Northern Open ready for action

There is a fine line up of strong looking bands for the forthcoming Northern Open in St Helens.

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

The final preparations are being out in place for the forthcoming Northern Open Brass Band Championships, sponsored by R. Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd), which takes place at the Theatre Royal, St Helens on Sunday 18th November.

9.00am start

Promoted by the Rainford Band and supported by Lancashire Contests it starts at 9.00am, with tickets priced £6 and £4 which are available on the day.

All sections are own choice test pieces, with the bands having to try and catch the ears of adjudicators Dr Nicholas Childs, Neil Samuel and Gareth Brindle.

Strong field

In the Championship event, 2011 winner Longridge returns to defend its title against a strong field of rivals, whilst there is sure to be an intriguing contest in the Second Section where septet of ambitious bands lock horns.

11 strong looking bands will battle it out in the Third Section looking to impress the youthful adjudication team of Neil Samuel and Gareth Brindle, whilst the action kicks off on the stroke of 9.00am with an exciting line-up of solid contest performers in the Fourth Section.

All sections are own choice test pieces, with the bands having to try and catch the ears of adjudicators Dr Nicholas Childs, Neil Samuel and Gareth Brindle4BR

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Dr Nicholas Childs
Draw: 4.00 pm
Start: 5.00 pm (approx)

Longridge (Mark Peacock)
Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
Haydock (Mark Quinn)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
Meltham & Meltham Mills (Norman Law)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Dr Nicholas Childs
Draw: 1.45pm
Start: 3.00pm (approx)

Besses o’th Barn (Alan Wycherley)
City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey)
Greenall’s (Karl Stott)
Hoover Bolton (Trevor Halliwell)
Lindley (Jason M Smith)
Middleton (Jonathon Davies)
Tyldesley (Robert Taylor)

Third Section:
Adjudicators: Neil Samuel & Gareth Brindle
Draw: 10.45am
Start: 11.45pm (approx)

Besses Boys (James Holt)
Blackpool Brass (Tariq Ahmed)
Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth)
Eagley (Matthew Ryan)
Fairfield (Buxton) (Charles W. Kitchen)
Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
Nelson Brass (Roy Waite)
Old Hall Brass (John North)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW ‘B’ (Peter Ashley)
Rivington & Adlington (Brian Harper)
Skelmersdale (David Chapman)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicators: Neil Samuel & Gareth Brindle
Pre-Drawn:
Start: 9.00am

Blackley (Adrian Smith)
Cadishead Public (Craig McFarland)
City of Chester Brass (Philip Mottershead)
Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley)
Dobcross Youth (John Parkes)
Greenfield (Tom Haslam)
Ifton Colliery (Stephen Curtis)
Lees (John Collins)
Parr St Helens (John Ludden)
Sale Brass (John Dickinson)

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