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1990 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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In 1990 the band was able to purchase a van,
second-hand, from the company. This has proved to be invaluable in
transporting the equipment to and from engagements, particularly
in respect of the percussion instruments.
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1996 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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The Atlas Copco Band photographed in front of
the company premises in Swallowdale Lane Hemel Hempstead, with
their new conductor Alan France
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1998 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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Atlas Copco Band playing in Gadebridge Park,
Hemel Hempstead under their new conductor Stuart Ward.
Click on the
picture to the left to enlarge and put names to the faces.
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1998 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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Members of the band photographed in the
rehearsal room at Atlas Copco with their new instruments purchased
with a grant from the National Lottery awarded by the Arts Council
of England.
Click on the
picture to the left to enlarge and put names to the faces. |
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1998 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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Having purchased a new set of instruments
with money from the National Lottery, the band was able to donate
their old instruments to a local school. It was decided to give
the instruments to a school within the vicinity of the bands
rehearsal room in the hope that pupils might become members of the
band in the future. For this reason Longdean School was chosen to
receive a full brass band set of instruments. Pupils of the school
are pictured below at the presentation ceremony together with
members of the band. |
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1998 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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Peter Davis joined the John Dickinson
Band in 1946. Principally a baritone player he now plays
cornet. For many years Peter served on the London and Home
Counties Association committee and is still the band’s
representative at Association meetings. Peter has held most
offices within the band serving as secretary for a
considerable number of years. He is currently band chairman
and contest secretary.
Peter Shirley, a tenor horn player,
joined his brother Denis in the Berkhamsted Band in the early
Forties. Peter has been a committee member for many years and
is the current vice-chairman. |
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At the Annual Christmas Concert five members
of the band were awarded certificates for 50 years of service to
brass bands. The certificates were presented by Mr. Norman Jones,
secretary of the London and Home counties Brass Band Association.
The recipients pictured right (from left to
right) are Jim Eddon, who, in 1948, as a very young lad, joined
his father and brother in the Berkhamsted Band. Jim was for many
years a committee member but pressure of work forced him to resign
this .position. Formerly a cornet player Jim now plays flugel
horn.
Maurice Overhead joined the John Dickinson
Band in 1947, transferring to Boxmoor on completion of his
National Service. Principal trombone for many years he now plays
Bb bass and is the band’s secretary and treasurer.
In 1946 Barbara Overhead joined her father
William Waite in Boxmoor Band playing euphonium, cornet and
latterly tenor horn. Band secretary for 20 years she is now
assistant secretary and librarian.
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1999 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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In
June 1999 the Atlas Copco Band was invited to take part in the
tercentennial celebrations of Neu lsenburg, Hemel Hempstead’s twin
town in Germany.
Photo's from this trip can be seen here..
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1999 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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In September 1999 the Atlas Copco Band gave
two performances in Hyde Park. Unfortunately about one third of
the members were on holiday at this time and deputy players had to
be found from other bands. The band’s performances were much
enjoyed by the audiences, which, in spite of the rather chilly
weather, were quite large. The augmented band of 31 players was
conducted by Stuart Ward.
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1999 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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The band’s last Summer engagement was at
Bedford in the pleasant park by the river. The band was
conducted by Stuart Ward. In the photo, left, can be seen..
Back Row:
Alan Coughlan, Paul Franklin.
Front Row:
Michaela Jensen, Sarah Reeves, Joe Messenger, Neil Beardsworth,
Greg Wiley.
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1999 ATLAS COPCO BAND |
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The last engagement of the millennium was the
Annual Christmas Concert with the Chiltern Ladies Choir. The
concert was held at Berkhamsted Civic Centre and was conducted by
Stuart Ward.
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Unfortunately, due to a directive from their
parent company in Sweden, Atlas Copco Compressors Ltd. of Hemel
Hempstead were no longer able to sponsor the band after the end of
1999. This meant that as well as losing valuable financial support
the band needed to find alternative rehearsal and storage
facilities. Rehearsals were now to be held in Longdean School and
Dacorum Borough Council provided temporary storage facilities for
the library and equipment in Cupid Green Sports Pavilion office.
The band now had the task of finding another sponsor. If, and when
successful the name of the band would have to be changed. This
then marks the end of the Atlas Copco Band, but hopefully the
continuance of the band into the new millennium and under a new
name. |
