Yes, to quote The Bee Gees we're "Stayin' Alive!" (please note blogger isn't a massive fan). Despite a disappointing eighth place at the Yorkshire Regionals, on a performance that had a lot of positives about it, we are still a Championship Section band in 2010. The often tense and complicated situation on the day meant that we had to beat certain bands by a certain number of places, which thankfully we worked hard enough to do and the gods (well, Steve Sykes and Nigel Boddice!) smiled on us!

Some of the positives came from the adjudicators' remarks. Nigel Boddice referred to a 'fine sounding band' that gave a 'performance of some merit' whilst Steven Sykes mentioned 'great sop & solo cornet', a 'lovely rich ensemble' in the 2nd movement which also had a 'super conclusion' and in the 3rd mvmt 'euph sings well' and 'solo cornet has lovely sound'. Clearly Yorkshireman 'Syko' appreciates a good Yorkshire sound rather than the Scottish Mr Boddice! Third and unofficial adjudicator Debbie Lea (Solo Horn) claimed that 'Man of The Match' should be shared between Lofty and J for their Sop/Solo Cornet duet! British Bandsman's Kenny Crookston (another kilted one!) was kind enough to mention us in his report, 'Glyn Williams drove Marsden to eighth with an energetic performance that featured some terrific soprano playing'.

So, what next? More hard graft to come on yet another 'oldie'. Herbert Howell's 'Pageantry' will provide a stern test at Blackpool in a few weeks, as the band are aiming to build on their promotion to the Senior Cup and go straight out of it (in the right direction!) into the Grand Shield. The general consensus is that it will suit the band and with the usual work ethic in place there is no reason why we can't move 'onwards and upwards'!