For those of you that are involved in brass bands you know that 12 months is a long time in banding - anything can happen! 2005 was certainly not an exception for Flixton Band. The Band, having fallen on hard times, has spent the last few years rebuilding and I think we are finally seeing the benefits! Saying this, every band has it's low lights as well as it's highlights but it's the community spirit and belief in the band that keeps the band strong. That is something I believe is the real basis of success and something that I am personally proud to be involved in.

The Contesting Scene: The band rose into 2005 with a great record - 6 prizes in 5 of the contests entered during the 6 months under the baton of Kevin Gibbs. This was a great achievement for the band and testimont to the hard work that was being put in. The contesting scene started off with a successful 2nd place at the Brass in the Guild Contest in Feburary and, although the new year had seen the band demoted to 3rd Section for National Contests, the 2004 successes has secured our place in the 2nd Section locally. The contest attracted 2nd section bands from Yorkshire and the North East and the band was pleased with our performance of Peter Graham's "Renaissance" and with the result. Preston marked a run of 6 contest in the prizes and this winning streak had to be broken at some time. Unfortunately for us this was the Area Contest. The band was pleased with our performance and it's just one of those things - that is banding! After this point we certainly proved we could bounce back and we returned to our prize-winning form at the Buxton Contest a month after the area. This marked the band's first first prize and also the one year anniversary under Kevin's leadership. 2 further first prizes were to follow with the band becoming both Pontins Champions and Wilkinsons St Helens Champions. For me personally, Pontins has to be the biggest success of the year - such a prestigous title, a nice trophy and a good boost to the band's funds as well! It was a fine finish to the contesting calendar with the Wilkinsons Championships where the band was also awarded the William Singleton Memorial Trophy for the 'Best Basses'.

Contesting isn't everything: One of the main aims of this year was the for the band to reform community links and prove you can be a successful contesting and community band. Since the summer the band has performed 3 big local concerts. The first, a family-themed show in June, went down a storm with the local audience. This was followed up by a rememberance concert in aid of the Poppy Appeal 2005 and finally our Local Christmas Concert on the 10th December. You know it's a success when you get people requesting reserved tickets and hopefully this is the start of regular themed concerts. In addition to the concerts the band performed at a number of local charitable events including a fundraising event at David Lloyd, the Bird in th' Hand Summer and Christmas family days and the Trafford Rememberance Parade.

It's the people that make the band: Personnel does change in any band over time but stability is really the key to success. We have unfortunately lost a few players over the last 12 months - Notably Nikki Williamson who relocated to study at Birmingham University in September (now if you know Nikki there are some great photos in the photogallery hehe). On the flip side of the coin we have fixed the final few places in the jigsaw with players who have joined to fill vacancies and in some cases bolster our sections. It was fab to see the return to the band of local players, notably Karen Armfield who started out her banding career at Flixton Band as a teenager. I will not try to mention everyone as I know I will miss somebody out but the final say has to go to June Connolly-Waldron who joined our management team as Publicity and Marketing Officer.

The banding family: Our banding family was extended even further this year when players Mona and Tom tied the knot and brought a wonderful baby girl into the world - Sophie. Having heard evidence of the pair of lungs Sophie has I am certain she is a future BBb player, although Tom doesn't seem so sure!

We are on disc! In September the band made it's debut CD recording entilled "Bandstand". This was a great experience for the band and really the icing on the cake for a fab year.

So the last 12 months has seen numerous contest successes, reformed local links and some quality concerts, a CD recording and further strengthening of our playing and management team. 2005 was an excellent year for the band, lets make 2006 even better!

Rachel Langridge (Webmaster)