Steam Fair

Wellington Silver Band played at the steam fair in Norton Fitzwarren today. The sky went charcoal and the heavens opened (cats and dogs, Tussock!) shortly before we we due to begin playing. The crowd headed for shelter. Being right at the back of our miniscule canopy, I got very wet though some heroic stewards brought and hung glazed sides which helped somewhat!

Here is Gordon, our MC, gazing patiently at the downpour.

Luckily, the storm passed over after about half an hour and it became very sunny, rather too hot and appropriately steamy. We played over the top of the tannoy commentary and the sound of massed steam engines (the tractors were especially noisy). Gordon conducted from the kit, which is always enjoyable as he's a very versatile musician and is pretty hot on the kit among other instruments.

When I parked up to load the timpani into my car, close by there was a massive, florid and ornate fairground organ with automaton figures and percussion instruments. Such an emotive sound!