Holtwood Mission Band

Holtwood Mission Band (HMB) are a group of musicians and vocalists for whom I've been a guitarist and songwriter since 1977.  HMB was formed in the early 1970s to provide worship and evangelical opportunities for young people from Holtwood and nearby churches, many of whom had "grown out" of Sunday School but didn't feel completely at ease with the more traditional forms of worship at that time.  Since then many young people have passed through the ranks of HMB before leaving the area for university, work or marriage, although a core of the original membership remains with some of the "youngsters" now well into their 40s - and beyond!

HMB also stands for "Holtwood Marriage Bureau" because many of the original youngsters ended up marrying one another - as Pauline and I did!  HMB now includes some children of the original band members (particularly through working closely with the Holtwood Puppet Group) so the future of HMB looks assured!

In June 2007, as part of Wimborne Folk Festival, HMB took part in a second outreach concert on the Minster Green.  Also 'on the bill' were the Holtwood Puppets, Pete Emberley & friends and Bournemouth band Route 66.   Here are photos of HMB and the Holtwood Puppets performing - click here to view other pictures from the evening.

In October HMB provided a variety of light-hearted entertainment for the 30th Anniversary of the Holt Skittles League - everything from "An Ode to Holt Skittlers" written by Pauline Aston to "Fling it here, fling it there", a song about the unfortunate impact of a muckspreader turning itself on in a village street!  It was a fun evening which we all thoroughly enjoyed - and hope to repeat on a suitable occasion.  

HMB presented a concert (rather than leading a service) at Woodlands Methodist Church on Friday 18th January, 2008 when the material was fairly diverse - including Charles Causley's 1961 poem "Innocents' Song" set to music by Johnny Coppin, the old (and almost lost) Dorset "Gallery Carol", other well known carols, popular songs from previous HMB Christmas presentations plus sketches and a couple of my songs.  It was thoroughly enjoyable for HMB and was well received by the good folk of Woodlands.

As well as the regular services that we're invited to in the area, we're looking forward to leading the music for the annual open air service on Holt Village on 13th July - or in the village hall if the weather is poor.  

HMB continue to lead services in our own Methodist Circuit and further a-field as we take the Good News of Jesus to whoever is prepared to hear it - in word, music and drama.  We would welcome the opportunity to lead worship in your church accompanied, if you wish, by the Holtwood Puppet Group.

To book HMB please contact Peter Shears on 01202 822327 or e-mail Pete by clicking pete.shears@btinternet.com

More Info...

For more information, please see our webpage on the Holtwood Methodist Church Website