Kettle Bridge Concertinas

 

11th : "Do my legs look long in this?" asks the fairy.

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As usual, Kettle Bridge Concertinas performed Christmas music in Fremlin Walk to entertain the shoppers and raise funds for the group. We had three sessions in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Thursday 10th

Our first stint was an evening one where a small but enthusiastic group played their hearts out. We were very fortunate to have a real life elf helping us collect money from the passers-by and this certainly helped to swell the coffers. We also encountered the tallest fairy you have ever seen. Apparently she can be hired to put the star on the top of your Christmas tree. But that may just be a tall story!

Unfortunately it started to drizzle towards the end of the evening so we sheltered outside Top Shop but gamely continued playing. This prompted the worst joke of the evening when someone who shall remain nameless quipped "It looks like rain, dear" (Joke copyright 1874, Acme Christmas Cracker Joke Company).

Sunday 13th

We had a slightly larger group of players for our first Sunday session. This was a bit of drizzle in the air to start with but this thankfully cleared up before too long.

For some reason, there seemed to be fewer shoppers out and about than normal. This may be because we were allocated a 10:00 to 12:00 slot rather than 10:30 to 13:00 as in previous years or perhaps the weather put people off. In any event, the collecting tins were a little lighter than last year. Or perhaps we needed an elf collector!

Sunday 20th

For our final gig, we had the largest contingent of players but there were a few brief showers which, on one occasion, had us scurrying for cover by Top Shop again with frantic covering of instruments and wiping of sheet music. Thankfully, the weather did not interrupt the playing for too long.

Our secret collecting weapon on this occasion was Father Christmas together with his delightful assistant who sported blond pigtails. With Peter helping out as well, this meant that we had three collectors and they all did an excellent job.

Finally, a big "thank you" to all those who came along to play or collect and, of course, the people of Maidstone who helped to keep Kettle Bridge Concertinas flourishing for another year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!