With the clocks going forward one hour, event organisers wiped the sleep from their eyes as preparations began for the annual Tameside Open Brass Band Championships, now in its eleventh year.

Didn't disappoint

Held at Tameside Hippodrome, Ashton-under-Lyne, the day certainly didn’t disappoint. With total prize money of £5,200 up for grabs, twenty-three bands from around the country travelled to Tameside to compete in a four section own choice contest staged throughout the day.

Barry Thompson adjudicated the Fourth and Third Sections, and Kevin Wadsworth the Second and Championship Sections.

The standard of music, the atmosphere and professionalism of the bands kept the audience enthralled4BR

High standards

The standard of music, the atmosphere and professionalism of the bands kept the audience enthralled. The contest unfolded and it was success for Timperley, Point of Ayr Colliery, Oldham Band (Lees) and Darwen Brass.

Conductor Steve Hartley led Darwen Brass to victory in the Fourth Section. In the Third Section, Conductor John Collins with Oldham Band (Lees) was victorious, improving on their second place last year. In the Second Section, Conductor Peter Christian’s Point of Ayr Colliery beat Wardle & District Anderson Brass by one point.

Finally, in the Championship Section, Timperley took the title for the second year running, whilst local bands Ashton-under-Lyne and Mossley finished in second and third place respectively, as they did in 2007.

The contest ended with the presentations performed by the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Mike Smith.

Further events

Tameside will once again be staging two further brass contests this year; the British Open Solo & Quartet Championships on Sunday 2nd November at Dukinfield Town Hall and the Tameside Youth Brass Festival on Sunday 23rd November, again at Dukinfield Town Hall.

Championship Section:
Own choice
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth

1. Timperley, David Evans — 184
2. Ashton Under Lyne, Carl Whiteoak — 180
3. Mossley, Duncan Byers — 179
4. Longridge, Steve Tarry — 177

Second Section:
Own choice
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth

1. Point of Ayr, Peter Christian — 180
2. Wardle and District Anderson Brass, Sean Conway — 179
3. Haslingden & Helmshore, Nick Shepherd — 176
4. Dodworth Colliery MW, Eliot Darwin — 175
5. Tyldesley, Brian Taylor — 174
6. Trinity Girls, Stuart Barton — 173

Third Section:
Own choice
Adjudicator: Barry Thompson

1. Oldham (Lees), John Collins — 188
2. Greenfield, Stuart Black — 187
3. Boarshurst Silver, Alan Hobbins — 186
4. Copull and Standish, Andrew Baker — 184
5. Parr Band (Richardson Ltd)St Helens, Russell Prescott — 181
6. Rhyl Silver, P. Copeman — 180

Fourth Section:
Own choice
Adjudicator: Barry Thompson

1. Darwen Brass, Steve Hartley — 178
2. Formby, Louise Hough — 177
3. Besses Boys, James Holt — 176
4. St Johns Band Mossley, David Chapman — 175
5. Blackley, Adrian Smith — 174
6. Farnworth & Walkden, Peter Ashley — 172
7. Sale Brass, John Dickinson — 170

The Stephen Furse Memorial Trophy to The Best Bass Section: Formby