Leaving the Bandroom bang on time at quarter past three, this excellent time-keeping wasn't to last, as Pete Arden had had a puncture and would be late arriving at the next pick up point. No problem we thought, quick change of the wheel, 5 minutes or so. Shouldn't be too bad, especially as Pete had already picked up the 'big burly' percussionist, Chappers! And that is where the problem started. Neither of them for a variety of reasons could change a wheel. So, the five minutes became extended as they called out the AA (Why the need for Alcoholics Anonymous is beyond me). The man in the yellow van arrived, and under his careful tutelage, Jonathon changed the wheel. This whole adventure was retold when they arrived on the bus, especially the part involving the rubber gloves! 

The rest of the journey was quite uneventful - apart from due to the delay we couldn't have a food stop.

Luckily, Alison's light snack was sufficient to feed all of those of the Band travelling on the coach, plus still have enough left for supper.

We arrived at our accommodation in North Wales, a country house hotel in St. Asaph - much better than the chalets at Pontin's. After a quick shuttle run to the local chippie, it was off to Northop for a rehearsal. Many thanks to Northop Silver Band for letting us use their bandroom.

Alice and Alison in horn duet mode.

Jonathon, Shaun, and James. AKA the sheds! 

After a two hour session, it was time for a quick glass of something, and then an early night, in preparation for the big day.

Not only John with his wallet out, but John at the bar with his wallet out. Lucky there was a photographer about, no-one would have believed this otherwise.

Alice, John, Julia, and Kirsty, enjoy a well deserved glass of something. Julia was to regret having several beers, see below for the aftermath!

Many a friendship develops over a glass or two. Here two euphonium players smile for the camera. But.... why has Neil got his arm around Andy. And what is Andy doing with his left hand?

Obviously he was keeping a tight grip on his bag of crisps.

Neil gives the photographer his best sultry look!

Guest 2nd Euph Neil, and Shaun the Shed model the luxury bath robes provided by the hotel. Next time, we'll show Neil how to wear it, instead of scrunching it up in his hand!

The following morning saw us have an early start with another rehearsal at Northop - but not too early that we couldn't stop and pose outside our lodgings.

Obviously the effort of watching the AA man tired Jonathon out.

Yes, that is Jonathon getting on with his embroidery.

After a good nights sleep, Tony and Kathy are ready for the big day, though Tony was to regret the early night later in the day when his cold developed because of a lack of whisky!

Alice looking pensive before the rehearsal.

 Once at the rehearsal, Jim guided us through a thorough warm up, and top and tailed the test-piece. 

 Tim Atkinson dreams during a rehearsal break. The subject of his dream......... well Tim plays the BBb Bass, and here he is sitting on the Solo Trombone chair. If only.... 

The bottom end of the Band,

& the top end of the Band.

Jim directs the Band through a hymn or two, just to warm up and make sure the Band are working together. 

The Trombone section - Bass Trombone Alistair, 2nd Trombone Jez, and Solo Trombone Mark.

The Horn section - Flugel Horn Kathy, Solo Horn Alison, 1st Horn Alice, and 2nd Horn Garry (just his knee showing!).

Want to know what was amusing John and Tony, the see the next picture.

All of that expensive percussion equipment around, and the sheds amuse themselves (and us!) by clapping.

John shows off his full wallet - that's twice on consecutive days that this has been out. 

The calm before the storm.

Following the rehearsal, it was off to Prestatyn, and the Pontin's holiday village, the venue for the 2006 Pontin's Brass Band Championship. 

Travelling across Mark was having an intelligent conversation, Steve & Alice posed for the camera, and Shaun tried to get some sleep, and then we arrived at the adventure playground. 

After ten minutes for the percussionists to play, we moved onto the contest.

Our changing room, was one of several amusement arcades on the site.

Much to John's amusement, Julia looked a bit 'unsteady, tired and emotional' after indulging the previous evening.

Obviously Pontin's operates a height policy on its rides, and not one of minimum (or maximum) age. 

Garry got maximum enjoyment in this arcade, here he does his impression of St George having slain the dragon.

And then imagine his delight when he found a machine bearing his name.

Guess who forgot to bring his black shoes?

The test piece for this year was Blitz, by Derek Bourgeois - as the title suggests this piece is a musical depiction of a blitzkrieg, a firestorm, even including a falling bomb, and the wait until the explosion. The Band gave an assured performance of the work, and the adjudicators had the following to say about our performance.   

David Read

Impressive start - vibrant, good diminuendos. Flugel fine. (5) Cornet, slight hesitancy otherwise good. Confidence abounds! (9) Good Bass passage. (10) Solo Horn & Solo Cornet, Trombone expressive. Good build up & climax from (12) - well graded dynamics to (13). Xylo plays a good part - more trom would help [after 15]. (18) Good style, Competent & confident playing. Theme at (25) fine. Exciting playing always alive. All parts are heard & always so well defined.

A fine performance only minor problems of relative balance occurred as mentioned after 15 also the timp swamped the band at (13).

Derek Broadbent

Effective opening, good detail & effects. (3) Spot on. (4) Accomps a bit too spacious. Tasteful flu & ensembles. (5) Uncomfortable moments spoil - too many I'm afraid. (6) Settles, and bold playing ensues - effective here - fine to (9). Just a blip spoils the quartet. (10) Tasteful Solo Horn and Solo Corn - well supported by all. Approach to (12) nicely done, and onwards - musical (13 -5). Good dynamics, and then exciting moments ensue. Good detail here. (15) Troms a bit overshadowed. (16) Builds well, (17) too (18) Effective style - Basses a bit woolly - but it recovers from (20). (21) could have been neater. (22) Has verve and character. (25) Drives along, all links in good style, Band in great form, bringing this music alive to (31). Much to commend here. (33) Could have been neater, (35) is better - Good lower lines (36)-(37) - powerful, (38) - feroce indeed. (41) Cyms a bit too vibrant. (44) Don't get too loud too soon. You build well to the close - (49) A shade heavy for pp. Good ensemble glissando - An effective ending.

Much to commend in this performance - but those unfortunate early moments detracted. Thank you very much indeed for a musical performance.

From this performance the Band finished a creditable 5th out of 22. Taking another step forward in the right direction, much of the credit for this performance should go to the Band's Musical Director - Jim Davies - whose experience, guidance, and encouragement has been vital.

As usual, following the performance, the Band took the opportunity to relax whilst waiting for the remainder of the bands to play. 

The main sporting fixture of the afternoon was the England versus New Zealand rugby international. Our own resident Kiwi, gave some of the Band a quick lesson in the haka.

  Here, Peter watches carefully as Steve write out the words, whilst Tony practices the tonguing action!

The official guide to the Haka.

And off they went. Kamaté! Kamaté! Kaura! .....

Of course it takes an expert to do it properly.

After the Haka, the cornet section led the way in the Haha! 

Did these two ladies from Unity Brass take a shine to Shaun, or did Shaun take a shine to them?

Liz, Alison, and Erin. Or Coke, Camera, and Carling! 

Tony's looking well today.

Cheeky chappie Stevie.

Wales (Jim), New Zealand (Steve), and Holland (Alice).

 Kathy and Andrea pose nicely for the camera, unaware that Mr Bean has appeared behind them.

Erin and Liz, and their respective tongues.

Very distinguished looking Peter.

Another perfectly posed Peter as the photographer pans in.

Better take this one again, so that Alice can open her eyes.

Anyone else notice the similarity between Steve and Tim.

A bevy of beautiful buskers.

Photographers Pete and Steve, caught out front of the camera.

  Shaun obviously wants to be a model, judging by the number of pictures he appears in. From left, the casual look, feigning interest in the camera, the Stan Laurel look.

Tony shares a pint with Neil, looks like Neil got the lions share though.

Yes, it is actually water.

The reappearance of Captain Mainwaring.

I always thought that Mrs Mainwaring didn't appear in front of the camera.

Pete, Erin, Liz, and some random drunk.

Judging by their faces, there was some disagreement over the identity of the next beer buyer.

1st & 2nd placings in the Pontin's gurning championship.

This picture was taken just before a seagull swooped down and carried Garry, and his fish and chips away.

Who ate all the pies?

Jim demonstrates that men can do more than one thing at a time!

The pace of the day is obviously catching up with Danny.

It wasn't the remarks that this group were studying, obviously another dodgy joke on Erin's phone!

No we're not acknowledging the presence of the camera.

Oh! Go On then.

On the way back, Andrew Kennedy led the community singing. Altogether now, I'm climbing up sunshine mountain.....

Pictures by Pete Arden, Kathy Newiss, Alison Grantham, and Stephen Gibson.

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