Wedding ‘Duet’ for MSB Cornet Players Joanne and David
On Saturday 16th May two members of the MSB cornet bench, Joanne Dobson and David Bowles, made their ‘duet’ official as they were married in the beautiful Beaulieu Abbey Church in the heart of the New Forest. The wedding party had spent the previous night at the Balmer Lawn Hotel, enjoying dinner together there following a wedding rehearsal in the church earlier that evening, and left for the ceremony from the hotel on the big day.
David was supported by Best Man Mark Godfrey, his oldest friend, and by groomsmen: Sebastian Day (percussion, MSB and future brother-in-law); Simon Locke (friend); Adam Smith (Tenor horn, MSB) and Robin Gray (friend). David’s ‘team’ did him proud looking very handsome in grey tails and claret cravats with claret gerbera buttonholes. (The Groom looked pretty hot too!) As David kept his nerves in check awaiting the arrival of his bride, MSB played a programme of music chosen by the couple to entertain their guests. Pieces included Beyond The Sea, Music, Irish Blessing and perhaps in homage to the ‘freedom’ they were about to surrender, Born Free!
David and his Best Man took their places to await the arrival of the bride which was heralded by the band striking up with Jubilee Overture as Joanne entered on the arm of proud Dad, John Dobson. Looking stunning in a strapless ivory tulle gown encrusted with crystals and pearls with an ivory veil and sparkling crystal tiara, Joanne was flanked by her four beautiful bridesmaids. Carrie Dobson (twin sister and tenor horn, MSB), Sally Bowles (Groom’s sister), Claire Eldridge (friend and cornet, MSB) and Katie Smith (friend and cornet, MSB) wore cocktail-length claret satin strapless dresses with matching shoes. The bridal party carried posies of rich jewel-coloured flowers including lilies, gerberas and hyacinths, with the bridesmaids wearing matching crystal jewellery and hair ornaments which were a gift from the bride and groom. During the service readings were given by the Bride’s aunt, and by Sebastian Day and Simon Locke, with the band playing I’ll Walk with God as the register was signed. Mr and Mrs David Bowles left the church to Mendelsohn’s Wedding March, with many a band member struggling to maintain composure with smiles and tears of happiness all around them.
Pimms was served to guests mingling in the courtyard garden as photographs were taken before moving in to the adjacent 13th Century Domus for the reception. Reflecting the place where David had proposed to Joanne, the dining tables were named after famous places and buildings in New York City. The ‘book’ running on the length of the groom’s and the Best Man’s speeches was confounded when David got to his feet and spoke for a marathon 35 minutes – a rollercoaster ride of emotion and laughter which left the audience just a little relieved when Best Man ‘Godders’ managed to keep his speech to a more succinct 5 minutes or so! Before the evening guests arrived, Mr and Mrs Bowles cut the beautiful wedding cake, made for them by Jo Morgan, wife of MSN cornet player Keith.
Live band Freddie and the Freeloaders provided the music for the evening revels, playing 2 sets featuring numbers requested by the happy couple who took to the floor for the customary first dance - a cover of the Take That number, Rule the World, as guests applauded. Rumour hath it however, that the highlight of the evening came as Matt ‘Nobody Puts Baby Sop in the Corner’ Chiverton, resplendent with tie ‘sweat-band’ around his head and knee-slide holes in his suit trousers performed the (in)famous lift from Dirty Dancing, launching himself into the out-stretched arms of esteemed band chairman and usher Adam Smith! A sight which this writer, forced to retire early as wheelchair-bound following an accident resulting in a badly fractured ankle, would have given her rather fetching, outfit co-ordinating, bright red plaster to have seen!
Jo and Dave Bowles are now honeymooning in Italy.
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