Barton Town Brass Band Concert

On Saturday evening at St. Mary's Church the local Brass Band performed again for an enthusiastic crowd, and what better way to round off a successful week of Barton Arts Week events?

It's no wonder this band have been promoted to the Ist Section and were Runners-Up in the North of England Brass Band Championships in March. They are truly a talent-ridden treasure of the town and the sound that they make must be heard to be believed. Last night's concert was another in a long list of performances at the Church that offered us a wide variety of tunes from traditional Brass Band music to film music and beyond. Personal favourites were again from the movies with 'I Will Follow him' from Sister Act and 'Thunderbirds'. The performance of 'Triumphant Rhapsody' by Gilbert Vinter, which was the test piece at the 2009 National Finals, was simply an astonishing showcase in musical technical mastery...

Cornet Soloist Richard Shaw performs Caprice "Zelda" by Percy Code.

The Trombone Section

Yet another packed crowd for these popular concerts.

www.bartontownband.com

St. Mary's Church Garden Party

This afternoon was spent at a glorious garden party in aid of St. Mary's Church. Not only were we blessed with yet more extraordinary weather, we were also treated to an assortment of delicious refreshments and excellent stalls. 

No garden party is complete without Pimms!

The cake stall, woefully underpricing such sumptuous treats! Must charge more!

I could have spent all day on this seat.

The garden was full of flowers in every direction.

Viv and Mimi, brought together with a similar taste in colour.

Cake.. and lots of it everywhere!

Sheltering from the sweltering sun.

Enjoying the entertaining Cheerleading dancing.

Our gracious hosts, Ian and Anne.

We could have been at Ascot, the number of pretty hats that were on display.

The Vicar and his new prize!

Floral treats from around the garden.

B.A.D.A.O.S - Best of British Concert

Last night Baysgarth School played host to the local operatic Society, B.A.D.A.O.S, who treated a full house to a wonderful assortment of music, which all in some way had a British connection. Whether that was Musicals or Folk Music it was a great evening of entertainment.

www.badaos.co.uk

Illyria Open Air Theatre - A Midsummer Night's Dream

It was a great evening for a spot of outdoor entertainment and we were not disappointed with the wonderfully entertaining and amusing performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at St. Peter's School Field. 

A large crowd descended upon St. Peter's School Field for the performance, well supplied with picnics, chairs and blankets.

Lysander

Bottom, the most ridiculous of the Athenian Craftsmen

Demetrius, not wishing to be snared by Helena!

Bottom's head, transformed into that of an ass by Puck, frightens the rest of the Athenians

Titania wakes to find the ass-headed Bottom and promptly deliriously dotes on him

Hermia

Bop!

Hermia, a tad unamused

The Path to Paradise

North Country Theatre Workshop tonight presented 'The Path to Paradise' in St. Mary's Church. The Path was a Labyrinth, laid out on the floor of the church. Based on the Medieval design set into the floor of Chartes cathedral and with poetry and music provided by a Monk and a Musician, we set along the Path deep in thought. Song lines, poetry and music, as well as a strong smell of incense, created a wonderful atmosphere and quite an unusual experience. 

The Monk. He would walk you in to the Labyrinth and explain how to proceed.

Walking through the Labyrinth. You might find yourself meeting someone on your path. A metaphor for life, so I was told.

The Monk playing his Oboe; beautiful music in a beautiful setting I thought.

Candles at the entrance to the Labyrinth. Also at the entrance were pieces of paper with song lines and poetry written on them. You were to choose a piece of paper and take it to the centre.

From above. The Labyrinth took over nearly the whole of the Church.

Once in the centre you would place your paper in the centre, read other papers, talk, contemplate. I found it very relaxing and did not want to make the journey back out.

Part of some text that was read aloud as you made your way through the Labyrinth.

Candles, notes and objects were places along the path for you to read and contemplate.

The other Monk, during a reading.

A planet. In Medieval times, it was thought that the Earth was the centre of the universe. These planets, as part of the Labyrinth, are a representation of that Ideology.

www.northcountrytheatre.com