STOP PRESS:          

As announced at our St.Chads Concert on Saturday 3rd May 2008, the band has now had official notification that, after a very successful past three years of competitions and sheer hard work, it has been promoted to the National Brass Band Championship Section for the first time in its 134 year history. The announcement was made by the band`s current Secretary, Neil Jones, who also thanked the band members and conductors, past and present, who had worked hard to put the band in this position. The Championship Section contains the very best brass bands in Great Britain (and usually most famous !) including, Black Dyke Band, Grimethorpe Colliery, Leyland, Wingates and many more.

We look forward to the Whit Friday marches on the 16th May 2008 and another successful summer season.

4BARS REST ARTICLE:

PROMOTION: For the first time in its 134 year history, the Poulton-le-Fylde Band has recently gained promotion to the Championship Section in the North-West Region following their promotion to the 1^st Section in 2003.

NEW CONDUCTOR: After qualifying for the National Finals in 2007, the band came a creditable 3^rd Place in the 1^st Section at Harrogate. This was the band`s first outing under its new Musical Director, Capt. Gary Clegg. Gary has extensive experience as both a player and Musical Director after 25 years of service with the Army, and having played with the band for the past 3 years as its Principal Trombone player. We now look forward for Gary to continue taking the band to new levels of musicianship and continued levels of success.

PLAYERS:

The band would like to thank James Isherwood for successfully making the transition from Front-Row Cornet to Soprano. While the change may not have been easy for James, over the past 6 months he has shown himself to be one of the best Soprano players the band has had in recent years. The band would also like to take this opportunity to thank current members, ex-players and conductors for all the hard work it has taken to reach this level. The band still have a few seats that need to be filled, interested players can follow the links on our website www.poultonband.org.uk

YOUTH SECTION:

The band`s Press Officer, Andy Moore, says “In the past 12 months the band has gone from strength to strength by integrating players from its large Junior Section, many of which currently play for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the National Childrens Band of Great Britain.”

The band are now looking forward to attending the 2008 Whit Friday March contest in a few weeks time.

`BANDPERSON OF THE YEAR` - This honour was bestowed upon me at the April 2008 St.Chads concert. Much appreciated and thanks to all who took the time to vote for me ! (Andy - webmaster)

Useful Information

The band was promoted into the 1st Section Nationally in 2003 and then the Championship Section in 2008. Generally we try to compete in five major competitions each year including the North-West Regional Qualifiers (presently held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool). We also attend our local competition in Fleetwood and as many others as possible. In 2007, the band qualified for the National Finals in the 1st Section representing the North West and came a very creditable 3rd in the finals held at Harrogate, Yorkshire on Saturday 29th September 2007. In early 2008, the band found itself being promoted to the National Brass Band Championship Section early in 2008 after a very successful set of competition results at national level over the past 3 years.

Booking Information:

All bookings for the band should be made through the Secretary.  Fees charged are to be discussed with the Chairman/Secretary - we will take into account the type of function that we are being booked for as well as how long the engagement will last and how far we have to travel. 

Rehearsals:

Main band rehearsals are currently held on Tuesdays & Fridays from 8.00pm-10.00pm at the Band Headquarters, Station Road, Poulton-le-Fylde with the Junior Band rehearsing each Wednesday evening 6.30-7.30pm (term-time only). All members are expected to attend and if a member of the band is unable to attend they are expected to phone the Secretary in advance. We would ask that anyone wishing to come to the band `for a blow` contact the Secretary to make suitable arrangements. We always encourage players at a loose end to come & join us at rehearsals. We are proud of the way that we treat players and all young players are especially welcomed and looked after.