2009 News
22nd December 2009 - Dave Heads For Norway
MD David Roberts will be spending four weekends in Norway in the new year as he will be taking former national champion Sandefjord Band to the Norwegian Championships. Dave received the offer after being recommended to the band by Fodens conductor Garry Cutt. Dave has wanted to return to Norway as he lived there for a year studying an Manger Folkehogskule. "I am really looking forwrd to seeing a lot of old friends on the finals weekend in Bergen," said David. The championships take place on the 5th and 6th of February.
13th December 2009 - Annual Awards
Yesterday, the band held their annual awards dinner. A good evening was had by all, thanks to food provided by http://www.halespigsandpoultry.com/.
The most improved player of the year award went to Jack Telfer, whilst the performance of the year went to James McCabe for his performances throughout the year, but particularly for the soloist prize at the Yorkshire Area. The coveted player's player of the year went to Richard Glascodine, for his work in arranging music for Brass in Concert.
The band finish the year seventh in the World of Brass rankings (http://www.4barsrest.com/rankings/) and are looking forward to the challenges that 2010 will bring. Merry Christmas to all our supporters!
15th November 2009 - Band Placed Tenth At Brass In Concert
The band today took part in their first Brass in Concert contest, which took place at The Sage Gateshead. Playing from a difficult second place draw, the band entertained the full house with Something's Coming, The Jazz Police, Rocks, La Califfa, The Humming Chorus and Tunes. The result is a bit of a disappointment, but this is the first contest of this type we have done since 1998, and our recent busy schedule has not allowed us to focus on preparation.
19th October 2009 - Band Placed Fourth At Albert Hall
The band had an excellent weekend in London and were placed fourth overall in the contest, with Black Dyke taking the title. We were extremely pleased with the band's performance on stage and would like to thank all of those people who sent their congratulations - by text, email, on the guestbook and in person. I've never had random strangers coming up to me at a contest before thanking me for such a good performance!
We must send our special thanks to Mark Bousie for stepping into the principal Euphonium seat after Morgan Griffiths had to work on contest day. Mark was excellent all weekend and played extremely well on stage.
Contest Report is now available.
19th September 2009 - 100 Club Update
The website has been updated with the latest winners of the 100 club, see here for a full list. Special congratulations go to Lucy McGann, our first double winner! The 100 club has so far raised £1380 for band funds, thanks must go to all involved, especially Richard Golding who has done a sterling job.
13th September 2009 - Band Placed Fifteenth At British Open
Yesterday, the band took part in the British Open, a contest that they had regained the right to take part in after their win at the Grand Shield. After playing well on stage, and sucessfully portraying our take on the piece, the adjudicators put us in a lowly fifteenth place. We were very happy with our performance, and the band enjoyed their weekend in Birmingham - the band's spirit and humour was kept up throughout.
27th August 2009 - Congratulations To Ed Hodkin
The band send their congratulations to their principal Eb Bass Ed Hodkin and his wife Kath, on the birth of their first child this morning. The baby girl was born at 8.50am, one hour after arriving at the hospital, and weighed 6lb 14.5oz. Mother and baby are both doing fine.
29th July 2009 - Listen To The Band Broadcast
The band have been informed that their recent recording for BBC Radio 2's Listen To The Band programme will be broadcast on Friday, 9th October 2009 at 9.30pm.
17th July 2009 - 4barsrest Band In The Spotlight
The band are currently being featured as 4barsrest's band in the spotlight. For more details, see the page on their website at http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2009/1019.asp.
13th July 2009 - Supporters BBQ This Sunday
The band are having a Football Match and BBQ at the Rugby Club this Sunday, 19th July at 2pm. All supporters are welcome to come and join in the fun!
9th July 2009 - New Recruits
The band have signed several new players to strengthen the team for the second half of the year. Vikki Holland, formerly solo cornet at Pennine Brass has joined on the back row to replace Vicky Kennedy who is off to college in Wales. Matt Hindle, a student at the Royal Northern, has taken the vacant seat at Eb Bass. Finally, Tim Whaley has joined the percussion section from Marsden. Tim made his debut at the Masters in May.
Baritone Legend Bob Blackburn has also returned to the band, adding his experience on the 2nd Euph chair. We offer our thanks to Matthew Allsop who has decided to leave and try his hand on Principal Euphonium. Matthew has been a member of the band for nearly 10 years, and the band wish him all the best in his new endeavour.
Debbie Childs and Tim Hammond will be back playing with the band again at the next contest, the British Open, adding strength to the percussion section and front row.
16th June 2009 - 100 Club Details
Full details for the 100 club are now available on a special page on the website. This page includes all of the numbers allocated, and prizewinners for each month. Click the "100 Club" link on the site menu for more details.
10th June 2009 - Morgan Griffiths To Play At Albert Hall
Former Black Dyke, Fairey and YBS Euphonium legend Morgan Griffiths will play solo Euphonium at the Royal Albert Hall with the band. Andy Marsh has unfortunately been sent to Japan for a month with his work. MD David Roberts said, "Andy has changed many things around for the band with his work but can't get out of this one. It's very unlucky for him but we are all delighted to have a brilliant player in Morgan to deputise."
8th June 2009 - Success At Whit Friday
The band were out and about in the rain on Whit Friday, and had a good, if rather damp, evening. Despite the conditions, the band got fourth overall in the Saddleworth area, with three second places, two thirds and a fifth.
25th May 2009 - Band Placed Tenth At International Masters
After another early draw (it's now five years since the band drew in the second half!), and only two weeks of rehearsals the band were placed tenth at the International Masters contest in Cambridge on Sunday. The band were hoping to do better but were understandably fatigued after their win at the Grand Shield.
The band enjoyed their trip down south, and played reasonably well, expecting a slightly better result after their performance, but the draw worked against them (again)!
16th May 2009 - Band Pulls Out Of English Nationals
The band have decided not to compete in this year's English Nationals contest. The idea of three contests in seven weeks seemed possible back in September but the workload would mean the band could not guarantee to be 100% prepared to give themselves every chance.
Financially, winning the Yorkshire Area and Grand Shield means the band needs to find the money for the Open and London and this is also a major factor for a band with no sponsorship or financial help.
"I hope to do everything but it's just to much to ask of the band", said David Roberts. "Winning the Grand Shield means we will not have that contest next year and I have guaranteed the organisers that we will be attending next year and I thank them for their understanding."
9th May 2009 - Band Win Grand Shield
The band today won the Grand Shield contest at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, meaning that they bounce straight back into the British Open after their shock relegation last year. The band's stunning performance of Contest Music was judged to be the best overall, and means that the band have won both of the contests they have entered this year.
Some pictures are available in the gallery.
13th April 2009 - Death Of Donald Brown
The band is sad to report the sudden death of one of their stalwart supporters, Donald Brown, on Sunday. Donald had supported the band for many years, attending many of our local concerts and the band played for him on Christmas Day. He also donated money and was a very early member of the Patrons' scheme. Our thoughts are with those who knew him at this time.
13th April 2009 - New Eb Bass For Masters
The band are pleased to announce the signing of Shaun Crowther on Eb bass for the Masters contest at the end of May. Shaun, the Eb Bass legend who for many years was solo Eb at Grimethorpe was described by conductor David Roberts as "a top bloke."
2nd April 2009 - Congratulations To Neil Cole
The band send their congratulations to Neil and Leanne Cole on the birth of their second child Alfie John Cole at 12.20am this morning, weighing 5lb 5oz. Mother and baby are doing well, though apparently the midwife said, "you almost had him in the car on the way here!"
21st March 2009 - Congratulations To Tim And Sharon
The band would like to send their congratulations to Tim Sawyer and his new wife Sharon on the occasion of their marriage yesterday. The band took pride of place in the evening, playing in their first engagement since their wonderful success at the Yorkshire Area. A good time was had by all.
14th March 2009 - Congratulations To Paul Argyle
Congratulations go from all the band and supporters to Paul Argyle and his wife Lucy on the birth of their second child this morning at 5.25am. Their new baby girl weighed 7lb 2oz - Jessie Anne Argyle. Mother and baby both doing well.
8th March 2009 - Band Take Yorkshire Title
After a stunning performance of Salute To Youth, Rothwell Temperance Band were today crowned winners in the Yorkshire Regional Contest. Second place, and taking the second qualification place for London, was Hepworth whilst Grimethorpe came third and a pre-qualified Black Dyke were fourth.
Yorkshire sends four bands to the Nationals: Black Dyke, Carlton Main, Hepworth and Rothwell Temperance.
David Roberts and the band would like to say thank you to all those who have sent messages, texts, emails and phone calls.
Some pictures are now available in the gallery. Contest Report is now also available.
5th March 2009 - Best Of Brass In Yeadon
Last weekend, the band played a concert in Yeadon Town Hall as part of the Leeds Best of Brass Season. The band's performance was well received by the audience, and Mike Meadmore did a sterling job as compere for the evening.
The band are now hard at work preparing for the Yorkshire Area next Sunday, and are looking forward to recording music next month for BBC Radio 2's Listen To The Band programme.
14th February 2009 - Rotary Club Concert
Last night the band played a concert in the Blackburn Hall, Rothwell for the Rothwell & District Rotary Club. The music was all taken from Films and Shows, and featured music from various films including The Empire Strikes Back, Harry Potter, Braveheart and Jurassic Park. Shows included Cats, Chicago and They're Playing Our Song. An excellent evening was had by all.
25th January 2009 - Christ Church Bridlington Concert
The band had an excellent time out in Bridlington last night, playing a concert at Christ Church. Our performance was well received by the appreciative audience who gave us a standing ovation at the end. Some pictures are available in the gallery, courtesy of Anthony Clarke.
14th January 2009 - Rothwell Sign Cory Sop For Area
Michelle Ibbottson will play for Rothwell at the Yorkshire Area as cover for Paul Argyle, who is expecting his second child close to that date. Paul missed the birth of his first child Harry to play in the band's Masters victory on Paganini Variations, so you can't blame him for making sure it doesn't happen again. Conductor Dave Roberts joked, "Paul's timing is abysmal" so we are really grateful to Michelle. Michelle has several friends at the band and worked at the National Youth Band with Dave where they judged the cornet and horn solo championships together a few years ago.
10th January 2009 - 23 Turn Out For Xmas Day
An amazing turn-out of 23 players and collectors visited 10 houses of our greatest supporters and 2 old people's homes on Christmas morning. The line up included players past and present who love the atmosphere of this 100 year tradition. New to the experience were current players Richard Glascodine and Jack Telfer who loved the morning and vowed to come again next year.
1st January 2009 - Happy New Year!
We would like to wish all our supporters a very Happy New Year! A review of 2008 is now available. Some more recent player news is detailed below.
Gemma Pitt, who has stepped down from playing with the band due work issues, has agreed to stay on in the Contest Secretary role and will still be playing with the band if needed. Tracey Colston joined on second horn to replace Gemma and the band are delighted with her contribution to the horn section.
Following the departure of Dean Jones, Simon Kingsley has been adding his experience on second trombone. He has done an excellent job, strengthening an already very good section.
Bob Blackburn, who joined the band on Eb bass, has had some recent problems finding band-friendly work after being made redundant. He will return to the band when he can, but in the meantime James Hartley has returned to the band to cover the seat and we still have Rich Wilton available when required. This all strengthens the bass section, in time for preparations for the Area Contest to begin.
