Flixton band made the trip up to the beautiful setting of Kirkby Lonsdale for the outdoor march, hymn and test-piece contest on 15th June.  The band will not be eligible to return next year, as promotion to the national second section excludes them from this contest. 

After breakfast in a local café, a late draw gave the opportunity for some marching practice in a local field.  This clearly paid off as, unlike last year, nobody bumped into a car on the march to the stage!  Having rained on earlier bands, the weather dried up in time for Flixton’s performance of Mephistopheles, St Clement and Music for a Festival. 

The performance was well-received by the adjudicator, Derek Broadbent, who placed Flixton second.  Congratulations to the winning band, Morecombe.  Flixton won the prize for ‘best march’ and Mike Rowley, band supremo, won the prize for ‘best instrumentalist’.  Winning his first soloist prize after only 30-something years in banding, Mike commented “This is a great start to my playing career”. 

All the members of Flixton would like to thank Paul Andrews of Wire Brass for stepping in at short notice to direct the performance.  His musicianship, leadership and good humour were greatly appreciated.