Since returning to the contest scene in 2008 the band has gained many successes, not only has it gained promotion to the third section but it is qualified by right for the National Brass Band Championships on successive occasions.

In addition the band gained many deportment and playing prizes in the last three Whit Friday march Contests.

We are very proud of those achievements.

The band was due to enter the North West Area qualification contest in February 2011.We have a full and very capable band and fully expected to have been up amongst the contenders however this year the band will not be entering the competition.

Often bands decide not to compete because they do not have a good enough band to compete. This is not the case with our band. This decision was brought about mainly due the rescheduling of the contest date (2 weeks earlier than last) which now clashes with school half term holidays.

Many of the band have children of school age ( many more don't) but for those affected this led to a dilemma. As the bands musical director this clash impacted on me personally and thus I decided that I would not lead the band at the contest this year.

I had fully intended arranging for another conductor to take the band to the contest but such is the "team " spirit of the band that they overwhelmingly decided not to enter without their MD at the helm.

I must admit to being extremely humbled by that support as there is no doubt in my mind that the band would have done very well indeed had it entered the contest.

That said it says a great deal about this band, it has always been about much more than contest results, in fact competitions form a small part of what we do, and we are now looking forward to a busy but rewarding Christmas period and a new year working on an entirely new programme.

Dave Woollam MD