Golborne Brass Band crowned 3rd section champions at the National Finals

Golborne Brass Band have returned victorious from their recent trip to compete at the National
Brass Band Championships in Cheltenham. In February 2024, the band achieved 3rd place in
the 3rd section at the Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool, which earned them an
invitation to the National Finals in Cheltenham. At this point, they were newly promoted from the
4th section following success at the National Brass Band Championships in 2023. The band
eagerly accepted the invitation and have spent the summer fundraising and working hard
preparing the set test piece ‘The Shipbuilders’. The 3rd section Final was held at Cheltenham
Racecourse on the 14th September and qualifying bands from each region of Great Britain
competed for the title of Champion in their respective sections. Golborne Brass Band beat all of
the competition in the 3rd section and were crowned champions, securing them automatic
promotion to the 2nd section for 2025.

The third section test piece ‘The Shipbuilders’ was written by Peter Yorke in 1960 and falls into
the genre of light brass band music. The work consists of four movements: 1 – ‘Web of Steel’, 2 –
‘The Launching’, 3 – ‘All Hands At Work’ and 4 – ‘Maiden Voyage’. The opening fanfare of ‘Web
of Steel’ in the lower section of the band establishes the imagery of a very large, very grand
vessel being built. ‘The Launching’ is a joyful celebration of the moment when the ship is
launched into the water for the first time. ‘All Hands At Work’ evokes a sense of busyness and
putting the finishing touches on the first class cabins. Finally in ‘Maiden Voyage’ the new ship
takes to the waves with a vast ocean of adventure and exploration ahead. This movement
allows the band’s principal players to shine, with the solo horn (James Lyon) leading into the
duet between the principal cornet (Hollie Lancaster) and solo euphonium (Evan Hopkin) played
beautifully by each. While each section of the band was mentioned positively in the three
adjudicators’ comments, they particularly praised the bass section which was led by Mike
Speakman on E-flat tuba.

The band was conducted by musical director Les Webb, who continues to drive them forward.
Their rapid progression upwards from the 4th section to the 2nd section is testament to Les’
experience, leadership and ability to bring out the best in each player. Les’ famous motto is
“music is fun”, and he sees every note on the page as an opportunity for storytelling and to take
the listener on a musical journey, bringing the story of ‘The Shipbuilders’ to life. This approach
undoubtedly won favour with the adjudicators at Cheltenham.

Among the band’s celebrations following the contest, they introduced two new awards. Repiano
cornet player Mark Blakeson designed and crafted two trophies, ‘Player of the Year’ and
‘Bandsperson of the Year’. ‘Player of the Year’ was awarded by Les Webb to percussionist
Abbie, who has made a huge impact in her first year since joining. ‘Bandsperson of the Year’
was chosen by the band members and was awarded to Mark Blakeson for his outstanding
dedication to the band this year.

The band would like to thank everybody who has donated, supported and wished them well for
their trip to Cheltenham, especially Golborne Community Members Club who continue to
provide them with a space to rehearse and everybody who came to watch the open rehearsal
on the 8th September. Highlights of the fundraising journey for Cheltenham included a
sponsored walk and former band member Brian Pennington’s skydive, and the band are
extremely grateful for every donation which helped make this trip possible.

The players are taking a well-deserved week off and will resume rehearsals next week for their
upcoming concerts on the 12th October (St Patrick’s Social Centre, Newton-le-Willows) and
19th October (Lowton Social Club).