Oldham (Lees) Band under the direction of John Collins picked up yet more silverware to add to their burgeoning trophy cabinet, as they won the Fleetwood Open Championship title on the weekend.

Commanding

With a commanding performance of Edward Gregson’s ‘Dances & Arias’ (they were ‘clear winners’ according to adjudicator Chris Wormald), they picked up the £400 first prize, beating local rivals Freckleton into second place and with Rainford in third.

The winning MD told 4BR that although delighted with the win, the victory showed that his young band was continuing to show a contesting maturity that he believes will set them up for 2012 and beyond.

Matured

"It’s always great to win," John said. "The players put in a huge amount of work for this. I’m happier though that it showed that we have grown as a band and matured. We have a busy end to the season with the Northern Open to look forward to, but I think the long term benefits of performing a work like ‘Dances & Arias’ will be seen next year for certain."

There was added silverware for John to carry back to the bandroom, as the band’s tuba section picked up the ‘Best Basses’, whilst Pat Howard of claimed the ‘Best Euphonium’ Award for his fine contribution to Freckleton’s rendition of ‘Variations on an Enigma.’

We have a busy end to the season with the Northern Open to look forward to, but I think the long term benefits of performing a work like ‘Dances & Arias’ will be seen next year for certainJohn Collins

Close run Second Section

In a close run Second Section there was victory for Tyldesley under the direction of Robert Taylor.

Their performance of ‘Variations on Maccabeus’, took the honours from adjudicator Mike Kilroy and claimed the £400 first prize from Eccleston Brass, with Flixton in third.

Elland win Third

Jim Shepherd led Elland Silver to victory in the Third Section, claiming the ‘Best Basses’ Award in the process, ahead of Trinity Girls and Lostock Hall, whilst the Fourth Section title went to Thornton Cleveley conducted by Steve Simpson.

Thornton take Fourth

Their performance of ‘Music for a Festival’, saw them gain a clear two point winning margin over Parr St Helens and the newcomers of Lees.

Nicola Swann of Thornton took the Squire Eccles Scholarship as the ‘Best Tenor Horn’, whilst Simone Herbert-Moores from the Lees Band was awarded the James Ogden Scholarship as the youngest player on the day.

A wonderfully vibrant Youth Section saw victory go to James Holt and his l Stockport Schools Brass, ahead of Macclesfield Youth and Pemberton Old Wigan DW Youth.

Mixed emotions

It was a day of mixed emotions for many associated with the contest, following the news of the death of the popular compere and bandsman, Bob Kerwick, and the report of the ill health of Dr Roy Newsome and euphonium player Mike Hughes.

The Parr St Helens Band, who Bob had been closely associated with, dedicated their performance to him in the Fourth Section.
There was plenty to celebrate however with the 50-years service award to Denise Grundy of Trinity Girls Band and the 35-years service award to David Bratt of Lancashire Contests.

Real Ale

Meanwhile, the local landlord of the Strawberry Gardens pub in Fleetwood put on a special ‘4Bars Best’ real ale for the day – and at a reduced price too for thirsty bandsmen and women.

Ben Croston of the Fuzzy Duck Brewery told 4BR that it had been a great success. “We came up with the idea to attract a few bandsmen into the pub after they played – and it worked a treat. It proved very popular, especially as it was usually accompanied by our great bacon butties!”

Ben also took time out form his landlord duties to play for Blackpool Brass, whilst Pub Manager Dave Shaw played with Fourth Section winners Thornton Cleveley.

"We hope to do the same next year," he said. "We had eight bands rehearsing in the pub, before the contest and plenty of players in the bar afterwards! That made for a great atmosphere and a great contest day!"

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald

1. Oldham (Lees) (J. Collins) – 193
2. Freckleton (P. Dalton) – 192
3. Rainford (N. Samuel) – 191
4. Poulton Le Fylde — 190

Best Basses: Oldham (Lees)
Best Euphonium: Pat Howard (Freckleton)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald

1. Tyldesley (R. Taylor) – 189
2. Eccleston Brass (D. Brooks) – 188
3. Flixton (S. Curtis) – 187
4. Blackpool Brass – 185
5. Besses O’ the Barn – 183
6. Old Hall — 182

Best Percussion: Flixton

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Elland Silver (J. Shepherd) – 182
2. Trinity Girls (S. Barton) – 181
3. Lostock Hall (J. Wood) – 179
4. Eccles Borough – 177
5. Pemberton Old Wigan DW B – 176
6. Eagley – 175
7. Lofthouse 2000 – 174
8. Hawk Green – 173
9. Farnworth & Walkden – 172
10. Stalybridge – 171

Best Basses: Elland Silver

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Thonrton Cleveley (S. Simpson) – 178
2. Parr St Helens (J. Ludden) – 176
3. Lees (J. Collins) – 175
4. Tarleton – 174
5. Golborne – 173
6. Coppull & Standish – 172
7. Denton – 171

Best Euphonium: Lees
Best Horn: Thornton Cleveley
Youngest Player: Simone Herbert-Moores

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald

1. Stockport Schools (J. Holt)
2. Macclesfield Youth Brass (L. Renshaw)
3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW Youth (J. Don Duncan)

Youngest Player: William Dickson – Pemberton (aged 8)

Prizes:
All Sections: 1st — £400: 2nd — £200: 3rd — £150