What a weekend
Sunday 18th Jun 2006, evening time
3pm Friday 9th June - and the band embarked on the first Whit Marches campaign for several years. Completing 6 of the famous march and contest events around the Tameside and Saddleworth areas, the band was well placed receiving a particularily rousing reception at the impressive venue in Dobcross. Arriving back home well after 1am Saturday morning the band was out again that night, playing at a charity fund raising event in the local village of Thornton-le-Moors. A small village, nestling under the shadow of the giant Stanlow oil refinery, was the venue for a celebration of 2 80 year-olds, and in remembrance of a third, Joe Platt, who unfortunately died of cancer before the event. His wife Margaret was determined the party would go on - and decided to also raise funds to support the fight against cancer at Clatterbridge hospital. Over £1,000 was raised on the night... and Margaret has issued a challenge to the younger members of the village to repeat the event next year! Tired and weary by Sunday morning, the band did have time for a lie-in before setting off on the march on Sunday afternoon from the Castle Square to the Cathedral and back with the annual Cheshire Scout Parade (coffee and cake during the service!)..... It was a hot day and several pounds was lost by band members - but as always the band sounded in good form as it marched between the Chester rows. Phew... time for a cold beer.