B-Sides Beside The Seaside

An amazing day made by our Hope and Social tribe

On September the 4th this year, Hope and Social hired an open-top, double decker sharanang to eek that last bits of sun and warmth out of summer… and with 70 amazing people, we headed for the seaside. It was an amazing life affirming day for us as the band and was made super special by the efforts of the team of people who came.

There was coffee, there was a bus, there was a bus break down, there were songs bellowed out from the top-deck, there was a beautiful pub, a beach, a sailing club, there were deckchairs, thee was a barbecue, there were two shows, there were cock-rock cover versions on the way back to Leeds. There were too many amazing things to list here, but if a picture speaks a thousand words, then here set to music, is Will Billany of Trunk Films‘ beautiful document of the day for your delectation. If you’re quick, it’a available for download directly from vimeo. Put it on your phone and show your mates.

… and I know we’ve shared these around before, but to you give you some context, here’s Gavin Freeborn‘s beautiful stills:

You can see the full set here on flickr.com.

The Thanks

So to Gavin and Will, not only for doing all the film and photography for the day, but for being such and integral part of it. Cant thank you enough. To Alex, Mick and Paul at Runswick Sailing Club, to Conductor Roo to Craig and Rach for an amazing BBQ, to Si Wi, Jen, Lynette, Mark, Dean and Gas for all your help on and before the day, to Merlin, for driving the van, packing the van, unpacking the van, to John the bus driver from York Pullman, to Nicky, Sally and Lu and to Malcolm and Rhona for making art and having fun and being loves. We’re bound to have missed people, important people but to make sure they’re included… to all who came, thank you thank you thank you; you’re the definition of the right people on the bus!

But don’t take our word for it

This is what the real people said…

“This was one of the best days of my life!!! Truly they are a superb band.”

Harry Jewers age 12

“A BBQ beyond compare. Hope & Social living up to their name. The joy of a kazoo (or 60). Two beautiful deckchairs to give as gifts. Marching on through to the bus. Hope & Social ringing out loud. Sharing the ultimate cabriolet experience with old friends. Watching the stars. Singing to Leeds as we rejoined the city – a full top deck, freezing cold, singing Van Morrison. Not wanting it to ever end. Hope & Social. Perfect.”

Niki Hart

“fantastically organised, completely enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining… the sense of  togetherness and the shared love of the guys… a source of continuing amazement & joy”

Alan Youngman

“Have actually had such a lovely day that I could have a little cry. Weird but fabulous feeling. I’ve not yet managed to shake all the sand out of my beach bag, but I’m already wondering what we can look forward to next.”

Rhona Mowat

“It was in the top 10 days of my life to date and I don’t think it’s ever going to get nudged out.”

Roo Pigott

“What a day! One of the highlights of my year – what’s next?”

Liz Ellis

“The amazing people that put it together and the fantastic people that loved every minute… Everyone was smiling all day.”

Jenny Booth

“‘no sleep till t’seaside’… Hope and Social are like a massive electromagnet pulling fans to gigs from opposite ends of the country and even the world… If you truly are a culture vulture here are rich pickings.”

Malcolm Cruickshank

“An absolutely wonderful day, one of the best I’ve ever had. I still can’t stop smiling thinking about it!”

Sarah Christie

“Again, AGAIN!”

Chris

“What a heart bursting, soul stirring adventure on the #hsfunbus that was :-) cobwebs have been blasted away, big smiles all round :)”

Helen Harrop

“Yesterday’s #hsfunbus was a shining example that this world still contains utterly amazing people…”

Simon Wiffen

Further Reading

As you know, we’re very keen that people “Make Art, Have Fun” so here’s some of the amazing things our people have created about, and around the day:

• Rachel Mayer’s time lapse video of the entire day, amazing.
• Simon Wiffens deckchair final pic –  you can see this in slo-mo up here too.
• The making of the beautiful Musical Deckchairs – c/o Rhona Mowat and Malcolm Cruikshank.
• “Living On a Prayer” arriving back at leeds.
• “A Little Respect“, atop the HSFunbus.

If you’ve got more to add to this, please do comment and link to your stuff below.

What’s next?

We have a new event coming online tomorrow up here, so keep your peepers peeled – we’ll be announcing our Christmas Bash, The Hope and Social SnowBall.

Bye for now. xR