Magnificent Seven for Foden’s
Congratulations to Foden’s on winning an unprecedented seventh successive North-West Regional Championship on Sunday. The competition across 5 sections took place in the now traditional home of the North West Area, Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, on Sunday 26th February with 77 bands performing to try and win qualification to the Finals later this year.
Under the skillful direction of Russel Gray, the reigning Regional and National Champions delivered a stunning performance of Philip Wilby’s ‘Red Priest’. The playing found favour with both judges and audience alike with Dr. Robert Childs stating that, “Foden’s were at a different level. The band’s performance was simply outstanding; they thoroughly deserved the win.” Similarly fellow adjudicator Glyn Williams made it clear that he’d been extremely impressed with the band, soloists and MD. This was reflected with additional prizes being awarded to Mark Wilkinson for 'Best Principal Cornet', tubas added the 'Best Basses' prize and Russell Gray once more winning the Roy Newsome Memorial Trophy.
WFEL Fairey under MD Phil Chalk were awarded the runner-up spot with Leyland placed in third. By virtue of Foden’s having automatic qualification to the London Finals, both bands will join them at the Royal Albert Hall in October. Congratulations are also owed to Wardle Anderson Brass, Whitworth Vale & Healey, Hawk Green and Goldborne Brass on winning their respective sections. Joining them at the Cheltenham National Finals later this year are: Boarshurst Silver, Manx Concert Brass, Diggle, Valley Brass, Morecambe, Formby, Rivington & Adlington and Ramsey Brass.
Full results can be viewed below:
Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs and Glyn Williams
1. Foden's (Russell Gray)**
2. WFEL Fairey (Phil Chalk)*
3. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)*
4. Milnrow (Lee Skipsey)
5. Pemberton Old Wigan (DW) (Gareth Brindle)
6. Rainford (Sarah Groarke-Booth)
7. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
8. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
9. Roberts Bakery (Mike Jones)
10. Wingates (Andrea Price)
11. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
12. Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans)
Best Basses: Foden's
Best Principal Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's)
**Pre-qualified for National Final
* Qualified for National Final
First Section:
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill and Andrew Warriner
1. Wardle Anderson Brass (Brad McCulloch)*
2. Boarshurst Silver (Jamie Prophet)*
3. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)*
4. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)
5. Freckleton (Adam Taylor)
6. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes)
7. Pemberton Old Wigan (DW) B (Gareth Brindle)
8. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian)
9. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
10. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
11. Flixton (Matthew Ryan)
12. Middleton (Jamie Cooper)
13. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
14. Eagley (Christopher Wormald)
15. Tyldesley (Neil Samuel)
16. Old Hall Brass (John North)
Best Trombone Section: Wardle Anderson Brass
*Qualify for National Final
Second Section:
Adjudicators: Duncan Beckley and John Doyle
1. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding)*
2. Diggle (Sean Conway)*
3. Valley Brass (Haydock) (David Chadwick)*
4. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
5. Besses Boys (James Holt)
6. Skelmersdale (Benjamin Coulson)
7. Allerton Brass (Mike Jackson)
8. Poulton-le-Fylde (Brett Baker)
9. Vernon Building Society (Poynton) (Adam Delbridge-Smith)
10. Delph (Phil Goodwin)
11. Haslingden & Helmshore (Joshua Hughes)
12. City of Chester (Ewan Easton)
13. Marple (Stephen Sutton)
14. Blackpool Brass (Steve Tarry)
15. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Steve Hartley)
16. Uppermill (Jack Smith)
*Qualify for National Final
Third Section: Adjudicators: Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale and Brian Rostron
1. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)*
2. Morecambe (Andrew Porter)*
3. Formby (Dave McGlynn)*
4. Hoover Bolton (Ben Hill-Wilson)
5. BMP (Europe) Goodshaw (Dean Redfern)
6. CWA Brass (Gary Proctor)
7. Greenfield (Alan Seymour)
8. Lostock Hall Memorial (Ryan Broad)
9. Eccleston Brass (John Wood)
10. Darwen Brass (John Binns)
11. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler)
12. Trinity Girls (Anna Hughes-Williams)
13. Dobcross Silver (Jason M. Smith)
14. Greenall's (Russell Prescott)
15. Douglas Town (Robert Mitchell)
16. Cheshire Constabulary (Paul Andrews)
17. Thornton Cleveleys (Steve Tarry)
18. Crewe Brass (Adam Shilton)
*Qualify for National Final
Fourth Section:
Adjudicators: Stephanie Binns and Alan Widdop
1. Golborne Brass (Les Webb)*
2. Rivington & Adlington (Matt Whitfield)*
3. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane)*
4. Sale Brass (Jess Tredrea)
5. Red Admiral Brass (Stuart Barton)
6. Blackley (Adrian Smith)
7. Littleborough (Ashley Higgins)
8. Onchan Silver (David Karran)
9. Stacksteads (Frederick Bowker)
10. Stalybridge Old (Dave Chapman)
11. Brindle (Stephen Craig)
12. St. John's Mossley (Paul Towle)
13. Port Sunlight Lyceum (Simon Harthann-Evans)
14. Cadishead Public (David Holland)
15. Dobcross Youth (Seth Livingstone)
Best Soprano: Golborne Brass
*Qualify for National Final
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