Butlin's Mineworker Championships
We have just returned home from an enjoyable weekend in Butlin's, Skegness, where we were placed 10th out of 15 in our first outing in the third section. Due to personal circumstances, our conductor Karl was unable to be with us this weekend, however thanks go to him for his hard work & dedication to the band leading up to the contest. Our conductor on the day - Iain Culross did a great job stepping in at such short notice, and the band are looking forward to working with him before our outing at Preston Contest next weekend.
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Lynan!
It was our absolute pleasure to attend the wedding of our bass player Tom and his girlfriend (now wife!) Rosie. It was a beautiful ceremony and a great reception which we loved being a part of. All at SPB wish Tom and Rosie and their son Barnaby lots of love, health and happiness.
2nd Place at Rochdale
The band continued their run of success at Rochdale Contest where they were placed 2nd. The band enjoyed performing Dan Price's Visions once more and received positive comments from the adjudicator. This is a great result for the band's last contest in the 4th section. After the upcoming busy Christmas season, promotion in January 2016 will see the band perform in the 3rd section at Butlin's Mineworkers. Thanks as always go to all players and conductor Karl Stott for their hard work in preparation for the contest and to former player Danny Hughes for helping us out playing trombone. The band are now looking forward to the busy Christmas season and the new challenges of the 3rd section. Keep an eye out on our events page for our upcoming concerts.
National Finals
The band were proud to represent the North West at the National Finals and are really pleased with a very respectable result of 7th out of 19 bands. Thank you to all band members and our newly appointed conductor Karl Stott for your hard work and commitment. Thanks to Alistair Burrows for helping us out playing trombone. Thanks must also go to our family and friends and everyone who has supported us. Well done everyone!
Happy Anniversary Paul and Margaret
The band enjoyed a concert at Hurlston Hall for the West Lancs Heritage Society, and made the most of the chance to perform the test piece for the national finals - Visions - in front of an audience.
It was also a great chance to play a dedication to our horn players, Paul and Margaret. All at SPB would like to wish Paul and Margaret a very happy 10th wedding anniversary. We hope you have many more happy years together!
Sunny Day at Pilks
The band enjoyed playing at Pilkington's. The sun was out and a great time was had by all
Cake Sale
As part of the band's fundraising efforts, we held a cake sale to raise money towards our attendance at the National Finals in Cheltenham. It was a great event enjoyed by all and lots of funds were raised. Thank you to Gemma and Helen for organising the event, to everyone who helped and all who supported us by coming along and having tea and cake with us.
Motorfest
The band enjoyed playing at Ormskirk Motorfest. It was great to be part of such an enjoyable and well organised event. It was fantastic to perform for such a large and appreciative audience and the band welcomed positive comments. The band are already looking forward to playing at Coronation Park again next year.
Greenwoods Menswear Support the Band
Thank you very much to Greenwoods Menswear who have kindly donated 30 suit carriers for us to take to the National Finals in Cheltenham next month. Looking smart and tidy is important to us, so taking the time to respond to our letter and send us these is very much appreciated by all - Greenwoods have been incredibly generous and helpful!
Win the Band!
The band are holding a raffle with a first prize of the band playing at an event/venue of your choice! There are lots of great runner-up prizes to be won also including an MOT voucher, cased wine with accessories and Tesco Voucher. Tickets are available from members of the band and cost just £1! All proceeds go to support the band attending the National Finals in Cheltenham.
Quiz and Games Night
Lots of fun was had by all at the band's Quiz and Games Night, raising money to support the band's attendance at the National Finals at Cheltenham. Well done to the winning team and everyone who won the mini-games including a hilarious Marshmallow Challenge! Thank you to Sara and Dan for organising such a great night and to everyone who came along and supported the event. Big thank you also to Louise Martin Photography for their generous donation of a Photo Shoot Voucher for a prize. We're looking forward to our next fundraising event, a Cake Sale so keep checking for details which will be available soon.
Adios Dave and Jemma
It was our pleasure to play at Jemma & Dave's leaving party before they jet off for an exciting venture and new jobs in Mexico!
The band and supporters would like to thank Dave and Jemma for their commitment during their time with the band and wish them both the very best in their new adventure.
Dan completes Lakeland 50
Skem Band supporter Dan Miller completed the Lakeland 50 in 9 hours 18mins taking 12th place against professional athletes! Dan completed the challenging 50 mile race to raise money to support the band's Cheltenham Fund.
Please contact the band (skelmersdaleprizeband@hotmail.co.uk) or one of our members to sponsor Dan and help the band attend the National Finals. A big well done and thank you to Dan...we hope Sara was waiting at the finish line with a pie for you!
Scott Rees & Co Support the Band
The band say a massive thank you to Scott Rees and Co for their support and generous £200 donation towards our 'Cheltenham Fund'. The band are very excited for the opportunity of performing at the National Finals and the support from Scott Rees and Co will make a big difference to our fundraising efforts enabling us to get there.
Read the full story here
Back to School!
A group of players enjoyed playing for children and parents at Asmall Primary School this afternoon. We entertained the children with some fun tunes, enjoyed listening to the talented Y5 brass group - and even had the privilege of joining them for their final piece. The future of brass is bright!
Happy Summer Holidays to all children, parents and staff, from Skelmersdale Prize Band!
Burscough Heritage Weekend
The band enjoyed playing at Burscough Wharf as part of the town's Heritage Weekend. The weather was fantastic!
Also a big welcome to Joe Phillips on EEb Bass in his first concert with the band.
The band would also like to take the opportunity to send their thanks and regards to departing MD Dave Chapman, who is leaving the band, along with his partner and soprano cornet player Jemma Gaskell, to take an exciting new step on his career path with a new job in Mexico. Since joining the band as MD in 2011, having previously been involved since joining the youth band playing the trombone in 2000, Dave has helped the band to grow in confidence and has achieved impressive contest results along the way. In Dave’s last few months with the band, no formal contest has gone unrewarded, with first, second and third place trophies won. The band have qualified for the National Finals in Cheltenham in September thanks to Dave’s hard work and dedication, and all feel that this is a fitting way to end his tenure with the band.
The band would like to send their best wishes to both Karl and Dave, and wish them the best of success in their new respective roles.
Happy 100th Birthday
The band felt very privileged to play for a lovely lady called Emmily Roughley, celebrating her 100th birthday. Emmily is a fan of brass bands and so we played a selection of traditional and popular brass band music as she was joined by family and friends to celebrate her special day. The band send their best wishes to Emmily for a very happy 100th birthday.
Whit Friday Marches
We all had a very enjoyable night at the Whit Friday Marches! It was the first time at the contests for some of our players and supporters. The band competed at six of the Tameside contests. Thanks to Georgina Moulsdale,Hannah Roughley and Ian Astill (all the way from the Isle of Man!) for playing with us and to all our supporters. Special thanks also have to go to Dan Miller for being our runner and to Chris Krelle, Phil Staples and Alan Penk (our percussionists) for being our teddy bears!
J-P Walks 40 Miles to Raise Funds for the Band
On Saturday 9th May, BBb bass player J-P walked 40 miles from Keswick to Barrow. He completed the challenging walk in 9 hours 42 minutes. As well as the notoriously tough course, participants also had poor weather conditions to contend with. J-P completed the walk to raise money for the band towards their Cheltenham fund. There is a sponsor form in the band room, if you would like to support J-P and the band please contact us. Please sponsor J-P as generously as you can. Thank you!
Car Boot Sale
As part of the band's fundraising efforts we had a stall at a local car boot sale. Many thanks go to Paul, Margaret, Evan and Linda for organising the event and braving the elements to man the stall. Thanks also go to everyone who donated items and of course our customers! We raised around £200 taking us closer to our Cheltenham target.
This award is the fourth successive top-three result that the band have received in recent contests, which is proof of the hard work put in by all members. Conductor David Chapman once again did a great job of helping the band to improve their playing, in what was his final formal contest with the band before moving on to an exciting new stage in his career in Mexico.
The band are now looking forward to an exciting summer of engagements including the Whit Friday Marches on May 29th, an afternoon in Southport’s Botanic Gardens on May 31st, and the National Finals in Cheltenham in September.
St. George's Day
The band were proud to be part of the St. George's Day Parade in Ormskirk alongside local Scout groups. The parade was followed by a rehearsal for the band in preparation for Buxton Contest. David and the band have worked hard on their chosen test piece and are looking forward to the contest next week.
Afternoon Tea and Cake Sale
The band and supporters enjoyed a fantastic Afternoon Tea and Cake Sale, raising an amazing £270 towards our Cheltenham funds! Thank you to Jo Moss for organising the event and to everyone who donated cakes, helped with the stall and drinks, donated prizes and supported the event in any way. As well as a fundraiser it was a great social event and it was lovely to catch up with family and friends, 'old' faces and our local community.
Promotion to 3rd Section: The band are thrilled to have received confirmation that they will be promoted to 3rd Section from 1st January 2016. The band went into the 4th Section in 2013 and have since worked hard to return to the 3rd Section. To have achieved this in just two years is great and an absolute credit to the hard work and commitment of the band and their conductor David Chapman. The band will be competing in 4th Section for the remainder of this contesting season and at the National Finals in Cheltenham in September before their promotion in January.
National Finalists!
Adding to their recent contesting success, the band were made up to be placed 2nd at the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool. As runners-up the band qualify for the National Finals which will be held in Cheltenham in September. This is great testament to the hard work of the band and their conductor, David Chapman.The band and their supporters are proud and excited to compete at the Finals. Before then though the band are working hard preparing for a busy summer concert season, Buxton Contest and Whit Friday.
Hello Barnaby!
The band and supporters send their many congratulations to Tom and Rosie on the birth of their son Barnaby. They are all doing well and settling into family life. We wish them lots of love and happiness and can't wait to meet our newest supporter.
Butlins Mineworkers Championships
We were delighted to be placed 2nd at Butlins! Well done an thanks to the band and our conductor David Chapman for the hard work in preparation and excellent, entertaining performance of 'Five French Masters' on the day. It was a great weekend with lots of laughs. Special mention and thanks to Shellie Speed (from Parr Band) for helping us on sop and to Annette Sharples on her first contest. The whole weekend was enjoyed by all and we're now looking forward to Preston contest.
Merry Christmas!
The band took a break from their busy Christmas season of concerts, caroling and contest preparation to enjoy a Christmas Party and Annual Awards Evening. There were some brill fancy dress costumes and Christmas jumpers and great Secret Santa gifts! Well done to all the award winners, there are always some light-hearted ones too and Andy Maguire is very proud of his award for 'Most Reformed Character'! We wish the band and our supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
St. George's Hall
The band thoroughly enjoyed performing with St. Edmund's Choir at St. George's Hall, Liverpool. The sell-out concert was held to raise money for the charities Woodlands Hospice, Lifeline Sefton, Autism Initiatives and St. Edmund and St. Thomas' Restoration Fund. It was great to perform at such an amazing venue with the professional and friendly choir and guest soloists.
Thank you to the choir and their Musical Director Martin O'Boyle for inviting us to be part of such a wonderful evening of entertainment.
Contacts
The Bandroom
Hutton Road
Old Skelmersdale
Lancashire
WN8 8HS
skelmersdaleprizeband@hotmail.co.uk
01695 722556
Secretary - Andrew Maguire
07951111659
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