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The Kings Korner Band was established at the time of the first Pewsey Carnival Procession in 1898 and consisted of villagers playing tin whistles, mouth organs, even comb and paper. Anybody who could play anything was welcome to join in and make music and that’s how it has been to this very day. Times of war saw little change, although in some years only three managed to make the carnival route - bass drum, side drum and melodeon ... but make it they did and the band and carnival lived on. After more than a century the Kings Korner Band still heads the famous carnival procession each September. It also makes a number of appearances throughout the year at notable events such as the Great Dorset Steam Fair and has ventured several times across the water to play in France, Guernsey and the Isle of Wight - it is always warmly welcomed and usually invited back! This year the band will be making its third appearance at the Fete de la Scie in Harfleur – a medieval festival held over three days in April. Originally based at the Coopers Arms near King’s Corner, a junction where King Alfred is reputed to have stopped en route to Winchester, the band moved to The Phoenix in the centre of Pewsey where it remained for twenty years. Since the demolition of the pub in 2000 the Royal Oak has acted as a base for the band. Always colourful in appearance the band consists of up to 30 members at any one time whose ages vary between 10 and 80 something. Their music is produced on a wide variety of instruments – trumpets, saxophone, trombone, clarinet and penny whistle; accordions; bass, side drums and Bhodran; cymbals tambourines, mouth organ, maracas – and there is always room for more. In February 2003 the band returned to its former home to record its first CD. The pub is now under new management of course - in fact the landlord is a faithful member of the band and plays a mean triangle too! The CD aptly entitled ‘Back to the Coopers’ is a tribute to band members past and present who have dedicated their time and talents to making the Kings Korner Band unique. If you would like more information about the band and how to buy the latest CD, please contact the Secretary on 01672 564241 |
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| Pewsey Carnival 2003 | Pewsey Carnival 2004 | Pewsey Carnival 2005 | Chalgrove |
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| Click photo for larger view | |||
| Where to see the band in 2007 | ||
| Date | Event | Time | April 28th | The Coopers Arms, Ball Road, Pewsey, Wilts | Evening |
| May 7th | Popham Air Show, Popham, Hants | Afternoon |
| May 13th | Thorneycroft Society Festival of Transport, War Memorial Park, Basingstoke, Hants | Afternoon |
| June 23rd | Pewsey Carnival Family fun Day, Coopers Arms Field, Pewsey, Wilts | Between 3pm and 5pm |
| June 30th | Steam Show & Strawberry Fayre, Lower Wanborough, Wilts | Afternoon |
| July 14th | Ringwood Festival, Ringwood, Hants (town centre) | Afternoon |
| August 4th | Venue to be announced - watch our website for news. | |
| Sept 1st | Great Dorset Steam Fair nr Blandford, Dorset (find us near the Baker's Arms) | Afternoon |
| Sept 19th | The Royal Oak, North Street, Pewsey, Wilts - Warming up for the Carnival | Evening |
| Sept 22nd | Leading Pewsey's famous carnival procession - Please note that roads into the village close at 6pm on carnival night | Evening |
| Dec 8th | Christmas Fayre, Pewsey, Wilts (village centre) | Afternoon |
| You can also hear us on our CD 'Back to the Coopers Arms' - only £5
To book the Kings Korner Band contact our secretary on 01672 564241 or email lawrence@jazz4us.fsnet.co.uk All invitations to play will be considered at our AGM in February 2008
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