The 37th Pontins Championships went off the other weekend with their customary smooth professionalism.

Basic formula

I’ve been attending these events as a guest of the company most years since 1982 and while the basic successful formula has remained unchanged a number of other changes have occurred.

One development which everyone would (and did!) applaud however is the annual engagement of the British Army Brass Band to give a concert on the Saturday evening.

Talent

What a talented and entertaining group of musicians they are- but how disappointing that so many of the people attending for the weekend had so little appreciation of their talents as to make a totally unseemly racket in the adjacent bar, spoiling to a marked degree the enjoyment of the rest.

Next year’s contests are already in the diary for a week later, November 4th 2011.

Pleasure

My particular pleasure was to see and hear our own Isle of Man Onchan Silver Band dipping its toe in the often chilly waters of contesting.

Not only that but going home with a cup and a cheque for £500 for their well-deserved fourth place. Four of our bands now blooded in national contesting, one in each of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sections.

Who will be next? Rushen Silver? Crosby Silver? One thing is certain; banding is alive and well and thriving in the Isle of Man.

1st November:

1. Walking with Heroes (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Black Dyke

2. Force of Destiny (Verdi arr. Frank Wright)
Black Dyke

3. Brilliante (Peter Graham)
Besses o’ th’ Barn
Euphonium duettists: Robert and Nicholas Childs

4. Les Preludes (Liszt arr. Bram Gay)
Cory

5. Whirlwind (Peter Graham)
Austrian Youth Brass Band
Cornet soloist: Selina Ott

6. To a God Like This
(John Larsson arr. Robinson)
The Household Troops Band

7. Temple 85 (Norman Bearcroft)
The Household Troops Band

8. Just Like John (Norman Bearcroft)
The Household Troops Band

9. Nimrod (Elgar arr. Eric Ball)
Foden O.T.S