The talented young players of Wardle Junior Blast Band received a wonderful surprise recently with the presentation of a brand new Shield to commemorate their win at this year's National Youth Brass Band Championships.

Band of the Day

At the RNCM event in April, they were declared 'Band of the Day' in the Beginners Section after providing a wonderful 15 minute programme under the direction of Lee Rigg, and were presented with a commemorative banner.

However, well known brass band supporters Ian and Jan Thompson who to visited the event noticed that there was no trophy to be passed on, so contacted BBE Chairman Mike Kilroy after the contest to explain their plans to donate a Shield which would be engraved each year and presented to the subsequent 'Band of the Day' winners.

These children put hours of practice and effort into making great musicMD, Lee Rigg

Cheers

Brass Bands England representatives Gary Walczak and Rachel Veitch-Straw joined the kind benefactors at Wardle Academy to present the Shield, where the presentation was greeted with cheers by the children and astonishment by Lee.

"This is superb,"he said. "These children put hours of practice and effort into making great music and we wouldn't be able to do it at all without the whole team of adults working with us, not to mention the support of parents and families."

Happiness

Mr Thompson told the youngsters that he hoped that the adventures they are having and the music they make will continue to give them happiness throughout their lives.