The original ambitions had also grown and it was
decided to enter their first contest at Holmfirth - they did not win,
but they were not to be deterred. In the year 2000 the band decided
to enter the North-West Area 4th Section qualifier of the National Championships
held in Blackpool and won. This meant an invitation to play in the finals,
which were to be held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Under the
direction of David Morris (once Champion Cornet Player of Great Britain
and currently World Whistling Champion), they came a creditable 5th
and also gained promotion to Section three.
After three years of consolidation in the higher grade, the band again
travelled to Blackpool in March of this year and became North-West Area
3rd Section champions - thus qualifying to play in the finals in Dundee
which, of course, they won. They have again won promotion and will play
in Section 2 next year.
There was more rejoicing on the following night when the ‘B’
Band, which was formed early this year initially to take part in this
Whit Friday Contests, played its first full concert in the Diggle Band
Club to a capacity audience. The Conductor of the ‘B’ Band
is Ruth Haas Eckersley who was born in Liestal near Basel, Switzerland
and is from a banding family, with grandfather, father, uncle and cousin
all players. Ruth studied music in her home country in Basle and Luzern
and has played with Brass Band Berne (1st Section) and Brass Band Muehledorf
(Championship Section). Her conducting career started at the age of
16 and she has conducted many Swiss bands from Youth up to 1st Section.
In the summer of 2001, a move to the Saddleworth area gave her an opportunity
to join the Diggle Band where she now plays cornet as well as performing
her conducting duties.
During the concert interval, there was another surprise in store for
the audience as the Diggle Trainer Band, which was over 40 strong, took
the stage under the baton of Dave Shipp, a local brass musician and
gave a short performance. This was also the concert debut of these youngsters
whose ages range from 5 to 11 years of age.
From its evolvement just 7 years ago from no band and twelve players
to three bands with over 100 playing members, the banding future looks
very bright in this small (but growing) hillside community.
Go to part one
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