BYBA On The Road 2007 7/31 Update

Both Corps arrived safely on Sunday afternoon and immediately headed for the beaches for a quick swim – a little cold I hear but nothing to deter some of the Poynton guys.

Everyone met up at the Methodist Church in Newton Abbott after their evening service and lots of energy was put in to getting all the provisions, luggage and bodies into the accommodation. Within minutes the kitchen was a hive of activity and the smell of curry wafted around the halls.

All the members of both Corps met up in a large hall and received a word of welcome from Mark Nicholson, BYBA Secretary and Bob Girvan, BYBA President, both of whom will be spending the entire tour with the groups.

On Monday morning both Corps walked a short distance to their rehearsal area and enjoyed a good practice and run through their repertoires. In the afternoon they went sightseeing and once again hit the beaches. One member of Poynton Commodores who had been unwell when the Corps set off for Devon joined the main party having traveled down by train.

After an experiential shower in Torquay Rugby Club they loaded their coaches and traveled to Dawlish Warren for their first performances. A beautiful sunny day with the temperatures up in the twenties greeted them with a breeze coming in off the sea nearby.

Both Bands set off on a short parade to the arena playing a couple of march tunes and were welcomed with appreciative spectators. An evening of static and marching performances continued with the latter half of the evening bringing the sun setting below the land and bringing the temperatures down but not the performances.

The local Rotary Club Members supported the evening collecting from the spectators in aid of BYBA and The Shelterbox Appeal.

Performances completed and back on the road for Newton Abbott for a well earned late supper, no doubt exhausted and ready for a good nights sleep.

One major plus for the Tour has been the excellent weather which has greeted them here in Devon and it looks like remaining for the rest of the week, which has been in stark contrast to that experienced in many parts of the UK over the past weeks.

More fun and Laughter is on the way. Watch this space for updates.

If you would like to send a message to the groups or anyone on the tour you can do so my sending an eMail to communications [at] byba [dot] org [dot] uk where we will be happy to pass the information on.