Last Updated: Thursday 6th October 2011 @ 01:28pm
Archived News Info
About our Old MD - Bob Stradling (22 January 2011)
Bob's musical background has involved playing soprano, cornet and flugel with a variety of Midland’s bands including Jaguar Cars (City of Coventry), Kibworth and GUS as well as 'depping' for many others, and is now mainly retired from playing. He has also taught at Northampton John Clare Music School.
His previous conducting experience comes from holding resident conductor positions at Kibworth and Daventry, whilst his last conducting post was with Sovereign Brass.
His approach with the band will be to make the rehearsals fun and enjoyable with a strong sense of purpose. To provide concert programmes that entertains the audience, whilst challenging the band. From contesting to play as well as you can, and have a beer and relax afterwards.
Bob joined us in January 2011 and all the members of the band wish Bob all the best as he settles into his new position.
Our Old MD Martyn France (16 October 2010)
Since an early age Martyn has always enjoyed playing a brass instrument. Being brought up through the Salvation Army, his grandfather, father and both uncles have been bandmasters at some time or other. At school, instead of being in class, you would find him in the music cupboard, sorting out the next school production, or organising the music for assembly. He then moved up through the ranks of the Salvation Army music world, finally playing EEb Bass in the local Salvation Army Band in Hemel Hempstead, where his father served as bandmaster for 39 years.
He then moved to Aberdeen, Scotland in 1982, and again settled into Scottish Brass Banding quite quickly and joined the local band, UDI (Brass) Aberdeen. Through becoming conductor for a local competition his appetite was wetted for conducting. He spent a year as the President of the Northeast Scotland Brass Band Association, organising competitions, solo/quartet competitions, and the local area finals. It was hard work, but gave him an insight into how the Brass Band movement works. When Martyn moved back home to Hemel Hempstead, he linked up with the local band Atlas Copco (now Hemel Hempstead Band), and played Euphonium, Trombone and Baritone and really enjoyed his time there.
When the position of MD at Watford Band was advertised he jumped in with both feet, and helped to return the fun aspect of making music to this well established band. He brought different music to the band, some quite taxing, some very modern up to date music, and some very well established Brass Band music, and the hard work and dedication of the Players was very much noticed.
In September 2007, Martyn joined Moulton, and is determined to improve the bands contest and concert performances, whilst bringing in energy and enthusiasm to the band, to take it forward in the forthcoming years.
All the members of the band, welcome Martyn into the band.
MD Wanted (16 October 2010)
Moulton 77 is a band based in Northamptonshire. They are looking for a
determined experienced Musical Director. This person will grow and develop the band who has aspirations to return to the second section in the near future. Please send your interest to:
Closing Date: 15th November 2010.
Wedding News (28 September 2010)
Congratulations go to Alan Clifton (Cornet) & Helen Howarth (Bass) who got married on 18 September. Once again the sun was out, and the band played for the ceremony in Lavendon Church.
Best wishes go to Mr & Mrs Clifton from the Moulton Band.
End of Summer Season (28 September 2010)
Finally after a very busy Summer, we have come to the end. It has to be said that we have never had the weather so good, from the first job to the last, the sun has shone and the people have come out to hear us. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to see us, we hope you all enjoyed what you heard, and will tell your friends to come and see us in the future.
It's a Girl (17 August 2010)
Congratulations go to our horn players, Simon & Heather Ellson, for the birth of their baby daughter Tamsyn Beth, 7lb 15ozs.
50th Birthday (15 August 2010)
Congratulations go to Jeremy Lucas on his 50th Birthday.
He is seen here like all good bandsmen, with a drink in his hand!!
Things you don't expect to see or hear at a band practice!! (28 July 2010)
Conducting for beginners – Martyn (our conductor) learning a few handy hints from Jane (you're never to old to stop learning).
The other week Martyn told us a long story about how he once appears on the TV show “I'd do anything” hosted by Ian Wright. He had secretly entered his Dad for a surprise, but in order for this to happen, Martyn had to agree “to do anything”. In order for his Dad to conduct an orchestra, Martyn had to be a Chippendale for a night, and perform with them in front of a theatre full of screaming women, (including doing the Full Monty!!). Did he do it, well his Dad conducted the orchestra, and Martyn offered the video to anyone who wanted to watch it!! (No thanks!!)
Jubilee Dawn CD (17 July 2010)
Our CD of some well loved brass band music. To purchase our CD, please check out the track listings and use the contact detail provided. The cost of the CD is £5 plus postage.
Immediate Vacancies (28 June 2010)
We are eager to hear from any brass and percussion players. Visit our vacancies area where you can find all information and contact details.
Moulton Band AGM (12 April 2010)
To be held on 19th April 2010 at 9 pm - Band Members and supporters welcome.
A Grand Donation (6 April 2010)
The band has recently been the benefactor of a very generous donation from a former resident of Moulton Village. Five clubs and organisations from the village each received £1,000 and was presented to the band at a recent Moulton Parish Council meeting. The donators generosity came from their proud memories of Moulton Silver Band marching in the village at festival time after the second world war. The money which is both unexpected and needed, will be used wisely by the band allowing it to continue to represent Moulton in the years to come. Our grateful thanks to the donator and the village Parish Council.
World Cup Competition 2010 (17 March 2010)
World Cup Competition 2010 - the winner will walk away with a third of all entry fees of £5 per person. The remaining two thirds will be donated equally between The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, and Moulton 77 Brass Band. For more information, please click on the logo And download the entry form. All entry forms must be received before the Closing Date of 10 June 2010.
J Gallery, Moulton (10 March 2010)
JGallery is a not for profit organisation in Moulton, Northamptonshire, and they are holding a series of music events at the gallery in April and May.
The links below will help you to learn more about this event, and also more about JGallery.
Online Shopping (21 Feb 2010)
Please help us raise some money, all you have to do is do your normal shopping, click on the Online Shopping Tab for more information.
Boob and Brass CD (21 Feb 2010)
If anyone is looking for a great Brass Band CD, you won't go wrong with the one made by Boobs & Brass with John Lee on Flugel. Every penny from the sale of these CDs goes to the Breast Cancer Campaign. To learn more and get your copy, go to the Boobs & Brass Website.
Announcement (4 Sept 2009)
Congratulations go to Alan Clifton (Cornet) & Helen Howarth (Bass) who recently got engaged.
Saints Rugby Club (8 April 2009)
Moulton 77 Band played on Saturday 4th April before the Saints game against Gloucester. Afterwards we were able to stay and watch the Saints win their game 40-22. Well done to the Saints, and thanks to everyone who listened and put some money in our collecting buckets.
MOVING ON TO PASTURES NEW Adrian Letts – Principal Euphonium (28 March 2009)
Adrian has been a member of Moulton 77 for over 17 years as Principal Euphonium, and has unfortunately decided to leave not only the band, but the County.
I first met Adrian in the Northampton Concert Band, where he later invited me to join Raunds Temperance Band, where he was their Conductor, when they were going on a short Town Twinning tour to Germany. On the first rehearsal I can remember people kept referring to Sam, it took me 1½ hours to finally realise they were talking about Adrian!! He was known as Sam in Raunds, something to do with him being in the Police, and getting the nickname after a Police Dog, and it stuck!
He has seen the band through “the Good, the Bad, and the Very Ugly” times (Adrian will know what I mean!). He has been in the Salvation Army Bands, the Grenadier Guards, and played for various other bands.
He has been our Coach Driver on a number of occasions. The most memorable time being in the Isle of Wight, where he accidentally destroyed a bench on the sea front by reversing the Coach into it! (Don't worry, nobody was on it at the time). This was the day before he officially retired from the Police Force!
In September 2006, just over a week before Moulton 77 were due to go to the National Finals in Huddersfield, he had a head on car accident which very nearly killed him. With a lot of hard work on Adrians part, it was great to see him back playing with the band.
I have always found Adrian very helpful, and he has been one of the cornerstones of Moulton 77 Band; serving on the Committee, Conducting when required, and keeping the band going when numbers hit an all time low, without his commitment to the band, I believe the band would have struggled to keep going, and he will be greatly missed.
Adrian has left due to his job, and has gone to Cornwall. I wish him (and Belinda Loughlen, who will be joining him soon), all the best, and hope they enjoy living in a beech hut somewhere in Cornwall selling ice creams!!
Shirley Ludlow
(Flugel/Rep/Posthorn/Rep/Flugel/Rep/Principal Cornet/Flugel/Rep!!!!)
Pictured below Belinda Loughlen, not sure how she managed to play Christmas Carols like this?
More Baby News (23 March 2009)
Only 66 hours after being born, Henry (the 8th) came to band practice!!
Baby News (21 March 2009)
Big Congratulations go to Helen & Kevin for the birth of their eighth child. A baby boy born at home late March 2009. Henry - 8lb 5oz, both mother and baby doing fine.
It's always nice to find reports about our concerts (8 March 2009)
These links are to the Band Club NMK.
25 May 2008 - Abington Park Bandstand
26 June 2008 - Northampton University Park Campus
28 June 2008 - St Matthews Church Fete
Even the recent snow won't get us down!!! (10 Feb 2009)
And yes Martyn, I have been practicing as well as playing!! Shirley
A word from our Chairman (2 Feb 2009)
CHALLENGES AND UNITY
Brass banding can be a strange thing. You spend hours labouring over a test piece you don't really like, to then after ten minutes, being told from someone who you don't really rate, that your quiet bits were too loud and your loud bits too quiet! Fellow brass players and enthusiasts will understand, that the challenges a band face are not only within the test piece, but also in getting a band to rehearsal to play it!
Well, without putting a curse on us, or shooting myself in the foot, it seems we have done it. We shall be taking a full band to the areas made up of local players, no ringers. We are, it seems riding a wave when other bands are riding the storm. Why, well luck has something to do with it, the other part is thanks to the unity of loyal players, new players coming along, and our MD Martyn France.
So it seems like there is one less thing to worry about. It's now down to playing those quiet bits even quieter! New and old players are always welcome. We would like to wish all the local bands every success at the Regionals.
Robert Tite
Chairman
Moulton band would like to thank everyone for their support in 2008 and hope to see you all in 2009 (7 Jan 2009)
We would like to thank all those generous people who donated their money to the bands new instrument fund. It is an unfortunate necessity of banding that Christmas is a super busy period. This year we were more busy than most. Moulton 77, is solely funded on player subscriptions and donations for hiring the band. As the band continues to improve and betters itself, the need to replace old instruments becomes needed. In 2008 our target was to raise £1,000 to go towards funding replacement instruments. Thanks to over ten additional carolling functions during the Christmas period, we have reached our target. Our thanks to all the public who visited us at Milton Keynes, Tesco Mereway and The Griffin Pub, Pitsford. Your generosity made the cold weather worthwhile.
Please send us your photos (4 Jan 2009)
If you have seen Moulton Band and have any photos, past or present, please put them on our Photos page for everyone to see and share. Its totally free, just Register to Photobucket and away you go. It would be greatly appreciated. (If you click on a photo you will be able to read more information about that one, ie group photo M77 78-79 gives you the names, if you know any of the missing ones, please let us know them).
Christmas sing-along in Pitsford (23 Dec 2008)
We were invited to The Griffin Inn, 25 High Street, Pitsford, Northampton -to play for their Christmas Sing-Along. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the locals were in fine voice. (Please go to Photos page to see pictures of the night).
We had been here a week earlier for our Band Christmas Meal, and it has to be said, it was the best meal we had had, and would recommend anyone to go there for a meal and a drink.
Carols at the saints (21 Dec 2008)
Moulton Band played for some of the carols at the Saints, Franklins Gardens Carol Service, where a crowd of over 3,000 people and childrens Primary Schools from across Northamptonshire had gathered. The photo shows Heather & Simon Ellson.
Moulton carol service (14 Dec 2008)
We lead the Carols for the Moulton Parish Church Service, but it all got to much for Helen Taylor (Flugel), she said "she was meditating" - we say she was fast asleep!!
BIG BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy 40th Birthday for Friday 12th December goes to Neil Clifton, he said he will buy everyone a drink!! (Thanks Neil).
OH GOOD, ITS CAROLLING TIME AGAIN... (Dec 2008)
MK Centre... What can I say, only go there if you like driving around in circles!
MASSED BANDS CONCERT WITH THE BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK BAND AND BOOBS & BRASS
On Saturday 25th October 2008, three members of Moulton 77; Helen Howarth, Rebecca Ludlow and Shirley Ludlow, travelled to the home of brass banding to play at the Huddersfield Town Hall with the world famous Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band in a joint concert with Boobs and Brass (Northamptonshire First All Female Brass Band).
This was the first time in the 64 years that an all female band had appeared as guests of the all male Brighouse & Rastrick.
It was a great feeling sitting on stage with them in front of a packed house of approx 1200 people. The sound was something else and a great concert. One of the highlights was playing The Floral Dance with them for the encore, the only thing missing was Terry Wogan!!
There will be a return concert with the two bands at The Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering on 28th November 2009.
BABY NEWS
Congratulations goes to Helen & Kevin Taylor and their family for the news they are expecting their eight child (yes you did read it right 8). They brought a mini bus and seem determined to fill it!!
MUSIC SAVED (July 2008)
A big thank you to Bill Geddes and Black Adder from Earls Bartons A45 Big Band, for saving the music library from Earls Barton Silver Band from being put in a skip. It has now been saved for future generations to enjoy.
Thank you.
Shirley Ludlow
Ex-Secretary of EBSB
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