Fairey (Geneva) recently enjoyed a short concert tour to Austria and Italy, although for one member of the band it was a bit more expensive than he hoped.

Austria and Italy

The band gave two successful concerts to capacity audiences in Ossiach, Austria and the Merno Festival in Italy.

However, the band nearly missed out on the services of its ever so slightly dozy bass trombonist and expert mathematician, Dr John Paul Warder.

Expensive

Everything was seemingly going to plan as the band arrived at Stanstead airport for its flight, although it transpired that it had in fact been delayed.

Paul took the opportunity for some last minute practice in a quiet area of the airport, only to fall asleep. He awoke with the chimes of the ‘Last Boarding’ announcement ringing in his ears, and made the dash to the terminal gate only to find that the flight had boarded and the aircraft doors were well and truly locked.

Quick nap

As Paul sheepishly explained: "We arrived at Stansted in good time to catch the flight to Graz. With it being delayed, I retreated to the nearest quiet area of the airport and did some practice, although due to it being a very early morning flight, I took the chance to catch up my sleep with a quick nap."

I certainly made my apologies, much to the delight of the band who hasn’t stopped ribbing me. I think my next duty free purchase at the airport will be an extra loud alarm clockDr Paul Warder

Costly mistake

He then discovered that trying to cram in 40 winks was a grave and costly mistake to have made.

"I awoke shortly after with the ‘final boarding’ calls were made and ran like Usain Bolt to the terminal gate. There, a very polite and slightly bemused flight attendant told me in Italian, "Si sona dati alla fuga, porta chiuso" – which didn’t take a Doctorate in Maths to work out I had missed my flight!"

500 Euro

After purchasing another flight ticket and a 500 Euro taxi ride, Paul eventually caught up with the band, just in time for the trombone feature which was fourth piece on in the second half of their programme that night.

"I certainly made my apologies, much to the delight of the band who hasn’t stopped ribbing me. I think my next duty free purchase at the airport will be an extra loud alarm clock."