Who’d organise an outdoor event in a British summer?! On the evening before and on the morning of the event, we nervously kept a check on the weather forecast before finally deciding what to do – whether to hold the musical soirée which had been planned for some time in the back garden of the Tuttons’ home, or to abandon to the church. Depending on which weather forecast you believed, there was a 30% or 40% chance of rain on Friday evening. But that meant that there was a better chance that it wouldn’t rain – so, being brave, we decided to go ahead as planned, especially as it was only light showers that were forecast.
As people began assembling just before 7, the sun was shining. The Chameleon Wind Quintet, who were to be entertaining us for the evening, were already on “the stage”, under the new Badsey Society gazebo by the brook. The ensemble was formed in 2010 by a group of local players and Committee member, Helen Green, is a part of the quintet. Helen plays the oboe and was joined by Helen Foster (flute), Claire Burnell (horn), Simon Grew (clarinet) and Sue Lupton (bassoon). The quintet plays regularly throughout the West Midlands, including Sinfonia of Birmingham, Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St John, Redditch Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra and the British Police Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble derives its name from the many colours used by a chameleon – hence the link with the differing individual sounds of each instruments of the ensemble.
Alan Tutton welcomed everyone to the event and then the music began. As we supped wine and ate a picnic, the quintet played a selection of light and popular classical music. Even when it rained for a short while, the band played on and the audience didn’t let it dampen their enjoyment of the evening.
Many thanks to Helen, for suggesting that she and the Chameleon Wind Quintet could perform at an outdoor social event for The Badsey Society, and to Alan and Shirley for generously offering the use of their garden.
