SECTION WINNERS
The following bands will represent the North West of England at the National Finals in the Autumn Championship Section
(12 bands)
1st Foden’s (Rusell Gray)
2nd Fairey (Garry Cutt)
Section One (16 bands) 1st Roberts Bakery (Paul Lovatt Cooper)
2nd Blackburn & Darwen (D Thomas)
Section Two (17 bands) 1st Uppermill(D Redfern) 2nd Valley (Haydock) (D Chadwick) of the Championship, First, Second, Third and Fourth Sections.
The Championship Section in the North West can boast of three bands who have been National Champions of Great Britain in the past, namely Foden’s, Fairey and Leyland.
In total there were 78 bands entered last Saturday and all of them had 3rd Eagley (C Wormold)
Section Three (17 bands)
1st Hazelgrove (NBeasley) 2nd Lostock Hall Memorial (R Broad)
3rd Pilling Jubilee Silver (S Hartley)
Section Four (16 bands) 1st BMP(Europe Ltd) Goodshaw (D Ashworth) 2nd Skelmersdale Prize (Ben Coulson) a belief that one day they will be one of the bands representing the North West of England.
This weekend, the Welsh Regional Qualifying contest takes place at the new University of Swansea which is located on Fabian Way, near Skewen, on Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1.
Wales does not have the strength in numbers that
Section Two: Abergavenny Borough, Abertillery Town, Ammanford Town Silver, Crwbin, Newtown Silver, Markham & District, Mid-Rhondda (Thomas Coaches), Penclawdd, Royal Buckley Town and Taff Vale.
Section Three: Beaumaris, Briton Ferry, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Melingriffith 2, RAF St Athan Voluntary, Severn Tunnel, Ynyshir and
Upper Rhondda.
Section Four:
Buckley, Crosskeys Silver, Cwmtawe, Newbridge Celynen, Northop, Oakdale Silver, Ogmore Valley Silver and Royal Oakeley Silver.
Total number of Welsh bands involved is 40, which is just about half the number of bands competing in the North West so one can understand the envious thoughts of the players up north when they see so few competitors at the Welsh qualifying contest.
However, having said that, Welsh bands have been fairly successful over the years at the National finals.