updated Dec 2008
A fun filled fantastic Christmas concert was held at the Civic Hall in Poynton last Sunday with the room full of local dignitaries such as:- The Right Honourable Sir Nicholas Winterton MP; Lady Ann Winterton MP; Mr Mike Hanson, Chief Executive of the Vernon Building Society; Councillor Thelma Jackson, Mayor of Macclesfield; Councillor Dave Robbie, Poynton Parish Council & Councillor Alift Harewood of Macclesfield West. Second half costume themes included:- Vikings; Sound of Music; Star Wars (Sarah Johnson aka Yoda!) amongst others. Follow the link (opposite) to see all the pictures.
The band would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. See you in 2009!
updated Dec 2008
New baby, Daisy Jemma Hazlewood was born at 3.58 am on the 24th November 2008. She came in 5lbs 12oz and was home the same day.
Congratulations to Jillian and David with best wishes from the band!
Daisy 1 Daisy 2 Daisy 3
Pontin's Brass Band Championships
25-26 October 2008, Prestatyn Sands, North Wales
Section 1
Saturday 25 October
Test-piece: 'Sinfonietta – The Wayfarer' by Eric Ball
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill and Colin Hardy
Results:
1. Ashton-under-Lyne, M. Evans, 19
2. St. Dennis, B. Minear, 5
3. Chalford Band, S. Tubb, 8
4. Skelmanthorpe, J. Roberts, 6
5. Vernon Building Society Poynton, K. Gibbs, 20
6. Hebden Bridge, D. Hadfield, 1
7. Blackburn & Darwen, N. Sheppard, 10
8. Friary Guildford Brass, C. King, 12
9. Jackfield, Elcock Reisen, J. Maines, 14
10. Lochgelly Band, P. Drury, 8
11. Drighlington, K. Belcher, 15
12. Wakefield Metropolitan, N. Law, 2
13. Brackley & District, D. Richards, 9
14. Langley, C. Parker, 3
15. Tyldesley Band, R. Taylor, 4
16. Ibstock Brick Brass, K. Ferguson, 17
17. Barnsley Building Society, R. Gray, 13
18. Bedworth Brass, S. Tighe, 16
Glossop Old, J. Davies, w
Mid-Rhondda Band, C. Hogg, w
Arrivals & Departures
updated Sept 2008
Player News
Good luck to Ed Bell (2nd Cornet) who has now left the band to continue his studies. What a way to leave coming 2nd at the recent Entertainment contest. Good luck Eth your studies.
Congratulations to Ian Moffett (2nd Cornet) on the arrival of his 2nd daughter, Hannah Joy, on Friday 19th September. Both Karen and Hannah are doing well. Ian is now taking a break from banding until the new year to concentrate on family life.
Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4
That's Entertainment
updated Sept 2008
Full result at the Wychavon Entertainment Contest on Sunday 21st September. Held at Pershore High School, the band were on good form for the 20 minutes set during which they played four pieces of music.
Starting off with Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, this piece was specially arranged for the band by Chris Wormald. The band used sound effects to add to the piece including ‘howling’ and the end ‘laughter’ as used in the actual Thriller video. Second up was ‘How Great Thou Art’ (arr Simon Godfrey Wood). A jazzed up version of the well known hymn, played beautifully by our Flugel soloist, Sarah Johnson. Next a short introduction of the band was given by Bob Wyatt (thanks Bob) which gave our Euphonium players time for a costume change and on with their duet, ‘Another Fine Mess’ (arr Sandy Smith). This piece was full of crash, bangs and wallops (literally in Gary’s case!). Fine playing by Sarah Dawson and Andy Crosland, nice dancing too, just as good as Laurel & Hardy! Our final piece ‘Where Eagles Sing’ (arr Paul Lovett Cooper) which finished the performance off rather well.
The adjudicator (Roy Sparkes) thought so and placed us second, only one point behind the winners, Friary Guilford Band. An enjoyable, and well deserved, pint in a local hostelry on the way home finished the band off nicely. Some more than others!
1) Friary Guildford Brass Band 192
2) Vernon Building Society Poynton 191
3) Otterbourn Brass 190
4) Sandhurst Silver Band 189
5) Shirley 188
6) Foresters Brass 2000 187
7) Bedworth Town Band 186
8) Pontardulais Town Band 185
9) Markham & District Brass Band 184
=10) Brackley & District Band 182
=10) Ocean Brass 182
11) Ibstock Brick Brass 180
Matts Wedding Pics
updated Aug 2008
Keith Tysall, our resident photographer has been busy taking the Wedding photos of Matt & Niki Smith. Matt (Bb Bass) has recently left the band and a few of the band members went on his 'stag do' and even more members of the band went to the evening celebrations which was held at Bury Town Hall.
Congratulations to the pair of you!
Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3
New pics added
updated Aug 2008
Our resident photographer, , has sent some new photos over taken from previous months which have now been added to the Gallery section as a Slideshow. Enjoy!
New faces in the Basses
updated Aug 2008
Due to ill health our Eb Bass player is taking time off. Dale has moved onto Eb Bass while two new faces have joined the band. These being Graham Keen who has previously played with us and Gary Beswick, who joins us all the way from Austrailia. His previous band was Midland Brick Brass, an 'A' Grade National Champian Band of Western Australia. The band welcomes you both.
Also in the News you may have noticed that the Band's website has been updated. This gives the website a clean and fresh new look – I hope you like it.
Latest News
updated July 2008
Our Repiano player, Jillian Hazlewood is now taking maternity leave and so there's been a re-shuffle in the cornet section. Katie Tysall has moved from solo cornet onto Rep. With over 5 years as 'bumper up' Peter Cookson has moved onto 4th man down.
Tony's Garden party went well last Saturday where a small band performed not only beer keller pieces but band music as well. Over £1000 was raised which will be split between the band and the majority going to St. Ann's Hospice.
Many thanks to all who contributed and good luck to Jill and David for their future arrival!
Jill's Wedding
updated June 2008
Our Repiano player, Jillian Hambrook wed David Hazlewood on Saturday 24th May in a Registry Office in Chapel-en-le-Frith, having their Wedding Breakfast in a marque in the garden of David's parents followed by an evening 'do' at the Palace Hotel, Buxton.
The band turned out in good form with a Beer Keller performance to set them on their way!
Congratulations Jill & David Hazlewood.
New MD at The Vernon Building Society Band
updated May 2008
New MD Kevin GibbsAlan Lawton, MBE, has had to relinquish the post of MD of Vernon Building Society Poynton Band due to eyesight problems. The Band are pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Gibbs as their new man at the helm.
Former MD of Flixton Band and more recently BMP Goodshaw Band. Kevin was solo trombone with both Black Dyke and Faireys for a number of years and has brought Flixton Band up through the sections with considerable success on the contest stage.
Kevin joins the Band following a creditable 3rd place at Butlins Mineworkers competition in January, at which he was asked to conduct the band, starting 2008 in style. The band just missed out on qualification for the Finals after a fine performance at the Area Contest conducted by Alan Lawton. Kevin then took the band again at Buxton Contest with Gregson’s Dances and Arias and gained another 3rd place against some very good competition.
The relationship between Alan Lawton and Poynton Band started 1974 and he has conducted the band through many successes. With his wealth of experience, Alan has proved extremely successful both with Poynton and other bands he has conducted and is very popular with the strong following Poynton has built up over the years. The Band has been very proud to have had Alan as their full-time conductor.
The Vernon Building Society Poynton Band would like to thank Alan Lawton for all his hard work and inspiration over the years.
Alan will still be involved with the band and Kevin is very much looking forward to working with him on several forthcoming projects.
Slow Melody wins for Jimmy Tew
updated May 2008
Despite Andy Lawton's hatred of the Iceberg, the piece has come up trumps again for Jimmy Tew (Eb Bass Player) at two recent slow melody contests.
On the 11th May he competed at Friendly (Sowerby Bridge) Contest and won both the veterans Section (7 entries) and the Open Section (13 entries). The judge was Sydney Swancott.
Veterans Section:
1. Jim Tew - Vernon BS (Poynton)
2. Ian Gill - YBC Concert Brass
3. Carol Caton - Friendly Band (Sowerby Bridge)
Veteran of the Day: Jim Tew, Vernon BS (Poynton)
Open Section:
1. Jim Tew - Vernon BS (Poynton)
2. Jonathan Bates - Thurlstone
3. Ian Gill - YBS Concert Brass
The 18th May he competed at Elland Contest, winning again the veterns section (4 entries) and the Open Section (15 entries). The judge was Richard Marshall, Black Dyke's principal cornet player.
Open:
1. Jim Tew (Vernon Building Society)
2. Jamie Smith (Grange Moor)
3. Philip Tait (Independent)
Veterans:
1. Jim Tew (Vernon Building Society)
2. Gordon Eddison (Independent)
3. John Clay (Clifton & Lightcliffe)
Well done Jimmy!