Fresh from their success at the recent Brass at the Guild contest, Lostock Hall Memorial Band has announced personnel changes in time for their appearance at the Fourth Section North West Regional Championship in Blackpool.

Signings

Katherine Riding joins from BMP Goodshaw on flugel, whilst young members of the Hurst family: Olivia (cornet), Matthew (baritone) and Cathryn (percussion) come in after playing with the Lancashire Youth Band and local community bands.

James Davies joins on cornet from Dinnington Colliery, whilst John Brady rounds off the trio of cornet signings.

The BBb bass section has been bolstered with the arrival of Glenn Tomlinson following a 16 year break from banding, and to complete the arrivals are Pam Black on 2nd trombone from Glossop and Laura Grant on bass trombone from Greenalls.

Youth and experience

All this and moving up from the youth band are Jack Butterworth on 3rd cornet and Alfie Wright on kit after gaining experience with Rivington & Adlingdon.

One important internal move sees Nichola Gates take over the principal cornet chair after playing flugel. Nichola previously played for Wingates at the 2016 National Finals.

It's been 10 years since the band won the National Finals in 2008, who knows maybe 2018 will be the year for us — starting at the Area contestMD, Joshua Hughes

Thrilled

MD Joshua Hughes told 4BR: "I'm thrilled with all the recent appointments. There's now a real mixture of youth and expertise in our ranks.

It's been 10 years since the band won the National Finals in 2008, who knows maybe 2018 will be the year for us — starting at the Area contest."