:: [ Midsummer Big Band Concert, Church Farm, Horne - July 2008 ] ::

SVVS Members attended the Midsummer Big Band Concert at Church Farm in Horne beside the lovely St. Mary's Church. The concert was in aid of the church and attendance was open to the general public. Over 300 people came and enjoyed a most pleasant evening. The photos and the text are by Bozi Mohacek. Please click on any thumbnail picture below to see the full size picture.  To return to the  thumbnails,  please click  the  Explorer "Back"  arrow  (top left of screen). 





For a number of years the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society 'Summer Picnic' has been held at Church Farm in Horne, courtesy of Julie and Bozi Mohacek. Last year it was decided to give the SVVS Members a change so instead the maiden BIG BAND CONCERT was held in 'Bozi's Field', as it it is now known.

     

The Midsummer Big Band Concert was organised by a Committee comprised of St. Mary activists, Julie being a Church Warden, and was in aid of church funds. It  followed the successful Horne Village Fate by only a couple of weeks confirming that the active Parish of Horne has some very willing workers.

     

The original concept was to have a few locals having a pleasant evening listening to a raunchy local big band 'The Milestones' while sitting in a pleasant countryside field, watching the sun go down, and having a picnic. The Concert was so successful that it was decide to repeat it again. The 'Real Ale Bar' helped to keep the spirits up !!

     

Over 300 people attended, to which the SVVS had contributed some lovely cars. To help in making the field a more interesting environment, SVVS Members were requested to come in their 'proper' cars and to park along the outside as was normal for the SVVS Picnic. 20 proper cars were there. 

     

The gates were open at 6pm for people to come in and set up their tables and chairs.  Some people had come earlier in the day to set up including putting up gazebos. Many mutual friends came in largish groups and arranged themselves into full 'dinner tables' with all appropriate accompaniments. Most however came in family groups, many babies and toddlers, sitting in garden chairs and with 'collapsing' tables. 

     

The Milestones Big Band is comprised of some 20 musicians and three singers many of which attended this venue. Some of the band members have a direct connection with St Mary's Church, including the regular organist Steve Beardshall. Steve did much of the setup and organisational work for the band.  

     

The Band were housed on a stage in a marquee. The field has a natural amphitheatre slope so that all visitors had a good view of the band. The amplification was impressive but kept down a bit so as not to disturb the neighbours (- not sure why, because most of the neighbours were there !).  

     

The concert commenced at 7pm by which time most visitors had arrived and were well into imbibing their picnics and 'dinners'. The evening was very light well into the night and included a beautiful sunset. The young contingent got stuck into dancing early on, and many oldies, having wined and dined, got up and joined in the dancing. 

     

Darkness did not fall until about 10 o'clock and floodlighting was not necessary until the music stopped at 10.30 when people started packing up and going to their cars. The evening turned a bit cold towards the end but it  remained nice and dry.

     

Many thanks to the SVVS contingent for coming and for bringing their cars. It was interesting to note that we had more members at this event than we sometimes get at some of our regular meets.  Ex farmer Hon Chairman Derek Wright appropriately came in the Land Rover and Bob Drew in the Moggie. The Mohacek clan didn't have to put in much effort to bring in a few of their cars. Ian Waites bought along his XJS which had been used as acorn mouse storage in the air cleaner over the winter. The Mohacek XJS had the darned mouse too which ate through the LT cable.  

     

We were pleased to see the French registered Mk7 of Michel Gossett and the  Rover 2000 of Ray Hobbs. Roger Horstmann came in the Triumph TR5, and the old boy in a blanket Julian Alderton in the perennial MG Y.  Mr. Scott got chauffeured in the Alfa and the Kirkby group by John in the 1924 Humber. The ostentatious Pearces came in the mega Siddeley Special and the way-out Clive Bracey in the Bentley which he says is not a kit car! Neighbours and helpers Cherry and John Caddy pushed an Austin seven over the road and found it fitted their gazebo!! 

     

Julie (left) and Bozi would like to thank all who came and especially all who helped, including the professional parking by Harvey and Sons who got the normal parking sorted our very tidily!

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