There was a fine turn out of bands in Fleetwood on the weekend, where the bands in the North West battled it out for local honour at the town’s Marine Hall throughout the day.

Freckleton win

This was the 10th annual championship, and the honours in the Championship Section went to Freckleton under the baton of Paul Dalton, who posted a clear two point winning margin over rivals Poulton le Fylde, with Longridge two points further back in third.

Their performance of ‘Dances & Arias’ found favour with Malcolm Brownbill in the tent and as a result they picked up the winners cheque for £400 as well as the prize for the ‘Best Bass Section’.

This was the 10th annual championship, and the honours in the Championship Section went to Freckleton under the baton of Paul Dalton4BR

Reprise for Lostock

In the Second Section it was Lostock Hall, fresh from their Harrogate appearance that topped the results table with a reprise performance of ‘Oceans’ by Goff Richards.

They also picked up £400, and the ‘Best Tenor Horn’ award in beating Middleton by a point, with Valley Brass in third.

Clear win for Eccleston

Eccleston Brass was the clear winner in the Third Section after their performance of ‘Tam O’ Shanter’s Ride’ saw them tickle the fancy of adjudicator Paul Norley. They also picked up the ‘Best Bass Section’ award as they finished ahead of Hoover Bolton and Coppull & Standish.

Title win for Darwen

Darwen Brass took the top prize of £400 in the Fourth Section with their performance of ‘Music for a Festival’, which saw them take the title ahead of Besses Boys and Tarleton & District. Darwen’s euphonium player also picked up the individual award on offer.

The organisers were also very pleased that two bands performed in the Youth Section, where Fred Longworth High School took the top prize.

Championship Section:
1. Freckleton (P. Dalton) — 191
2. Poulton le Fylde (G. Westwood) — 189
3. Longridge (M. Cotter) – 187
4. Blackpool Brass (C. Larder) – 186

Best Bass Section: Freckleton

Second Section:
1. Lostock Hall (J. Wood) — 188
2. Middleton (D. Holland) — 187
3. Valley Brass (D. Chadwick) — 186
4. Skelmersdale (J. Ludden) – 184
5. Morecambe (A. Warriner) – 183
6. Greenalls (K. Scott) – 182
7. Uppermill (A. Widdop) – 181
8. Flixton (A. Hobbins) – 180
9. Besses o‘ th’ Barn (C. Whiteoak) – 178
10. Pemberton Old B (P. Ashley) – 177
11. Old Hall Brass (J. North) – 176

Best Tenor Horn: Lostock Hall

Third Section:
1. Eccleston Brass (S. Barton) — 184
2. Hoover Bolton (T. Halliwell) — 182
3. Coppull & Standish (A. Baker) — 181
4. Trinity Girls (A. Tyson) – 180
5. Thornton Cleveley (S. Simpson) – 179
6. Farnworth & Walkden (P. Ashley) – 178
7. Blackley (A. Smith) — 177

Best Bass Section: Eccleston Brass

Fourth Section:
1. Darwen Brass (S. Hartley) — 181
2. Besses Boys (J. Holt) — 180
3. Tarleton & District (B. Taylor) — 178
4. Denton Brass (T. Haslem) – 177
5. Goldborne (D. Houghton) – 176
6. Parr St. Helens (R. Prescott) — 175

Best Euphonium: Darwen Brass
James Ogden Scholarship to Youngest Player: Millicent Forrest (aged11) – Darwen Brass

Youth:
1. Fred Longworth High School (Miss H. Robinson)
2. Pemberton Old Wigan DW Youth (J. Don Duncan)

Best Percussion: Fred Longworth H.S.
Alan Rowson Scholarship to Best Trombone: Fred Longworth H.S.
Colin Rowson Scholarship to Best Cornet: Pemberton Old Youth
Youngest Player: Lauren Barkley (aged 7) – Pemberton Youth

Adjudicators:
Captain Paul Norley (4&3)
Malcolm Brownbill (Youth, 2 & Championship)