Wednesday 2nd June 2004

Stalham Brass Band 
winner of  

The Queens Golden Jubilee Award


some members of the band pictured after receiving news of the award

Stalham Brass Band has been awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for voluntary service by groups in the community. Special mention was made of the "encouragement of people of all ages to gain traditional skills as brass musicians and providing entertainment at local activities and charity events".

The band was nominated for the award by many community groups and individuals both nationally and in the Stalham area. They also recommended the band for its organisation and the leadership of its director of music Tim Thirst received special mention. Only 110 awards have been made throughout the United Kingdom this year to a variety of organisations.

Tim Thirst and Sally Farrow were interviewed on Radio Norfolk at 8.35 on the day of the announcement and played a short piece of the march Slaidburn (sorry about the mic quality folks). Thanks to all those who rang Radio Norfolk with congratulations before we went live on air.

The Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Sir Timothy Colman KG presented a commemorative crystal and certificate signed by The Queen, to band representatives at a reception in County Hall Norwich on Friday 9th July. Deputy Lieutenant, Jonathon Peel read out the award citation.

At the invitation of the Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, , representatives from the band attended a special Palace Reception held in St. James' Palace London, on Monday evening 19th July. 

The members of the band chatted for a couple of hours with The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Kent, David Blunkett (Home Secretary), Fiona Mactaggart MP (Under Secretary for Community Policy) as well as Officials from Buckingham Palace, the Home Office and Jubilee Award Committee.
 
It was a marvellous evening, and everyone was genuinely interested in the history of the band, as well as its new training programme.

 

l to r: Sally Farrow, Andrew Washford and Tim Thirst before going in to the reception, and below, inside the Palace during the reception.






Messages of congratulations were received from:

Robert Morgan
Chairman, British Federation of Brass Bands, the governing body for brass bands in Great Britain:
“Congratulations to Stalham Brass Band on receiving the voluntary service award.  It’s a great honour for the band I am sure, and for brass banding in general, for their achievement to have been recognised by the Queen.
Since its formation in the 1870’s the band has provided many hours of musical pleasure to the surrounding communities as well as encouraging people of all ages to become involved in brass bands.
The British Federation of Brass Bands is proud to be associated with the Stalham Band.  Your organisation is typical of many hundreds of brass bands throughout the country, who through time and effort, give pleasure to many people.  Encouragement when teaching people of all ages helps to foster spirit in the community and in fact plays a major part in building communities.
 
Well done to everyone concerned.”

Simon Partridge, (Leader of North Norfolk District Council):
“ I am delighted to learn that Stalham Brass Band has achieved this prestigious award.  Not only is it well deserved, because of the Band’s heritage and their role in creating opportunities for local people to develop their musical talents, but also because the nomination for the award came from the community, demonstrating how much Stalham appreciates the contribution made by the Band to community life.

The District Council is keen to support music and the arts, especially when it is locally inspired.  I hope that this award will help Stalham Brass Band to remain vibrant and active for a long time to come and to attract new generations of musicians.”

Roy Woolsey,  (Chairman of Stalham Town Council):
“I was so pleased to hear that Stalham Brass Band has received the Queen’s Jubilee Award for Voluntary Services, it’s very good to see that your achievements with our young musicians and your support for local events has been recognised.
It is easy to take for granted your presence in our community, and forget just how much work goes into reaching your very high standard.
Your Award is thoroughly deserved and will be greeted with enthusiasm in our town.”
 
Alan Lloyd, Chairman of the Stalham Branch of the Royal British Legion:
“It’s a great asset to the town. The director of music, Tim Thirst,  has worked hard to encourage young people into the band, and considering that they have no bandroom of their own, have provided an excellent service to the community.”

 

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