Held at The Wintergardens, Blackpool, The Spring Festival comprises three contests all geared to qualifying for a place in The British Open Contest held in September at The Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Firstly the Senior Trophy, then the Senior Cup and then the Grand Shield. At this years contest, the test piece was Philip Wilby's 'Masquerade', and the adjudicators were David Read and William Relton. The Band finished in 20th place and so was relegated to the 2006 Senior Cup.

The night before the contest and despite it looking like John was tearing his hair out whilst glaring at the cornet section, this was in fact not the case. He was actually removing the parting that the front row had just created!!

The peace before the presentation.

Band Chairman Tony Newiss presents John Gillam with a small token to reflect the Band's gratitude at all the work he had put in.

Note John's big smile when he realised that it wasn't flowers, but something slightly more drinkable.

The Boys on the morning of the contest.

And the men!

Calmly contemplating the contest! 

Go on, have a go, of course you'll win!

The Two Johns

Smith & Powell

Height order 

Mark demonstrates shed building by memory.

After all that and we still have a couple of screws loose, I mean spare parts.

Just like a swan.

Should I stay or should I go?

Never mind the lager tops, what's happened to the top of Jez's hair?

One of these hears no evil,  another one sees no evil, whilst the third one just pauses long enough to grab a breath.

Graham demonstrates the embouchure problem, which leads to beer dribbling from his mouth. 

He now shows off his magic unattached hand.

Obviously a stimulating conversation on the merits of flat pack percussion.

Then the minister said to Steve, "do you take this woman ........."

Why are Pete and Stewart lying down on the wooden floor?

Miles smiles through gritted teeth. What had Danny just told him?

Danny, Kirsty, and Mark, show that the weekend wasn't all bad.

Pictures by Barry Mathews & Kathy Newiss