It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Martlesham Brass has always held her in great esteem and we will miss her dedication and constant care for us.
We have followed her example of making our organisation open and welcoming to all.

We look to the future when we can celebrate her life and that of our new sovereign, King Charles III.

Martlesham Brass Publicity

We would like to start by wishing you a Happy New Year from Martlesham Brass.
December was, as usual, our busiest month. We spent nearly every day carolling around the local area appearing in Aldeburgh and at various places such as B&Q, Wyevale and Tesco. We raised a large amount of money (the final figures will appear in next month�s issue) and we would like to thank all of those people who put money in our buckets!

Carolling at Christmas time is an important part of Martlesham Brass band�s fund-raising activities. It enables us to buy instruments, music and equipment, which are essential to our continued expansion and development. However we also feel that Christmas is a time for giving, so as usual the money we collect is being shared with two other local organisations: the Kesgrave Community Resource Unit situated in Bell Lane, Kesgrave, and the East Suffolk Group of Friends for FSID (Cot Death Research and Support). These are two very worthwhile causes that the band have supported over the last few years and we know that money raised by our hard work and the generosity of the public is appreciated and will be put to very good use.

On the 9th December Martlesham Brass Band performed for the Kesgrave Wine Circleâ��s Annual Christmas Charity Concert. As the concert was raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance the band chose to donate its fee as part of the fundraising effort. It was a most enjoyable evening, with the band performing a wide variety of seasonal music as well as providing the accompaniment to the carol singing. The adult members of the band were treated to possibly the best refreshments ever at this event; with the â��Mixed Fruitâ�� variety being voted favourite! The Kesgrave Wine Circle raised over £600 at this excellent concert, and we would like to congratulate them on their superb effort.

The 15th December saw the Martlesham Brass Annual Christmas Concert, which was held at Martlesham Community Centre. This event was a huge success and the audience got to join in with many of the carols. As always the concert featured contributions from all sections of the band.

On the 19th December we joined in the Christmas Tree Carol Service with St Michael and All Angel�s Church, Martlesham Heath. As you can see Martlesham Brass had a hectic December, but an enjoyable one. The band now enters a less hectic time, with many of the players practising pieces of music for the annual round of Band Contests starting in March.

Advance notice: we have our AGM at the beginning of February, so prospective committee members are being sought to replace those for whom time is up! There may be some new names and contact numbers for the band over the next few months so watch this space.

This is also that time when local organisations start to book their events for the coming year. If you would like Martlesham Brass to play at your fete or summer fair etc. please contact us soon as our diary is starting to fill up, and we do like to support local events if we possibly can!

For information about the band please visit our website on www.martleshambrass.btinternet.co.uk
If you wish to book the band please contact Julie on 01473 620240.
If you would like general information about Martlesham Brass, please contact Liz on 01473 623276.

Alison Eyley
Publicity Officer