Chris Ratchford

Date of Birth: 1955

Started playing in: 1965

1st band: Hindley Prize Band.

Previous bands: Bedford(Leigh), East lancs Paper Group Band,Wingates, Greenalls, Pemberton Old Wigan, Wire Brass, Haydock, Coppull & Standish.

Memorable moments:

Playing at the Royal Albert Hall at the gala concert after the National Finals in 1979 with Wingates.
Winning 3rd section National Finals in 1983 at the Royal Albert Hall with Bedford(Leigh).
Playing Soprano for Pemberton and winning the Senior Trophy in 2002 on Une Vie De Matelot(Horrendous Sop part).

More about Chris: Works as the Customer Care Manager for a company that manufactures disposable bedpans for hospitals(Which is always a conversation stopper) I have been married to Lynn who plays baritone for Coppull & Standish band for 29 years and I have two sons who both used to play for Pemberton "B" band on Cornet and Percussion.

Chris's Hobbies: Reading, Walking and when I have time Brass Bands

Caroline Cross

Date of Birth: 1972

Started playing in: 1981

1st band: Burnley Youth Band and Stacksteads

Previous bands:

Burnley Youth Band, Lancashire Youth Band, Stacksteads, Blackburn and Darwen, BT, Lucketts Travel Southsea, Blackpool Brass.

Memorable moments:

BT's winning streak in the early 90's especially winning the 1st Section Nationals on London Overture at Wembley

Caroline's Hobbies: Walking, Camping, Spending time with friends

Caroline can be contacted at:

caz4work@yahoo.co.uk

Jayne Toyne

Date of Birth: 1962

Started playing in: 1973

1st band: Billingham Silver Band, Teesside

Previous bands: Slaidburn, Nelson, Water Band

More about Jayne:

I am married with two children and teach at a primary school in Rishton, Blackburn. I enjoy holidays in Wales where we have a small holiday home. I like all sorts of music and also play the flute.

Jayne’s Hobbies:

Photography, gardening, sea-kayaking and other things I can’t mention!

Jayne can be contacted on: nj@toyne1.orangehome.co.uk

Marge Walsh

Date of Birth: 11/09/1957

Started playing in: 1967

1st band: Wigan Salvation Army Junior Band

Previous bands: Hanwell, Crystal Palace, Blackpool Brass, Poulton Le Fylde.

Memorable moments:

Qualifying for the National Finals in the Championship Section in 1987, with Hanwell Band. The test piece for the Finals was ‘Harmony Music’ and I was on

2nd Horn!

Qualifying for the National Finals with Crystal Palace Band in 1994 and 1995

Winning Best Horn in the Championship Section at Fleetwood in 2004 (most unexpected – I was at home tucking into chicken casserole when the results were announced!)

Dare I say this – beating Freck at ‘Brass at the Guild’ in 2004 with Poulton!!

I’m sure there are many more, but they’re not springing to mind.

More about Marge:

I was brought up in the Salvation Army, where I learnt to play the cornet, and later moved on to Horn. As my parents were full time Officers, I moved around quite a bit during my childhood. Although born near Wigan, I spent quite a number of years in the London area, and moved back to the North West 8 years ago. I’m married to Ian, who is principal cornet at Poulton – so it should be fun in our house at Contest times!

I work as a Civil Servant, but there’s nothing interesting to say about that.

Marge’s Hobbies:

With band being my main hobby, and the time it takes up, I’ve never had much spare time for other serious hobbies. We have a lovely black Labrador called Mollie, and I spend a fair amount of time taking her for long walks. I also enjoy playing badminton, and shopping with my mum and sister!

Marge can be contacted on:

margewalsh@talktalk.net

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