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Eagley Band at the National Finals, Harrogate 2008.

News:

The band are very sad to announce the departure of our esteemed MD Neil Parkinson. Neil has had to retire due to a recent severe problem in his wife, Anne’s health. The band are etremely grateful for all of Neil’s hard work and the efforts he has put in over the last few years, despite Anne’s illness. We are sorry to lose him and we wish all the family the very best for the future.

 

The King Is Dead – Long Live The King

In the best traditions of keeping going, but after a long drawn out process, the band have found a new MD, (we moved aside some bushes and there he was all the time!) Matthew Ryan has taken over getting stick from Neil and has leapt straight into action with a bank holiday rehearsal which was very well attended. The band are looking forward to a life sentence long and happy future with Matt at the helm. (At this point I refuse to make any remarks about Titanic, Marie Celeste, Hotel California – delete as appropriate) as I wouldn’t want to worry him in his first week. Welcome on board, Matty.

 

Welcome all.

I Like To Move it, Move it!

Martyn Walsh, the band’s staunchest supporter and long time Principal Cornet has made a life changing decision and has stepped sideways to allow Claire Southward to take over the seat. Martyn is now in the enviable position to point the finger, make cheap jibes and otherwise be totally supportive to the bubbly lass who has pinched his seat (though both deny that there was any pinching involved). Now, can I start any more rumours?)

Chris Atty, Marcus’ twin bro has taken the 1st Trombone seat. He is doing a sterling job and has already had to put up with two sectional rehearsals with me making sarky comments pointed remarks about the trombones being quiet! Nigel has returned to his first love (no, not Tina) and is back on Bass Trom. Sandwiched between these two reprobates is the lovely Izzy, who finds my imitations of a bass trom amusing for some reason!

I have a  New Year’s Resolution that these hallowed pages will be updated more frequently – especially now that it is no longer on my job spec. Marcus, step up to the line…

News: Vacancies

I am beginning to dislike New Zealand, despite its ravishing natural beauty, it’s lovely warm and friendly people and its sheep – because it keeps stealing away our best players! Folowing in her brother’s footsteps, Laura Brimelow is leaving us in the New Year to go to the amazing place that is New Zealand. She is cutting a huge Laura-shaped hole in the band which we need to fill. Anyone interested in the 1st Trombone seat will need to be good to fill Laura’s boots – as well as a bit of an alky (size 11).  If you are interested in this demanding position and have courage, wit, deep pockets and a high alcohol tolerance  – not to mention size 11 feet, please contact the band through the phone numbers/email addresses on the contacts page.

The band is also looking for a drummer. We are playnig a fantastic piece for the next contest but it requires someone with above average skill on the old shed building bench. If you are out there, get in touch!

Players are always welcome to come and sit in on rehearsals, every Monday and Wednesday at the Mercure Last Drop In. We rehearse in the Conference centre. Ring us or see the contacts page for directions.

We Have Moved!

Over the weekend a staunch few of us moved all of the band’s equipment from the garage at Hilltops to our smashing new practice rooms at the Mercure Hotel Last Drop Village. It took three trips and we were all knackered after the move, but it was well worth it. From tonight (Monday) our rehearsals will take place there.

I would like, once again, to thank the good people of Hilltops for their kindness and helpfulness during our happy years there and for also helping us to move. We’ll keep in touch.

The band is moving. As from the end of July, the band will be leaving Hilltops and moving nearer to our roots in North Bolton. We have been offered a place at the Last Drop Village, a picturesqe and well appointed bandroom only a stone’s throw from the band’s original home of Eagley. Hopefully, this will make it much easier for the youngsters in the Bolton area to come and join us for rehearsals. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the good folk of Hilltops for letting us share their excellent facilities over the last several years and we would like to wish the club all the very best for the future. I’m sure we won’t become strangers.

Speaking of moving, the band need some more cornet players. We are looking to fill up our front row and Rep positions, which have become vacant due to changes in work and other commitments. We’re still looking for a serious percussionist but will accept one that’s a bit jolly as well. Come and join us in making a big noise in the Lancashire area in 2011-2012.

As you can see from the updated agenda page, the band has a busy season ahead. Look over the list and see if you can’t come down and support us. We just loooove groupies! (You’d also be welcome heaving drum equipment, stands, banners and other assorted equipment around. )

And There’s More!
Two contests and two placings. We are absolutely delighted with our 3rd place out of 13 competing bands at Blackpool for this year’s area contests. Steve Pritchard-Jones, the adjudicator for the third section, placed us third behind Hoover, Bolton and Whitworth Vale & Healey, both of whom go on to the National Finals in October. I think the dedication and committment of the boys and girls in the band and Neil Parkinson’s hard work have paid big dividends with these back-to-back wins. Well done everyone, but especially Neil.

We had a disappointing outing at Tameside, but hey, that’s contests! This slight hiccup has not affected the band’s new positive morale. We are looking forward to the next contest and, more importantly, to the next concert.

We are very proud of our CD “Jubilation” which was published just before Christmas. This contains 15 excellent tracks, showcasing some of the band’s fine soloists. Contact any member of the band for details. Tracks include everything from hymn tunes to film music, traditional marches to way out west and show music. Pick up your copy for £10.

Congratulations: Eagley have achieved a smashing 2nd place at “Brass At The Guild” today, playing in the Charter Theatre at Preston Guild Hall. Well done to everyone, especially to Martyn Walsh, who also collected the best soloist trophy. Both prizes were well deserved. I felt that the performance on stage was exceptional, given the amount of full rehearsals we have actually had in the last month. Now we need to get going for the long haul to the Areas. Well done everyone. The whole band and all the deps deserve a huge thanks.

Overture and Beginners, Please!
Yet again, the band has a number of changes of personnel and we are delighted to add to our roll a number of new arrivals, whose details will be along shortly. We are now mostly full, with just a gap on persecution to be filled, so things are looking absolutely great for the band in its new decade.

I would like to welcome Declan Cullen on Bass Trombone. Declan is a good strong player and has already caused Tina to abandon her hair straighteners in favour of just sitting in front of young Dec. This has meant that the lovely Nigel has moved further away from his lovely wife – on to 2nd Trombone, but this should mean fewer arguments in the Banks household and many fewer earthquakes in Hindley. We are also pleased that Laura is now sitting on the end seat once occupied by her brother, Nick, who fled to New Zealand where he is carving out a career for himself in the outback. I’m not sure how well he’ll do as a Hobbit, being rather tall, but hey, who am I to wonder?

Other movements and additions include: Alicaa Martinov (Repiano Cornet), Charlotte (Charlie) Marston (Second Cornet), David Greenwood (Second Cornet) and Chris Atty (Percussion). Chris is Marcus’ twin brother, which presents some identification problems to newer band mambers. Older members already know that Marcus hits the cornet.

The effervescent, ebullient, excitable and elegant Liz Tonge has moved from Rep to Solo Cornet, where her obvious talent is already making a huge difference. Go Liz!

A New MD for Eagley!

We are very happy to announce the appointment of Neil Parkinson as our MD for the forseeable future. Neil has gelled with the band and rehearsals have never been so full. We look forward to a happy and successful future together. One of Neil’s strengths has always been to be able to balance a band properly. He has already improved the band’s sound dramatically.