On Sunday 26th February Foden's competed at the 'North West Area' contest held at the Winter Gardens Blackpool. The UK is split into various 'regions' and the top two placed bands at each regional contest is invited to represent their 'region' at the National Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall London in October. Foden's are the current National Champions of Great Britain (a title they also won in 2021) and due to this received an automatic 'bye' to the October contest
Foden's competed against 11 other bands performing the set test piece 'Red Priest' by Philip Wilby. Philip describes the music as ‘A Concerto after Vivaldi with special separations, with the title referring to Antonio Vivaldi, colloquially referred to as the ‘Red Priest’ thanks to his youthful ordination and his flaming red hair. The piece contains quotations from, amongst others, ‘The Four Seasons’, and his well known ‘Gloria’.'
The adjudicators announced Foden's as 'clear winners' and also awarded them the best Bass Section and Principal Cornet.
1. Foden's (Russell Gray)
2. WFEL Fairey (Phil Chalk)
3. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
4. Milnrow (Lee Skipsey)
5. Pemberton Old Wigan (DW) (Gareth Brindle)
6. Rainford (Sarah Groarke-Booth)
7. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
8. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
9. Roberts Bakery (Mike Jones)
10. Wingates (Andrea Price)
11. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
12. Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans)