London and Provincial Music

There is nothing like the British weather to add an air of unpredictability to the summer events. Today, I had intended to visit Kenilworth to hear Bedworth Brass. That is a venue I have never visited before, so I have no idea as to the state of the facilities. The visit to Warwick earlier in the year, though, had been worrying. The band simply set up on grass and played with no facilities or covering, in the most primitive of settings. When this happens, you are totally at the mercy of the weather. Kenilworth is run by the same organisation which manages the Warwick events, so the portents are not good.

The weather forecast today says we should get away with it. The rain is to the north and west of Kenilworth, and I make the train journey to Coventry confident that I will be heading Kenilworth way. At 11:51, however, only 15 minutes before I have to make a final choice, the heavens open copiously. This is completely against the forecast, and it makes me wonder whether there has been an unexpected wind change. The skies are dark grey, and the signs are not good. I cannot risk Kenilworth in these circumstances.

The risk is not worth taking because the Bilton Silver Band, from Rugby, is playing in Leamington Spa at the same time. Leamington is also run by Warwickshire DC, but here the facilities are different. Bands have played in wet weather under the overhang of the cafe, and even completely inside when the rain has been very severe. If there is one place where they do make an effort to get bands to play in bad weather it is Leamington Spa. The bus to Kenilworth leaves Coventry station at 12:07, and the train to Leamington Spa at 12:25. The only intelligent choice is the latter, as it is a much safer bet. As it happens, I would be surprised if Bedworth were troubled by rain in Kenilworth, but there was no way to predict this three hours earlier. A lot can happen in that time, never mind the five hours to the end of the event.

Amazingly, Bilton Silver Band is one I’ve never heard, despite the fact that Rugby is only twenty minutes away from Northampton on a direct train link. They have never been booked to play in Abington Park, their own season is tragically no more, and they are even infrequent visitors to this season. They have a full complement of players and they do play well, so my first impressions are very positive. We could again do with either a printed programme or an announcement from the MD, as much of the material is unfamiliar. It is well played and satisfying, though, which is what really counts.

We get away with the weather, despite the arctic temperature and the howling wind. I can only assume that had I gone to Kenilworth I would have been lucky, but you cannot predict these things. As if to emphasize the point, it starts raining at 5:35, half an hour after the band has finished playing. That in itself is enough to prove that the forecast was inaccurate.

I don’t know whether I shall be back to Leamington Spa this year or not. There is one last possibility in August when Jaguar (Coventry) is here. I am still trying to find out which bands are playing in London on that day. As for Bedworth Brass, they are due in Northampton on August 8th, so hopefully I shall still get the chance to hear them this year. For now, though, the weather is dramatically improving when it is all too late, as I sit on Leamington’s wonderful preserved GWR railway station, waiting for the Tchaikovsky train – the 18:12 back to Coventry. I have heard one more new band than I was expecting to this season, and come away with a very positive impression of Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band.