Normally we're talking about Helen and Lauren our West Cheshire athletes, but not the other week! OK so how many people have you played in front of? Talk to some of the band, and they'll say.... live to 38,000, and many millions around the world! Congratulations to the Chester contingent that played at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony: Christine Champion Mal Craig Doug Dlazell Rob Fletcher Donna Jackson Sylvia MacDonald Brian Meeks Bill Stronach Judi Tattum Les Platt As Rob Fletcher said.... it was one of those once in a lifetime moments. Oh yes, and they're still drying out.

Pictures of the training band solo contest have now been added to the website. You should shortly find that there are a lot more pictures on the website of events over the last two years. A new gadget has been found which processes the images so that they become web friendly, and as this removes much of the manual work required to prepare them for the website, it means a lot more pictures can be displayed! So look out for new, previously unseen pictures in all areas of the picture gallery! If you have any pictures of the band you think would be good for the website, let us know. We can use digital images, as well as normal photos which we can scan and then return. E-Mail [email protected] - you can attach your digital photos.

A fantastic evening, with everyone involved. 12 solo/group performances, gold medals galore. The medal winners are listed in full in the last TB update (email [email protected] for a copy), but special mention to Lance Neilson, flugel, who won the 2001 performance award. All-in-all it’s great to see how far the Training Band has come since May last year. Thanks to all who participated, conducted, adjudicated, sang, bought the food, arranged the BBQ, cooked, washed-up, etc etc…. We’ll look to do another mixed event + BBQ later in the year. Photo’s of the event can be seen on the website, and adjudicators Derek Mitchell and Andrew MacDonald are booked for next year… so get practicing!

The new members areas are still under construction - but are looking more complete all the time! The new members area for the main band should be completed in a few weeks, while the training band members area should be completed by the end of August, in time for the 'official return' of the band.

We now have 24 players on the books, with potential new adult beginners on trombone and bass ‘hovering’ with intent. We’re now ordering new music to challenge the ‘experts’, and beginner pieces. The beginners will be taken as a separate group for the first part of TB, with the whole group coming together towards the end of the session. Note the scout group is going to convert the large store room opposite the kitchen into an Explorer Scout work area, which will be suitable for the beginners group. There is a desperate need for more instruments so pass the word. If you’re thinking of buying an instrument let us know. The local music store will let us have instruments at educational prices, at least 15% discount… Attached is the band diary. Contact Les if you’ve any questions or Ian for TB. Les Platt:01829 733 631, [email protected] Ian Clowes:07714 157 351, [email protected]

Before the solo/bbq, on Sunday afternoon, the main band marched in support of The RAF Regiment Association at RAF Sealand. The ceremony was to present and bless the new colours for the North Wales Branch. It was a challenging ceremony for both conductor and band, but something the band is proud to be asked to do.

There will be a short break from the newsletters, and the next one will be published around the 13th August once the band has returned from it's 'holiday'. In the next issues, you'll be able to win some goodies with our friends at eBay, just by subscribing to the newsletter... so lookout for more information in a few weeks!

Chester City Centre Saturday July 20th The Commonwealth Games Baton hits Chester. Sometime after 17.30h, the band will be installed outside the Town Hall and will play in support of the baton event. Come along and see the band in action.... apparently the tv is there, so watch out for the band on a tv near you!

That's what Derek Mitchell said on Sunday afternoon.... you're all winners today. At the second Training Band Competition, 16 performances were adjudicated by Derek and Andy MacDonald. The overall winner was Lauren Hunt, who plays 3rd cornet in the main band, with an award to Christopher Clowes as the best Training Band only player. In the group of 'finalists' were Helen Clowes and Donna Jackson. Other performers were: James Hudson, Robert Munroe, Lizzie Knight, Aine Jackson, Kirsty Blain, Eve Howe (accom. by Dave Greenald), Sophie Wilding, Donna Jackson, Harry Shepherd, Robyn Shaw, Ruth Knight, Greg Russell. All the participants were awarded ledals and certificates, and the pieces ranged from Twinkle Twinkle to a slow melody test piece, via Latin and film themes. Accompaniments varied too, with many performers going solo, but bongos, piano accordian and the Brighouse and Rastrick Band also featured (The latter on tape!) Lauren was awarded the Margaret Blythin Trophy, dedicated to Margaret Blythin who passed away last year, but was an enthusiastic Euph player and energetic raffler! The trophy was presented on Sunday by her daughter Amy. The afternoon opened with the TB conducted by Paula Bell, running through some of their regular pieces. Paula has been conducting the TB since the very begining, and Phil Mottershead (Band Chairman) praised the band's sound and musical progress under her baton. Phil also thanked the parents and helpers, remembering his own beginings in banding, as he presented the performers with their awards. Phil also thanked Ian C. for the creation and running of this and other recent events - the TB was born out of a series of workshops run by Ian and Rob Fletcher. See the Tb section in the web site for more info. Final thanks to Rob Fletcher for BBQ'ing, food provision by Sylvia MacD., The Blain's for doing the raffle and tea's and coffee's, and everyone else who helped set-up and tidy away. The afternoon was rounded off by a stunning version of Misty, played by Leon Renilson, with keyboard accompaniment - The whole audience were transoprted to Ronnie Scotts jazz club!!

Yep we're at that time of the year. This will be our second contest for our younger and/or less experienced players. Sunday 14th July, MT Scout Hut. probably 1pm start. Entry forms in by monday 8th please. Spectators welcome, and we'll be risking another BBQ - can you cook that a bit more please!!!!!! questions to Ian on 07766 087 243