Foxwood Steel play the Mansion House for Sophie and Tommy's wedding.

setting up beside the House

After the massive flurry of high-profile gigs over the summer "holidays" September was almost unbearably quiet, musically speaking. Then suddenly two very big gigs in one day [September 30th]. The first is Sophie and Tommy's wedding at the Mansion House Roundhay Park.

The weather was uncertain. Hedging our bets we set up both gazebos, but as close as possible to the House itself in case we need suddenly to dash inside.

We were me, Bex, Vicky, Daisy, Lola, Sophie, Natalie, Georgia, Charlotte, Sheeks, and for the last two tunes, Bart  [much teasing ensued].

The weather held until suddenly it didn't. In the meantime we included the song that Sophie had requested, Bex had arranged, and we had sort of learnt. We don't think that Sophie [bride] was around to hear it, and we think that that is probably no bad thing.




Well, after that, the deluge. As Louis XIV once nearly said. The banner that Trish had originally made for us in the 80s took the brunt and consequently was too wet to use at John's fiftieth.

If It's Raining . . . . 

Vicky and Daisy did insect impressions as they carried their pan loads from gazebo to van.



Thankfully we were able to set up immediately for the next gig [at TJs], and the pans dried before we returned to play on them.

The End

Foxwood MiniSteel play Marcele's Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe it is nearly a month since our last gig, Leeds Carnival on Chapeltown Road. That was in summer, and now it far from that.




Now it is Saturday night in downtown Roundhay. Not sure the others know what they have let them in for. Do I?

famous impressionist picture

 .

Marcele asked me to be a soloist pan player for her 25th wedding anniversary. I told that me as soloist would entertain no one. I would bring a small band.

No room, says Marcele. So we are an acoustic four-piece, i.e. four pannistes, no drum-kit. And we just fit in under the gazebo with its lovely fairylights. In the Roundhay Steelpan triangle with students Bella, Judy, Julia, Satinder, Ella, Isha, Kurum, Theo all living in adjoining streets. Wow!

I had hoped to meet her son who I had taught way back when at Moor Allerton Primary. He keeps out of my way opining that I would make him play on a pan. As if!