Foden’s achieve Eighth Successive Title in Blackpool
Congratulations to Foden’s and the band’s MD Russell Gray on securing an impressive eighth North West Regional win in a row. The band gave a superb performance of Philip Sparke's set-work ‘Variations on an Enigma’, at this first regional contest of the year, giving adjudicators Alan Morrison and Anne Crookston little trouble in their decision. Mark Wilkinson also added to his extensive collection of personal silverware by taking the 'Best Principal Cornet' prize. A spokesperson for the band stated, “We're thrilled to be North West champions for an eighth time!” KNDS Fairey had to settle for second place, although the band’s performance certainly had much to commend under the leadership of Phil Chalk. Third placed Pemberton Old Wigan DW will also make the journey to the Royal Albert Hall in October, owing to Foden’s pre-qualification, buoyed by their own excellent performance and the welcome bonus of the scooping the soprano cornet prize too.
Congratulations are also deserved by Wardle Anderson Brass, Skelmersdale, Morecambe and Stalybridge Old on winning their respective sections. They will be joined by Tyldesley, Blackburn & Darwen, Diggle, Besses Boys, Eccleston Brass, Golborne Brass and Littleborough bands at the Cheltenham National Finals later this year. Full results can be viewed below:
Championship Section:
Opera House
Test piece: Variations on an Enigma (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston and Alan Morrison
1. Foden's (Russell Gray)**
2. KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk)*
3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ryan Watkins)*
4. Leyland (Daniel Brooks)
5. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
6. Wingates (Andrea Price)
7. Milnrow (Lee Skipsey)
8. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes)
9. Rainford (Sarah Groarke-Booth)
10. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
11. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)
12. Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans)
** Pre-qualified for invitation to National Final
* Qualified for invitation to National Final
Best Principal Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's)
Best Soprano: Chris Musgrave (Pemberton Old Wigan DW)
Youngest Player: Marvin Wong (Wingates) — aged 14
First Section:
Empress Ballroom
Adjudicators: Steve Sykes and Glyn Williams
1. Wardle Anderson Brass (Brad McCulloch)*
2. Tyldesley (Neil Samuel)*
3. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)*
4. Boarshurst Silver (Jamie Prophet)
5. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding)
6. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
7. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
8. Freckleton (Adam Taylor)
9. Flixton (Adie Smith)
10. Roberts Bakery (Mike Jones)
11. Pemberton Old Wigan DW B (Gareth Brindle)
12. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)
13. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
14. Valley Brass (Haydock) (David Chadwick)
15. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
16. Middleton (Jamie Cooper)
17. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian)
* Qualified for invitation to National Final
Second Section:
Opera House
Test piece: Triptych (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale and Alan Widdop
1. Skelmersdale (Benjamin Coulson)*
2. Diggle (Sean Conway)*
3. Besses Boys (James Holt)*
4. Eagley (Christopher Wormald)
5. Lostock Hall Memorial (John Atkinson)
6. Delph (Phil Goodwin)
7. Haslingden & Helmshore (Stephan Tighe)
8. Uppermill (James Garlick)
9. Marple (Sarah Groarke Booth)
10. Old Hall Brass (Trevor Halliwell)
11. Poulton-le-Fylde (Brett Baker)
12. Besses o' th' Barn (Simon Cowan)
13. VBS Poynton (Adam Delbridge-Smith)
14. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Joshua Hughes)
15. City of Chester Bluecoat (Ewan Easton)
16. Liverpool (Dave McGlynn)
17. Allerton Brass (Gavin Holden)
* Qualified for invitation to National Final
Best Trombone Section: Skelmersdale
Third Section:
Pavilion Theatre
Test piece: Corineus (Christopher Bond)
Adjudicators: Duncan Beckley and Stephanie Binns
1. Morecambe (Andrew W. Porter)*
2. Eccleston Brass (John Wood)*
3. Golborne Brass (Les Webb)*
4. Dobcross Silver (Jason M. Smith)
5. CWA Brass (Gary Proctor)
6. Rivington & Adlington (Matt Whitfield)
7. Thornton Cleveleys (Steve Tarry)
8. BMP (Europe) Goodshaw (Dean Redfern)
9. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)
10. Hoover Bolton (Joe Murtagh)
11. Trinity Girls (Anna Hughes-Williams)
12. Clock Face Miners Heritage (William Haw)
13. Blackpool Brass (David W. Ashworth)
14. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler)
15. Greenfield (Sam Olsson)
16. Darwen Brass (Matthew Balson)
* Qualified for invitation to National Final
Withdrawn: Farnworth & Walkden (Neil Robinson)
Fourth Section:
Pavilion Theatre
Test piece: Music for Jock Tamson (Alan Fernie)
Adjudicators: John Doyle and Stan Lippeatt
1. Stalybridge Old (Nigel Lawless)*
2. Littleborough (Ashley Higgins)*
3. Onchan Silver (David Karran)
4. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane)
5. Sale Brass (Jess Tredrea)
6. Dobcross Youth (James Atkins)
7. Brindle (Steve Hartley)
8. Red Admiral Brass (Stuart Barton)
9. St. John's (Mossley) (Martin Gernon)
10. Crewe Brass (Adam Shilton)
11. Douglas Town (Robert Mitchell)
12. Stacksteads (Fred Bowker)
13. Port Sunlight Lyceum (Simon Harthern-Evans)
14. Blackley (Karl Stott)
* Qualified for invitation to National Final
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