Category: News

Newstead Band are good. They rank as the 76th best band in the world and are North East Midlands Champions for 2023/34. Each year they join us for our, what is now traditional, Christmas concert at Forest Town Arena and they blow the socks off our audience and choir members. It is a great night of festive entertainment in advance of Christmas and tickets are always highly prized.
Consequently, we were honoured that they asked our choir to celebrate their 50th anniversary in a concert at The Palace Theatre, Mansfield. As Martin Heartfield, the band leader and old friend of the choir, said, we in our 80th year represent Mansfield as an icon. So too do Newstead Brass: when we think of a brass band of quality Newstead always comes first.

Brass bands spend so much time perfecting test pieces for national and regional competitions which are sometimes used at concerts. Whilst these pieces require supreme technical skill, the complexities are often lost on an audience, so bands tend to select entertaining and largely familiar music to play at concerts. One look at the programme showed that the concert was going to be a great success.

One of our choristers, Barry Robinson, was talking to audience members after the concert who said that they were ”over the moon with the whole concert.” I know for certain that a few of our choristers were swaying and dancing to La Mer (Beyond the Sea) in the off-stage green room. The beautiful tone of the band, especially the cornet soloist, was breathtaking and to hear the ABBA Goes Brass section was a delight.

Ian Grice, our MD, conducted and presented the choir with skill and aplomb and we sang well; of note was the fantastic Gweddi Affricaniaidd (African Prayer) and Yfory (tomorrow) sung in their indigenous languages, respectively Xhosa and Welsh. Maureen Lockwood is our new accompanist and has been sharing piano accompaniment work with Margaret Ball who retires next month. Maureen made a great job of supporting the choir on her solo debut. Thanks to both Ian and Maureen for their skill and dedication.

The band put in a huge amount of effort to make this a truly unforgettable performance and we enjoyed an afternoon of stunning live brass and choral music to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. The Palace Theatre audience had a treat.

Recognition, Remembrance and Reconciliation.
We were honoured to be invited to participate in the 4th Annual Bomber Command Day at the International Bomber Command at Lincoln, the heart of Bomber Command during WWII.

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) website describes the facility as a world-class facility to serve as a point for recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for Bomber Command. Providing the most comprehensive record of the Command in the world, the IBCC ensures that generations to come can learn of their vital role in protecting the freedom we enjoy today.

The three “R”s have been chosen carefully. Recognition of the work and sacrifice of the Bomber Command was late in coming. After the war the devastation caused by the Command in Germany was clearly not celebrated but drew criticism by the prevailing and subsequent governments. The IBCC held only its 4th national celebration day in 2024. The facility has been developed, with a wonderful view over Lincoln Cathedral, since 2015, opening in 2018 after tireless work to find a site, raise funding and manage the establishment of the facility. Those involved are to be congratulated as the Bomber Command Centre is now truly international.

Remembrance of the 58,000 personnel whose names are laser carved into the massive iron walls, rust in colour, and surrounding a spire the height of the wingspan of an Avro Lancaster, is now possible. A more convincing and appropriate focal point could not have been conceived.

Reconciliation with Germany and the rest of Europe is representative of Bomber Command being utilised for Operation Manna the first airborne humanitarian mission, dropping food parcels to millions of starving civilians in Netherlands and the development of subsequent international and personal relationships fostered after the war.

The IBCC CEO Nicky Van Der Drift said “We were delighted to welcome so many people, from around the world and across the generations, to the IBCC yesterday for our annual commemoration of Bomber Command Day. Our thanks go to all who attended, including the standard bearers, wreath layers and route liners. To the Padre, the trumpeter, piper and the choir and those who read or spoke during the service, and to all involved in the two flypasts, including a pair of RAF Typhoons, at the end of the event. We are particularly thankful to those veterans of Bomber Command including 99-year-old Roy Briggs and 102-year-old Eddie Hulme and their families who were able to be present and mark this special day with us.
We are very grateful to the Mansfield and District Male Voice Choir who were in fine voice and have been a great addition to our 4th International Bomber Command Day “.

We were pleased to welcome five of our new choristers to the event following their intensive work to be performance ready. Pictured left to right are Ian Grice, MD, Steve Cree (Baritone), Paul Bennett (2nd Tenor), Phil Hurt (Bass). Barry Robinson M.B. E. (Baritone) and Dave Evans (1st Tenor)

On a personal and poignant note, Bass singer and Choir Marshall, Philip Millns found the name of his uncle Reginald inscribed on the Walls of Remembrance. Aged just 19, Reg was a rear gunner in 49 Squadron when he was killed on 26th March 1944. He is buried in Rheinburg War Cemetery near Essen, Germany. Phil stands by a pillar of Remembrance.

We are going to return next year after an invitation by the Director of the IBCC.

A visitor’s perspective

A lovely visit to Bomber Command in Lincoln on the day they celebrated International Bomber Command Day. The ceremony was quite moving at times as representatives from Countries other
than England were there to pay respects to those that lost their lives, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada USA and Rhodesia. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the RAF widows, the Jewish men and women who lost their lives. The wreaths were laid around the base of the Spire, each one bearing a message of thanks and pride. A short service was held to remember the fallen.
Throughout the tribute we were treated to wonderful singing from The Mansfield District Male Voice Choir, it was quite moving to have gentle singing in the background as wreaths were laid. 
As usual on our days out we enjoyed coffee and good food all available in The Hub at very reasonable prices. We were fortunate with the weather, no rain but it would have been nice to see the sun but it didn’t stop us enjoying the day.
Jackie Massey
Rainworth U3A

Our fellow chorister Alan Pitfield sang in our 2nd tenor section for 16 years from 2003.
A quiet, unassuming chap who had a wealth of music talent having been a member of dance bands and collected a wide range of musical instruments. Born in London, in the late 1960’s Alan and his wife Sheila moved to Mansfield to further his career in journalism with the Mansfield CHAD (Chronicle Advertiser). He eventually became a freelance journalist, but his passion was always music and performance.
His fine voice and sense of occasion added showmanship and character to our performances and he was always ready with kind words and impeccable manners. We were honoured to sing at today’s send off for him and in the words of the Phillip Dackcombe, celebrant and another former member of our second tenor section, we had an extra special service today for an extra special gentleman. A ‘Words Man’ from his time as a writer and journalist and a ‘Music Man’ from his time as a musician, drummer and singer/chorister. The Mansfield and District Male Voice Choir were a part of his life and extended family for many years.
A wonderful tribute from the choir, thank you Ian Grice, Margaret Ball and the gentleman who were able to attend.
The gathering at the Little John pub in Ravenshead was dignified and welcoming and our thanks go to Shiela and their daughter Sarah for making the occasion so welcoming and such a fitting tribute to Alan. Rest in Peace.