2006 Pontins Championships

Mortimer Championship - Runners and Riders

There is a fair line up of quality bands to be found at Pontins this year all trying to take home with them the Harry and Margaret Mortimer title on a piece with a fair bit of history to itself.

Bactiguard Wire Brass
Conductor: Paul Andrews
4BR Ranking: 87

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Mike Jones
Euphonium: James Emberley
Soprano: Billy Parkinson
Horn: Annabel Stapleton
Trombone: Jill Riley

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: Winners in Second Section (Paul Andrews)
2004: DNC
2003: 2nd (J. Hinckley)
2002: Winners (Third Section) (Paul Andrews) prom
 
2006 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 7th
Regional Championships: 1st
National Finals: 2nd
Fleetwood: 3rd

What a story Wire Brass has become.  From their first contest just over five years ago, they're now in the Championship Section.  Now with a sponsor onboard, the Warrington-based outfit goes to Prestatyn relishing the opportunity to mix it with some fine competition.  It's been another cracking year with the band almost taking the 1st Section National title in Harrogate and then a week later 3rd at Fleetwood.  The only blip (if you can call it that) was 7th in February at Brass at the Guild, but as we've said, Bactiguard Wire Brass will be looking forward to competing against some tough opposition and we think they won't fear anyone either. 

BTM
Conductor: Jason Katsikaris
4BR Ranking: 31

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jeff Hutcherson
Principal Euphonium: Mark Hutcherson
Soprano: Meirion Davies
Horn: Bruce Myers
Trombone: Nick Jones

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: 10th (D. Hirst)
2003: 11th (D. Stowell)
2002: 18th (D. Stowell)
2001: 9th (D. Stowell)
2000: 17th (G. Pritchard)
1999: 12th (D. Maplestone)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 11th
Regional Championships: 6th
Senior Cup:2nd
Porthcawl: 3rd
All-England International Masters:12th
 
An interesting year for BTM results wise as they did well in the Senior Cup and at Porthcawl, didn't quite hit the mark at the Regionals in March and never really gave performances at Yeovil and the Masters.  With Aussie Jason Katsikaris at the helm it has the makings of a partnership that could well explode here and they could produce a performance that takes home with them the title for the first time since 1992. 

BHK Horden
Conductor: Norman Law
4BR Ranking: 73

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tina Mortimer
Euphonium: N/K
Soprano: Mike Holiday
Horn: N/K
Trombone: Andrew Hunter

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: 13th (P. Parkes)
2003:  6th in First Section (P. Parkes)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 4th
Senior Trophy: 5th

Nice to see BHK back at Pontins after they missed out last year having qualified for the Nationals in London.  Norman Law leads their challenge here this time and if you've got the ex-Black Dyke trombone stalwart at the helm, you can be certain, no stone will have been left unturned when preparing ‘Blitz' – it's a work that holds good memories for the MD. 

Blackburn and Darwen
Conductor: Nick Shepherd
4BR Ranking: 178

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Alan Thomas
Euphonium: John North
Soprano: Mandy Pickles
Horn: Tariq Ahmed
Trombone: Robert Conlon

Past Record at Pontins:
2005:  2nd in First Section (N. Sheppard)
2004: 11th (N. Sheppard)
2003: 12th (L. Nicholson)
2002: 14th (E. Landon)
2001: 5th (E. Landon)
2000: 6th (E. Landon)
1999: 13th (E. Landon)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 12th
Senior Trophy: 17th
Fleetwood: 3rd
 
A good show here for Blackburn last year sees them in the top section and they'll come to the contest with confidence after gaining 3rd place at Fleetwood just a few weeks ago. That result was a million miles away from their disappointing results earlier in the year, so it'll be interesting to see whether it's the consistent or inconsistent Blackburn this weekend in Prestatyn. 

Cwmaman Institute
Conductor: Nigel Seaman
4BR Ranking: 39

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tim Malpas
Principal Euphonium: Jeremy Rugman
Soprano Cornet: Steve Barnsley
Trombone: Steve Howells
Horn: Brian Connolly

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
 
2006 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 8th
Regional Championships: 8th
Grand Shield: 16th

Debutants here, Cwmaman haven't really hit their straps on the contesting platform in 2006.  The performances at the Regionals, Grand Shield and Yeovil were not up to the standard the band knows it can achieve on the day, so they will be hoping for better here.  Nigel Seaman leads them this weekend and they'll be looking to finish the year on a high. 

East Yorkshire Motor Services
Conductor: Jim Davies
4BR Ranking: 72

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Steve Rudhall
Euphonium: Liz Grosvenor
Soprano: Peter Wilson
Horn: Alison Grantham
Trombone: Mark Unsworth

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC 
2000: 12th (A. Morrison)
1999: DNC
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 3rd
Senior Trophy: 6th
 
A return to the contest fro the first time 2001 for EYMS and they will certainly be looking to take more than a few scalps along the way.  EYMS are a fine outfit who've been solid on the contesting platform this year and with Jim Davies at the helm will be thoroughly prepared. The good times could be back starting here. 

Friary Guildford Brass
Conductor: Chris King
4BR Ranking: 142
 
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Richard Straker
Euphonium: Wayne Fitzpatrick
Soprano: Richard Marley
Horn: Nigel Stevens
Trombone: Roland Knight

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 7th
Brass at the Guild: 11th

Friary make the long trip to the North Wales coast from Surrey and they're a bit of an unknown quantity to us at 4BR.  They cane 7th at Stevenage in March and whilst they've not been too overactive in the contesting arena in 2006 will be looking to make an impression on Sunday. 

Jackfield Elcock Resisen
Conductor: John Maines
4BR Ranking: N/R

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jo Payne
Euphonium: Tony Hartley
Soprano: N/K
Horn: Chris Capps
Trombone: Simon Holland

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 4th in First Section (J.Maines)
2004: 10th (I. Viney)
2003: DNC
2002: 20th (C. Lewis)
2001: 6th (C. Lewis)
2000: 5th (I. Dickinson)
1999: 9th (I. Dickinson)

2006 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 3rd
Regional Championships: 11th

The knowledgeable and experienced John Maines leads the Shropshire-based outfit here, and they'll be looking for a repeat performance of what they did in Preston in February when they came third. At the Guild Hall. Having gained promotion into the Championship Section last year, they'll be looking to take a few scalps along the way for sure. 

Kidlington
Conductor: Barry Wassall
4BR Ranking: 130

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Nigel Membury
Euphonium: Grant Charleston
Soprano: Alex Elderfield
Horn: Jeff Raymont
Trombone: Rob Marsh

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 13th (B. Wassell)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 22nd (C. Underwood)
2001: DNC
2000: 19th (C. Underwood)
1999: 11th (C. Underwood)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 15th
Weston-Super-Mare: 3rd
Regional Championships: 3rd

After the disappointment of Yeovil, 2006 has been a good year at Kidlington with third place finishes at Weston-Super-Mare and the Regionals and it gives an indication of the progress the band has made in the past twelve months.  After a couple of years of absence here they didn't sparkle last year finishing 13th so they'll be hoping to really make an impression this time. 

Langley
Conductor: Cliff Parker
4BR Ranking: N/R

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Craig Stevens
Euphonium: Sarah Frowen
Soprano: David Webb
Horn: Laura Hill
Trombone: Helen Parker

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 26th in First Section (C. Parker)
2004: DNC
2003: 9th in Second Section (C.Parker)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 10th

So what of Langley?  They had a real struggle here last year in the First Section and now find themselves in the Championship mixing it with some decent company.  Tenth place at the Regionals in March and we suspect consolidation will be the name of the game this year. 

Lindley
Conductor: Neil Jowett
4BR Ranking: 177

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet:  Glyn Nash
Euphonium: Sean Conway
Soprano: Jason Varley
Horn: Victoria Seville
Trombone: Paul Cryer

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 8th (N. Jowett)
2004: 14th (N. Jowett)
2003: 9th (N. Jowett)
2002: 11th  (N. Jowett)
2001: Winners of 1st Section (N. Jowett)
2000: 9th in First Section (N. Jowett)
1999: DNC

2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 7th
Senior Cup: 14th
Brighouse March Contest: Winners

Plenty of experience amongst the ranks at Lindley and at Pontins they've held their own over in the top flight in recent years since gaining promotion from the First Section.  They weren't too far adrift at the Regionals in March, and perhaps a little disappointed to have come 14th in the Senior Cup, but success at the Brighouse March Contest in July will have put the smiles on their faces, even if they did have to contend with a thunderstorm in the process.  

Longridge
Conductor: Peter Lockett
4BR Ranking: 107

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: David Booth
Euphonium: Adam Snape
Soprano: Gareth Crane
Horn: Mark Williams
Trombone: Becky Stead

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 15th (M.Leason)
2004: DNC
2003: 5th (First Section) (B. Baker)
2002: 21st (B. Baker)
2001: 22nd (D. Barry)
2000: DNC
1999: 6th (First Section) (M. Cotter)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 14th
Regional Championships: =10th

Longridge have been through some tough times in recent years and they didn't have the best of times on this contest platform last year either, coming 15th.  Peter Lockett takes them here this time around and they'll be hoping a good show can finish their year off in good heart. 

Old Silkstone
Conductor: Graham O'Connor
4BR Ranking: 143

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Alan Garbutt
Euphonium: Adrian Nurney
Soprano: Kevin Moxon
Horn: Lisa O'Connor
Trombone: Nick Walker

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: 16th N. Law)
2003: 10th (N. Law)
2002: 1st (N. Law)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 14th
Brighouse March & Hymn: 2nd

One of banding's oldest names return to Pontins this year after missing in 2005.  They found life tough going at Bradford earlier in the year but a morale boosting 2nd place at the Brighouse March contest in July means they head to North Wales in good heart after a high-profile concert at Sheffield City Hall with Brighouse and Huddersfield Choral Society. 

Pemberton Old JJB
Conductor:  Mark Peacock
4BR Ranking: 75

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Joanne Johnson
Euphonium: Billy Millar
Soprano: Simon Morgan
Horn: Peter Lyons
Trombone: David Chapman

Past Record at Pontins:
2004: 9th in First Section (M. Peacock)
2003: 9th (N. Sheppard)
2002: 21st (N. Sheppard)
2001: 9th (R. Evans)
2000: DNC
1999: 5th in Second Section (H. Bousfield)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: Winners
Regional Championships: 8th
Senior Cup:12th
Fleetwood: 4th
 
A decent year so far for Pemberton and they are a band who are very much on an upward spiral.  They've demonstrated in 2006 that they can more than hold their own against some good opposition, winning at Preston and they'll be looking for a top six finish at the very least on Sunday. 

Pennine Brass
Conductor: Ian Porthouse
4BR Ranking: 37

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: JJ Lees
Euphonium: N/K
Soprano: Mark Wears
Horn: Lauren Lea
Trombone: Stephen Williams

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 4th (I. Porthouse)
2004: 19th (I. Porthouse)
2003: 8th (I. Porthouse)
2002: 6th (I. Porthouse)
2001: 2nd in First Section (I. Porthouse)
2000: DNE
 
2006 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 4th
Regional Championships: 5th
Tameside:1st
Grand Shield: 5th
Marsden March Contest:1st

The one thing you'll always get with Pennine is a thoroughly prepared and musical performance.  They've had a good year, never coming out of the prizes and in the case of the Regionals, were considered by many (not just 4BR) to have been comfortable winners.  They put that right though at Tameside when they won on ‘Blitz' so they'll be looking for a strong show here to round off what's been a good old year for the West Yorkshire outfit. 

Soham Comrades
Conductor: Robin Norman
4BR Ranking: 188

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Richard McCormick
Euphonium: Steve Perry
Soprano: N/K
Horn: David Avesl
Trombone: Neil George

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 7th (M. Ager)
2000: 8th (P. Filby)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 6th

Another band returning after a break away from the contest and they will be making the long journey from Cambridgeshire having gained a solid result at the area in March.  Robin Norman leads their efforts here and a repeat of 200 and 2001 could be on the cards. 

Staffordshire
Conductor: Steve Bastable
4BR Ranking: 28

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Paul White
Euphonium: Mark Glover
Soprano: Andy Jennings
Horn: Tracey White
Trombone: N/K

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: Winners (S. Bastable)
2004: Winners (S. Bastable)
2003: DNE
2002: 16th  (D. Maplestone)
2001: 16th  (D. Maplestone)
2000: 13th  (A. Culshaw
 
2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 7th
Buxton: Winners
Grand Shield: 3rd
Wychavon: 3rd
 
So who is going to bet against Steve Bastable's outfit completing a hat-trick of wins here?  This is a band that is certainly going places but for a touch of bad luck could well have been at the British Open in September having come 3rd at the Grand Shield.  That result was off the back of victory at Buxton and their only blip this year was the area contest.  If they play like the can do, then they'll almost certainly be in the mix and only time will tell whether they complete three wins on the trot for the first time since Jones and Crossland twenty-one years ago? 

Thoresby Colliery
Conductor: Martin Heartfield
4BR Ranking: 64

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Dave Jones
Euphonium: Simon White
Soprano: Graham Drury
Horn: Jackie Greensted
Trombone: Richard Walker

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 20th (S.Lippeatt)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
 
2006 Form Guide:
Butlins Mineworkers: 9th
Regional Championships: 3rd
Senior Trophy: 3rd

Not too much contesting activity from Thoresby in the past year but the contests they have appeared at have produced impressive results since a poorish return at Butlins.  They'll be making a return here for the first time since 2002 and will be lookingr to carry on that good form here and round off the year in style.

Timperley
Conductor: David Evans
4BR Ranking: N/R

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Ben Rapp
Euphonium: Morgan Griffiths
Soprano: Clint Miller
Horn: Michelle McGurk
Trombone: Les Webb

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: 14th in Third Section (C. Whiteoak)
2003:16th (C. Whiteoak)
2002: 3rd (G. Hetherington)
2001: 8th (G. Hetherington)
2000: Winners in Fourth Section (G.Hetherington)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Tameside: 2nd

Timperley are bit of a contesting phoenix but they've continued to rebuild this year in impressive style.  Led by the knowledgeable David Evans they've got the experienced Jon Davies in the ranks and have pulled off what could be described in the football world as a ‘shock signing' with Morgan Griffiths on euphonium, not too mention ex-Faireys player, Ben Rapp on Principal Cornet.  Plenty of knowledge, grit and determination then from the Cheshire outfit and look out for them – ‘Blitz' could be very interesting indeed. 

Tongwynlais Temperance
Conductor: Gareth Pritchard
4BR Ranking: 40

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Duncan Broadley
Euphonium: Martyn Patterson
Soprano: Gareth Davies
Horn: Steve Jones
Trombone: Robin Hackett

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: DNC
2004: 2nd (B. James)
2003: 17th (S. Sykes)
2002: DNC
2001: 8th (First Section) (C.Hogg)
2000: DNC
1999: 8th (A.Morton)
 
2006 Form Guide:
Butlins: 11th
Yeovil: 12th
Porthcawl: 2nd
Regional Championships: 7th
Senior Cup:3rd
Ammanford: =5th
 
Whilst Butlins and Yeovil didn't produce the greatest of results for Tongwynlais earlier in the year, they'll have been more than satisfied with 2nd at Porthcawl and promotion into the Grand Shield courtesy of 3rd place in the Senior Cup in May.  7th at the Areas wasn't ideal but they know that they'll capable of putting on a good show here as in 2004 they very nearly went away form here as winners. 

Tredegar Town
Conductor: Michael Fowles
4BR Ranking: 20

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: David Hale
Euphonium: Darren Morris
Soprano: Steve Ruck
Horn: Michael Franey
Trombone: Jonathan Pippen

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 9th (T. Wyss)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: Winners (G. Cutt)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: 2nd (N. Childs)
1998: Winners (P. Bailey)

2006 Form Guide:
Yeovil: Winners
Porthcawl: Winners
Ebbw Vale: Winners
Regional Championships: 4th
Grand Shield: 11th

The good times are possibly on the way back at Tredegar.  The band are a happy bunch these days after some difficult times and under Michael Fowles have re-discovered that winning feeling.  Victories at Yeovil and Porthcawl set the standard for the year and with another first at Ebbw Vale, the only blips were missing out on a trip to London and not giving as convincing show as they'd have liked on Whitsun Wakes.   

United Norwest Co-op Milnrow
Conductor: Andrew White
4BR Ranking: 114

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Donna Towie
Euphonium: Brent Warren
Soprano: Keith Russell
Horn: Francis Thewlis
Trombone: N/K

Past Record at Pontins:
2005: 7th (A. White)
2004: 14th in First Section (A. White)
2003: 2nd in First Section (A. White)
2002: 12th in First Section (C. Whiteoak)
2001: 5th in Second Section (D. Hebb)
2000: 7th in Second Section (D. Hebb)
1999: DNC

2006 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: =10th
Tameside: 5th 

Having had a decent year last year having come up from the First Section in 2004, its not disingenuous to suggest that Milnrow have found the going a little tough this time around at the top level.  The regionals were a struggle and they never hit their straps at Tameside so they'll be hoping that Blitz brings the good times back.