No less than four Manx music groups were in action over the weekend at a prestigious national music competition.

Ramsey Town Band, Manx Concert Brass, Douglas Town Band and Onchan Silver band all travelled to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool to compete in the 2022 North-West Regional Championships, held on Saturday and Sunday last weekend.

The competition saw the local groups take their places amongst the 83 bands from the North West of England, separated into five sections.

While no Manx bands compete in the highest ’championship’ section, Manx Concert Brass performed in the first section, and were placed a commendable sixth place.

Douglas Town Band are the second highest-placed local group, and finished third in the third section.

The weekend proved slightly disappointing for Ramsey Town band, who found themselves at the bottom of section four, but making their debut appearance in the competition was Onchan Silver Band, also competing in the fourth section.

They found themselves being judged into seventh position overall, and walked away from Blackpool with their heads held high, and with some highly positive endorsements ringing in their ears.

The brass band online magazine ’4BarsRest’, the unofficial voice of the UK Brass Band scene, tweeted their support to Onchan, initially predicting them to finish second, and praised their young drummer, Ealish Creer, who they described ’as frothy as a Manx Meringue... especially the young-un on the kit’.

The website later commented ’it was also great to hear the debutants of Onchan Silver over from the Isle of Man and playing with such verve and enthusiasm’.

This all points to a remarkable turn-around in the fortunes of Onchan Silver band, whose future looked less than rosy not so long ago.

’This is the first time in ten years that the band have performed off the island, and the first time we have ever competed in the regional championships,’ said Mark Halliday, principal trombonist with Onchan Silver band.

’It wasn’t so long ago that we were really struggling to keep going, and were down to our bare bones, with only a few members left.

’Thankfully, we appointed a new musical director, David Karran, in 2020, and he has done an amazing job in revitalising the band, along with Matt Creer, who is also an amazing musician and a fellow professional music teacher.

’He has brought in a new energy and the work that he did in the run up to the competition was phenomenal.

’The band has grown since and to see where we are now, from where we were not so long ago, is amazing.’

David, a music teacher from Ballakermeen High School, has also established the Isle of Man Brass Academy, and the band featured four young members in their ranks.

’Competing on a big stage like the Winter Gardens, alongside all these other groups from England, is an amazing experience,’ said Mark.

’It will really help to give the younger members, as well as ourselves, a real confidence boost.