Thornton-Cleveleys Brass Band, 02 February 2020: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

A neat concert with a good mix of old favourites and modern classics

Over the last week, the village of Thornton and its neighbouring town has been in the news. That being the small matter of a railway line which saw its last passengers in 1970 and its last freight train in 1999. If successful, trains could return to Fleetwood town centre for the first time since 1966.

Back in 1966, a band that was formed in the wake of Thornton-Cleveleys Silver Band’s demise had begun to find its feet. They had had entered the Golborne Contest the previous year in the Section C and Section D competitions. By 1999, when the last trains ran to Burn Naze ICI works, Thornton-Cleveleys Brass Band started picking up respectable results in the NWABBA contests. Two years later, they would become a Third Section band.

Freckleton Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (07 July 2019)

Was Matthew Shaw’s first assignment as Freckleton Band’s MD a success? We thought so.

Few people outside of Lancashire have heard of Freckleton. In recent times, its locals have protested against the sight of fracking drills off Preston New Road. Before the M55 motorway opened, you would pass Freckleton on the coach to Blackpool prior to calling at Lytham or St. Annes-on-the-Sea. Today, Stagecoach North West’s 68 route from Preston to the centre of Blackpool calls there.

Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band, 03 March 2019: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

Well thought out programme by Stephen Craig and Co. makes for well received concert

There are very few brass bands that could almost claim to return home with a trophy and another brass band from the Fylde peninsula. Give or take another week, Boarshurst Silver Band pulled that off. Seriously though, through happy accident, the next band after the North West Regional Championship Finals was Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band.

During their two-hour long set, Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band gave us all a well-rounded programme. As conductor Stephen Craig said near the close of the concert, “something for everyone”.

Formed in 1962 in the wake of Thornton Cleveleys Silver Band’s demise, it has links with Derek Broadbent and his one time instructor and founder Tom Birch. Tom was previously an instructor at The Kneller Hall Royal Military School, whose other alumnae included last night’s conductor Stephen Craig.

If I Never Catch Another Bus: Blackpool By Bus and Tram

A Now You Know What I Did This Summer Special Edition

The Modern Face of Blackpool’s tramways: the Bombardier trams which see regular service from Starr Gate to Fleetwood Ferry.

If you enjoyed this year’s Now You Know What I Did This Summer which focused on the buses, trains, and ferries in Falmouth, we have a special treat for you. Yours truly, along with his old man (thanks to my old woman failing a fitness test), spent a longish weekend in Britain’s fun capital. Needless to say, the sighting of a Mr. Longthorne inspired the title of our special.

Boarshurst Book Cheltenham Final Date

Third place spot at Winter Gardens guarantees place in National Finals

Boarshurst Silver Band have booked their place in the National Finals on the 17 – 18 September. Due to take place at The Centaur, Cheltenham, Section 1 to 4 bands alongside Boarshurst will compete for national success within their sections.

A Call on the Fylde: The Shard Riverside Hotel

Inside a real gem on the banks of the River Wyre

The Shard Bridge at dusk, viewed from the outdoor seating area of the Shard Riverside Hotel, Hambleton, Lancashire.

I don’t leave the house as often as I should, for reasons besides work or following The Mighty Stalybridge Celtic®, but this time last week I had good reason. A very good reason as to why East of the M60 was quiet.