The weekend started in relaxed style with the band practicing on Friday afternoon before making the trek up north to Preston, getting at the Holiday Inn, Preston at about 1:15 am. Knowing that we were in the second half of the draw was of particular benefit and allowed for the relaxed evening trip up.

After a good breakfast the band rehearsed at 11:00 am before finding out that we had drawn to play 10, second on in the second half after the Fairey Band and before Rothwell. This allowed for a short break before making it over to the hall to play at about 2:45 pm.

The performance started well and featured good solo playing throughout by all the soloists but a bit of untidy ensemble here and there cost dearly in the tough line up. Despite that, the band and Andy Duncan received many positive comments about the performance. In particular, the bass team received a lot of praise for their efforts.

The band supporters were raving about Grimethorpe's performance and so it was no surprise when they were announced as winners come the time of the results. However, there was a mixture of surprise and disappointment at our placing at the foot of the table. Although not expecting a top half finish, the band had received enough positive comments to suggest that we might achieve a few places higher. It was even more of a surprise to read the censure in the adjudicators' remarks about the bass section, especially after some of the comments that were received. However, and as is always the case, the band was only temporarily disappointed and made the most of the trip with players sampling the delights of the local curry houses and Chinese restaurants.

The trip home was certainly eventful. Only some 2 miles from a much needed lunchtime stop at Taunton Deane services, the driver pulled onto the hard shoulder and sheepishly apologised for having run out of fuel! 2 hours and 45 minutes later, numerous start up attempts by the engineers and with the help of Shaun Woodland at the steering wheel, the bus finally got going again. It topped off a fairly disappointing weekend but everyone was upbeat and looking forward to the summer season with some great concerts in the lead up to the band's trip to the RAH when, for certain, the band will be bounce back.

Many thanks got to Mark Leigh from Camborne Band for giving up so much of his time in deputising for Andrew Jay on 2nd man down. Our congratulations extend to Grimethorpe who now qualify to play at the European Championships in Stavanger, Norway in 2008.

 

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