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Percussion
Bagpipes:
Bagpiper (Chris Wilson).
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Chris joined the Boys Brigade as a Bugler and Drummer at a very early age and after leaving school at 16 decided on a career as a drummer in the forces, serving with the regimental band and corps of drums of the Queens Lancashire regiment for 12 years, playing the drums bugle and fife, and taking part in many major military events over the years.
After leaving the forces and settling in Freckleton, Chris joined the Freckleton band and played percussion for concerts and contests for a number of years. He still plays with the band on the marching engagements
and now plays concert percussion for the Freckleton hass-binns.
His interest in the bagpipes started during his time in the forces, and he is self taught, he now plays the pipes at various functions and events around Lancashire.
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Cornets:
Principal Cornet (Alex Thomas).
 Alex Thomas |
Date of Birth: 02/10/1981 Started playing in: 1991 1st band: Standish Previous bands: Lancashire Youth, Skelmersdale Prize, Besses O'Th' Barn, Young Ambassadors of Great Britain, Salford University Brass Band and Yorkshire Building Society. Memorable moments:
More about Alex: Alex is a peripatetic brass teacher, working for Wigan ITP, after he graduated from Salford Universtity with a BA (Hons) Music degree; 1st class, and a distinction in performance. He also works as a tutor for the Wigan Youth Brass band. He lives with his wife Sarah who plays 3rd cornet in Freckleton band.
Alex’s Hobbies: Alex enjoys all kinds of music, and playing and watching football - he is an Everton fan. Alex enjoys any kind of fishing. He also likes films, travel, and good food and drink! Alex can be contacted on:
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Soprano Cornet, Web Master & Engagement Secretary (Phil Symonds).
 Phil Symonds |
Date of Birth: 1958 Started playing in: 1968 1st band: Webb Ivory Newhall Previous bands: Wingates, Jaguar Cars, William Davies, Yorkshire Imps. Memorable moments: Phil says that every time he goes on a contest stage to play are his memories. More about Phil: Phil is a retired teacher of I.C.T. He specialises in Web Design and C.A.D. (Computer Aided Design). Phil’s Hobbies: Phil loves computers and has just returned to Scuba Diving after a short spell away. He loves diving in this country whatever the weather. Some divers reckon he is mad! His latest hobby is flying his new helicopter. Phil bought this recently and, when not banding, he is out enjoying this new venture. Phil can be contacted on:
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Assistant Principal Cornet (Vacancy).
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Solo Cornet (Bek).
Date of Birth: 1987 Started playing in: 1994 1st band: Rochdale Junior Brass Band. Previous bands: Rochdale Youth Brass Band and Pennine Brass. More about Bek: Bek is about to go into her second year of music at Lancaster University, where she will be studying performance, conducting, composition and harmony. As well as playing the cornet she also plays the piano. She currently lives in Stockport but grew up in Rochdale. Bek can be contacted on:
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Solo Cornet (Gill Church).
Started playing: 1988
More about Gill: Gill grew up in Chester and apart from a very brief stint in the Cheshire County Youth had not played in a brass band full time until she joined Freck in 2006! After studying for a music degree at Surrey University she spent 2 years as a volunteer teacher in Kenya, worked briefly as a peripatetic teacher in Knowsley, and currently teaches at a secondary school in Blackpool. Gill’s Hobbies: As well as playing the cornet and trumpet she also plays the piano and enjoys walking up hills.
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Repiano Cornet (Alison Marchment).
Alison Marchment
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Date of Birth: 3/7/78 Started playing in: 1984 1st band: Morecambe. Previous bands: Cottingham. Memorable moments: One of Alison’s nicest memories must be when she bought her pet dog Okey. To keep Okey company, Alison leaves the TV on for him to watch. She is at present training him to use the remote control! Alison’s Hobbies: Alison is also a supporter of Blackburn Rovers. Alison can be contacted on: |
2nd Cornet (Russell Queenan).
 Russell Queenan |
Date of Birth: 26/6/69 Started playing in: 1977 1st band: Leeds West Hunslet Salvation Army Band. Previous bands: LWH Band, H.M. Royal Marines Band and a short spell with SWT Woodfalls. Memorable moments: Russell recalls the following musical memories:
Russell's Hobbies: Being a HGV Driver and working 12 hour shifts does not leave a great deal of spare time for hobbies but Russell enjoys photography, golf, watching football and reading.
Russell can be contacted on: russell.queenan@homecall.co.uk
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2nd Cornet (Phil Siggers).
 Phil Siggers |
Date of Birth: 1973 Started playing in: 1982 1st band: Hollingworth Previous bands: None Memorable moments: Phil admits that his most memorable moment in banding is when he played a bottom C in tune!! Phil’s Hobbies: Outside of Band, Phil enjoys playing/watching Football, Golf and Computer Games. |
3rd Cornet (Sarah Thomas).
 Sarah Thomas |
Date of Birth: 30/01/1986 Started playing in: 1995 1st band: Astley Youth Band Previous bands: Wigan Youth band, Tyldesley band Memorable moments:
More about Sarah: Sarah is graduate of the University of Salford, where she read English and Creative Writing. She works as a Teaching Assistant for the reception class at a school in Atherton. Sarah’s Hobbies: Sarah likes writing fiction, and enjoys doing pilates, as well as beating husband Alex at tennis. Sarah can be contacted on:
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3rd Cornet (Rachael Shore).
 Rachael Shore |
Date of Birth: 31/12/78
Started playing in: 1992
1st band: Blackburn and Darwin 'B'
Previous bands: Lancashire Youth Band
Memorable moments: Rachael recalls the time when she won The 1st Section National Finals in 1997. This was her 1st ever contest. Rachael also mentioned the time when she played 3rd Man on Jazz at the Area Contest. Her comments were 'we came 4th and Matt, on Principal Cornet, was brilliant!'
Rachael’s Hobbies: Her favourite (and only) hobby is drawing the raffle in Ponky's on a Thursday night. Rachael also made a comment that 'it's time I won the tray of meat! Paul and Diane seem to win far too often!'
Rachael can be contacted on: rachael@bassbonehouse.wanadoo.co.uk
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Deputy B Flat Cornet and Band Contest Secretary (Ian Threlfall).
 Ian Threlfall |
Date of Birth: 23/06/68 Started playing in: 1979 1st band: Freckleton Previous bands: Poulton-Le-Fylde Memorable moments: Trell, (he likes to be called this), recalls being told at the tender age of 11 years old, after practicing like mad for weeks, that he wouldn’t be playing at The 4th section National Finals in London. From sadness to delight even though it came 15 years later in 1997 when Freckleton Band won The 1st Section National Championships at The Symphony Hall in Birmingham. More about Trell: Trell started playing at the age of 10 years old at the old stable block, twice a week, behind The Coach & Horses Public House. He had tuition from other members of the main band but the main person who started his cornet career was a gentleman called Jimmy Little who was in those early days a “very old man”. Jimmy was a very strict tutor and wouldn’t stand for any messing around! Within twelve months of starting playing Trell had been promoted to 3rd cornet in the main band and over a period of 5 years went onto become one of the Tutti Cornet players on the front row. On leaving school and starting work Trell couldn’t practice as much as he had been use to and his standard of playing unfortunately dropped as the band progressed and he relinquished his place on the front row and spent some time on the back row of the cornet section. Soon after starting work, Poulton le Fylde were looking for new players and Trell decided to move to Poulton for a fresh approach to his playing. Trell spent 10 years with Poulton playing within the cornet section and for 3 years on Flugel Horn. In 1996, Rad, who is also one of Trell’s best friends, asked him if he was interested at coming back to Freckleton, but will be on the back row of the cornet section. Freckleton at that time were a better standard of band and Trell knew that playing either on the front row or on the Flugel Horn seat would be very difficult due to the standard of playing required. Trell decided to stand down as a resident member of the cornet section due to work commitments. Kath (other member of the cornet section) had a little boy ( Christopher ) and both wouldn't be able to attend rehearsals due to constant baby sitting problems. Trell decided to still keep the position of Contest Secretary. Trell’s Hobbies: Trell supports Preston North End and is a regular supporter. His other main hobby is spending as much time as he can with his son, Christopher. Pictures of Christopher can be seen in our Toddlers Area. Trell can be contacted on: E-Mail: trellandkath@blueyonder.co.uk Tel: 01772 517204 |
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