After only returning back from our very successful tour of Australia two weeks ago, the band are jetting off again for a short trip to Luxembourg from 25th to the 27th June 2002. The concerts were for the European Coal and Steel Community in aid of the Commemoration of the Expiry of the ECSC Treaty. A company called COALPOWER LTD (owned by Richard Budge) sponsored our particular series of concerts.

After a very early start, the band flew on Tuesday 25th from Manchester to Belgium and then it was a two hour bus trip to Luxembourg.  The couple of days consisted of four one hour spots, two on the Tuesday with a 2 hour gap, and two on Wednesday with a six hour gap. We were playing in the Picturesque Place d' Armes in the city centre of Luxembourg with cafes and restaurants lining both sides of the square. With there being no formal audience, the pieces were picked from a series of music taken for the occasion, this made for very relaxed concerts with superb playing under the heat of the sun and excellent audience reactions.

We found out that Bramwell Tovey was in Luxembourg conducting the Luxembourg Symphony Orchestra, he came along to listen to the band on Wednesday and even conducted William Tell for the Band. As we finished at 7:00 on Wednesday evening, it was then out for a few social beverages and to enjoy the delights of Luxembourg.

Written by Mark Arnold