The BathTub Orchestra go camping

Rain, Rounders, and Rafter-Raising Music!

Well, what a weekend for the BathTub Orchestra! Our recent camping trip to Devon was an epic mix of classic British weather, incredible music, and the kind of community spirit that makes being a BathTubber truly special.

It all kicked off on Friday with a proper West Country welcome: relentless, heavy rain. But did that dampen our spirits? Absolutely not! As one BathTubber put it, we were "chatting and drinking beer till late on Friday night, with the rain thundering down on Megan's awning, with a few other people crazy enough to have chosen to sleep in a field on an exposed hillside." That's dedication for you! It was clear from the get-go that "being a BathTubber extends way beyond being a member of an orchestra. The BathTub Orchestra has grown into a community with a unity, an importance, greater (I imagine) than the founders ever conceived."

Saturday saw us head to Lyme Regis for our first performance. The skies were a bit grey, but our music certainly wasn't! Despite the challenging conditions – including one intrepid trumpeter's "costly mistake of breaking my trumpet" – the show went on! Huge thanks to Emma and Matt for sharing their instruments and proving once again that "nothing could dampen our spirits." The resilience and camaraderie were truly something to behold.

Later, Katie and Guy kindly cooked up a storm for everyone, and Jim and Rick lifted spirits with their hilarious rendition of "If I had a hammer." Even a game of rounders in the cold, after a couple of glasses of wine, couldn't be missed! And to top it all off, someone even spotted a dolphin in Lyme Bay after the gig – talk about an encore! 

Then came Sunday, and what a glorious day it was! We performed in Sidmouth, bathed in lovely sunshine, and it was the perfect end to our musical adventure. The feeling of elation was palpable, as we played in "two amazing settings: right on the seafront at Lyme, and just a short distance from the amazing cliffs at Sidmouth. And we sounded so great." 

Beyond the music, this trip truly highlighted the incredible bonds within our orchestra. As one of our founders reflected, they "never imagined it would become such a lovely community, or that it would grow to become a familiar part of our community, the City of Bath." It's down to all "its wonderful and diverse members, but none of this could have happened without the creative flair and commitment of Katie and Ed." A massive shout-out also goes to honorary BathTubbers Guy and Barney for their immense "time, energy and enthusiasm to help all our events succeed!"

This weekend was a testament to the fact that we're more than just an orchestra; we're a family. We shared "fireside warmth, some healing conversation," toasted marshmallows, and made countless memories. Whether ten, forty, or eighty years old, "age is irrelevant. We sing and laugh together. It's a privilege to belong." 

So many memories were made, from photos in the pouring rain to beaming smiles in the sunshine. It all worked out, and everyone agreed it was an "amazing" weekend. Here's to many more adventures, more music, and more cherished moments with the wonderful BathTub Orchestra!