In spite of some the worst weather conditions experienced on Whit Friday, Smithills School Senior Brass Band and MD Chris Wormald were delighted to finish their drenched evening as 2009 Youth Champions.
Prize money
With 4 wins, 2 second places, 1 best deportment and 1 best junior player from seven Saddleworth villages, Smithills enjoyed their most successful ever Whit Friday financially, as well as musically, with well over £400 in prize money more to be confirmed.
...at Scouthead the players were literally shaking with cold but gave their best performance of the night in winning thereMD, Chris Wormald
Totally soaked
Chris Wormald told 4BR: "Being totally soaked through, hailed on and frozen at Lees, Grotton and then Lydgate, we discussed the serious possibility of calling the evening to a halt and heading home to Bolton.
"The camaraderie amongst band members was superb but the enjoyment was certainly questionable due to the horrendous weather."
Shaking with cold
Chris added: "Of course, at that stage we didn’t know what a successful start to the evening we had enjoyed, but by 11pm at Scouthead the players were literally shaking with cold but gave their best performance of the night in winning there."