*
banner

Report & Results: 2018 North West Regional Championships: Fourth Section

Lostock Hall takes the World Tour honours with a first class compartment victory under MD Joshua Hughes.

Winter Gardens
  Lostock MD Joshua Hughes gets his hands on the Area trophy

After waiting nearly nine years to taste success, Lostock Hall Memorial Band notched up its second contest victory in a matter of weeks in an enjoyable Fourth Section battle.

Following their recent win playing Rodney Newton's 'World Tour' at the Brass at the Guild Hall event in Preston, they booked their ticket to Cheltenham under MD Joshua Hughes with a reprise performance that was certainly in the 'First Class' compartment according to the judges Paul Holland and Brian Rostron.

They will be joined there by another form band, as a super show by Sale Brass led by John Anderson, fresh from their fine return at the Butlins Championship, repelled the spirited challenge of Stacksteads to secure their place at the Finals for what is understood to be the first time in well over half a century or more.

Colourful characterisation

In a contest that saw all the contenders bring plenty of musical endeavour and enthusiasm to the deliberately stereotyped score, the remaining top-six places went to well-led accounts of colourful characterisation from Parr St Helens, Rode Hall Silver and BMP Europe Ltd Goodshaw.

Prior to the results Paul Holland gave an equally first class precis of the action in his summing up — talking not just about the performances, but why the Kapitol Music Panel (on which he sits) chose a work that although originally written as a descriptive concert item, was still a good, and enjoyable competitive test.

Stood out

Two bands "stood out from the pack"he said, with five "very similar"just behind them. He also praised all the bands for their efforts saying that "nobody let themselves down", although he said that such were the similarities in the basic problems that the duo had "a juggling act"to pick out the minor placings in particular.

And whilst those at the bottom struggled he hoped that they wouldn't be too discouraged, as each of the movements certainly tested different musical disciplines — the slow 'Pacific Paradise' third section in particular.

That was certainly shown throughout the contest, although it was heartening to hear so many MDs look to bring out the character in the music — from the sense of expectancy and excitement of the opening 'The Leaving of Liverpool' (even if the excerpts from 'Punchinello' would have tested the quick step skills of the Ghurkhas let alone the Edwardian bandsmen of Besses o'th' Barn) to the swagger of rag time Chicago and the bravura antipodean chirpiness of the 'Australian Walkabout'.

Cracking solo lines

It was also good to hear plenty of warm ensemble sounds as well as some cracking solo lines with euphoniums, cornets and bass troms all enjoying their moments in the spotlight, whilst some of the early bands were not put off by the crackling feedback from the compere's stage microphone.

The best and most consistent effort though came from Lostock Hall, although MD Joshua Hughes later revealed to 4BR that it was the age old virtues of hard work and commitment that formed the foundation of their victory.

"We enjoyed the victory at Brass at the Guild Hall but we knew we had to improve on that to come close here,"he said.

"The players understood and really upped their game, working so hard for me on the basics of good contest playing in the last couple of weeks. I couldn't have asked anything more, so the victory is all down to them as they made my job so enjoyable and easy!"

Memorable

Such was the quality of both their solo and ensemble work that Lostock also left with the prizes for 'Best Basses' and 'Best Percussion' whilst their hard working band secretary was presented with the Margaret Chadwick Memorial Trophy and Joshua picked up the 'Mary Mather Memorial Trophy' as the winning conductor.

"It's been a memorable few weeks for both me and the band,"Josh added. "Now we want to build on this success and hopefully go on and make a real mark at the National Finals in September."

On this world beating form, you wouldn't bet against them doing just that.

I couldn't have asked anything more, so the victory is all down to them as they made my job so enjoyable and easy!Lostock Hall Memorial MD, Joshua Hughes

Result:

Fourth Section:


Adjudicators: Paul Holland and Brian Rostron

1. Lostock Hall Memorial (Joshua Hughes)*
2. Sale Brass (John Anderson)*
3. Stacksteads (Fred Bowker)
4. Parr St. Helens (John Ludden)
5. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler)
6. BMP Europe Ltd. Goodshaw (Alan Seymour)
7. Brindle (Keith Richmond)
8. Blackley (Adrian Smith)
9. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane)
10. Cadishead Public (David Holland)
11. Stockport Silver (Alex Parker)
12. Denton Brass (Jim Hunter)

Best Basses: Lostock Hall Memorial
Best Percussion: Lostock Hall Memorial

*Qualify for National Final at Cheltenham

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Llangollen

International Eisteddfod victory for Welsh Youth

July 14 • Gwasanaeth Cerdd Gwynedd & Mon Senior Brass Band claims honours in the Community Band category at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.


Swiss National Youth

Live broadcast 50th celebrations for Swiss Youth Band

July 13 • You can enjoy the special anniversary concert of the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland and friends today.


LEEDS bEST OF bRASS

Leeds Best of Brass series launched

July 13 • Eight top level bands will be featured at Pudsey Civic Hall as part of the new season of 'Best of Brass' concerts.


Sir Karl Jenkins

Aldbourne to lead Armed Man celebrations

July 13 • The West of England Regional Champion will help lead the 25th anniversary celebrations of Sir Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace' in two major concerts appearances this year with the composer.


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Haverhill Silver Band

July 13 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a SECOND HORN. This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd