When Uckfield Concert Brass horn player George Ball decided to retire to Chef Boutonne in the Deux Sevres region of southwest France he probably thought that his brass band playing days were over.

French enthusiasm

However, George met with Neville James, a bass trombone player, and together with other like-minded French and British brass players, formed a group called Just Brass 79 in 2007, a group that has now grown to 18 players.

A meeting between George and Andy Wooler in 2010 gave Andy the chance to enquire the chances of Uckfield Concert Brass and Just Brass 79, coming together to give joint concerts in the Chef Boutonne area of France.

So with plenty of help, lots of hard work and research, the possibility became a reality.

Welcome

The whole trip began recently with the long trip through France to Limalonges, the home of Just Brass 79. Uckfield were met by some members of Just Brass 79 and the Mayor of Limalonges and, after a short speech of welcome, everyone joined in taking a Kir Royal, as a welcoming drink.

Cognac

Friday 1st July saw an early start with a visit to the ancient town of Cognac, where the band took a chance to do some sightseeing before visiting the Otard Cognac Chateau, where, following their visit they performed a short concert.

The first joint concert took place that evening in Limalonges. Just Brass 79 was under the direction of Geoffrey Edwards and Uckfield under the baton of MD Nick Morris.

The whole trip has forged what we all hope will be a lasting relationship between the two bands with thoughts already of a return visit. Old friendships were renewed, new ones createdAndy Wooler

Old Cory treat

The real treat for the Uckfield players was to hear such fine playing from the Just Brass MD, who performed a sublime version arranged by Denzil Stephens, of ‘Myfanwy’, played by former Cory principal euphonium, Robert Burnett.

Uckfield went on to play a concert on Saturday morning in the market square of Chef Boutonne, before the bands came together once more that evening to perform in the open air Theatre de Verdure.

Lasting relationship

Andy Woller told 4BR: "The whole trip has forged what we all hope will be a lasting relationship between the two bands with thoughts already of a return visit. Old friendships were renewed, new ones created."