted us outside the Airport whilst our gallant tour organiser, Richard, sprinted around and sorted things out. We dutifully piled into Coach A and Coach B, each with its Host who counted us on and counted us off and gave us our instructions for the day in a very good-humoured and professional way. In fact, the Buntline’s Red Coats Outstanding Performance Awards go to Terry Mitchell and Christine Murphy. We, in Coach B, were speculating as to how the coaches were allocated. We realised that 'A' stood for Allan and the Also-rans and B simply stood for Best. (Actually, to make my life easy, the coach lists were recycled from last year's tour to Ireland! Richard)

The Hotel Victoria in Santa Margarida had been significantly upgraded since our last visit, with the noteworthy addition of an external lift. The whole resort was really pleasant now that all the building-work along the front was completed. No longer did you walk into Roses to the accompaniment of pneumatic drills, tripping over live cables and falling down holes as in yester-year. To cap everything, the quality of the wine served with meals was so much better!

Ahhhh...we've arrived.....

We were made very much aware of the amount of building work and regeneration going on in Catalonia in several of our concert venues. Our venues in Bescano and Girona were both new buildings and the delightful town centre of Banyoles was being completely restored.

Concert One, 28 May 2006
Bescano, Auditorio

Acords Guitar Group

The concerts allowed us to meet up with old friends and make some new ones. Merce and Cor Preludi were with us at Bescano and Girona and the Girona Banda Band, whose conductor came over to see us in England, were also with us in Girona. One new group was the impressive Acords guitar group at Bescano who gave an enjoyable performance. I was struck by the fact that they played without any music and that in some pieces they treated their instruments as percussion (tapping not plucking). Perhaps this is a way forward for our Band….?

Cor Preludi

Children from Bescano

Concert Two, 29 May 2006
Roses, Placa de Catalunya

The power of Music became evident on two occasions. The first was the noteworthy time when were playing in the square in Roses. We had spent some time setting up, having walked from the hotel after dinner. Allan picked up his wand and we played our first chord of B flat in order to tune and the heavens immediately opened. Being British we hid under trees and eventually returned to play to a very appreciative audience. The Incorporated Association of Witch-doctors’ First Prize for Rain Magic goes to The Werneth Concert Band and its wizard, Allan Jones.

Banyoles Lake

The second, more serious, manifestation of the power of music is the electrifying effect of playing El Segadors to a Catalan Audience. They leap to their feet and stand to attention. The title means ‘The Reapers’ and commemorates a revolt by the workers against Spanish oppressors. The words apparently do include sentiments like ‘death to Spaniards’, so choose your audience carefully! In fact, since our return, the Times reported that 73.9% of Catalonian voters have approved greater autonomy for Catalonia in the recent referendum.

Third Concert, 30 May 2006
Banyoles, Teatre Municipal
WCB with Orff de l'Escola Municipal de Musica de Banyoles

Our most unusual partners were the Orff de l’Escola Municipal de Musica de Banyoles, a glockenspiel orchestra. They were well trained and made a very pleasant sound.