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Braintree Dimensions at Braintree Town Football Ground
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Braintree Dimensions
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Yes it's Paul
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Braintree and Witham Times Press Cutting 3rd October 1991
Marching on
Braintree Dimensions are busy preparing for their first visit to the national finals of the British Youth Band Association competitions at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on 19th October 1991. It is a big day which the youngsters have been working hard to get to. Miranda Chipperfield has been looking behind the scenes at what makes the band tick.
There is more to a concert and marching band than bright costumes, catchy tunes and the ability to keep in step.
And when you are among the top ten in the country, like Braintree Dimensions, the behind scenes activity goes on and on.
Practicing for competitions and parades to get routines perfect, also takes a lot of time and effort for the youngsters.
But the work does not stop there, for a willing group of parents and friends spend a great deal of time raising money to pay the bills needed to keep the band and its colour guard going.
A typical day at a carnival or a fete can start at 7.15am with a coach picking up the youngsters from various points in the town. Sometimes they will not return home again until 1am.
Margaret Brown, a committee member, has three children in the Dimensions.
"They spend three nights a week practicing and they are sometimes out every Saturday and Sunday during the summer," she said.
"Fundraising of all sorts is done, including collecting cans, lottery stalls and car boot sales," she added.
And, for a parent, the hard graft does not end there. Making sandwiches, dropping the children off and picking them up at all times of the day, lugging heavy instruments about, not to mention the washing and ironing of uniforms, is all in a day's work.
"But I get a lot of enjoyment from it and the children have a lot of fun. It is like a big
family. They all enjoy each other's company and they do a lot of travelling," said Mrs Brown.
The youngsters have enough of their own things to think about. Getting themselves looking nice, polishing their instruments and practicing their music and routines.
Once they are at a fete or carnival there can be a lot of changing in and out of costume and a lot of hanging around.
Manager of the group Tula Amos said: "People want you there at a certain time and sometimes we are kept waiting for ages and ages standing in the sun or the rain for hours".
And whatever the weather, the youngsters are still expected to perform.
But, despite the odd grumble, they all come back for more.
"They must get some kind of kick out of it or they would not come back," said Mrs Amos.
Ten year old Sarah Cox, of Coldnailhurst Avenue, says she hates wearing a hot uniform during a sweltering and sticky day and doing car boot sales in the rain.
"Also your hat slips when you sweat and we have to do long processions sometimes and your feet ache and you get lots of blisters," she moaned.
But the young trumpet player feels being in the Dimensions is the start of something big and hopes one day to go on to write her own music.
"It is something which helps you to learn how to play an instrument and it is something you can go out and enjoy," she explained.
Seventeen-year-old Matthew Parker's friends used to laugh at him when he first joined the Dimensions. But now he feels he is the one having the last laugh.
"I have grown out of worrying. When it comes down to it I have got a skill that they haven't got," he boasts.
Matthew, of Rosemary Avenue, feels his quality of life has improved since he joined the group. Not only has he learnt to play the trumpet but he has travelled all over the British Isles and to Belgium for competitions.
Rivalry is rife among marching bands and colour guards. Each is determined to be the best, and the Dimensions are as anxious as any other to climb up a league. But the competition is friendly and Mrs Amos says there is no rivalry among the group itself.
"Anyone can join. They could be fat with one ear and they can still join," says Mrs Amos. "You don't have to be pretty."
Members are expected to adhere to strict rules and discipline, especially when they are in uniform.
Drinking, swearing, chewing gum or wearing ear-rings is not allowed and the
regimental-style of rehearsals verges almost on the military.
Trainee youngsters are accepted form the age of seven. It is Nigel Harrington's job to teach them a musical instrument.
"A natural rhythm and a little knowledge of music is helpful but we take people who know nothing at all and if they are keen they will succeed. No-one fails," he said.
Youngsters who display a particular talent are encouraged to work their way up through the musical grades and perhaps take private lessons with a professional teacher.
But for many members the Dimensions is a chance for them to relax and have fun, to enjoy a bit of glamour and to meet friends.
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Braintree Marching and Concert Band
Braintree Marching and Concert Band with Pied Piper
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The Marching and Concert Band of Braintree take a rest at the Band and Majorette day at the Recreation Ground, Hatfield Peverel.
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"Press Cutting 1989"
Big day for big bands.
A crowd of 500 musical youngsters took part in a colourful competition at Braintree's Towerlands centre on Sunday.
The seven bands and 11 majorette troupes had been invited to the town by the Braintree Marching and Concert Band who organised the event.
This is the second competition to be held and publicity officer Dave Lee said the day had been more about entertainment than competition. "There was a good crowd and the event raised around £1,000" he said. After expenses are taken out the cash will go to swell the Braintree band's funds.
Mr Lee praised the tremendous support the band receives from local businesses. And he appealed to the holders of raffle tickets, green 99, white 59 and yellow 94, to come forward as their prizes are still unclaimed. (I am assured that it is now too late to claim)
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Braintree Marching and Concert Band
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"Press cutting 1993"
Guest drum major Josephine Walsh, 18 from County Donegal, with Braintree Dimensions member Ian Knight exchanging hats at the musical afternoon.
United by the sound of music
Music filled the air at the Braintree Town Football Club on Sunday.
Braintree Dimensions Show Corp hosted the musical afternoon at the football club.
Line-ups including marching and brass bands and two majorette troupes kept the audience entertained throughout the afternoon.
Guest of honour was a visiting Irish youth accordion band from County Donegal.
Field Commander of Braintree Dimensions, Liz Brown said the event was organised in honour of the Irish band, and to give local bands a chance to get together.
She said: "It was an excellent day. Everybody really enjoyed themselves and the displays that were put on were extremely good."
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"Press Cutting May 1984"
Band's winning players
The Marching and Concert Band of Braintree has some very proud members among its ranks now for the annual trophies have been presented.
Drummer of the year is Andrew Taylor, most improved musician Paul Sanders (you can see him and the others above), musician of the year is Stephen O'Hare and Bandsman of the year is Nigel Harrington.
The awards were presented by George Warne, president of the band.
The four pictured from left are Nigel Harrington, Andrew Taylor, Stephen O'Hare and Paul Sanders. (Those with their names in red are currently still with the band)
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