After a very busy Christmas period we are looking forward to a successful year ahead.

We are currently preparing our new concert programme for the year with the series of concerts at schools throughout Cheshire particularly in mind. We are also working on the test piece, The Talisman, for the North West Area Brass Band competition at Blackpool on 1st March.

Last year was very much about "dipping our toes in the contesting water" but we are hoping for a much more successful year this year, that said, as anyone associated with banding will tell you, there are no certainties in competitions!

Within the band there have also been some changes. Ian Sanders joins the band on Principal Euphonium. Ian is an experienced and committed player, his previous bands include the very successful Wire Brass, his wife Sarah already plays on the front rank cornets.

Laura Hughes moves from 2nd Euphonium to Solo Baritone. Liz Rankin moves over onto second Euphonium whilst Helen Cooper, who has only recently joined the Police and is currently undergoing initial training moves from Baritone to Horn. We also now have a full percussion section with Mal Pendry and Gareth Thomas (both fine and experienced players) joining Richard Smith. We are very much looking forward to featuring them at our concerts in 2009.

Finally the 12th January sees Helen Capener (nee Moseley) joining the band on Cornet. Helen is currently studying for a Music degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and wishes to return to banding after many years away from playing. Helen has previously played Principal cornet at the Lions Youth Band and more recently (although still a while ago) played on the back rank at Roberts Bakery band. She is a very welcome addition to our band.

As others join some leave. Dave Evans who has been with the band for 24 years and is now aged 71( Im sure he wont mind me saying) has decided to retire from playing. He wants to spend more time with his family and after years of travelling round Cheshire with the band is looking forward to taking things a little easier. Dave is one of the nicest chaps in banding and rehearsals will be a duller place without him. (although I've still never been able to tell one of his jokes in public!) Dave continues to be involved in music as he still sings in a local male voice choir. He will be genuinely be missed by everyone in the band but we know it will not be the last we see of him as he has promised to follow the band in all that it does.