Christmas Wishes
updated December 2006

Over the last few weeks the band have been busy performing at various venues including Stockport Plaza, for the Wellsprings Charity, a local Charity based in Stockport. The band were the headlining act with Gorden Burns as the evenings host.

Over £1000 was raised in The Together Trust joint concert we did with Macclesfield Youth Band in November, held at a packed Civic Hall in Poynton. The same venue was full again in December where we played our Christmas concert. Fancy dress was the order of the day for the second half! Pictures found Here.

Pictures of the Bands Christmas Party can be found Here.

Welcome to Andrew Duncan on Bb Bass and Helen Moore who has taken over the Solo Horn seat while Jenny takes a few months off.

And finally, Callum (1st Horn) has had his hair cut, see the result (and his face) by viewing his and the other new members profiles.

Merry Christmas to all and good luck to everyone for the New Year!

What a Result!
updated November 2006

The Band came 3rd at Pontins this year playing "Music for the Common Man" under the direction of Steve Beardmore.

1. Chalford, Steve Tubb, 12
2. Hebden Bridge, John Roberts, 13
3. Vernon Building Society Poynton, Steve Beardsmore, 17
4. Barnsley Building Society, David Horn, 14
5. Tintwistle, David Shutter, 10
6. Maxilead Metals Tyldesley, Robert Taylor, 4
7. Wrexham Brass, Wayne Ruston, 6
8. Northop Silver, Thomas Wyss, 9
9. St. Keverne, Stuart Chappel, 18
10. Wantage Silver 'A', Philip Bailey, 19
11. Bedworth Brass, Colin Randal, 11
12. Marsden Silver (Riverhead Brewery), Glyn Williams, 16
13. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhonda, Alan Gibbs, 7
14. Ibstock Brick Brass, David Jones, 3
15. Newmilns & Galston, Craig Anderson, 8
16. Stourport-On-Severn, Barry Pope, 20
17. Stannington Brass, Peter Ratnik, 21

Photos can be found here.

The latest this Autumn...
updated October 2006

...Wednesday 11th October 2006 was a day to remember for Alan Lawton, as he was presented with his medal (MBE) at Buckingham Palace by HRH the Queen. Alan says "it was the most fantastic day ever and one i'll never forget".

...The Band are also pleased to welcome Jimmy Tew on Eb Bass to the band. Jimmy joins us leaving Blackburn & Darwen Brass Band after a long 10 years service. Full Profile can be found here.

Yet another success at Buxton
updated September 2006

An outstanding musical performance ensured victory for Alan Lawton MBE and the Vernon Building Society Poynton Band at the Entertainment Contest held in the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton. (Sunday 17th September 2006).

Music adjudicator David Horsfield concluded that the performance had 'so much to admire' and gave the band a clear FIVE point winning margin over United Co-op Yorkshire in second place. Third place went to 3rd section band, Middleton.

VBS also won the Best Percussion prize.

Results:
1. VBS Poynton Band           
98 (music)/ 91 (ent) = 189pts
2. United Co-op Yorks.      
94 (music)/ 90 (ent) = 184pts
3. Middleton          
92 (music)/ 90 (ent) = 182pts
4. Wakefield Metropolitan
90 (music)/ 89 (ent) = 179pts
5. Besses Boys
85 (music)/ 93 (ent) = 178pts
6. Stannington
88 (music)/ 88 (ent) = 176pts

Photos can be found here

Happy Birthday to Marilyn
updated August 2006

End of July we celebrated Marilyns 70th birthday in a unique fashion – by marching down her road on a Saturday morning. It wasn't just Marilyn who was surprised to see a Brass Band at 10.30am, a lot of her neighbours came out to see what was going on and to share the champagne.

Marilyn who is our concert secretary has been with Poynton for many years and is a very active member of the 'Friends of the Band' and works hard in raising funds for the cause. Her son, Tony, is also the Bands principal cornet player.

Many Happy Returns Marilyn, Love The Band!

New member Mullins!
updated July 2006

Leaving the Hawk Green Brass Band, to join our horn section, young and enthusiastic Callum Mullins joins the band on 2nd Horn in July.

The Band are also looking for Eb & BBb Bass players, interested? Contact the us via the email link on our 'Contacts Us' page.

Brighouse March & Hymn Results
updated July 2006

Just turning up with 15 minutes to spare was enough for the Band to gain 4th place at the Brighouse March & Hymn Contest last weekend (2nd July). Despite several players running extremely late and missing the rehearsal due to a car crash on the M62, Vernon Building Society Poynton Band came 4th. The March played was Old Comrades, Hymn; Silver Hill and Contest March was Pendragon. The Band was also awarded the highest placed 1st Section Band not within the prizes.

Results are as follows (sections)...

1. Marsden (Riverhead Brewery) Silver Band (1)
2. Old Silkstone (C)
3. Drighlington (1)
4. Vernon Building Society Poynton (1)
5. Co-op Milnrow (C)
6. Lindley (1)
7. Elland (3)
8. Diggle (1)
9. Holme Silver (1)
10. Silkeborg (Danish Band)
11. Yorkshire Co-op (1)
12. Silk Brass (2)
13. Easington (1)
14. Hebden Bridge (1)
15. Royal Buckley (2)
16. Sellers International Youth (Yth)
17. Meltham (2)
18. Clifton (3)
19. Emley (4)
20. Shirland miners Youth (Yth)
21. Elland Youth (Yth)
22. Huddersfield Brass (3)
23. Gawthorpe (3)
24. Friendly (4)
25. Clifton Juniors (4)
26. Shaw (4)
27. Dobcross Youth (Yth)
28. Gawthorpe Youth (Yth)

M.B.E.
updated June 2006

It's with the greatest of pleasure to announce the band's Musical Director, Alan Lawton, will receive an MBE for services to the brass band movement. The announcement was made during a full house performance at Woodley Methodist Church on Friday 16th June. All band members congratulate Alan on this honourable award.

Whit Friday
updated June 2006

Friday 9th June saw VBS Poynton taking part in the annual Whit Friday March Contest held all over Saddleworth and Tameside. Poynton completed 10 venues (8 in Saddleworth, 2 in Tameside). With a 1st place at Denshaw (in the 1st Section category) the band came 6th overall in Saddleworth.

Results are...
1. Brighouse
2. Marsden
3. Dobcross
4. United Norwest Co-op Milnrow
5. Berne
6. VBS Poynton
7. Mossley
8. Blackburn and Darwen
9. Holme Silver
10. Delph
11. Diggle
12. Oldham Band (Lees)
13. Tension Brass
14. Boarshurst Silver
15. Shepherd Building Group
16. Rochdale Borough Youth
17. Meltham and Meltham Mills
18. YBS Concert
19. Salvo
20. Slathwaite

Our placing at the venues were...
SADDLEWORTH
Delph 10th
Denshaw 5th (overall)
Greenacres 5th
Greenfield 14th
Grotton 8th
Lees 32th
Lydgate 18th
Uppermill 9th

TAMESIDE
Broadoak 18th
Denton 16th

Pictures can be found here...
www.brassbandphotos.com
...and the pictures Keith took...
found here

...and Dispatches
updated May 2006

After 6 years with the band, Hazel Prescott, 2nd Horn, has decided to leave due to work commitments. The band wishes her well and hopes she re-joins soon. We therefore have a vacancy for 2nd Horn. If anyone is interested please get in contact via the General email given on our Contact Us page.

Buxton Blues
updated May 2006

The 43rd Buxton Brass Band Festival took place at the Pavillion Gardens on 30th April.
The results were:

1. Staffordshire, S Bastable (Whitsun Wakes) 192
2. Hade Edge, S Wood (Journney to the Centre of the Earth) 190
3. Derwent Brass, (Blitz) K Leonard, 189
4. Thoresby, M Heartfield (Journey to the Centre of the Earth) 187
5. Enderby, H Thomas (Paganini Variations) 186
6. Drighlington, S Foster (Harmony Music) 185
7. VBS Poynton, S Beardmore (Tallis Variations) 184
8. Wrexham, W Ruston (Essence of Time) 183
9= Brosley Brass (Milton Keyne), P Sensom (English Heritage) 182
9= Towcestor, ??, Pageantry 182

The Adjudicator was Roy Roe.

The band wishes to thank Steve for all his hard work in preparing us for the contest.

Hatches & Matches
updated April 2006

Friday 7th April saw Karen Moffett give birth to Charlotte Caroline, a healthly 7lb 15oz baby girl. Father Ian Moffett (2nd Cornet & Webmaster) is delighted with the birth of his beautiful daughter.

Then the following day, Saturday 8th April, a marriage took place of Craig Harper (Percussion) to Catie Ann at St. Marys Church, Croydon.

The Band sends best wishes to all.

3rd at Blackpool
updated March 2006

Amongst fierce snow blizzards and -2°, (yes we are talking about Blackpool) VBS Poynton managed a very commendable 3rd place in this years Regional Championships in the Winter Gardens. With many thanks going to Alan Lawton, as well as the players who helped out. These being Gareth Steele (Eb Bass) and Phil Fox (Bb Bass), and rumour has it that Phil is going to be staying on for what we hope will be another success later in the year.

The results were:

1. Wire Brass, Paul Andrews, 7, 191
2. United Co-op (Crewe), Jef Sparkes, 4, 190
3. Vernon Building Society Poynton, Alan Lawton, 9, 188
4. Diggle, Norman Law, 1, 187
5. Haslingden and Helmshore, David Holland, 8, 186
6. Poulton-le-Fylde, Steve Tarry, 10, 185
7. Ashton Under Lyne, Philip Chalk, 11, 184
8. Roberts Bakery, Richard Evans, 2, 183
9. Maxilead Metals Tyldesley, Robert Taylor, 6, 182
10.Stalybridge Old, John Binns, 3, 181
11.Old Hall Brass, A. Jones, 5, 180

Adjudicator was Derek Broadbent.

Click here to see pictures

Good Result at Preston!
updated February 2006

Brass at the Guild, Guild Hall, Preston took place on Sunday 5th February 2006. The testpiece we chose was 'Tallis Variations' with Steve Beardmore conducting us. The results are as follows:

1st Pemberton - Cambridge Variations
2nd Newstead - Harmony Music
3rd Jackfield - Journey to the Centre of the Earth
4th Pennine Brass - Blitz
5th Vernon Building Society Poynton - Tallis Variations
6th Poulton Le Fylde - Paganini Variations
7th Wire Brass - Variations on an Enigma
8th Ashton - Epic Symphony
9th Hade Edge - Journey to the Centre of the Earth
10th Northorp - Journey into Freedom
11th Friary Guildford - Essence of Time
12th Blackburn & Darwen - Year of the Dragon
13th Tintwhistle - Voyage of Discovery
14th Longridge - Year of the Dragon
15th Timperley - Diversions on a Bass Theme
16th Langley - Paganini Variations

Richard Evans was the adjudicator.

The band wishes to thank Steve for all his hard work in preparing us for the contest.

Alan Lawton's 70th Birthday Concert
updated February 2006

The Band performed at Delph Band Club on Sunday 22nd January, in honour of Alan Lawton's 70th birthday. Amongst the soloists were his son Andy Lawton who played "Fatherland" to which Alan prasied him highly. In the audience were many well known bands people including Jimmy Leggatt, Les Beevers and many others.

Picture below (from left to right) Micheal Leslie Beevers (Les) ex Brighouse & Rastrick Bb Bass player & organiser of Kings of Brass, Jim Widd school friend & former Delph Band member with Alan, Barry Stelfox school friend and Gilbert Symes ex Brighouse & Rastrick former pupil. Alan taught him as a young lad in Delph.

Gilbert told us "He (Alan) was my hero not for his musical ability but because he was the bustling centre forward for Delph Amateur Football Club – Delphs answer to Nat Lofthouse".

New Signing
updated end of January 2006

The Band are very pleased to announce the signing of Hazel Taylor who joins us from the end of January. Hazel joins from the BMP Goodshaw Band on 3rd Cornet. Player profile to be updated shortly.

The Band are also on the lookout for an Eb and Bb Bass Player. Interested? Give us an email.

Opportunity Knocks
updated January 2006

An vacancy has arisen for the position of 3rd Cornet. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a very active 1st Section Band in the North West. Ideal for a young and talented player to join the 'not so young' back row and also to develop his/her skills under the great Alan Lawton. For further information please get in touch here.

The Band are also on the lookout for an Eb and Bb Bass Player. Interested? Give us an email.

News from the Poynton Band
updated December 2005

After a hectic Christmas period of concerts around the local area, the Band are taking a well deserved rest before they start their preparation for a busy 2006. This includes the Brass at the Guild Contest, Preston in February followed shortly by the NW Areas, Blackpool in March.

To compliment the line up of players VBS Poynton Band are on the lookout for Eb and Bb Bass Players. Interested? Give us an email.

And finally, Ian Moffett, 2nd Cornet, has pulled his finger out and updated the website. Many thanks to Pete Cookson who has looked after the site for many years and kept it up-to-date.

Another winning performance at Buxton
updated september 2005

The band also won the best percussion section at the contest. Well done the Shed Builders!

Buxton Win
updated May 2005

The VBS Poynton Brass Band beat many of these top band and won 3rd prize overall. The band are now proud holders of the "Daisy Ludlow" Trophy for the next twelve months.

Our thanks go to Steve Beardmore who worked the band hard during his two rehearsal prior to the contest and conducted the band on the day.