25 year award
Congratulations to Ellen Galbraith on receiving her 25 year Award for services to Brass Bands from the NWABBA at the recent Rochdale contest. Well done Ellen!
Ghost walk
Paul Pilkington is organising a Ghost walk around the most haunted parts of old Shiverpool on Saturday November 19th
Starting at the Liverpool Philharmonic at 8.30 PM
The Hope Street Shivers takes in the Cathedral Quarter of Hope Street. Beginning outside The Philharmonic Pub.
This tour includes both Cathedrals, Rodney Street and the infamous story of Will McKenzie (Liverpool's most infamous undead resident) The Irish Centre (formally The Wellington Rooms), and ending the journey beneath the Gothic Majesty of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral in St James' cemetery,
Liz Callaghan
We wish Liz all the best as she leaves the band to continue her education at university. Call in and see us when you can, you'll be very welcome.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Liz Callaghan And Becky Marsh on their recent exam results. Well done both of you.
Dominic Francis and Jemma Gaskell
A big welcome to Dominic who joins us on trombone and a big welcome back to Gemma, after her year in Mexico, who joins on cornet.
Ken Haworth
Ken has decided to retire from banding after many years service to Skelmersdale band, both as a player and for several years as treasurer. He will be sorely missed
Ken started playing in brass bands over 50 years ago, in the Kensington Salvation Army Band in Liverpool, where his Father was the bandmaster. Ken has played in several bands since then, but his highlights are a tour of Malta and the Royal Tournament with the St John Band based in Southport. He also took part in the BBC2 Championship with Edge Hill BR and he played at the Royal Albert Hall in the year 2000 at the National Finals with Skelmersdale.
Chris Hibberd
Last night (7th July) marked our solo trombone player, Chris Hibberd's, final rehearsal with the band before leaving to become an army musician.
We are all so very proud of the player and person Chris has grown (literally!) to be, and we will miss him terribly.
Everyone at Skelmersdale would like to thank Chris for his dedication, hard work and fantastic playing whilst with the band, and we wish him every success in the future.
You know where the band room is - we expect visits whenever you're back! Good luck and love every second of your new venture!
Summer break
The band will be having a Summer break in August so there will be no rehearsals August 1st, 4th and 8th. a return to normal on the 11th.
Rehearsal Changes
After our trial period of changing rehearsal nights it has been decided to revert back to Mondays and Thursdays as from 20th June 2016.
Bowling Night
Paul is organising a 10 pin bowling night on Saturday July 16th at Southport Ocean Plaza.
Body Shop Party
Saturday June 4th there will be a Body Shop party at the Bandroom 7pm start.
Band AGM
The band held the AGM on Monday 23rd May and it was decided to change rehearsal nights. As from 31st May 2016 Rehearsal nights will be Tuesdays and Thursdays. 8 - 10 pm.
Sgt. William Edward Heaton VC.
On the 10th May a small ensemble played in Victoria Park Ormskirk at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Sgt William Edward Heaton VC.
On August 23 1900, Private Heaton’s company came under heavy fire from the Boers near Geluk farm, after they ventured too far into enemy territory. The two companies of the Liverpool Regiment, which had been sent to support the cavalry, took heavy casualties. Private Heaton bravely agreed to take a message out, requesting reinforcements. William risked his own life to the get the message out of the battlefield, and his mission saved the lives of many men.
Upcoming Concert and Cake Sale
The band are looking forward to returning to Dalton Church on Saturday 9th April. Tickets are priced at £7 and are available from the band or on the door.
We're also excited for our Spring's Here Cake Sale on Sunday 10th April 1-4pm. Join us for a cuppa, cake and a natter and help us in our fundraising efforts.
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Miller
The band were very happy and honoured to play at the wedding of our principal cornet player Sara and Dan. It was a beautiful day and evening very fitting for such a lovely couple. There were a few tears from the band when we played alongside a bagpiper as the newlyweds left the church as Mr and Mrs Miller. We thank them for letting us be a part of their wish them lots of love and happiness.
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e-rooms Launch
The band really enjoyed performing at the e-rooms launch event. It was a great event and really good to see other local musicians with such a variety of talents. We wish the e-rooms the very best of luck in their launch and look forward to working with them again in the future.
Leap Year Proposal for J-P and Ellen
The band are very happy to congratulate our BBb bass player Jon-Paul Coulson and flugel player Ellen Galbraith on their engagement. Ellen made the most of leap year tradition and popped the question. We wish them the very best.
50 Years Service for Alan
Percussionist Alan Penk has been awarded with a certificate and medal for 50 years service in brass bands, over 30 of which have been with Skem Band! The prestigious award was presented by the North West Brass Band Association at the Regional Championships in Blackpool. The band congratulate Alan on his achievement and thank him for his ongoing hard work and dedication.
HCPT Fundraising Concert
The band thoroughly enjoyed performing for HCPT to help them raise money to help take young people with additional needs on a holiday to Lourdes at Easter. The charity raised £750 on the night. This is a fantastic amount which will fund a child's place on this wonderful experience. We hope everyone involved has a great trip.
Best Percussion at Brass at the Guild
The band played Platform to the Heavens once again at Preston Contest, and we gave a performance we were all very happy with. Thanks go to Iain Culross for his hard work again in preparing us for and conducting us at the contest.
And a special congratulations to our PERCUSSION section, who won best percussion!
50 Years Banding Together
Congratulations to Linda and Evan Mawdsley who have been presented with a special award celebrating 50 years banding together.
During these 50 years, the married couple have played in the the same band as each other, tutored young players, supported West Lancs Youth Brass Band and held roles on the committee...and not forgetting organising the pies!
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.