John Woodward – Band Master “We really have been blown away by the support of the town throughout this special year. This has been especially shown in our Christmas Playing collections which this year have hit an astounding record of over £4000.00. This is a huge sum towards our fantastic plans for 2016. This year it has also been great to see all the bands, Senior, Junior, Leaner, Beginner and Community out collecting and playing this has been a great help. I would also like to thank all the non-playing helpers (mums, dads, husbands, wives) who have made this years Christmas Playing possible” At the concert Life Memberships were bestowed upon Philip Carter, Tony Clark MBE and Dennis Maw. The Senior Band Annual Awards were awarded to Richard Smailes –Annie Butler Cup for Outstanding Contribution, Marcus Gatenby – The Rollinson Rose Bowl for the most improved player, Conor Lalley – Geoffrey Marshall Cup for Musicianship. The Keith Maw Shield for Outstanding Service to the Band was this year awarded to Martin Watts. Martin, a renowned local historian, had spent the 2015 researching the history of the band and writing and publishing a book which ws launched at the concert as a final accolade to the yearlong celebrations. Martin has brilliantly captured the spirit of the band his light and witty anecdotes, amply supported by historic extracts and photographs, will delight bandsmen and local townsfolk alike and have captured the essence of this immensely proud local community band. The book’s opening tribute from the Halle Orchestra’s Ewan Easton MBE sets the tone for a riveting, heart-warming, fascinating read: “If Brass Bands were judged on their ability to make the highest quality music, for their community, using musicians from their community, the Kirkbymoorside Band would be one of the finest in the world” The book is not only a tribute to the town of Kirkbymoorside, appealing to anyone interested in the history of the town, but is a truly inspirational story for the international brass banding community. John Barrett Solo Trombone and compare at the concert said “Of everything we have done in this bi-centenary year, I think this, Martin’s book will have the longest legacy for the town and the band, it is a fantastic read.” The band are now rehearsing to represent the town in the Championship Section of the North of England Brass Band Finals to be held in March. They will also have a full concert programme which will be available soon on their website www.kirkbyband.com and will of course be playing at town events such as the 10K and Tractor Run.