Our jazz quartet featured in Pickering's Yorkshire Day celebrations. (Why only 4 musicians and not our full band? – well, the original plan was to keep the group small enough and mobile enough to play on the steam train.) They played in the Black Swan and joined the town crier at the head of the weather-delayed parade but were unable to make their full contribution because of the rain. 'Hats off!' to Natalie Warriner and her team for making all those 'on-the-spot' venue and programme adjustments and keeping the event going in very difficult circumstances.

            Our Barnsley Jazz Club appearance on 12th August was very well received. Their club meets weekly at Silkstone Lodge which will easily accommodate 100 members. Also it is large enough to boast a dance floor and this was well used by our audience. The dancing was great to see and added to the atmosphere – most venues don't have the luxury of so much space.

            Ryedale Jazz Society's 2007 Junior Jazz Project received its largest financial support through the York and North Yorkshire Community Foundation. When our Jazz Club members and musicians heard that one of the Foundation's staff was seeking sponsorship for a 400 mile bike ride in order to plough the proceeds back into the community grants pot, they were happy to agree to donate half the September raffle proceeds. This led to a very generous raffle and we were able to sponsor her with £73.50. Cyclist Gil Richardson was heading for Skipton Puppet Festival, following the round-the-villages performance route from 80 years ago of puppeteer Walter Wilkinson.

            Our tuba player from the start of the Jazz Club, Harry Staveley, is now in his 80’s and has decided to retire. Thanks for your contribution over the years, Harry. I don't usually refer to our regular musicians by name, but here is a geographic fact about them. Three are fairly local, others travel from Wakefield, Tingley and Darlington – all relishing the opportunity to play and, though I say it myself, well worth listening to. Come and judge for yourselves; you'll be very welcome

 Wilson Hepplestone, Secretary.

STOP PRESS: Wednesday 9th Dec.  meeting to be held at Beansheaf, Malton Rd.