Northern Area Contest, Darlington

19th March 2006

The annual Northern Area Contest took place in the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, over the weekend of the 18th/19th March 2006. The Championship section was held on the Sunday, with Derek Broadbent as the adjudicator. The test piece was Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, composed by Peter Graham, using the story by Jules Verne as his basis. The Band was conducted for the first time on the contest platform by Jim Davies, and after playing a very good performance achieved third place - though it has to be said that the majority of the listening public had us in second place. Nevertheless, this was a much improved performance and band, in comparison to our previous contest performance. Below are some of the many photographs taken over the weekend.

On the evening before the contest, after the rehearsal I hasten to add, the Band retired to it's local hostelry (The Minerva) in order to relax, have tea, a couple of beers and to watch the England versus Ireland rugby union international, the last game in this years Six Nations Championship.

Contrary to popular belief these two are not brothers.......... and just in case they were, the one on the left is the elder!

You can tell the difference between really sports aficionados and those that stop watching to smile at the camera.

Who say's that men are only capable of one thing at a time. Here Kris manages to watch the rugby, drink his beer and order his food at the same time.

Meanwhile at the quiet end of the group.......

A camera at each end, though John Inverdale still manages to attract most of the attention.

Sunday morning at the Band Headquarters, Popple Street, our coach arrives complete with new driver Russell Ombler. Taking the Band away would be daunting enough, without the complete array of percussion equipment. Thanks for your help Russ.

Yes, that will be the boot then!

Tony prepares himself with a couple of big hammers, just in case the equipment needs resizing to the available space.

You'll need bigger hammers if you think that will fit in there.

If all else fails, look at the gap intelligently and wait for a woman to arrive!

I said a woman not a bitch!

Just in case you are wondering about our choice of mascot - adjudicators take note - this is a random dog out for a walk that obviously fancied a trip away.

Meanwhile at the Elloughton turn off on the A63, Emma wonders about the whereabouts of the late running Darlington special.

What is it that Jonathan is looking at with a combined look of bewilderment, amazement and disbelief? See next picture......

Oh yes, Who ate all the pies!!

A look of complete concentration, or is it a look of if I don't look at the camera, perhaps they'll go away.

Meanwhile, at the Ferrybridge services, Stewart hopes that the coach arrives soon so that he can retire from his part time modelling job. Vicki, hopes that the coach goes slow, she likes grinning at the camera!

Quick! Someone left the door unlocked and the percussion section is escaping!

All very neat and tidy, guess whose lunch this is? Could be an idea for a new daytime television programme, "Through the fridge door"

Did you guess correctly? Now all Alison needs to do is switch the fridge on!

Despite the intense look, this wasn't really an intelligent conversation.

Who's that under the rug?

'Did Steve really just say that', thought Jonathan.

Following the journey the Band has a light rehearsal before moving onto the contest. We are grateful for the facilities provided by the Darlington Cricket Club who kindly allow us to rehearse in the club house.