Band’s triple triumph

WINNING is becoming a habit for Uppermill Band after its latest success completed a hat-trick.

The talented musicians scooped first prize in the Third Section at the recent Pontins Championships — their third consecutive Pontins title. They’ve topped the Fourth Section in the past two years.

The band gave a performance of quality and consistency playing Phillip Harper’s “A Gallimaufry Suite”, which gained favour with the two adjudicators on the day.

Musical director Alan Widdop said: “It was a great result. All the players have worked very hard for everything the band has achieved this year and this is just reward for all their efforts.

“We are now looking forward to the North-West Area Contest at Blackpool in March next year, where a good result could see the band promoted to the Second Section.”

It’s been some year for the band, which opened a new music room and marked its 30th anniversary in the summer.

The renowned musicians have already soared up the world rankings after a double promotion following several other contest triumphs.

The band checked its ranking in June to discover it’s rated 165th in the world — up from 192 — and will now be soaring even higher.

Band manager and chairman John Ward said: “This was an excellent achievement and the best ever result for Uppermill Band. The band has only recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and was only promoted to the Third Section in January of this year.”

The band teamed up with Saddleworth Cricket, Bowling and Tennis Club, based at Well-i-hole Road, Greenfield, to refurbish an old tennis pavilion and transform it into a band room, with all the prize money helping pay for a lot of the materials.

It rehearses at the new base each Monday and Wednesday evening.