5th October 2008 :: Bolsover Entertainments Contest

Sunday 5th October saw the band competing in Bolsover for the second year running. Having won the contest last year along with the bands Flugel Horn soloist Sarah Sparkes collecting the solo prize we were pleased to be invited back to defend the title although in a slightly different format.
This year organiser Carole Hirst invited 5 newly promoted Championship section bands to compete in a County Challenge, we represented Cheshire whilst bands from Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lancashire were also invited. Three of the bands in total were sponsored by the Co-Operative movement.
The bands programme opened with Valero arr by Sandy Smith with all cornets and Horns stood around the outside of the band. Next up came a brilliant version of Blessed Assurance by Stephan Bulla which presented four of the bands soloists to the audience, Annette Sparkes, Clare Dixon, Sarah Sparkes and Colin Moody all gave great performances when asked to walk to the front and play without the use of printed music – well done guys !!
The Muppet show, provided a little lite entertainment with our very own Muppet – Andy ( softlad) on Bass trombone showing his lower note skills.
Soloist for the day was Nicholas Birch on Euphonium, he chose to play the beautiful Donegal Bay written by Paul Lovett-Cooper.
The finale to the programme again came from Mr Lovett-Cooper , Where Eagles Sing , which gave the band a fantastic close on the days contest.
The bands professionalism on stage was superb and a good day was had with the final result putting the band in third place in a very well fought contest.
Our thanks go to Jane Smart who compared for the band during our programme, she really does add something very special to the overall presentation and appearance of the band.
It was a late night on the band Coach but another good day in Bolsover was had by all. Special thanks to Carole Hirst the organiser of the day who helped us all with her well planned event.

Heres to next year !!!!! --- Jef Sparkes