75 bands will compete at the North West Regional Championships at the Winter Gardens Blackpool on 24th February.

The first of the 2019 Area contests will see five section of action taking place in three halls at the Winter Gardens — with entry costing just £10 for the day.

Strong position

Newly appointed North West Regional Secretary, Richard Milton told 4BR: "We're delighted by the number of entrants — maintaining our strong position as a Regional contest.

Accommodating all the bands on one day makes for an exciting opportunity to listen to bands at all levels — including three National Champions!"

Adjudicator change

Richard told 4BR that there has been a change in the adjudication team line-up form that previously announced, as due to an extension to his commitments in the United States at the College Band Directors National Association Conference, Tom Davoren will be replaced in the Championship Section by Sheona White.

Richard added: "Sheona was already preparing to judge the Championship Section in Scotland so we are delighted she has also accepted our invitation."

The contest day will start at 8.20am when the doors to the Winter Gardens will be opened to the public.

Tickets will be available on the day, although bands have been given the option to purchase them in advance for their supporters to avoid the queue at the box office. The contests begin at 9.45am with the event scheduled to finish around 7.45pm.

We're delighted by the number of entrants — maintaining our strong position as a Regional contest North West Regional Secretary, Richard Milton

Competing bands:

Championship Section:

Opera House
Draw 1:30pm
Commences: Following results of Second Section

Adjudicators: Howard Evans and Sheona White

Ashton-Under Lyne (Philip Chalk)
Fairey (Garry Cutt)
Foden's (Russell Gray)
Freckleton (John Pearson)
Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
Milnrow (Dennis Hadfield)
Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon)
TCTC Group (Jef Sparkes)
VBS Poynton (Stig Maersk)
Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway)
Wingates (Paul Andrews)

First Section:

Empress Ballroom
Split Draw: 9.15am and 11.15am
Commences: 10.15am

Adjudicators: Leigh Baker and John Doyle

Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
Boarshurst Silver (James Garlick)
Cheshire Constabulary (David Woollam)
Crewe Brass (Matt Pithers)
Diggle (Alan Widdop)
Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
Flixton (Matthew Ryan)
Haslingden & Helmshore (John Binns)
Haydock (Mark Quinn)
Longridge (Mark Peacock)
Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)
Middleton (Kevin Gibbs)
Mossley (Duncan Byers)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
Roberts Bakery (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)

Second Section:

Opera House
Split Draw: 8.45am and 10.45am
Commences: 9.45am

Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent and Brian Rostron

Allerton Brass (Adam D.J. Taylor)
Besses Boys (James Holt)
Besses o' th' Barn (Trevor Halliwell)
Blackpool Brass (Len Charnock)
Bollington Brass (Peter Christian)
Delph (Philip Goodwin)
Eagley (Chris Wormald)
Farnworth & Walkden (Luke Pallister)
Formby (Louise Hough MBE)
Greenfield (Patrick Marshall)
Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
Marple (Stephen Curtis)
Old Hall Brass (John North)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW "B"(Mike Golding)
Poulton-Le-Fylde (Alex Webb)
Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson)
Tyldesley (Robert Taylor)

Third Section:

Pavilion Theatre
Split Draw: 10.00am and 12.15pm
Commences: 11.00am

Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill and Sarah Groarke-Booth

City of Chester (Ewan Easton)
Darwen Brass (Mike Cotter)
Douglas Town (Ken Mitchell)
Eccleston Brass (John Wood)
Goldborne Brass (Jason Smith)
Greenall's (P.Boardman)
Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)
Hoover Bolton (Craig Mann)
Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead)
Lostock Hall Memorial (Joshua Hughes)
Parr St Helens (John Ludden)
Pilling Jubilee Silver (Steve Hartley)
Stalybridge Old (James Atkins)
Thornton Cleveleys (Stephen Craig)
Trinity Girls (Richard Evans)
Uppermill (Dean Redfern)
Valley Brass (Haydock) David Chadwick
Whitworth Vale & Healey (Chris Binns)

Fourth Section:

Empress Ballroom
Draw: 1.00pm
Commences: Following results of First Section

Adjudicators: Jim Davies and Andrew Warriner

Blackley (Adrian Smith)
BMP Europe Ltd Goodshaw (Alan Seymour)
Brindle (Matthew Balson)
Cadishead Public (David Holland)
Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore)
Dobcross Youth (M.Hindle)
Ramsey Town (Robert Quane)
Red Admiral Brass (Stuart Barton)
Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler)
Sale Brass (John Anderson)
Skelmersdale Prize (Ben Coulson)
Stacksteads (Fred Bowker))