Good finish for Milnrow Band at Blackpool

United Co-operative Milnrow Band and its supporters were pleased to earn a creditable sixth place at the Area Contest in Blackpool on Sunday (1 March).

Under Musical Director John Ward the band performed the test piece "Salute to Youth" by Gilbert Vinter and competed alongside ten of the strongest North West Championship bands.

Since gaining Championship status the band has always acquitted itself well at the Areas. Its consistent perfomances at Blackpool over several years have served to keep it in a mid way position in this Championship Section.

President, Ken Watts said: "Whilst competing in this section with such formidable bands as Fodens, Faireys, Leyland and Wingates etc it is usually considered that the first four or five top positions in the contest are a virtual foregone conclusion similar to results in the football Premiership.

"However there is always a chance that a 'dark horse' from the other eight or so competing bands can 'buck the trend' if the performance of one of the top bands is less than nearly perfect and this year it was the turn of the band from Wigan. Pemberton Old Band upped it`s performance and gained third position. It could so well have been the turn of Co-operative Milnrow,so close is the competition."

By being in the frame at sixth position the band received a commemorative glass trophy and narrowly beat close friendly rivals United Co-op Crewe into seventh place.

The band were recently delighted to welcome Donna Towse back as principal cornet. Louise Plant will continue as the assistant principal.

The band wishes former principal cornet/ flugel player Jason Mark Smith, who recently left the band, all he best in his new venture.

Jason has recently taken up the baton at fourth section Carrbrook Band and guided them to a creditable 13th place out of 19 bands in his first outing as contest conductor. It was Carrbrook bands first contest outing for some time.