Tuesday, April 18, 2017

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Post 1510. Tuesday April 18


Tales of everyday life in the coastal village of Amble Bay





The Southern Sinfonia has ninety musicians, the Bustleton Orchestra forty-five. Amble Bay has fourteen on a good day, or just twelve if there’s something good on the telly! They perform thrice yearly and tonight folks, you have complimentary tickets for their Spring Concert!

We’ll have a swift drink in the bar first. I say bar, it’s actually that wonky trestle table in the corner which appears to be in imminent danger of collapse! That’s Colin the Conductor stirring a gin and tonic with his baton, and there’s Vera stroking her pet violin. The bloke drinking beer is Windy Will. His party trick is to suck a pint of ale through his clarinet!

The guy with enormous spectacles who's chatting to a vase of flowers is pianist ‘Ivory’ Ivan. His eyesight’s not too good. Last year he played his solo backwards because his music was upside-down.

Oh look, here’s Arthur. He’s taking part tonight. Don’t worry, he’s not singing or playing his accordion. Hi Arthur, you are the compère of the show tonight I hear.

You are tonight's compère Arthur, aren't you?

We’d better take our seats; the players are tuning their instruments. I'm not sure why they bother! He-he! Naughty me, slap my wrist!

Right, row F.  Here we are. Would you like a sweet to suck on?




Tomorrow I’ll tell you what happened at last years Produce  Prizegiving.

To read a brief description of Amble Bay and see a scribbled map just click HERE

Previous episodes – A B C D E G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z



38 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thankfully is was quite a success! Shame you weren't there!

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  2. Are earplugs required to enjoy this show? ;)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, and you can get them from the pub on karaoke night!

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  3. I am certain that no matter how good or bad the actual musical performance is, the community will love it and everyone will have a wonderful time. It's a celebration, and besides, there's a bar! :-)

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  4. I can't wait to hear the songs they're going to play! :D

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  5. can hear the orchestra play...and ready with my snack-pack while they perform
    LadyInRead @ MyRandRSpace - Day 18 & the Letter O

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  6. This has been my favorite read for today yet.
    thanks for sharing :-)

    A Peice Of My Life

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  7. It's amazing how many of us can fit in this venue. What a fab Orchestra. Hilarious. You capture the atmosphere in so few words. Genius.

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  8. Hi Keith - these tales are such fun to read ... Arthur is pretty robust - he keeps up with things ... and being compere - is that wise?! Cheers Hilary

    http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/o-is-for-orkney-islands-adapted-breeds.html

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    1. Yes and no Hilary! He's inefficient but amusing and that's ok with us!

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  9. Years ago when I used to still go to church we had this organ player who was horrendous. Maybe his music was upside down???

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    Replies
    1. Did he ever play the ajulellah chorus Denise?!!

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  10. 'Something good on the telly'. ~snort~ Nice one!

    http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/

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    1. Well, if there's a good soap that night the orchestra doesn't stand a chance!

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  11. What? No bagpipes??? Well I'll be! ;)

    Calen~
    Impromptu Promptlings
    A to Z Challenge Letter N

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    1. Woo ...no...! I cringe at the sound of bagpipes! Keep them North of the border!

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  12. How wonderful to attend Amble Bay's concert from the comfort of my armchair!

    Trudy @ Reel Focus
    Food in Film: Old 96er

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    Replies
    1. They really are best from a distance! Cheers Trudy.

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  13. Having no ear for music, this sounds like a marvellous evening out :-)

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    1. They need more people like you in their audiences Iain! Cheers chum.

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  14. I hope the telly didn't distract anybody...and that all the music was right side up :)

    Nilanjana.
    Madly-in-Verse

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    Replies
    1. I think the music was the right way up but it's difficult to tell with that lot!

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  15. So many of these down-home orchestras are filled with volunteers--talented musicians who don't belong to major symphonies but love playing. I'm thinking yours is like that.

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  16. I'm sure the orchestra makes sweet music... in its own special way!

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  17. Can I sneak in popcorn? Windy Will ought to take his ale and clarinet trick on the road. ;)

    A to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs

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    1. You most certainly can! I'll pass your suggestion on to Will.

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  18. Twelve members - reminds me of my school orchestra: one violinist, a trombone and a lots of flutes.

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  19. I can well understand why they only perform three times a year.

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