Music in Norfolk
I arrived in Harleston, Norfolk (circa 1988) with violin in its case but unplayed for several years. To my surprise a local shop advertised an Orchestral Workshop with the Pulham Village Orchestra. There I met local enthusiastic musicians. I was co-opted to the Laxfield String Quartet as its erstwhile leader.
In the meantime it became clear that local choral and operatic societies had a constant requirement for orchestral accompaniment. In this way, I was invited to play for the Waveney Light Opera Group, the Bungay Choral Society, Great Yarmouth Gilbert and Sullivan Society and Beccles Spotlight.
Expanding one's musically horizons is an essential part for retaining the freshness and joy of music making. There are several orchestras in East Anglia catering for a wide variety of standards for playing and talents. I have been particularly involved with St Gregory's Orchestra, Pottergate, Norwich and Wymondham Symphony Orchestra.
Musicians in East Anglia seem very good at getting together in small groups of string quartets and other combinations. Mostly this is just for fun.
Martin and I, who are both closely connected with the Laxfield quartet, wanted to bring together a group of players whose rationale for playing together was more specifically directed at performance. Thus the Pulham Strings was born in late 2004. The core of this group is a string quartet, but the hope is that other instrumentalists will join as and when required.
We gave our first performance in August 2005, when we entertained the guests to the formal opening of the Pulham Millennium Tapestry. The guests included Shirley, Lady Beacham and Lord and Lady McGregor. (John McGregor was our local MP until 1997.)
The current membership of the Pulham Strings is:-
| Name | Instrument | Experience and connections with other musical groups |
| Maurice Manning | Violin (leader) | Eye Bach Choir (many of the local orchestras, choirs and operatic societies - too numerous to list) |
| Kate Reynolds | Violin | UEA Orchestra, Norwich Mozart Players (and, like Maurice, many of the local choirs and operatic societies) |
| Steve Allen | Viola | Waveney Light Opera Group, Beccles Spotlight (substitute viola/violin to various chamber groups and pit bands in the area) |
| Martin Croft | Cello | Pulham Village Orchestra, Laxfield String Quartet |
The Pulham Strings are available for live entertainment in Norfolk and Suffolk. Please contact Steve by email.