Wow!
The adjudicators said "the top three performances were very good but the winner was outstanding."
That winner was Marsden Band. Well done to all the players and the MD Glyn.
What a performance, from the first note to the last.
The last couple of weeks hard work and the odd moment of stress were worth it. All the soloists were excellent and the day was topped with Dale Garner winning the soloist prize on Soprano.
At the time of this post the party continues at Marsden Band Room where the contents of the cup are being drunk. Who knows what is in it?

Congratulations to Uppermill, who today won the 3rd Section at Pontins. Special mention to Carys Graham, Trevor Hughes, David Woodward and Andrew Woodward, all former members of Marsden Band. Well done Alan Widdop, his fourth consecutive Pontins Title. Alan was the conductor of Marsden Band for more than ten years.

The band will be taking part in the Pontins contest tommorow at Prestatyn, Wales. The piece "Les Preludes" by Listz has been coming together nicely over the past couple of weeks. The band concluded their preparation in their afternoon rehearsal today, which was a well attended open rehearsal.
The band are hoping to improve on last years 5th place.

On the evening of the Mexican Night the band held it's annual presentation.
Nominations and winners in the main categories were as follows:

Players Player of the Year
Emily Braverman
Jason Evans
Debbie Lea
Mark Rogers
Matt Schofield
Winner: Jason Evans

Most Improved Player
Emily Braverman
Alastair Campbell
Kathleen Coton
Mike Cavanagh
Drew Goodier
Chris Hoyle
Hannah Platt
Matt Schofield
Matthew Tooley
Winner: Emily Braverman

Bandsman of the Year
Kathleen Coton
Jason Evans
Chris Hoyle
Luci Lamb
Matthew Schofield
Matthew Tooley
Winner: Kathleen Coton

Personality of the Year
Kathleen Coton
Jason Evans
Chris Hoyle
Matthew Schofield
Matthew Tooley
Glyn Williams
Joint Winners: Kathleen Coton, Jason Evans, Matthew Schofield

Non Bander of the Year
Malcolm Coton
Phil Lamb
Mark Rogers
Donna Smith
Winner: Donna Smith

There were also two other awards. The first for funniest comment of the year.
This was won by Laura Maynard for her comment on whit Friday, as the band bus struggled to get up a hill "Drew, can you pedal?"
The second award was for the stunt of the year.
This was won by four members of the band, for their ability to get four people into one bed while the band was staying over following a concert in Wales. The four members shall remain nameless. Answers on a postcard please!

Congratulations to all the winners and to those nominated. Good luck to you all for next year.

On the 6th November Marsden Band held a social evening with a Mexican themed night.
The catering was done by Kathleen on 3rd cornet, ably assisted by her other half Malc.
The evening was well attended with traditional Mexican tortilla starters and fajitas main course. At the end of the evening the tequila was flowing in the form of a shot drinking competition. The winner being Principal cornet player Jason Evans. Of course to win it took many attempts. (Ouch!) Other fierce some competitors included 2nd cornet Kate Woodward, 2nd Euphonium Luci Lamb and BBb Bass player Drew Goodier. Plenty of sore heads the next day.
If you bump into Drew ask him about the wheelie bin.