Now that the dust has settled and we are now well into 2020 and our preparations for the NW Regional Championships, it’s nice to take a moment just to reflect on what 2019 contributed to the development of our Band.
Competitively we had another good year. We didn’t set the world alight in Blackpool in February, and we know where we went wrong that day. But the result was good enough to secure our position in Second Section to allow us the opportunity to continue to grow as individual players and improve as a team. Our trip to Rochdale in October gave us some more contest exposure – all part of our development plan towards this year’s Regional Championships.
Our trip to Saddleworth for the Whit Friday Marches thoughwas more successful. Although we nearly lost one of our BBbBasses (accidentally left at the roadside in Delph), we managed to secure 3 wins from the villages visited! A great result and thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Our main Spring Performance Galaxies at the Capstone Theatre was a great success. The enthusiastic and appreciative audience being thoroughly entertained not just by some excellent playing and inventive programming, but also by a wonderful Audio/Visual presentation which brought the whole show to life.
As ever, our concert performances are extremely varied. Over the years we have played on the red carpet for Simon Cowell and David Walliams (X Factor 10) and blown the Friday Horn for Radio X, to list but two slightly out of the ordinary jobs. This year was no exception. In July we performed at a 70thBirthday Party which took the form of a Vienna State Ball c. 1860 with all the guests in full period costume and the host accompanied by none other than Queen Victoria. Our own MD, Adam, resplendent in white tie and tails, was honoured with due pomp and ceremony with a medal presented to mark the occasion by The Queen herself……. You really had to be there!!
In November we had our first ever annual awards evening – Oscar themed as you might expect. Various individuals were rewarded for their efforts and contributions over the year. Our Unsung Hero Award going to Teresa Jackson for the immense amount of support and work done behind the scenes that enables the Band to function as it does and be as successful as it is. Our Bandsman of the Year was Tony Jackson and Most Improved Player was Ruth Farrelly. The MD’s Award and Player of the Year Award deservedly went to Mike Jackson and Doug Elkin respectively.
We were pleased to be able to continue our Community and Charity work throughout the year supporting the Merseyside Thursday Club, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Claire House and others including Our Ladies Bishop Eton Church which is the Bands’ home and to whom we are extremely grateful for all their help and support.
Allerton Brass is though a real family and so the highlights of 2019 have to be the arrival of our very first Band Babies – Daisy Dunlop and Aria Anna (huge congratulations to the proud parents Nicola & James and Lynsey & Mike) – and the Wedding of Hannah & Doug – strategically scheduled to avoid any contest/concert clashes!
As ever, here’s hoping 2020 takes us to even greater heights.
Band Chairman
Tony Jackson
