A Trombonist goes to Croydon

Due to the arrival of Joseph earlier this year, and the difficulties Steph experienced during her pregnancy, I haven't been able to attend a Salvation Brass weekend since the band visited Paignton in July 2022. So when the invitation to play at Together 23 at Fairfield Hall in Croydon came through, I jumped at the chance to be involved. 

Friday 14th July 

After leaving the boys at my Mum and Dad's, we set off for Croydon on Friday afternoon. There's not a tremendous amount to say about this experience, other than it took a very long time. There were queues on the M5, the M4 and the M25 with no obvious cause. We were delayed for so long that we eventually stopped at Cobham Services on the M25 for tea at Nando's. Fed and watered, we were in better spirits as we set off on the last leg of our journey towards Croydon itself where, despite getting stuck in a huge one-way system, we were soon at the Premier Inn. As we drove through the town we'd seen several people wearing Salvation Army Uniform, and as we entered the hotel we discovered that the various members of the International Staff Band were also staying there. Before long, we were checked in and resting in our room from which we could see, in the distance, the lights of Canary Wharf. 

Saturday 15th July

The day dawned bright and fresh, despite the severe weather warnings for strong winds and rain. We headed downstairs for breakfast, where we saw more of our friends from the ISB, before heading across town to Croydon Salvation Army Hall for a rehearsal. It was great to see everyone from the band again, and meet the new members of the group who'd joined since we last played. We noted that, including Steph and I, there were five members of the former London & South East Youth Band playing with Salvation Brass that weekend. 

From here, we made our way over to Fairfield Halls to prepare for our Open Air, but also to have a look at the various activities taking place. It's always nice to be at a large Salvation Army event, where I'm always reminded of Boundless, and it was great to catch up with friends from across the country, as well as some of Steph's extended family. After a time of what Salvationists would call 'fellowship' we made our way across the road and into the park opposite where a series of outdoor events were taking place. It was here that we would be doing our Open Air, and there was already a large crowd gathered. After listening to Charlie Green finish his set, we began to move into position before, almost from nowhere, the skies blackened, the rain came and the wind became suddenly violent. For five minutes we seemed to be in a storm, and people dashed for cover. I had a narrow escape from a falling branch, the marquees made a bid from freedom and a large pile of 'War Cry' magazines disappeared into the town. And so it was with typical Salvation Brass style that, in the heart of this apparent mini-storm, we quickly gathered into band formation and belted out 'Light Up the Sunshine'. Mercifully, the weather did begin to calm down as our Open air progressed, although I did, comically, get slapped in the face by my own music as it broke free from my lyre. Only with Salvation Brass... After finishing our set, we played one piece with the African worship group (who were awesome) before heading back inside to set up. 

After setting up, we popped back to our hotel to pick up our festival uniform. As we made our way back to Fairfield Hall, suit holder flapping wildly in the breeze, we called my Dad to speak to the boys and also to show Arthur the trams which were going past us as we walked along which he loved. After saying goodbye to them, we went back into the halls to get ready. There were more people here now, and I really enjoyed being able to catch up with people, including officers who were cadets when I worked at the training college, and people I'd met at other army events. 

I was in deep conversation with an officer I'd worked with at LSE DHQ, when I was suddenly grabbed by Steph and told to hurry up because we were starting. That didn't make sense to me because I was stood in the band seats and nobody else was there. "No", she said "up there" gesturing to the mezzanine floor above me. Despite having been told we weren't allowed to do the bands famous rendition of Praise Party, Dean had, apparently, decided we were doing it anyway and the band were all gathered at the top of the stairs. I just made it to the top as Dean counted us in and we were off. There was something extremely satisfying about hitting the first bass trombone note of the piece over the edge of the mezzanine. Down the stairs and into the crowd we went, to great reception, opening our foyer concert in style. 

The concert 'proper' then began in earnest. The foyer was full to bursting by this point and, despite the inclement weather, it was very hot inside. Our programme was as follows: 

• Trinity
• Joysongs Mvt. 3
• Worship
• El es El Senor
• Above All
• William Tell (Clapping Symphony)
• The Pioneers
• God and God Alone 
• Superstar 

And with Superstar, our concert came to an end to large applause. Once again, I found myself talking to different people after we'd finished playing. Of these, I was delighted to be able to catch up with Russell and Margaret, and others, from Sale Corps who had looked after me when I lived in Manchester in 2013. It had been ten years since I had last seen them, and it was lovely to see them again. They hadn't changed a bit. We chatted for ages, as the crowd around us dispersed into the main hall for the evening session to start, with Russell leaving it very late to head in, such was his desire to keep talking to me. Eventually however, he was persuaded to head in and we said farewell. Suddenly now in an almost empty forum, we packed up. We could have gone into the evening event, as many from the band chose to do, but we had decided to go into London for a date night. 

The stiff breeze and the cold temperatures outside were a sharp contrast to the heat of the foyer in Fairfield Hall. After a quick change at our hotel, we were soon at Croydon East Station and boarding a train into London. On the way we had another phone call with Arthur and Joseph to say goodnight to them and also we were able to show Arthur trains he'd never seen before. We got off at Charing Cross and walked across the Golden Jubilee Bridge. It had been some time since the two of us had been able to come into London together and the walk was reminiscent of our trips into the city when we were first going out. Once on the other side, we headed to one of our favourite spots, the Wagamama's by the Royal Festival Hall. It was a wonderful evening. 

Sunday 16th July

After the excitement of the day before, all that was left to do on Sunday was have breakfast, load the car and head home to see our boys. A travel day, essentially. Every day has a highlight though, and todays was seeing several members of the International Staff Songsters struggling to work the lifts in the hotel in a scene reminiscent of Sister Act when the nuns find themselves in the casino. Each time we called the lift up, the doors opened to reveal the same group of bemused songsters who couldn't understand how they had arrived back at the floor they'd left moments earlier. 

All in all then it had been a brilliant weekend. But I was happy to be back home with Arthur and Joseph again.