Earlier this month (Saturday 6th October) members, supporters, families and friends of the Wight Diamonds Marching Band gathered at the Camp Hill Club, Newport, for the band’s annual awards evening. 

The evening was to jointly celebrate the conclusion of the 2007 summer band season and to recognise the efforts of particular members with the presentation of awards.

The presentation opened with an address by the Band Chairman, Pete Woodford who commented on another successful summer season for the Wight Diamonds, and thanks to the commitment of the members, with playing standards improving all of the time.  The band’s high standard can now be heard on their new CD ‘Wight Diamonds At Ease’. 

Kevin Downer (percussion) and John Wersby (instrumentalists) gave brief resumes of their sections before Pete Woodford announced the award winners.  The 2007 Percussion Player of the Year Award (voted for by the band’s instrumentalists) went to Sam Coulter.  This was Sam’s first full season with the band and he has become a popular, confident side drummer – appearing in the front row when needed.  The 2007 Instrumentalist of the Year Award (voted for by the percussion section) went to the band’s chairman and tuba player, Pete Woodford.  Pete, whose origin was as a side drummer is one of the 2007 “100%-ers”- not having missed a single engagement.  He has also taken to entertaining the carnival crowds with his cymbal-playing routine! 

Every year the management committee of Wight Diamonds have nominated the Most Improved Player for the year.  For the first time this year it was agreed that as the skills involved for percussion and instrumentalist players are so different, that separate awards would be made to each section.  The Most Improved Percussionist Award went jointly to Dan Smith and Sam Coulter in both cases for their hard work in becoming side drummers capable of playing in the front row when needed.  The Most Improved Instrumentalist Award was also awarded jointly to Jessica Coleman (clarinet) and to Katie Blakeley (flute) both of whom are now adding to the strength of the band’s woodwind section.  

The Drill and Deportment Award, nominated by John Sivier, Band Drum Major went this year to Zoe Winchester, cornet, for her reliably smart turn out and improvements in her marching.

The final ‘official’ award for this year, the Diamond Award, was presented by Pete Woodford to Ray Wooldridge and Mandy Blakeley.  This award is voted for by the band’s playing members, and is presented to the person who they think has contributed most to the band during the season.  Ray and Mandy spent many unseen hours putting together the band’s carnival lights and all agreed that these were much improved in their simplicity and effectiveness.  

The ‘official’ presentation was concluded with thanks to all who have helped the band during the season including Denise and Lucy for their work (with the support of ‘Event’, Newport) in decorating the hall and tables and to Gary and his team from Island LifeStyles 2020 for their photographic support both during the summer’s events and for the CD cover ‘Wight Diamonds At Ease’ photography.

This year there were a number of ‘Alternative Awards’ made.  These were presented by Jon Kilby, band master and included band Joker of the Year (John Sivier), Band Blonde (Katey Biggs), Best Dressed Female (Chloe Downer), Band Queen (Mary Wersby) and Band King (John Wersby).

Two additional photograph awards were presented by Gary of IslandLifeStyles 2020 to Katey Biggs (Bad Hat of the Year Award - for her hat in Ryde Carnival) and Jon Kilby (The Only Wight Diamond Not To Get Wet In A Carnival Award – he was always in the support car!)

‘Island LifeStyles 2020’ were present for the evening displaying the many photographs that they had taken of the band at Island events through the year.  The evening concluded with a raffle for band funds, an American Supper and Disco.

Reported By John Wersby for Island Pulse.