NEWS FROM FAR AND NEAR .sx Lancashire .sx By " RED ROSE .sx " In my last batch of notes I made the mistake of stating that Mr. F. Rogan was one of the adjudicators at the recent contest held at Stirling .sx I should have said Mr. H. Muddiman , an excellent musician from the Midlands , and one whose native heath could very well do with him at the present moment .sx I humbly apologise to both gentlemen , and trust my unruly pen has caused them no inconvenience .sx Alderley Edge band has been refused permission to erect a hut as bandroom on the playing fields .sx The District Council feared this , that , and the other .sx It is surprising how little some authorities do for the local bands ; they will not even allow them to help themselves ; still they do not hesitate to ask the bands to give their services at any time .sx Birkenhead Tramways and Motors Employees' band has been going at a great pace of late , and the preparation for Warrington band contest , and the quartet contest at Liverpool , has been of untold benefit .sx There is nothing like working for a specific object , especially when that work serves a useful purpose in all the band's undertakings .sx Cliviger band held a carnival and novelty dance on Saturday last in aid of the band funds .sx The project was entirely successful and other bands might copy the idea .sx Village bands have a great opportunity of providing the social element in their district during the winter months , and thus secure the wherewithal for carrying on successfully during the year .sx Oldham Postal band gave an excellent concert in King Street , Co-operative Hall , a week ago .sx Mr. J. Radcliffe was the able conductor , and his management of the band caused great satisfaction .sx I have know Joe ever since 1894 , when I was a Mossleyite ( not a Mosleyite ) , for at that time he often assisted an orchestra which the writer conducted , and he has been producing rich trumpet tones ever since .sx I have often wondered if the Oldham bands have really sufficient intelligence to realise the merit of men who have played not only in the best brass bands in the country , but also in the best orchestras as well .sx But Oldham is no exception to the rule .sx It is a case of the blind leading the blind , and that is the reason why they never get anywhere ; but if a musical conductor even suggests that the efforts of the band are not artistic he at once sounds his own death-knell .sx The popular man is the one who will let the players blow any way they like , and then appear to be satisfied with it .sx But this is a distasteful topic .sx Let us turn to something else .sx The officials of the Manchester Temple S.A. band recently arranged for the famous Coventry S.A. band to visit Manchester in order to exhibit to local bandsmen in that movement , the possibilities in their art , and thus to act as a stimulant in their work .sx I remember how , many years ago , the finger of scorn was pointed at S.A. bandsmen in general , because their style of playing was rather primitive compared with what was generally experienced at band contests .sx A wonderful change has however been effected since then , in fact there are hundreds of S.A. bands now , which , if they were so uncharitably disposed ( happily they are not ) , could point the finger of scorn at their scorners .sx Not a few of our great bands have much to thank the S.A. bandsmen of the last generation for , in helping them to climb the ladder of fame .sx The definite limitations placed on the scope of the activities of S.A. bandsmen caused some of the more ambitious members to leave the S.A. and throw in their lot with bands which were not so strictly fettered .sx Among these were men who not only climbed to the very top of the tree , but who also practically made the bands which they joined .sx Perhaps the most brilliant star which the S.A. has given to the brass band world was Alf .sx Allinson , who joined Wyke Temperance band when it was at the zenith of its fame , under the conductorship of the late Edwin Swift .sx Mr. Allinson was the finest soprano player that the world has ever seen , and nobody can deny it .sx It reflects great credit on the mentality of the Manchester Temple S.A. band authorities , that they should conceive such an excellent method of letting the S.A. bandsmen in Manchester and district hear this distinguished company of 45 musicians , known as the Coventry City S.A. band .sx The lesson provided has been an effective one , not only to S.A. bandsmen , but also to others of the brass band fraternity .sx Askam Town band , under the conductorship of Mr. S. C. I. Cain , gave a very enjoyable programme in the Wesleyan church on Sunday evening before a good audience .sx Ministers of the Gospel in various parts of the country , recognising the value of music in its various forms , are encouraging the holding of concerts in their churches after evensong .sx It would be to the advantage of bands in general to seize this opportunity of doing their share .sx Of course they must not expect a fee for their labours ; their very presence on such premises will place the hall-mark of respectability on their organisation , and that is invaluable .sx They will of course have to supply a programme in keeping both with the day and the place where they are performing .sx In these days , bands which have not a regular connection cannot afford to let any opportunity slip , and they must always be ready to adapt themselves to any kind of work , under any kind of conditions whatever .sx Stretford Old band held their annual meeting last week , when a very favourable balance sheet was presented .sx Mr. J. Bowman was re-elected secretary , and certainly no better man could have been found .sx During the evening a beautiful timepiece , with Westminster chimes , was presented to Mr. J. Rogerson .sx The band looked well as they marched and played in connection with the Armistice parade .sx Good rehearsals are now being held with the object of doing well at the Manchester Association Contest .sx Lowerhouse Mills has received an engagement to broadcast from the Manchester Studio on December 4th , and I feel sure that they will give their listeners a rich treat .sx It must have been a matter of great satisfaction to the many friends of this band to see them rise up again , when it appeared that they might break to pieces .sx This has been accomplished by hard work on the part of everybody .sx I noticed that Mr. E. Bradshaw , the solo horn in this band , was awarded second prize at the recent Slow Melody Contest held at Chorley .sx The full list of awards was :sx 1 .sx J. Moss ( euphonium ) , Wingates ; 2 .sx E. Bradshaw ( horn ) , Lowerhouse Mills ; 3 .sx J. Kay ( Besses) .sx The number of competitors was 50 , and included the soloists from Irwell Springs , Harwich R.M.I. , Abram Colliery , and Blackburn's band , Preston .sx A large number of bands took part in the Memorial Services held all over the country on Armistice Day .sx At Blackpool a band of ex-Service players , numbering about 50 , under the conductorship of Mr. J. Brier , led the procession up the promenade , and accompanied the singing at the Cenotaph .sx Freckleton band has been putting in some keen practice for the Warrington contest .sx Things are very rosy with this band , since their successes at the Oldham and Leyland contests .sx Nothing succeeds like success .sx It is always comforting to be successful , as it is disconcerting to remain unsuccessful ; still , it is from our failures that we learn most .sx A band which generally wins is apt , after a while , to think that it is perfect , while one which scarcely ever reaches the prize-list thinks that it has no chance .sx Both bands are wrong , for very often a couple of marks would make all the difference in both cases .sx Are you practising the new Champion Journal ?sx You will certainly require many of the pieces next year for your programme work , as well as for the many contests at which they will sure to be used .sx I have received several letters from bands asking why their names do not appear in my notes .sx It is of course their own fault .sx If they will send on news to " Red Rose , " 151 , Holmfield Road , Blackpool , so as to reach him on Saturday morning , it will appear in the following issue of the British Bandsman .sx Yorkshire .sx By " BROADACRE .sx " We have some bands in Yorkshire who are ever ready if there happens to be a contest announced anywhere near them .sx Those are the bands we hear most about and who get the best engagements !sx There are others who never attempt to compete , yet there is nothing that infuses more interest or creates more enthusiasm than contesting does .sx Interest in practice always tends to improvement in playing .sx The East Riding of Yorkshire claims to be the pioneers of band contesting , though some say that there were certain contests held in Lancashire as far back as 1832 , but they were only of a small kind .sx The first real one was in 1853 at Burton Constable .sx Isn't it surprising then that the East Riding bands are not more forward than they are ?sx To most people it would seem so , but the fact is that for many years past contesting has been backward in that part of the shire .sx Recently , however , contests have been established particularly at Bridlington and Scarboro' , but as yet these have not been well supported by East Riding bands .sx The proprietors of Bridlington Spa and the " Galaland " at Scarboro' are desirous of making those contests real meeting places to test the powers of those East Riding bands .sx There is a great area of bands if they will only step forward to toe the line .sx Besides the inevitable improvement , contesting is fine sport .sx There should be no slackness in entries when there are such bands near at hand as Beverley Bow , Barton Town , Brigg , Cottingham , Driffield , Ferraby , Filey , Hutton Cranswick , Hunmanby , Malton , Market Weighton , Nafferton , Scunthorpe , Scarboro' , Grimsby Boro' , Cleethorpes , and the Hull bands and others not far away .sx All the Leeds Territorial bands took part in the Remembrance Day celebrations on Sunday , November 8th .sx More than five thousand ex-service men marched to the Cenotaph , where a service was held .sx At Morley the Remembrance Day celebrations was on Wednesday , the 11th inst .sx Morley Borough band headed the procession to the War Memorial and accompanied the singing of the hymns there .sx The two minutes silence was observed .sx Most of the bands in Wakefield and the heavy woollen district are running prize draws for Christmas as a means of making revenue .sx Wakefield City band keep up their regular rehearsals .sx They have room for one or two cornet players , but are strong in other departments .sx I have received some letters asking my opinion about certain suggested Sunday band contests in Yorkshire .sx I don't care to give an opinion , but the idea is not a new one .sx Many years ago at a time when bands attended contests in large numbers , the then proprietors of Woodkirk Pleasure Grounds conceived a similar idea and offered elaborate inducements .sx I believe some of the bands would have liked to take part , but of course they had to consider the opinions of their friends and supporters , as well as their own .sx The entries were so small the idea was abandoned .sx There is undoubtedly a wave of better trade in the textile districts which will very likely have a good effect on support for the bands by the time of their Christmas " rounds .sx " The Armistice celebrations at Hull took place on Sunday , the 8th inst .sx , when nine bands took part .sx The British Oil Cake Mills band distinguished itself by their fine playing .sx Noticeable absentees from the parade were the Waterloo band and West Hull Excelsior band .sx It was noticed that two solo cornets of the former band were assisting the band of the Tank Corps .sx It is said that the financial result of the Waterloo bands' concerts have been disappointing so far , which is a great pity as the band is anxious to raise funds for a new set of uniforms for next season's work .sx 4 .sx