1885

In July at a contest in Rothwell organised by the Old Band 10 bands player and the Temps came ninth, receiving some caustic comments from the adjudicator Mr S Jones.

EXECUTION: Extremely Faulty (5)
TUNE: Trombone in opening very bad indeed no decided pitch all through, cannot give marks (0)
TONE: Not good quality, would doubtless be better if the instruments were tuned (10)
STYLE: Faulty (5)
TIME: Fair (15)
ATTACK: Fair (15)
SOLOISTS: – Euphonium, Fair (15). – Bb cornet, recitative taken too fast, many incorrect notes, hurried (5). – Trombone, solo dragged badly (5).
(Average 8) – Rendering of accompaniments, incorrect, very (0).

Total out of 200: 58

“This Band may contain some good material, but it requires a lot of hard practice before it can compete with the average bands in the North of England”

These comments probably stung the Band into seeking professional coaching for it must have been shortly afterwards that G.F. Birkinshaw, Black Dyke Principal Cornet, began a long association with Rothwell Temperance Band as Professional Conductor and Guest Soloist.

The following is quoted from Mr Arthur Newton’s Notes but no record has appeared of the great Alex Owen taking the Temps to a contest.

“One is told that Alex Owen was engaged before G.F. Birkinshaw, and his fee was 3gns. per visit and he would not allow any person in the room during the time he was teaching the Band, the door being locked, and only playing members allowed inside. A. Owen did not remain long. This being in 1886”