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The Three Spires, (C.C.B.Old Boy's).

Hi there Adrian - or should I say G'day mate.

I was absolutely fascinated to get your e-mail today.  Only last night I
eventually gained access to Carol Wills "Rogues Gallery", (...take a look list
members), and whose mug-shot was first on the list?  Why yourself of course.  I
just cannot say how much I enjoyed your letter, not because of the kind things you
said about my playing, but for the memories that came flooding back of the life
and turbulent times of the City Of Coventry Band, the band of three spires, (St.
Michael - the ruined cathedral, Holy Trinity and Greyfriars).

I too remember the Charlie Chester gig at the Royal Festival Hall foyer.  Looking
back from the serenity of many years I like to think of myself as a bit of a
rebel, so on that particular job, a red hot summers day in London, we traveled
from Coventry on the coach and all I had on was shorts and trainers!  Bold as
brass I walked in the place and low and behold, the B.B.C.Concert Orchestra were
there preparing for a concert in the big hall, and a top military band in full
uniform, were performing elsewhere.  When they all saw me and my lack of attire,
there were a few raised eyebrows - until we started to rehearse and get a balance,
(It was also recorded for Charlie's radio show).  Within minutes there were
hundreds gathered round having a look at us.  When I got up to rehearse the solo
you refer to, the trombone section from the orchestra, who we knew from doing
Friday Night Is Music Night with them, and who had adjourned to the bar, actually
stopped drinking for a moment to came and take a look!  (I'm not advocating this
method of dress you understand list members, but it was really hot).  It raised a
chuckle from Charlie Chester too; when he introduced me during the recording he
made an undisguised reference to "...the body beautiful".

You make reference to Stephen Shimwell and his arrangement of Without a Song.  Yes
it was a great arrangement. Whilst Ray Farr was the conductor of the band, (more
of Ray later), we did a concert in Walsall Town Hall and the guest soloist was non
other than Don Lusher.  I have to state now, Don Lusher was and still is an idol
of mine.  It was a real thrill to play with him, this time the first of quite a
few times.  He played really well - The Typewriter, Concert Variations etc. etc.,
but at the end we joined him in a trombone quartet that he'd written called The
Irish Washerwomen!  At the end of the concert, he was selling LP records,
(remember them), and I bought one off him which he signed for me and dedicated it
to my new born son Paul, who is now 24.  On this record, and I have it still
although I no longer have anything to play it on, (I must find someone with a
record to tape facility), was the big band version of Without A Song.  Fast
forward a few months and Ray Farr had gone and the aforementioned Stephen Shimwell
was in as conductor, and we were brewing up for an entertainment contest and he
asked me what I'd like to play, so of course I said Without A Song would be good.
He contacted Don who sent the score and Stephen arranged it.  I've been lucky that
way.  When Ray Farr was a pro trumpet player in London, he did an arrangement of
"We've Only Just Begun" of Carpenters fame.  I see he has now recorded it with his
Norwegian band and is on his CD "Best By Farr".  When Stephen left and another
pro. trumpet player called Don Blakeson came as conductor, he arranged Peanut
Vendor, featuring trombone, and organized a special arrangement from Bill Geldard
of another big band tune "Dark Eyes" for me to play at the Rothmans Entertainment
Contest at Darlington.  This arrangement was fantastic.  When the band eventually
and painfully folded, all our music went to a brass band museum somewhere, I know
not where, lost for eternity!

Ray Farr's time with the band was an exciting period!  He was a pro trumpet player
and conducted Chalk Farm SA Band, and when we appointed him I think it was his
first job with a non SA band.  There's no doubt he was brilliant,  but to our
secluded, safe little world he was to much of a culture shock.  It was a case of
too much too soon.  If only we'd had the sense to stick with him - who knows - we
might have been as famous as Grimethorpe.  I often think what would have happened
if we'd had The Firebird, Great Gates, Riverdance etc.  Ah well - spilt milk an'
all that.

It sounds like you joined when I was about to leave.  Our mutual friend Scotty,
the arch enticer, now conducts Kibworth band, and very successfully too.  I heard
them at Leamington contest and they walked it.  Three week or so ago, they won
section 1 at the midlands area.  His wife Bridget play flugle in G.U.S.  I
remember Dave Govier joining the band when he was a youngster.  He plays
occasionally with Rolls Royce in Coventry, mainly in contests.  I haven't heard of
Tim for many years but Dave Polard plays with Scotty at Kibworh - although in this
weeks 'Bandsman they want two percussionists.  'PST' was another member who I only
vaguely remember, I don't know where he is now.  Ade Skelton is one of my best
mates, we play golf at each other's clubs every year, he has two children, one
just a few months old.  I bumped into him in Nuneaton only the other day as he was
pushing the new baby.  He's out of banding now, he plays trumpet in a local
big/dance band.  He married a girl named Karen from N. Ireland who played with
Templemore after meeting her at Darlington contest.


We all feel the same with regard to your comments on the "New" City Of Coventry
Band, you're right - what a cheek.


Well - I must shut me trap now - when I get started on banding memories I just
cant belt up.

Maybe next time I'll recall the time Scotty became inebriated and walked across a
service station car park in band blazer and no trousers!  Or the time Geoffrey
Whitam took us for a concert and what he did when he got caught short on the way
home.  Or the time we went on a weeks engagement in Edinburgh and after two days
sacked our euphonium player!  These and many more.

Until next time.

Colin.


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