Foden's maintained their stranglehold on the Tameside Whit Friday title by claiming the overall championship honours for a record fourteenth time since the turn of the Millennium.

Under the baton of Michael Fowles they once again performed 'The President' march as they sought to top their record, set last year, of winning at all eleven venues entered.

Five of the best

Although that was beyond them this time around, victories at Audenshaw, Denton, Stalybridge, Stalybridge Celtic and Upper Mossley, were supplemented by a quartet of runner-up spots at Broadoak Hotel, Carrbrook, Dukinfield and a fourth at Hurst Cross.

In addition, podium finishes at Droylsden and Heyrod saw the Sandbach band feature in the prizes at all the Tameside contests — winning around £6,400 in prize money.

Not surprisingly, Band Manager, Mark Wilkinson was happy with the night's work, and told 4BR that the victory was not just down to the performance consistency, but also plenty of pre-contest preparation.

Detailed prep

"As always we ensured we were fully prepared, with a lot of hard work during the course of the week both inside and outside the bandroom,"he said.

"Were delighted to have secured our fourteenth victory in fifteen years thanks to our consistent playing throughout the evening which ensured all our Tameside performances gained podium finishes.

We would like to thank each Whit Friday venue for their time and effort in running such a fantastic and safe event."

Ashton runners-up

There was also a great deal of satisfaction for Tameside's Ashton-under-Lyne Band, who was supported for the evening by sponsors, 'Gloactive'. They eventually secured the overall runners-up cheque of £1,000 in addition to the hefty prize money pot won on their travels.

Under MD, Philip Chalk, the Lancastrians performed 'The Wizard' to gain victories at Dukinfield, Heyrod and Hurst Cross, with runner-up spots at Droyslden and Stalybridge.

With a trio of third places at Broadoak Hotel, Carrbrook and Stalybridge Celtic, it added further financial gloss to a contesting period that had seen the band feature in the prizes at the North West Regional as well as gain promotion to the Grand Shield — results MD Phil Chalk was delighted about.

He told 4BR: "I'm so pleased for the band. It's great for the 'underdog' to take a few scalps around the circuit. We have a really settled team with only two personnel changes due to work commitments in the past two years.

The contest consistency of the band continues to improve and has been reflected in our performances throughout this year."

Rothwell third

Ashton's success meant Grand Shield champion Rothwell Temperance had to be content with third place overall, securing a brace of victories under David Roberts at Broadoak Hotel and Droylsden.

The Yorkshire outfit also captured a trio of runner- up spots at Audenshaw, Heyrod and Upper Mossley.

Army benefit

Despite not finishing in the top three, The Band of the King's Division, resplendently precise under the direction of Captain Justin Matthews also enjoyed a successful evening — taking the honours at Carrbrook as well as finishing second at Denton and Stalybridge Celtic and gaining third places at Stalybridge and Dukinfield.

Having announced in advance that their winnings would be donated to the Army Benevolent Fund charity, they will have headed home to Weeton Barracks near Preston thrilled with their efforts.

Success

With Ashton's success in the Open Championship, Mossley Band took the £750 as 'Local Champion', ahead of Stalybridge Old (£600) and Tintwistle (£400).

There was also delight for Macclesfield Youth as the Cheshire outfit, which celebrated its tenth anniversary this year, won the inaugural Tameside Youth Championship sponsored by Besson Musical Instruments.

Under the baton of MD Louise Renshaw, consistent renditions of 'Cross of Honour' were enough to repel the strong challenge of Wirral Schools, whilst the appearance of both Audenshaw School and the newly formed Hattersley Brass brought great delight to packed audiences who heard them perform.

Cool night

With the somewhat soggy weather failing to dampen spirits, there were well behaved crowds out at all venues, helped in their enjoyment by Tameside Radio 103.6FM broadcasting from Ashton's Broadoak Hotel and with roving reporters bringing a flavour of the evening to its listeners both locally and online.

With the outstanding work from the contest organisers and the co-operation of the police and local authority, it ensured another successful Whit Friday evening.

However, 4BR understands a band was disqualified due to a lack of respect for the contest following a request from the organisers to behave in an appropriate manner.

Were delighted to have secured our foureenth victory in fifteen years thanks to our consistent playing throughout the evening which ensured all our Tameside performances gained podium finishes Mark Wilkinson

Official Results:

Tameside Open Championship:
1. Foden's — £2,500
2. Ashton-under-Lyne — £1,000
3. Rothwell Temperance — £750

Local Championship:
1. Mossley — £750
2. Stalybridge Old — £600
3. Tintwistle — £400

Youth Championship:
1. Macclesfield Youth — £200
2. Wirral Schools — £100

Venues:

Audenshaw:
(39 Bands)
Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. Foden's — £500
2. Rothwell Temperance — £200
3. Vernon Building Society Poynton — £50

Highest Placed 2nd Section:
1. Silk Brass — £100
2. Eccles Borough — £75

Highest Placed 3rd Section:
1. Ifton Colliery — £100
2. Hawke Green (Marple) — £75

Highest Placed 4th Section:
1. Holywell — £100
2. Stalybridge Old — £75

Highest Placed Local:
1. Mossley — £125

Highest Placed Junior:
1. Wirral Schools — £100

First to Play: Foden's — £75
Deportment: Audenshaw School — £75

Broadoak Hotel:
(44 Bands)
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

1. Rothwell Temperance — £500
2. Foden's
3. Ashton-under-Lyne
4. Mossley

Highest 2nd Section:
1. Skelmanthorpe Prospect

Highest 3rd Section:
1. Hawk Green (Marple)

Highest 4th Section:
1.Valley Brass

Highest Local:
1. Denton Brass
2. Middleton

Highest Placed Junior:
1. Macclesfield Youth
2. Wirral Schools

Deportment: City of Tralagon
Junior Deportment: Hattersley Brass

First Band to Play: St John's Mossley

Carrbrook:
(34 Bands)
Adjudicator: John Davies

1. Band of King's Division — £600
2. Foden's
3. Ashton-under-Lyne
4. City of Bradford
5. Mossley

Highest 2nd Section:
1. Silk Brass

Highest 3rd Section:
1. Trentham Brass

Highest 4th Section:
1. Sale Brass

Highest Local:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne

Highest Youth:
1. Hope Bank Youth

Denton:
(44 Bands)
Adjudicator: Mike Lyons

1. Foden's — £250
2. The Band of the King's Division
3. Mossley

Highest 1st Section:
1. Elland Silver

Highest 2nd Section:
1. Darwen Brass

Highest 3rd Section:
1. Hawk Green (Marple)
2. Golborne

Highest 4th Section:
1. Holywell Brass
2. Stalybridge Old

Highest Placed Junior:
1. Maccclesfield Youth
2. Hattersley Brass

Best Cornet: The Band of the King's Division — £40
Best Trombone Section: Foden's
Best Junior Cornet: Macclesfield Youth — £50
Best 4th Section Basses: Holywell Brass

Best Local: Ashton-under-Lyne

Deportment: Ashton-under-Lyne
Prize Draw: Roberts Bakery
First Band to Play: Haslingden & Helmshore

Droylsdon:
(39 Bands)
Adjudicator: Ewan Easton

1. Rothwell Temperance — £400
2. Ashton-under-Lyne
3. Mossley
4. Foden's
5. Jaguar Land Rover
6. Hawk Green (Marple)

Highest 2nd Section:
1. Eccles Borough
2. Silk Brass
3. Darwen Brass

Highest 3rd Section:
1. Hawke Green (Marple)
2. Ifton Colliery

Highest 4th Section:
1. Stalybridge Old
2. Sale Brass

Highest Local:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne
2. Mossley

Youth:
1. Macclesfield Youth
2. Wirral Schools

Dukinfield:
(37 Bands)
Adjudicator: Dave Chapman

1. Ashton-under-Lyne — £400
2. Foden's
3. The Band of the King's Division

Highest Placed 2nd Section:
1. Silk Brass

Highest Placed 3rd Section:
2. Besses O'th' Barn

Highest Placed 4th Section:
1. Valley Brass

Highest Placed Local:
1. Mossley
2. Tintwistle
3. Stalybridge Old

Youth:
1. Wirral Schools
2. Audenshaw School

Heyrod:
(43 Bands)
Adjudicator: Andrew McLaughlin

1. Ashton-under-Lyne — £600
2. Rothwell Temperance
3. Foden's
4. City of Bradford
5. Bad Ass Brass
6. Roberts Bakery

Highest Placed 1st Section:
1. Roberts Bakery

Highest Placed 2nd Section:
1. Tintwistle

Highest Placed 3rd Section:
1. Hawk Green (Marple)

Highest Placed 4th Section:
1. Stalybridge Old

Highest Placed Local:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne

Highest Placed Youth:
1. Wirral Schools

First Band to Play:
Best Cornet: Ashton-under-Lyne

Deportment: Haslingden & Helmshore
Junior Deportment: Macclesfield Youth

Hurst Cross:
(41 Bands)
Adjudicator: Richie Howard

1. Ashton-under-Lyne — £300
2. Elland Silver
3. Middleton
4. Foden's

Highest 1st Section:
1. Elland Silver
2. Mossley

Highest 2nd Section:
1. Middleton

Highest 3rd Section:
1. Hawke Green Marple

Highest 4th Section:
1. Stalybridge Old
2. Sale Brass

Highest Placed Youth:
1. Macclesfield Youth
2. Wirral Schools
3. Hattersley Brass

Highest Local:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne

First Band to Play: St John's Mossley
Last Band to play: Besses 'o' th' Barn

Deportment: Macclesfield Youth

Stalybridge:
(46 Bands)
Adjudicator: Adrian Morris

1. Foden's — £500
2. Ashton-under-Lyne — £250
3. Band of King's Division — £100

Highest Placed 1nd Section:
1. Cornerstone Brass — £50

Highest Placed 2nd Section:
1. Skelmanthorpe Prospect — £50

Highest Placed 3rd Section:
1.Hawk Green (Marple) — £50

Highest Placed 4th Section:
1. Stalybridge Old — £50

Highest Placed Youth:
1. Macclesfield Youth — £50

Highest Placed Local:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne — £200
2. Stalybridge Old — £100
3. Mossley — £50

First band to play: Frickley/South Elmsall — £20
Deportment: Loxley Silver — £20

Stalybridge Celtic:
(41 Bands)
Adjudicator: C. Evans

1. Foden's — £400
2. Band of Kings Division — £200
3. Ashton-under-Lyne — £150

Highest Placed 1st Section:
1. Haslingden & Helmshore — £100

Highest Placed 2nd Section:
1. Silk Brass — £100

Highest Placed 3rd Section:
1. Ifton Colliery — £75

Highest Placed 4th Section:
1. Stalybridge Old — £75

Highest Placed Local:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne — £100
2. Mossley — £50

Highest Placed Youth:
1. Macclesfield Youth — £100
2. Hattersley Brass — £50

Cornet: Foden's £25
First Band to Play: Frickley /South Elmsall — £25

Upper Mossley:
(43 Bands)
Adjudicator: M. Tweedle

1. Foden's — £600
2. Rothwell Temperance
3. Jaguar Land Rover

Highest Placed 2nd Section
1. Eccles Borough

Highest Placed 3rd Section:
1. Greenfield

Highest Placed 4th Section
1. Valley Brass

Highest Placed Local:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne
2. Mossley

Highest Placed Youth:
1. Macclesfield Youth

Cornet: Ashton-under-Lyne
Deportment: Macclesfield Youth

First Band to Play: Mossley
Highest Placed Band to participate in the Whit Walks: Mossley