Description

Bletchington is a small village in Oxfordshire, a few miles from Bicester and Kidlington, and is proud to have had a Silver Band since 1920 when the local publican purchased a complete 'job lot' of second hand instruments for the princely sum of £10 and arranged for the men and boys of the village to learn bandsmanship.

The Band has always been a real family institution. We currently have five or six family groups playing in the band with non playing wives or husbands providing support. We are always seeking to improve the standard of the band. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday and Friday evenings in our village hall at 7.30. New players of all levels are always welcome.

The Band is essentially self funded, raising money through donations, engagement fees and membership subscriptions. We have also attracted sponsorship from local businesses and individuals, which is an enormous help with the costly business of running a band.

If you have never played an instrument before but would really like to give it a try, you would be most welcome to attend our Training Band rehearsal, which is held every Friday at 6.30 prior to the senior band practice in Bletchington Village Hall.

The Training Band currently numbers about 14 members of all ages, and several real beginners learning how to play brass instruments, read music and other bandsmanship skills, often joined by some of the senior band players who assist with the training. Several members of the current senior band have made the transition from being players in the training band.

Description

Jephson Gardens is a beautiful formal Victorian park in the centre of Leamington Spa. It's the perfect place for a relaxing stroll or family picnic. Lots of colourful flowerbeds and interesting sculptures make for a great day out.

The gardens are open every day from 8am. Closing times vary between 4pm and 9pm depending on the time of year. See entrance gates for current closing times.

There are multiple car parks nearby, some of which are free and other are pay and display.

as well as the bandstand, facilities in the gardens include...
Glasshouse - interesting tropical plants, goldfish pond and observation beehive
The Aviary Café – beautiful Victorian tea pavilion
Jephson's event venue – weddings, conferences and celebrations
Leam Boat Centre - boating in Mill Gardens
The Sensory Garden - taste garden, mirrored arch and colourful planting
East Lodge - art studio run by Leamington Studio Artists
East Lodge Garden - beehive with insect-friendly planting and gazebo from Chelsea Flower Show
Trees – around 140 species of native and non-native trees
Formal flowerbeds - colourful summer and winter bedding displays
Explore the sculpture collection and find the rhino, dragon and hedgehog
Watch ducks and geese on the lake
Play area in Mill Gardens

Jephson Gardens,

Leamington Spa,

Warwickshire,

England,

CV32 4AA.