Bactiguard Wire Brass conducted by Paul Andrews took the top section honours at the North West Counties contest in Fleetwood on the weekend.

Commanding performance

With a commanding performance of ‘Cloudcatcher Fells’, they dominated their three rivals to post a four point winning margin and claim the £400 top prize from adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth. The band also won the individual prize for ‘Best Basses’.

Second place was taken by Longridge Brass, whilst the final podium spot was claimed by Timperley.

Step up

In the eight band Second Section it was the National Fourth Section Champions, Lostock Hall who showed that they are a band that can certainly make the step up in class, by taking the £400 top prize.

Their performance of ‘Oceans’ certainly found favour with Kevin Wadsworth, who gave them a one point winning margin over Middleton, with Pemberton Old Wigan JJB ‘B’ in third.

Given that it was the day after the National Finals in London it was an excellent turn out of bands and the standard of performances was very goodDerek Atkinson

Beat off rivals

Morecambe, under the baton of Andrew Warriner, beat off the attentions of eight other rivals in the Third Section. Their performance of Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s, ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ gave them the £400 first prize from adjudicator Chris Wormald.

Thornton Cleveley were the nearest challengers on the day coming in second place a point behind, with Eccles Borough in third.

Finding favour

Five bands battled it out to find favour with Chris Wormald in the Fourth Section, where the first prize went to Besses Boys conducted by John Holt. Their performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘Kaleidoscope’ gave them a narrow one point winning margin over Blackley, with Tarleton a point further back in third.

Encouragement

Finally there was further encouragement in the Youth Section where Astley Youth Band conducted by Helen Minshall was placed first ahead of Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Youth after their performance of ‘Laudate Dominum’.

The Arthur Gillon Trophy and James Ogden Scholarship to the youngest player went to Grace Jeffers of Pemberton Youth. Ten, 50 Year Service Awards were presented to Darwen Brass, Skelmersdale and Morecambe, whilst a Meritorious Service Award was presented to Joe Edmonson of Dearham Band.

Pleased

Secretary Derek Atkinson was pleased with the day’s contesting. "Given that it was the day after the National Finals in London it was an excellent turn out of bands and the standard of performances was very good. Next year we hope to revert back to our traditional date so that there should be no problems with it clashing with the event in London."

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth
1. Bactiguard Wire Brass (P. Andrews) – 191
2. Longridge (S. Tarry) – 187
3. Timperley (D. Evans) – 185
4. Blackpool Brass (A. White) – 184

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth
1. Lostock Hall (J. Wood) – 184
2. Middleton (M. Stringer) – 183
3. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB B (P. Ashley) – 182
4. Greenalls (K. Scott) – 181
5. Skelmersdale – 180
6. Flixton – 179
7. Pilling Silver Jubilee – 176
8. Old Hall Brass – 175

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
1. Morecambe (A. Warriner) – 180
2. Thornton Cleveley (S. Simpson) – 179
3. Eccles Borough (L. Webb) – 178
4. Trinity Girls (I. Brownbill) – 177
5. Eccleston – 176
6. Dearham – 175
7. Rivington & Adlington – 174
8. Farnsworth Walkden – 173
9. Parr St Helens – 172

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
1. Besses Boys (J. Holt) – 175
2. Blackley (A. Smith) – 174
3. Tarelton (G. Bould) – 173
4. Friezeland (T. Haslem) – 172
5. Darwen Brass – 171

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
1. Astley Youth (H. Minshall)
2. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Youth (J. Don Duncan)