OK so we all play brass. But some of our youngsters seem to find time for other things... Latest success is our TB 2nd Bari, Robert Munro, who completed in the 30km weekend Cheshire Hike with the Scouts - and made it to Monday night rehearsal. Greg Russell - TB Tenor Horn, Scored the clinching goal in the Chester Cubs Cup Final Last Week! Lauren, Helen, Lizzie and Chloe - won the Chester Schools Netball Competition (Upton High School) last week! And Lizzie got merit in her flute grade 4!! Lauren and Helen represented West Cheshire Athletic Club in the Sportshall North West Finals on April 6th, their under 15 girls team came 2nd just behind Stafford - (note 18 teams in the region) Know some other non-banding successes, then contact Ian via the contacts page and it'll be LIVE on the net :-)

Monday night saw a joint rehearsal with TB players taking leading band seats - pushing solo cornet onto Euph, Solo horn onto 3rd cornet and TB conductor onto solo trombone!! Unfortunately other clashing activities saw a depleted TB, but it was still a useful session, running much of the new TB music: James Bond, Brahms Melody, Vivaldi's Winter, Chariots of Fire, Stevie Wonder in Concert, and others. Watch the diary for more joint rehearsals.

The lucky winner of the jumbo bar of Dairy Milk is.... Sue MacDonald (Wingates) :-) £35 raised towards the roof fund..... Don't forget you can still sponsor a banner.....

The roof work has now been completed - and it hasn't rained since!! good news on the funding front. The work cost £3,150, plus additional work to be done inside on the roof. We received £1,000 from the Westminster Trust, and a new donation of £1,000 from a Middle East backer.... in the words of chairman Phil Mottershead: "Band members were delighted to receive the news of a generous donation to band funds at their AGM last Monday evening. They were even more pleased when they discovered that the mystery donor is a temporarily absent member of the band! Jon Vail , who is working in the U.A.E. for two years, has matched the £1000 we have been granted by The Duke of Westminister Foundation to help towards the cost of repairing the bandroom roof. John has also made a donation to the Training Band towards new uniforms. His generosity is greatly appreciated and his playing position in the band is secured for life upon his return!" I note Phil didn't say which position exactly.... This means we are still looking for well over a £1,000 to pay for the work... anyone out there want to match Jon's dosh!?!

No band this Friday, 28th march 2003 AGM Monday, band after and Friday On Monday 7th April band will do joint rehearsal with the training band at Mickle Trafford Scout Hut. Lot's of good new music to try out... including The Ketchup Song, James Bond, Monsters Inc and more! 7.30 start, but TB on from 6.30 (lessons 6.10), if you want to join in earlier.

Comments from Derek after the Regionals at Blackpool:Northern Landscapes was a challenging piece for 3rd section bands, but a good choice to stretch players to their potential. Our approach was as good as I could expect regarding rehearsals. We introduced the workshop specifically targeting the test peice , and Leon was on board with tutoring cornet section. We always knew the problem area was going to be the 3rd movement. Our remarks we constructive and I thought a fair assessment of our performance. which in all fairness was as good as we had played. Our Young players from the training band will gain valuable experience from this, which will stand them in good stead in future. I am obviously disappointed with piece our position of 18th, but we have to put this behind us , get on to the contest stage again this year to give the band something to aim for and maintain interest. Derek Mitchell March 2003

DIARY DATE The weekend of the 4/5th October 2003 Provisional recording weekend for band CD

Nomination sheets in the band room. AGM Monday 31st March 2003 in the bandroom at 8pm Hopefully not to drawn out so rehearsal after :-)

A fund raising choccy quiz is now out - in aid of roof repair funds. Only £1, on sale at rehearsals - ask a band member to get one for you. Returned to Ian Clowes by April 4th, with the winner being drawn out of a tambourine on April 7th rehearsal Big choccy first prize!!

Our 150yr celebration stickers are now available. These should be stuck on everything, and everywhere!!!! On sale at all band rehearsals (see Christopher Clowes) £1 each.... buy, buy, buy. Then we can go ahead and buy lapel badges etc etc Not at rehearsals, then send an email to Ian Clowes and we'll organise something :-) (go to the contacts page to do this)