The Hill Tribe

Carols around the Christmas Tree

Howard Hill — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:00:28 +0000

This was a really good evening. The Domino Players did lots of Christmas readings and Pandemonium played some Christmas songs and tunes. The readings were rather good – many were hilarious – and our music was well played (unlike our previous time at the museum).

Everyone had mulled wine and mince pies at the interval. . . . → Read More: Carols around the Christmas Tree

Lots of Christmas music

Howard Hill — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:00:48 +0000

Started off with a phone call. Can I play at church this afternoon? Yes, no problem. Can I play bass? Well, I’d rather play guitar as I am bringing it already. So I played guitar. Probably a bit superfluous, but hey.

Then after the service at 5pm, Greengage turned up. We played lots of stuff and that was such fun. Well done the Greengagers, particularly Graham who made quite an effort to be there, all the way from Oxford in the snow.

Off home to eat food with the family and Graham. Then off to the King Alfred’s Head to play in the open mic. Jamie was brilliant. Vicki and I were brilliant. Graham and I were brilliant. So there we have it. Brilliant.

Vale Islanders at the Abingdon History Group

Howard Hill — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:00:30 +0000

Well this nearly didn’t happen. Several people cried off. Not quite sure why as the weather wasn’t all that bad. Anyway, we had a great time. Plenty of music and dancing and rather good nibbles.

The only real problem was that several of our musicians cried off. That left me, on my own, with just a mandolin, as the band for several dances. Got it all right except towards the end of Hunsdon House I got a bit muddled in the B part. So I sang it. Seemed quite good really.

More curry

Howard Hill — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 23:00:56 +0000

The Cornucopia Christmas meal was held at the Sylheti Spice this year. We all had a really nice time. The food was excellent and there was loads of it. And it was very cheap. So the evening was cool and the curry was hot.

Annie’s birthday

Howard Hill — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 23:00:47 +0000

We spent a lovely day together shopping for jewellery for Annie. Didn’t find anything however, so I have put some money into Annie’s account and she can choose something later.

We got a take-away from Sylheti Spice and enjoyed a lovely evening in with some rather nice beer. Happy Birthday Annie xxx.

Pandemonium at Chievely WI

Howard Hill — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:00:52 +0000

A really lovely concert performance for the WI. I was particularly pleased to see my friend and ex-colleague Anne Baker in the audience. Lots of nice chats, glasses of wine and nibbles afterwards.

And guess what? I won 2 raffle prizes even though I didn’t buy a ticket. I won some chocolates using a ‘spare ticket’ that was left over and very kindly given to me. Then Anne gave me her prize. A tin of chestnut mush which we will use for our Christmas Day stuffing I think.

Got home and gave my lovely wife the chocolates. Ahhhh.

Pandemonium practices December 2010

Howard Hill — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:00:09 +0000

Dec 8th A brief get together at my house to go over the songs for the Mayor’s Carol Service. Went very well, even though Ruth turned up with a stinking cold and breathed all over me as I made a few changes to the chords. Hope she gets better soon and I hope I stay better too!

Dec 1st Another practice, this time at Anne and Andrew’s house. Went very well. Crisps and mince pies particularly welcome.

Nov 17th Carol, Pam and Wanda came round to my house and we had another really good practice. Still Christmas repertoire. Recorded the ones we’re going to perform at the Mayor’s Carol Service. Will put them on our website and email the link around. This is mainly for Ruth’s benefit but I find this quite handy too.

5th Nov Round to Pam’s for a music practice this evening. Good time as always. Anne joined Carol, Wanda, Pam and myself and we worked on the forthcoming Christmas repertoire. Seemed funny doing Christmas stuff so early, but that’s the only way rehearsing works!

Pandemonium at the Mayor’s Carol Service

Howard Hill — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:00:08 +0000

Oooooh. Exciting. Pandemonium sat at the back of the Parish Church in the freezing cold and waited and waited. Lots of good music was heard. I met Nigel dressed up as a shepherd. His sketch with Neil was fantastic. Then it was out turn. Went really well I must say. Ruth recorded it and the . . . → Read More: Pandemonium at the Mayor’s Carol Service

Greengage practices

Howard Hill — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:00:36 +0000

5th Dec So, over to Justin’s house for the afternoon. Spent a lovely time with Justin, Charlotte and Graham putting the final touches on our Christmas Repertoire, especially for the Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday. Hope they appreciate the effort that’s gone into it!

28th Nov Over to Justin’s house to meet up with him, Graham and Charlotte. We chose a stack of carols and played ‘em through. Then I was given some dots, which was a bit scary, and we played through Winter by Vivaldi. Another practice is due on the 5th December. By then we’ll be ready for the Chamber of Commerce social knees up.

Dickensian Evening

Howard Hill — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 23:00:40 +0000

Started off at the Vale and Downland Museum playing with Pandemonium. Not the ebst gig we’ve ever done. Not quite how or why, but none of us was on form. Oh well, never mind. It’ll pass.

Then off with Annie to play and dance for the Vale Islanders. Oh bum. It was called off at the last minute. Very, very disappointed, particularly as Pandemonium has dressed up in 17th century gear so that Wanda and I could could move seamlessly from one gig to another.

So instead, I made myself useful by taking lots of photographs in the square. Now that was good fun.