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2004 Welsh Regional Championships
Third Section
Sunday 13th March
Test Piece: Vizcaya – Gilbert
Vinter
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard
-Jones
Wales continues to struggle at Third Section nationally, and you
have to go back as far as 1992 and Beaumaris for the last time that
a Welsh band was successful at the Finals themselves. Before that,
the now defunct British Steel Port Talbot won the title in 1991,
but before that, it was 1967 and Rhymney Workmens. In all there
have been 8 victories to the Welsh since 1945 – not that great,
since the last three span 37 years.
In fact the best the Welsh can muster since 1998 is one 4th place
by Briton Ferry in 2002, and last year in Dundee the two representatives,
Conway Town and Newbridge Celynen came 6th and 17th.
That said, it should still be a decent old contest with 10 well-matched
bands battling it out for the two qualification places on offer.
Steve Pritchard Jones has the difficult task of picking the winners
on a difficult old potboiler of a piece, but he has plenty of experience
of knowing how to make a mark in the lower sections here.
Whoever he picks will have impressed him by getting basics right
first and the musical interpretation right second.
Beaumaris B
Conductor: P. Hughes
Last Year: 6th
Last Eight Years:
2003: 6th (P. Hughes)
2002: DNC
2001: Winners 3rd Section
2000: Winners 4th Section
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
It is very unfair to call Beaumaris B the “second string”
band from the small Anglesey town, as they are very much a formidable
contesting outfit in their own right. A whole raft of talented youngsters
will be making their mark here this year on the back of a fine win
at the Action Research Youth Championships. That could mark them
out as potential victors and make it their third Welsh National
in five years. Favourites we think.
Crosskeys Silver
Conductor: K. Bowden
Last Eight Years:
2003: 7th (K. Bowden)
2002: DNC
2001: 5th
2000: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1999: 6th 4th Section
1998: 2nd 4th Section
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Another Welsh band that has had some great times here at the Welsh
Regional in years gone by, and who are now starting to return to
the good days under the direction of Keri Bowden. Promoted from
the Fourth Section in 2001 they have since come 5th and 7th last
year. They won the Second Section back in 1981 under the direction
of Nigel Weeks, so they will be looking to repeat that feat some
23 years later.
Ebbw Vale
Conductor: B. Davies
Last Eight Years:
2003: 8th (A. Browning)
2002: 7th
2001: 6th
2000: 7th 2nd Section (rel)
1999: 10th 2nd Section
1998: Winners
1997: 11th 2nd Section (rel)
1996: 6th 2nd Section
Ebbw Vale were National Fourth Section Champions way back in 1971,
and have spent most of their contesting life in the lower sections.
They did win the Fourth Section here again in 1987, and then won
here at this level in 1998. They came 17th at Pontins late last
year, so they will be determined to show that they can reverse the
trend of the last three years and possible gain a top six placing.
Harlech
Conductor: H. Evans Last Eight Years:
2003: Winners of Fourth Section (prom) (H. Evans)
2002: 9th 3rd Section (rel)
2001: 9th 3rd Section
2000: 11th 3rd Section
1999: Winners (prom)
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC Last years Fourth Section Champions make the trip to Swansea with
high hopes of doing well on their return to this level of banding.
Since they returned to the contesting scene they have won here twice
– in 1999 and 2003, so they will be determined to make it
a third this time round. Their win last year saw them make the trip
to Dundee where they came a well deserved 6th place. One to look
out for.
Llanelli and District
Conductor: C. John
Last Eight Years:
2003: 10th (R. Owen)
2002: 7th 4th Section (prom)
2001: Winners 4th Section
2000: 8th 4th Section
1999: 10th 4th Section
1998: 15th (rel)
1997: 6th
1996: N/K
The talented Ceri John, the solo euphonium player with Burry Port
takes over the reins at Llanelli, and will be hoping to reverse
the result of last year when they came 10th. They will therefore
need a good result to stop the spectre of relegation. With plenty
of talented young players in the ranks, and a determined MD, they
should be more than able to do it.
 Newbridge Celynen
Conductor: P. Holland
Last Eight Years:
2003: Winners (P. Holland)
2002: 8th
2001: 3rd 4th Section (prom)
2000: 3rd 4th Section
1999: 8th 4th Section
1998: 12th (rel)
1997: 14th
1996: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
Last year's winners return with a stronger line up to defend their
title. Paul Holland took the band to Dundee, where they tried
a little too hard to impress with volume rather than the quality
sound that so marked them out in qualifying. That 17th place was
certainly a disappointment, but since then they have returned
to better habits and won recently at Milton Keynes. They should
be up and around there come results time.
Newtown
Conductor: S. Edwards
Last Eight Years:
2003: 8th in Second Section (rel) (H. Gibb)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 4th 3rd Section (prom)
1999: 6th 3rd Section
1998: 2nd 3rd Section
1997: 10th (rel)
1996: 9th
Steve Edwards returns to Newtown, and that could well mean a return
to the type of performances that saw them do well here in this section
up to 2000. After a couple of years away they came back 12 months
ago when they came 8th under the direction of H. Gibbs and were
relegated. A good solid showing is what is required (and within
their capabilities) this time around.
 Porthaethwy Menai Bridge
Conductor: G. Saynor
Last Eight Years:
2003: 3rd in Fourth Section (prom) (C. Williams)
2002: 2nd in Fourth Section
2001: 8th in Fourth Section
2000: DNC
1999: 9th 3rd Section (rel)
1998: 7th 3rd Section
1997: 6th 3rd Section
1996: N/K
Porthaethwy Menai Bridge came third here last year in the Fourth
Section and coupled with their runners up place of 2002 sees them
returning to the Third Section for the first time since 1999. Gavin
Saynor will be a busy man as he takes both Porthaethwy and Llanrug
on the weekend, but he has got a band under him here that can really
make a mark. After coming 6th at Pontins late last year, they will
head south to Swansea confident of making an impression.
Royal Buckley
Conductor: G. Thomas
Last Eight Years:
2003: 5th (D. Roberts)
2002: 4th
2001: DNC
2000: 5th 2nd Section (rel)
1999: 9th 2nd Section
1998: 6th 2nd Section
1997: 6th 2nd Section
1996: 3rd Second Section
Royal Buckley came 5th here last year, a drop of one place from
2002, and after coming 19th and last at Pontins late last year,
they will be hoping they can start 2004 in fine style. A new MD
in the shape of G. Thomas has the task of directing them on their
way.
Trefor
Conductor: G. Jones Last Eight Years:
2003: 4th (G. Jones)
2002: 5th
2001: 7th
2000: DNC
1999: 4th
1998: 6th
1997: 3rd
1996: N/K
Trefor have a pretty decent record here over the past few years,
and in the last three years in particular have improved on each
outing. That culminated in 4th place last year, so they will be
hoping to better that this time around. If they can, a possible
trip to Harrogate may be on the cards.
Results archive:
Full results of previous year's contests together with a results summary can
be found in our results archive.
Past Qualifiers:
2003: Newbridge Celynen, Conway Town
2002: Blaenavon Town, Briton Ferry
2001: Beaumaris B, Cwmbran
2000: Royal Oakeley, Lalnrug
1999: Rhyl, Ynyshir Welfare
1998: Ebbw Vale, Newtown
1997: Deiniolen, Pontardulais
1996: Deiniolen, Rhyl Silver
1995: Deiniolen, Rhyl Silver
Welsh bands at the Finals:
2003: 6th, 17th
2002: 4th, 19th
2001: 8th, 14th
2000: 14th, 16th
1999: 10th, 15th
1998: 10th, 14th
4BR Prediction:
Even though there hasn’t been much success nationally, this
will still be a good contest to enjoy. The test piece will make
sure of that – so we will be able to sit back and see if our
choices play to form.
We think it will be a close run thing between Newbridge and Celynen
and Beaumaris B for the top prize, with Porthaethwy Menai Bridge
pushing them close. Newbridge come to the contest with a stronger
band than last year, so we tip them to make it two in a row. Trefor
and Cross Keys should also put up good shows, whilst Harlech should
also make it to the top six. Our dark horses are Llanelli and District.
Sorry if we put the mockers on anyone!
1. Newbridge Celynen
2. Beaumaris B
3. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge
4. Trefor
5. Cross Keys
6. Harlech
Dark Horses: Llanelli and District
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