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News 2010.



26 out of 26.


The Band has surpassed all expectations over the past 16 months, winning 26 Prizes from the 26 Contests which they have entered.

From winning the Tameside Open Championship 3rd Section in March 2009, the band have entered a total of 26 Contests. These include the recent March & Hymn Contests at Hebden Bridge, Brighouse and Silkstone, The Saddleworth Whit Friday Contests plus several own choice and fixed test piece Contests.

In every single one, the Band came in the Prizes. A fantastic acheivement and as a result our Trophy Cabinet is once again overflowing with Silverware.

When our M.D. David W Ashworth came to the Band in May 2008, he made it clear that it would take about 12 months before we saw the profits of our hard work and, OH! how correct he has been.

'THE PAST 16 MONTHS HAS BEEN VERY ENJOYABLE AND ALSO VERY SUCCESSFUL, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF IMPROVING TO DO, AND MEMBERS STILL HAVE TO GIVE MORE EFFORT TO GAIN FURTHER SUCCESS, BUT WE ARE GETTING THERE. OUR GOAL IS TO GET BACK INTO THE 3RD SECTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.'
DAVID W ASHWORTH.





Silkstone March & Hymn Contest 2010.


The last contest of this season took place at Silkstone today, Saturday 10th July, with the band finishing as the Best 4th Section Band overall.

Overall Result:
1. Yorkshire Imperial - 363 1st Section.
2. Hebden Bride - 354 1st Section.
3. City of Bradford - 349 1st Section.
4. Skelmanthorpe - 348 Championship Section.
5. Barnsely Building Society - 335 2nd Section.
6. Boarshurst - 333 4th Section.
7. Dodworth Colliery MW - 322 2nd Section.
8. Skelmanthorpe B - 320 3rd Section.
9. Shirland Welfare Training - 316 Youth Section.
10= Thurlstone - 309 3rd Section.
10= Worsbrough - 309 4th Section.
12. Dronfield - 308 4th Section.

We played the Robert Redhead Hymn Tune, 'Reflections in Nature' and the Contest March 'Raby'. Well done to the Old Silkstone Band for presenting an excellent contest and thanks to Kelly, Jason and Martin for their help, and also special thanks for Dave for driving the coach what a star. WELL DONE EVERYONE........





Brighouse 2010 Contest.


4th July 2010 was a very successful afternoon with the Band winning yet another prize, this time at the Annual Brighouse March & Hymn Contest.We where awarded the Best 4th Serction Band in the Contest.

During a discussion at the celebratory pub visit, it was stated that over the past two years, the band have received a prize in every Contest that they have entered.
That is a very fine acheivement and everyone should be very proud. WELL DONE.





Hebden Bridge 2010 Contest.


Sunday 20th June saw the band play at the Hebden Bridge March and Hymn Contest.
We played the March, RABY and the hymn, Reflections in Nature.
After playing in glorious sunshine, members of the band enjoyed a social drink
whilst listening to the other 13 bands which competed.

At the announcement of the result, we were awarded a trophy and a cheque for £100.00 for
winning the 4th Section prize. Another very successful day out.





2010 Whit Friday Contests.


The band had an excellent Whit Friday this year, with the band playing in the morning for St Mary's Church Walks. Assisting us were members from Verwood Concert Brass and Pieter Eindoven and Alex Zwann who had travelled from Holland to spend the weekend with the band.

In the evening the band played at several contests and won the following prizes:-

Best 2nd Section Band prize at Lydgate Contest.
Best 4th Section Band prize at Greenfield Contest.
Best 4th Section Band prize at Greenacres Contest.
Best 4th Section Band prize at Scouthead and Austerlands.
Best Overall Saddleworth Band prize at Denshaw Contest.
Best Local 4th Section Band prize at Greenfield.

It was also confirmed that we finished 20th Overall in The Saddleworth Contest Competition.

Congratulations to everyone. Special mention to Mark Marsh who assisted us by playing Principal Cornet for the evening. Mark is very well known at the band having been registered with us for over three years prior moving down to Dorset.

Many Thanks Mark.





Band Welcomes New Principal.



The Bands new Principal Cornet, David N Ashworth, was given a very warm welcome at his first rehearsal last Thursday, 6th May.

David is the son of our M.D. and comes with a wealth of experience after playing with the Oldham (Lees) Band, United Co-op Milnrow Band and more recently on the front row at the Pemberton Old (DW) Band. David played at the Grand Shield and Cambridge English Masters, with them prior to having to resign for family reasons.

David is very welcome and hopefully this will be the start of a long friendship.

David's first appearance with the band will be at the Manchester Cathedral Fund Raising Concert.






3rd Place at Buxton.


The band gained another third place at the Buxton Festival on Sunday 2nd May, with very fine performance of Peter Grahams, 'Shine as the Light', which was said to be the best performance of that piece that the band had done.
It is the fifth, 3rd place in a row and the band will be trying very hard to break this run and get back to winning.

At the rehearsal before the Contest, Martin Stott was presented with a leather bag as a parting gift.

The band wish him well at the Oldham (Lees) Band, where he is playing on the front row.





Martin leaves the fold.



Sadly, the band have announced that Martin Stott has decided to move on and leave the band after the Buxton Contest.
After over 25 years with the Boarshurst Band, 17 on Principal Cornet, Martin has decided that a move to a higher section was what he wanted at this time in his life.
He has taken up the offer from John Collins, MD at the Oldham (Lees) Band, to play with them on their front row.

All at Boarshurst wish him well and hope that he continues to enjoy his banding in the future. Martin is and always has been a very loyal member of Boarshust Band and I am sure he will continue likewise at Oldham (Lees) Band.





Another 3rd Place. This time at Tameside.


The band played Sans Saens Variations at Dukinfield Town Hall on Sunday at the Annual Tameside Contest
We played an excellent performance but unfortunately was only awarded 3rd place by the Adjudicator Thomas Wyss. The winners were Darwen Brass playing Music For A Festival and having their 4th win on the trot, with the same piece, followed in 2nd place by Besses Boys.

A mention must also be made to the Dobcross Youth Band who came 4th under James Garlick. There is no doubt that these youngsters will be a force to be reckoned with very soon.

Well done to all.





North West Area Contest, Blackpool.


The Boarshurst Band can be very pleased and proud of the fabulous performance which the did in the Spanish Hall of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday 14th March. The band played their best ever performance with every member giving their all. Our M.D. Dave Ashworth Has put it on record that he was extremely proud of what every member gave.

The unfortunate side is that the adjudicator did not agree with the audience, who gave the band a standing ovation, and he gave us 5th place.

Results as shown on 4 Bars Rest.
Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones.

1. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley), 15
2. Besses Boys (James Holt), 6
3. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley), 16
4. Nelson Brass (Steve Brodie), 3
5. Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth), 17
6. Dobcross Youth (James Garlick), 14
7. Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson), 7
8. Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley), 12
9. Golborne (David Houghton), 8
10. Littleborough Public (Adrian Woodhead), 23
11. Parr (Richardson Ltd) St. Helens (John Ludden), 2
12. Tarleton Brass (Barry Taylor), 13
13. Coppull & Standish (TBC), 18
14. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Billy Porter), 21
15. City of Chester (Philip Mottershead), 1
16. Brindle (John Smith), 4
17. Sale Brass (John Dickinson), 20
18. Greenfield (Stuart Black), 22
19. Friezland (Chris Partington), 11
20. Blackley (Adrian Smith), 19
21. Ellenbrook & Boothstown (Craig Mann), 5
22. Denton Brass (Colin Myers), 9
23. Tottington Public (Daniel Price), 10

The first three bands qualify for the National Finals.





Saddleworth’s Area Test Piece Evening.


5 bands played the Area Test Pieces last evening for Dr Roy Newsome to adjudicate.

'This has been a splendid evening with some very good quality playing.' Dr. Newsome.

Over 350 people packed into every room of the club to listen to the evenings entertainment with the hope of leaving with some small advantage gain by listening to the bands and to the adjudication from Dr Newsome.

We hope that all enjoyed it as it appears that it will become an annual event. Well Done everyone.






Runners and Riders for the NW Area Contest.


 Fourth Section:

Spanish Hall, Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Split Draw 10.30am and 1.15pm
Commence 11.30am

Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones


Besses Boys (James Holt)
Blackley (Adrian Smith)
Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth)
Brindle (John Smith)
City of Chester (Philip Mottershead)
Coppull & Standish (Graham Martin)
Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley)
Denton Brass (Colin Myers)
Dobcross Youth (James Garlick)
Ellenbrook & Boothstown (Craig Mann)
Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
Friezland (Chris Partington)
Golborne (David Houghton)
Greenfield (Stuart Black)
Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
Littleborough Public (Adrian Woodhead)
Nelson Brass (Steve Brodie)
Parr (Richardson Ltd) St. Helens (John Ludden)
Pilling Jubilee Silver (Billy Porter)
Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson)
Sale Brass (John Dickinson)
Tarleton Brass (Barry Taylor)
Tottington Public (Daniel Price)










3rd Place at Brass at the Guild.


 The band played at the Brass at the Guild Contest at Preston on Sunday 7th February. Playing 'Shine as the LIght', a very well played performace was given with every band member being pleased with their individual performance when they left the stage.
When the results where announce we were judges to finish in 3rd place. Well done everyone.

The full result was as follows:-

Section 4
Adjudicator: David Read MBE

1. Darwen Brass (S.Hartley) (6) 184pts
2. Besses Boys (J.Holt) (5) 182pts
3. Boarshurst Silver (D.Ashworth) (3) 181ts
 4. Tarleton Brass (B.Taylor) (4) 179pts
5. Sale Brass (J.Dickinson) (1) 177pts
6. Greenfield (S.Black) (8) 176pts
7. Parr (Richardson Ltd) (R.Prescott) (2) 174pts
8. Tottington Public (D.Price) (7) 171pts






More Guests to visit Boarshurst on Whit Friday.


 Following the very successful visit last year of The Feilson Band from Holland, this year Boarshurst will be welcoming the Verwood Concert Band from Dorset.
The visit, arranged by our M.D. and Mark Marsh, whose roots are in Saddleworth. Mark plays Principal Cornet with Verwood and has as recently as last Whit Friday, played Sop with Boarshurst.
The Verwood Concert Band will be travelling up on Friday morning and are staying in a Hotel in Oldham. They will be playing at the Whit Friday Contest followed on the Saturday night with a concert at The Band Club commencing at 8pm.





Dr. Roy Newsome will be at Boarshurst.


 On the 28th February Dr Roy Newsome will be adjudicating the evening of Test Pieces as announced.
It has been decided that in view of the amount of pieces to get through, and the fact that Dr Roy will be addressing the bands at the end of the evening, the event will start with the evening with the Boarshurst Silver Band at the new time of 7.30pm.
All welcome addmission is only £1.00 per person.









Details of Area Contest..


 Boarshurst Band are one of twenty three, 4th Section Bands competeing in the North West Area Championships.
It has been announced that the Contest will be held in the Spanish Hall, at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool on the 14th March 2010.

Boarshurst Band have been allocated into the 2nd half of the draw, which will be held at 1.15pm on the day. The actual contest commences at 11.30am. However as a result of this information, we will be rehearsing at the Band Club at 10am prior to the coach leaving for Blackpool at 11.30am.

The first 3 will qualify for the National Finals at Harrogate in September.









Two New Signings For The Area Championships.

The Band are extremley pleased to announce two new signings for the Area Contest at Blackpool's Winter Garden on 14th March.

Nicola Murray has signed from the United Co-op Milnrow Band to replace Darren Mosses on the front row for the Area, whilst Darren is on holiday.

Nic played Principal Cornet with the BMP Europe when David Ashworth Snr. was conducting them, she then moved onto Repiano Cornet at Y.B.S. and before moving to Milnrow. Nic comes with a considerable amout of experience after playing at the National Finals and also playing in the British Open both with Y.B.S..


David N Ashworth, son of our Musical Director, has signed from The Championship National Finalists,
Pemberton Old Band DW.

David will play Soprano to cover for Rachel Boardman, again for the Area. Rachel is due to sit her GCSE examinations.

He also has great experience after having recently also played in The Grand Shield and the English Masters.
Prior to moving to Pemberton he played Flugel Horn with the Oldham Band (Lees)

Dave Ashworth Snr., the Band's M.D. is very pleased to have been able to attract the couple to Boarshurst.









Saddleworth’s Area Test Piece Evening.


An evening when all 5 Area Test Pieces will be played has been arranged to take place at the Boarshurst Band Club, Greenbridge Lane, Greenfield, Saddleworth on Sunday 28th February 2010.

All spectators are welcome. Admission price will be only £1-00 per person.
The Clubs bar will be open in between band performances.

The 5 Bands taking part are:-

Boarshurst Silver Band conducted by David W Ashworth.
Uppermill Band conducted by Alan Widdop.
Dobcross Silver Band conducted by Grenville Moore.
Oldham Band (Lees) conducted by John Collins.
The United Co-op Milnrow Band conducted by John Ward.

Each band will play one short musical item for warming up purposes followed immediately by the respective Test Piece.

Times and Order of performance.

7.30 prompt. Boarshurst Band. Musical item followed by the 4th Section test piece.
8.00 prompt. Uppermill Band. Musical Item followed by 3rd Section Test Piece.
8.30 prompt. Dobcross Silver. Musical Item followed by 2nd Section Test Piece.
9.00 prompt. Oldham Band (Lees). Musical item followed by 1st Section Test Piece.
9.30 prompt. United Co-op. Milnrow Band. Musical item followed by Championship Section Test Piece.

Area Test Pieces.

Championship:- English Heritage.
1st Section:- Moorside Suite.
2nd Section:- Kingdom of Dragons.
3rd Section:- Labour and Love.
4th Section:- Sans Saens Variations.











Rehearsal back on track.


Rehearsals for the up and coming Brass at the Guild Contest in Preston Guild Hall on Sunday 7th February, are well ahead of schedule following this weeks sectional evenings.Delays caused by the recent weather have now been overcome.
A great deal of hard work was undertaken by the Cornets and Horns on Monday and the bottom end of the band on Tuesday evening to get rehearsals back on track.

Well done to everyone for all the efforts.

A huge thank you also goes to Brian Daber from BMP Europe Goodshaw Band, who who, at very short notice, volunteered to play Bass Trombone at the contest due to our own player Roy Conway being previously engaged at work.

Many Thanks Brian.









Hopefully back to rehearsals after more heavy snow falls..


Unfortunately due to more snow Mondays rehearsal had to be cancelled. However, on Tuesday
afternoon a JCB was hired to remove the majority of the snow from the Club car park.

A call went out on Wednesday evening for the band members to muck in and clear the rest of the snow from the surrounding areas.Unfortunately the response was very poor, but altogether 10 of us made sure that rehearsals from Thursday will go ahead. THANK YOU.









Band back to rehearsals after the heavy snow falls..



Monday 11th January see the band return to normal rehearsals following the very heavy weather. Rehearsals had to be cancelled on the 5th of January due to very heavy snowfalls in Greenfield which totaly blocked access to the Band Club with snow being 16 inches thick in parts of Greenbridge Lane and 3 feet drifts blocking the parking areas.

The cancellation has caused severe problems with preparations for Preston Contest and the Area Contest but we are sure that we will return to normality as soon as possible.

'The members of the band are very committed to the cause and are very hard working. I do really hope that they have all been practicing at home to keep their lips in'. said M.D. Dave Ashworth when asked.

Preston Contest is on the 7th February and the Area Contest is on the 14th March.









Boarshurst Band, celebrate 160 years with new music and a new
‘COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE’.


Press Release to 4 bars rest for January 2010.

In December 1849, the Boarshurst Silver Band was formed in the Saddleworth village of Greenfield.
To commemorate this event, being that of the bands 160th Anniversary, and also the 30th Anniversary of the opening of the Boarshurst Band Club in 1979, the bands Musical Director, David W Ashworth approached the very experienced composer, Keith Lever, to write a very special street march especially for the band.

The March, entitled ‘Greenbridge’, has been named after Greenbridge Lane, Greenfield, which is where the Band Club is sited.

The Boarshurst Silver Band will be playing the 'GREENBRIDGE' march as their ‘Street March’ at the 2010 Saddleworth Whit Friday Quick March Contests.

As a result of their 40 years of friendship, David asked Keith to consider accepting the position of ‘Composer in Residence’, with the Boarshurst Silver Band. This offer, Keith gladly accepted with great pleasure, he will take up the position in the New Year.

However, numerous pieces of new music ranging from fanfares to solo works and concert items have already been discussed and will be included to the bands 2010 Concert Programmes.