To those who’ve made the effort over the Xmas period to get out and about in the cold to raise band funds, and support the Tree of Life Service at The Hospice of The Good Shepherd. A bonus came in the form of the launch of Magnets new shop in Deval retail park. Nice picture of Phil and Derek in The Leader and Chronicle. Big thanks especially to the regular collectors; without you we would collect nothing! This Xmas can be called a real success in terms of collections. Well over £1,000 between the main and training bands. Top of the collections actually goes to the training band who collected just over £177 one evening at Sainsbury’s, closely followed by the main band £176 at Tesco’s…..

We’re now in the run-up to the regional contest at Blackpool on March 9th. Derek is running a contest workshop on Jan 4th. Details below. Contest workshop: Jan 4th Mickle Trafford Contact on the day 07766 087 243 if you’ve problems. 10:00h Scout hut open 11 – 1ish Horns and above in Mickle Trafford Methodist Chapel (limited parking). Bari’s and below including percussion in Scout Hut 1ish coffee available in Scout Hut 1.30pm combined session in Scout Hut. Leon will take horns and above, Derek the rest. Focus will be 3rd movement of the test piece! You know the one J. If you can’t make it let Derek know asap!!!! Finally don’t forget Training Band is back on Monday 6th Jan, and to put in your diary October 18th 2003 for our Cathedral Concert.

Big outing now is on Jan 15th at Queens School. Watch Chronicle for advert. Programme sales are in aid of the Hospice. Queens School concert will start 7.30pm prompt with 15 min set by the training band, and then the main band will run the rest of the evening. TB members (if they'’e still up, may sit-in on the last main band number (Best of Bond!) too.

And finally, it's the last issue of the eNews in it's current form, as in the next week or two our new website is been launched! There will be a few hours when it's inaccessible when we switch to the new server and test it out, but don't worry - we will reappear a little later on. We don't know the exact date yet - but keep an eye out on our current website for more details... Our new eNews will also be launched, and will continue to be delivered to your mailbox as normal.

A small group of 10 players, marched and played at the 3rd Mickle Trafford Well Dressing. This is developing into a significant event, and looks established as a 'new' local tradition. Look out for photos, 'cos Rob F. was there with the digital camera!

Thought that might make you look: Training Band Mickle Trafford Fete Success!! A 24 strong training band put on a good performance at Mickle Trafford School Fete last Saturday. Supported by only a few senior band members (thanks!!!), a good afternoon was had by all! Conducted by Paula Bell, the band played for the procession of the Rose Queen, and then played 2 half hour slots - without repeating a single piece!!!

Last Sunday (23rd June), the band held it's second contest workshop, at The Scout Hut, Mickle Trafford. This year, organiser Ian Clowes had the support of Leon Renilson and Andy MacDonald, both Championship Cornet wizards. Making a superb double act (Morecombe and Wise, Laurel and Hardy, Starkey and Hutch? Don't know, you tell us), Leon and Andy took the workshop through many playing and contesting fundamentals, and even the more experienced players agreed they'd learned alot!! Thanks to Leon and Andy for their time and expertise!! The work piece was Divertimento by Eric Ball, and the mixed group of TB and Senior Players turned on a good final perfomance. Highlight for the younger players was the beatles classic Ticket to Ride, with the blow/no-noise train impressions in the opening bars. The afternoon was rounded off by a 1/2 drum BBQ - yep real charcoal! Superb fare organised by Sylvia McDonald and partly subsidised by the social fund and donations on the day. Thanks to all who helped cook, and tidy up! And thanks to Denise for teas and coffees during the day. A 3rd workshop is planned, sometime in Spetember, when we'll probably run through the Pontins Test piece.

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

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!!

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!