Backworth Colliery Band News

Well done to those who marched at Durham Gala on Saturday.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable day with many positive comments - from those associated with the band, and also from the general public who came up to us to remark how well we played and how good we looked in our “purple and gold”. Thanks also go to our friends at the Lodge who were especially pleased.

A bracing road march around Hetton – and what seemed like several other villages too – and then competent playing and marching through Durham. Playing at every opportunity this year added to the enjoyment and, coupled with near-telepathic footwork in its marching, the Band did a great job in baking heat.

Our rendition of “Sing” went down very well outside the County, as did the mixture of traditional marches and a few jazzers thrown in elsewhere - “Reet Petite” and “The Muppets” introduced some swing as Sadler Street turned into downtown New Orleans.

Special thanks to “our director” or “officer of the day” Stephen for his batonwork, Nicola for keeping us in order, and Catherine and her team behind the scenes in the library.

Thanks to all concerned.

With seventeen bands entering and one withdrawing, Backworth’s results suggest an excellent night at Easingwold.

Coming joint 11th in the Deportment March, placed 10th in the Concert March, and 13th overall, the latter from both sets of marks totalled.

In Deportment, Backworth (4th section) came joint 11th from the 16 bands; joint with Frickley South Emsall (2nd section) and Knottingley Silver (1st section); and ahead of Broughtons (1st section), Emley (3rd) and Northumbrian Water (1st section).

Better still, in the Contest March, Backworth’s 10th place came ahead of Garforth, Broughtons, Houghton, both Shepherd Group and Shepherd Group Concert, and Northumbrian Water.

In the 4th section class, Backworth lost out to Shepherd Group Concert by 1 point – 261 to 262, being the totalled points from the two march classes. Backworth were 7 points ahead of Shepherds in the Contest March, but 8 points adrift in Deportment.

It’s probably quite easy to make significant improvements in Deportment; it’s harder to make equivalent improvements in a Contest performance. Suppose we had been just 2% better in Deportment: we’d have made up the shortfall on Shepherds and won our section. Makes you think.

So well done this year – a great result on the Stand.

Results are online at http://www.yhbba.org.uk/easingwold5.htm