On Sunday 14th March both the senior and B band took part in the North West Area contest at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Both bands went to the contest fully prepared and we were confident that we had performances that could persuade the adjudicators to award us qualification places to the National Finals.

Despite our best efforts on stage, both bands were disappointed at results time, because the Senior Band were placed 7th in the Championship Section and the B Band were placed 8th in the 3rd Section.

To listen to both performances click here.

Congratulations however must go to Peter Ashley and the members of the Farnworth Band who did manage to qualify earlier in the day in the 4th Section.

Full results courtesy of 4BR below.

Championship Section:
Sunday 14th March

Opera House
Draw: 1.45pm
Commence: 2.45pm approx after Second Section
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley

1. Foden's (Garry Cutt), 9**
2. Fairey (Geneva) (Philip Chalk), 8*
3. Leyland (Howard Evans), 4*
4. Wingates (Alan Morrison), 12
5. Ashton-Under-Lyne (Martyn Evans), 3
6. Co-operative Milnrow (John Ward), 11
7. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham), 2
8. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard), 5
9. Co-operative (Crewe) (Jef Sparkes), 6
10. (Bactiguard) Wire Brass (Paul Andrews), 1
11. Roberts Bakery (Colin Cranson), 7
12. Poulton-Le-Fylde (Gareth Westwood), 10

**Winners automatically qualify for Finals
* 2nd & 3rd placed bands qualify for Finals

Third Section:
Sunday 14th March

Empress Ballroom
Split Draw: 9.00am and 11.15am
Commence: 10.00am
Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill

1. Delph (Philip Goodwin), 1*
2. Hoover (Bolton) (Trevor Halliwell), 16*
3. Cheshire Constabulary (David Woollam), 10*
4. Uppermill (Alan Widdop), 14
5. Stalybridge Old (Eric Landon), 3
6. Greenall's (Karl Stott), 12
7. Eagley (Peter Denton), 11
8. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB 'B' (Peter Ashley), 6
9. Douglas Town (Gordon Higginbottom), 7
10. Skelmersdale Prize (Charles Dickinson), 8
11. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray), 17
12. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane), 9
13. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Geoff Bradley), 2
14. Trinity Girls (Stuart Barton), 15
15. BMP Europe Goodshaw (Eddie Hill), 13
16. Formby (Louise Hough), 4
17. Lostock Hall Memorial (John Wood), 19
18. Valley Brass (Haydock) (Bob Wyatt), 5
19. Hawk Green (Marple) (Neil Hewson), 18

*Top 3 bands qualify for Harrogate