A Child is Born
updated 21st Dec
Congratulations to Sam Simpson (3rd Cornet) on the birth of her baby boy. Joshua David Simpson arrived Friday 18th Dec at 1.13pm weighing in at 9lbs, both doing fab.
Sleepness nights - here they come!! Best wishes from all the Band!
Newest arrival
updated 5th Dec
Congratulations to Andy Lawton (Solo Baritone) and his wife for the birth of their baby girl, Charlotte Elizabeth Lawton. Born 29th Nov just after 1.00am weighing in at 9 pounds 1 ounce.
Sleepness nights - here they come!! Best wishes from all the Band!
On top of the World (well, a hill at least)
updated 5th Nov
VBS Poynton Band is pleased to announce the engagement of its front row cornet player Adrian Horn to his partner of two and a half years Liz.
The proposal happened in blustery winds on the top of the hill in Lyme Park which is where they enjoyed their first date. Pictured here.
Traditionally, the groom-to-be is supposed ask the bride-to-be's father for her hand in marriage. Adrian, however decided on a bartering system and offered to swap a bottle of 14 year old Scotch in exchange for Liz... an offer which was greatfully received!
Many congratulations to them both at this happy time.
Death of Roy Mattocks
updated 18th Oct
It is with deepest sadness and regret that we must announce the passing away of Roy Mattocks on Friday 16th October 2009. Roy was a true brass bander and had been performing for more than 50 years. We wish his family all our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.
Poynton pick up the prizes.
updated 5th Oct
The Bolsover Brass Entertainment Competition took place this weekend, held at its new venue, the Post Mill Centre, Market Street in South Normanton. (Not such an easy place to find!)
Top marks for VBS Poynton as they not only came top of the 1st Section, their Solo Baritone player, Andy Lawton, won the Soloist Prize for 'Napoli'. Can someone give me a 'whoop, whoop'. The Adjudicator was Ian Porthouse.
The programme was:
Walking with Heroes – P Lovatt-Cooper
Winter – Vivaldi arr. Snell
Napoli (soloist Andy Lawton) – Belstedt
Dundonell from Hymn of the Highlands Suite – P Sparke
1st/2nd Section Results:
1. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Kevin Gibbs) – 97
2. Strata Brass (David Hirst) – 96
3. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker) - 95
4. Silk Brass (James Cant) - 93
5. Wigston (Garry Sleath) - 91
6. Carlton Brass (Walter Ritchie) - 90
7. Oddfellows (Robert Boulter) - 88
8. Hopkins Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) – 87
Soloist Trophy: Baritone – Vernon Building Society Poynton
Most Entertaining Performance: South Yorkshire Police
Highest Placed Ex Colliery Band: Strata Brass
Many thanks to the 'deps' and good luck to Graham Keen (Bb Bass) as he leaves the band to further his studies.
Winning Result at last!
updated Sept
Top marks at the Wychavon Festival of Brass Entertainment Contest on Sunday 20th September. Held at Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire. Although not a great start to the day, as one of our cornets fell out of the back of the coach and was then unplayable! Many thanks to Abergavenny Borough Band who lent us one of theirs.
The band were on good form for the 20 minutes set during which they played four pieces of music. Starting off with Paul Lovett Cooper's 'Walking with Heroes', a popular piece at the contest as a couple of other bands played it. Second up was ‘Winter’ (arr Howard Snell). Beautifully played by our horn section with a feature by our solo horn player, Helen Moore. Next a short introduction of the band was given by Kevin Gibbs which gave us time to rearrange ourselves back into band formation ready for our soloist to play 'Napoli'. Fine playing by Andy Lawton too. Our final piece ‘Dundonnell’ finished the performance off rather well and featured heavily our percussion section.
Adjudication was by John Berryman. A little confusion of the places as the winning band went over by 5 minutes and so we have taken the top spot and the £1000 along with the Roger Spragg Festival Cup.
Many thanks to all deps, Alan Lawton MBE, Supporters and Keith for the coach quiz, next time ALL iPhones will be banned!!
Results as follows:
1. Vernon Building Society Poynton Kevin Gibbs 191
2. Phoenix West Midlands Brass David Maplestone 190
3. Portishead Town Band Ian Dickinson 189
4. Shirley Band Dave Lea 188
5. Friary Guildford Brass Band Andrew Porter 186
6. Foresters Brass 2000 Peter Collins 185
7. The Wigston Band Garry Sleath 184
8. Hathern David Newman 183
9. Abergavenny Borough Band Gareth Ritter 182
New cornet player 'weaves' his way onto front row
updated 19th Sept
The band would like to welcome Peter Weaver who joins us on solo cornet. Full profile available here. The Gallery page has also been updated with the latest pictures from Keith Tysall.
Website unavailable
updated 18th Sept
Recently this website has been unavailable most of this week. This was due to a fault by the hosting company. They posted a Network update on their website which read:- 'Some customer websites may currently be unavailable. Investigations are ongoing and it is thought that the issue is on the firewall hardware. Replacement hardware is now being sourced. Further investigations are continuing with a view to restoring full service as quickly as possible. We regret any inconvenience caused.'
Hopefully this issue has now been resolved.
Raising the roof at Tony's Garden Party
updated 20th July
Over £1300 was raised last weekend during the garden party at Tony's house. £900 is going towards Francis House Children's Hospice, the remainder going towards the Band. Many thanks to all who contibuted.
Keith's pictures can be found on the Gallery page.
Brass & Abba
updated 2009
More than 3,000 people attending, Poynton Rotary Club's Brass & Abba concert at Poynton Park was a tremendous success.
The annual open air concert this year attracted more people than ever before – and brought in a massive income.
Takings topped £36,000 – a record – and when all the bills are paid it should leave around £16,000 to go to key charities, which have not yet been named.
Good weather contributed to the success of the event, as well as some exceptional performers.
Top of the bill was Abba Reunion. Supporting them were Adlington residents Tricia Penrose of Heart Beat fame and her partner Mark Simpson. Some of their songs were accompanied by a choir of pupils from Lower Park School.
Tricia and Mark have already promised to take part in next year's concert, and said that on that occasion they intend to ensure that school supporters are specially dressed to suit the occasion.
As expected, Vernon Poynton Brass Band gave their usual prize winning performance and kept the whole crowd waving their arms and tapping their feet.
- article courtesy of the Rotary Club -
Newest Arrival
updated 2nd June
Congratulations to Craig Harper (percussion) whos wife Cat had a baby boy, Joshua David Harper. Born 30th May at 10.42am weighing in at 8 pounds 2 ounces.
Sleepness nights - here they come!! Best wishes from all the Band!
Senior Service Awards for Band Members
updated 17th May
Buxton Contest on Sunday 3rd May saw a milestone for the Vernon Building Society Poynton Band – 10 of its members received long service to brass bands awards totalling over 300 years! Picture here.
Dave Johnson, the band co-chairman said, “It’s a great achievement for our band to have so many committed players. It shows that the movement is still alive and well in the North West”
The awards come on the back of a creditable 2nd place in the contest where the band played Herbert Howells “Pageantry”. The band is now looking forward to a successful Summer Concert season and working towards its next contest at the Wychavon Festival of Brass.
Recipients of Long Service Award:
Allan Nutton Contest Secretary 25 years
Sarah Johnson Flugel 26 years
Sarah Dawson Solo Euphonium 28 years
Dave Johnson Principal Percussion 29 years
Jenny McDermott 1st Horn 30 years
Gary White 2nd Baritone 33 years
Andy Lawton 1st Baritone 33 years
Paul McDermott Cornet with Poynton Concert Brass 34 years
Tony Wyatt Principal Cornet 40 years
John Anderson Solo Trombone 46 years
Good result at the Buxton Brass Band Festival
Championship/First Section:
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth
Results
1. Enderby (Jonathan Mott)
2. Vernon Building Society Poynton Band (Kevin Gibbs)
3. Phoenix West Midlands Brass (David Maplestone)
?. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
?. Bedworth (Guy Bennett)
?. Harrogate (Roy Waite)
?. Hopkins Blidworth Welfare (Kevin Steward)
Many thanks to Matt Fearn (from Timperley) for helping out on front row.
The band also won best 1st section band and the NWABBA 1st section prize.
Pictures on our Gallery
7 year itch...
updated 23rd April
After 7 years on the back row, Ian Moffett (2nd cornet) is leaving the band due to home commitments. Recently speaking to Pete Cookson, Ian said "Rather than letting the band down it's better I step down... ...with the band after 100% commitment, I can't guarantee that I can make rehearsals what with two kids under three, then having to work for myself in the evening. It's all too much so something had to give". Pete was understanding of this having three girls himself. "I'll be back, just maybe in a year or two"
Positions available: Front Row and Back Row Cornet Players.
Please email for further details.
Front Row Vacancy
updated 3rd April
The band still require a quality solo cornet player. Well attended rehearsals are every Tuesday & Thursday between 8.15 – 10.15pm. Please contact the band in strictest confidence if you would like to come down for a blow.
1st Section Regional Results
updated 2nd March
Not a good result for us and a surprising result for others.
(courtesy of 4barsrest)
First Section:
Empress Ballroom
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy
Results
1. Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway), 5
2. Blackburn & Drawen (Nick Sheppard), 12
3. Ashton-Under-Lyne (Martyn Evans), 11
4. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE), 3
5. Longridge (Steve Tarry), 8
6. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian), 4
7. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Kevin Gibbs), 9
8. Tyldesley (Robert Taylor), 6
9. Freckleton ( Paul Dalton), 10
10. Mossley (Duncan Byers), 7
11. Haydock (Mark Quinn), 1
12. Blackpool Brass (Andrew Warriner), 2
withdrawn, Diggle (Les Beevers)
Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate.
Picture 1 Picture 2 (pics courtesy of Keith Tysall)
per up cornet player (Owain Hughes) is moving back to sunny Cardiff soon and therefore a position on the front row has now become available. Interested?
New Faces & New Places
updated 23rd January
A few changes in the line up at the start of the year. Our 2nd Horn Player, Callum Mullins, is off studying Law at Cambridge and is replaced by Jillian Hazlewood. Returning from Maternity leave, Jill left her seat on Rep and has now taken up playing the Horn. Ian Moffett returns on 2nd Cornet after a 4 month sabbatical and finally new Solo Cornet player, Adrian Horn joins us from Sale Brass Band. Full profile now available.
Butlins – Result!
updated 18th January
Test Piece: Hostile Skies (Richard Grantham)
Adjudicators: Section A: Frank Renton & Paul Norley
Adjudicators: Section B: Denis Wilby & Philip Harper
The top three bands from each section (26 bands in total) challenged for the title in a play off. All four adjudicators were in the box together for the play off.
Play off results
1. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard)
2. Cornerstone Brass (Gavin Lamplough)
3. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Kevin Gibbs)
4. Hebden Bridge (Dennis Hadfield)
5. Foresters Brass 2000 (Mike Fowles)
6. Stocksbridge (Miles Davison)
Brass Band Wiki'd
updated 15th January
Brass Band Wiki (www.brassbandwiki.com) has been created so that anyone can create and update information for people with an interest in Brass Bands. The Vernon Building Society Poynton Band has now been added, so if you have any information about the band that you would like to see on there, which can be easily available and shared then log on and get editing!
Newsfeed
updated 12th January
Now you can read the latest news from 4barsrest.com via their newsfeed. (see top right).
Happy New Year
updated 2nd January
The Band would like to wish all a Happy New Year!