The Ratby Co-operative Band has been celebrating their fine fifth place finish at the recent Senior Cup contest at the Spring Festival in Blackpool.

Despite missing out on promotion to the Grand Shield for 2016, the band has taken great encouragement from their performance of Eric Ball's 'Festival Music', as MD Michael Fowles told 4BR.

Positive feedback

"The band gave a very musical performance of an incredibly difficult set work, and we received very positive feedback from various people who heard us play," he said.

"Narrowly missing out on qualification for the Grand Shield was a disappointment but it also showed our consistency. This is the second time in recent years the band has come fifth so we are knocking on that promotion door."

This is the second time in recent years the band has come fifth so we are knocking on that promotion doorMD, Michael Fowles

Strong performances

The result from the Spring Festival is the latest in a string of strong performances from the band after they claimed a top six finish at the Midlands Regional Championships in March.