November 2009 Sunday 15th November 2009 The band organised the 29th Northern Open Brass Band Championships again held in the Theatre Royal St. Helens. The rather dry acoustic of the theatre again provided a defined listening arena and the adjudicators David Horsfield and Paul Andrews in reaching their judgement were both considered and clear in their explaination. These were the last championships to be held under the Wilkinson banner and the organising committee, who all deliver an exemplary contest platform, now search for the necessary sponsorship to reach the landmark 30th Anniversary. Rewarding performances were in the main the hallmark of this contest with Prize awards of £400, £200 and £100 reflected across all the sections. The overall champions for 2009 were Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffith) playing ‘Music of the Spheres’ (Peter Graham) . October 2009 Wednesday 28th October 2009 The latest World of Brass – 4barsrest Rankings once more show that Rainford Band are ranked in the top 200 bands in the world at No. 198. No.197 - Blaenavon Town (Wales) No.198 - Rainford (England) No.199 - Milton Keynes Brass (England) Note that these rankings do not include Pontins and Australasian Open. These results will be included within the next release. The next update will follow the Wilkinson Open & Brass in Concert Championships before year’s contest season ends. Sunday 25th October 2009 The hard work undertaken in the band room gave its rewards with a finely structured account of Kenneth Hesketh’s ‘Danceries’ to take the runners-up slot at the Pontins Championships. Not quite enough to halt the Oldham (Lees) Band taking first prize, the other prizes winners were Oddfellows Brass and Hoover Bolton. FULL RESULTS Second Section Sunday 25th October Lunars Hall Draw: Pre-drawn Commencing: 9.00am Test Piece: Danceries, Kenneth Hesketh Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Peter Roberts Results 1. Oldham (Lees) John Collins, 13 2. Rainford, Neil Samuel, 16 3. Oddfellows Brass, Robert Boulter, 9 4. Hoover Bolton, Trevor Halliwell, 10 5. Barnsley Building Society, Rob Straw, 6 6. Tylorstown, Garry Davies, 1 7. Rogerstone, Jamie Jones, 3 8. Kippax, David Lancaster, 11 9. Tintwistle, Peter Denton, 8 10. Flixton, Alan Hobbins, 15 11. United Co-op 2000 Brass, Jamie Meredith, 2 12. Littleport, Nigel Bramley, 7 13. Silk Brass (Macclesfield), James Cant, 12 14. Haslington and Helmshore, David Holland, 14 15. Deiniolen, Gavin Saynor, 5 w, Verwood Concert Brass, David Johnson, 4 June 2009 Saturday 13th June 2009 After competing at the St Helens March & Hymn Festival a few hours before and taking the best 2nd Section band prize in both march and hymn, the members of the Band hopped into their cars and shot up to Marsden near Huddersfield. Here they completed a Saturday 'Double' by taking the honours at the 24th running of their March & Hymn Tune Contest. Playing the march 'Knight Templar' and the hymn tune, 'Reflections in Nature', Rainford beat off the challenge of Uppermill (£150) and Ashton (£125) to take the £250 top prize. Full Results: St Helens March & Hymn Festival The Best March per section won £500 and the Best Hymn another £200. March: 1. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (M.Bentham) 2. Marsden Silver (G. Williams) 3. Haydock Brass (M. Quinn) 4. Rainford (N. Samuel) 5. Bactiguard Wire Brass (P. Andrews) Hymn Tune: 1. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (M.Bentham) 2. Marsden Silver (G. Williams) 3. Rainford (N. Samuel) 4. Haydock Brass (M. Quinn) 5. Greenall's (K. Stott) Overall Champions: Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (M. Bentham) Championship Section: Marsden Silver (G. Williams) First Section: Haydock Brass (M. Quinn) Second Section: Rainford (N. Samuel) Third Section: Greenall’s (K. Stott) Fourth Section: Farnworth & Walkden (P. Ashley) Youth Section: Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Yth. (J. Don Duncan) Marsden March & Hymn Tune Contest. 1. Rainford 2. Uppermill 3. Ashton under Lyne Best 2nd Section: Middleton - £100 Best 3rd Section: Dobcross - £100 Best 4th Section: Huddersfield & Ripponden - £100 Best Hymn: Rainford - £50 Best Basses: Rainford Best Solo Cornet: Rainford (Anna McLean) winning a Hanson Cornet Deportment: Joint 1st - Dobcross & Rainford Adjudicator: Keith Hollinshead Friday 5th June Forget Whit Friday, this year's contests will be remembered as Wet Friday but despite the dreadful weather the band was once more able to return with a prize, this time at Broadoak. Broadoak: 41 Bands Adjudicator: Mr D R Howard 1. Hebden Bridge - £500 2. Stalybridge - £250 3, Fairey - £150 4. Rainford - £120 Although not rewarded with a prize, a 14th place at Delph (80 Bands) ensured that Rainford Band were the highest placed 2nd section band to compete. Photos in the gallery by John James & courtesy of Ian Clowes May 2009 At the recent AGM Phil Upton said "It’s a great achievement for our band to have so many committed players," as he annnounced the Players Player of the Year Award this year presented to Liz Tweedle. It was a double celebration for Liz as she also took the Conductors Award. The latest World of Brass – 4barsrest Rankings show few changes of position near the top of the table following May's busy month of contesting but once more Rainford Band are ranked in the top 200 bands in the world at No.185 No.184 - Malmo Brass (Sweden) No.185 - Rainford (England) No.186 - Nordvestjysk Brass Band (Denmark) Full table - http://www.4barsrest.com/rankings/default.asp March 2009 The band took their place, as at Preston recently, in the Top Section. Overall it was Ashton Under Lyne who took the honours with their performance of 'English Heritage' beating off a good challenge from the Rainford Band. In taking second place in a Championship/Premiership Section, performing 'Trittico', the band set a another milestone in the results history. Championship Section: Result Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley 1. Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans) - 190 2. Rainford (Neil Samuel) - 188 3. Poulton - le - Fylde (Gareth Westwood) - 187 4. Blackpool Brass (Chris Larder) - 186 --------------------------------- The band turn their attention towards the Tameside Open Championships to be held in Dukinfield, Manchester on Sunday 29th March 2009 where once again the band will compete in the combined 1st and Championship Section. Qualification for a National Finals place at Harrogate in 2009 eluded the band as they took a mid-table place in the strong field at the Regionals playing New World Sketches (Dan Price). Second Section: Result Empress Ballroom Adjudicator: Malcolm Brownbill Result / Band / MD / Draw 1. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins), 8 2. Silk Brass (Macclesfield) (James Cant), 7 3. Flixton (Alan Hobbins), 9 4. United Co-op 2000 Brass (Jamie Meredith), 12 5. Middleton (Matt Stringer), 5 6. Hoover (Bolton) (Lee Dunkly), 10 7. Rainford (Neil Samuel), 2 8. Besses o’ th’ Barn (Carl Whiteoak), 1 9. Old Hall Brass (John North), 6 10. Delph (Philip Goodwin), 4 11. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland), 3 12. Eccleston Brass (Ian Bateson), 11 Commenting on the performance Malcolm Brownbill (Adjudicator) wrote, "The last movement lacked security at the bright tempo, a real pity because there was some fine playing in the earlier movements." February 2009 First on stage and a few too many issues nibbling away at the points meant a rather disappointing return for the band on the contesting stage of the Preston Guild Hall. The band still gave a good account of themselves competing in the combined 1st and Championship Section but no prizes on this occasion. With the Regionals looming attention now turns to the NW Regionals Contest Music New World Sketches (Dan Price) I. Side Walk II. The Deep South III. Rodeo The following link gives details of an open performance evening in Warrington for those intetested in hearing all five Regional works. http://www.themouthpiece.com/vb/showthread.php?t=36455 January 2009 On the 8th of February the band return to the contesting stage of the Preston Guild Hall. The band hope to give a good account of themselves competing in the combined 1st and Championship Section. December 2008 23-Dec-2008 4brasrest.com - News Following the Rainford star Three wise women find their way to the Rainford bandroom... The Rainford Band has welcomed three new cornet players to their bandroom. Returning Rejoining the band from Haydock is Amy Hopkins. Amy is an ex pupil of Lynda Nicholson and has previously played flugel with the band. Meanwhile, joining rom Old Hall Brass is Dawn Banks who has previously played for Pemberton Old and Wire Brass. Last but by no means least, they welcome Anna Mclean who joins on principal cornet from Trinity Girls. Fantastic players Commenting on the new signings, MD Neil Samuel told 4BR: "To be able to welcome these three cornet players is fantastic! They are all absolute fantastic players and I'm very excited about what the future holds for the band." The band would also thanked outgoing principal cornet player Jane Hogan who is moving to play 'bumper up' due to increasing work commitments, for all her devotion and commitment that she has given to the band over the past few years December 2008 2008 4BR Money List Table: After the final flurry of contests around Europe from Perth to Montreux, the results of the 4BR Money sees Cory top the money earners for 2008. Rainford Band excellent contest season saw the band listed with the top prze winners: 20th. Leyland - £3,558 (North West Regional - £100; Whit Friday - £1,200; Grand Shield - £800; Grenland Festival - £358; British Open - £1,000; Brass in Concert - £100) 21st. Rainford - £3,525 (Guild Hall - £700; St Helens - £1,500; Whit Friday - £325; Pontins - £1,000) 22nd. Point of Ayr – £3,500 (Welsh Regional - £200; Tameside Open - £600; St Helens - £800; National Finals - £1,000; Pontins - £700; North Wales BBA - £200) 23rd. Wingates - £3,000 (Butlins - £2,500; Whit Friday - £500) |