2005 Regionals: Midlands - Preview: Fourth Section

A big field for this one, and which of the bands will overcome a tricky test piece and book a place in the hotel rooms of Harrogate with the blessing of Malcolm Brownbill.

Date: Sunday 13th March
Adjudicator: Malcolm Brownbill
Test Piece: Divertimento – Bryan Kelly
Commences: 11.00
Split Draw: 10.00 & 12.00

No photo? Please send a JPEG to: stating the conductors name, your band, your region and section.

Alcester Victoria
Conductor: P. Butler

Last Eight Years:
2004: 7th (P.Butler)
2003: 14th in Third Section (rel) (N. Smith)
2002: 11th (N. Kift)
2001: 14th (N. Kift)
2000: 6th (N/K)
1999: 13th
1998: 14th
1997: 3rd 4th Section

Alcester will be looking for more of the same this year after finishing seventh last year.  Having been relegated in 2003, they will want another good result this time round in a bid to get back into the Third Section, as quickly as possible.  P Butler will once again direct their challenge and a top six place may be on the cards at least.

Banovallum Brass
Conductor: S. Ingham

Last Eight Years:
2004: 12th (S. Bingham)
2003: 15th (S. Ingham)
2002: 7th (E. White)
2001: DNC
2000: 15th (N/K)
1999: DNC
1998: 12th 4th Section
1997: 15th 3rd Section (rel)

Having dropped away a touch in 2003, Banovallum improved slightly last year finishing in twelfth place.  With S. Bingham at the helm again they will be looking to get back to around seventh place where they came in 2002 very quickly. Good luck to them in their quest.

Bestwood Black Diamonds
Conductor: B.G. Draper

Last Eight Years: Did not compete

Last played in the Regionals back in 1997 when they were in the Second Second. They did compete Butlins this year and at the NEMBBA Contest where they came 2nd, so we hope those experiences did them a power of good. We wish them well as they seek to make a mark here this year then.

Chapel-en-le-Frith
Conductor: TBA

Last Eight Years: Did not compete

The other mystery band for us, as we believe that they are a new band formed after the former High Peak brass went out of existence. That was an amalgamation of this band and Whaley Bridge, so we wish them well on their return. 

Corby Silver
Conductor: C. Stevens

Last Eight Years:
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 14th
2001: 6th
2000: 13th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC

After a couple of years away, Corby return with Colin Stevens as MD and will be looking to set down some firm foundations this time. Fourteenth on their last appearance, seeing them back is great. Let's hope they do well. 

Creswell Colliery
Conductor: TBA

Last Eight Years:
2004: 14th (A.Wood)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC

One of the most famous names in the banding world made a return to the Fourth Section last year under Adrain Wood and came 14th.  The band again competed at Butlins earlier in the year coming ninth under B. Woffinden and a similar result here would be a great boost.  No news as yet as to who will front their challenge though.

Cubbington
Conductor: P. Johnson

Last Eight Years: DNC

Another bit of a mystery to us at present as we again have searched our records without much success. We wish them well too.

Dronfield CMW
Conductor: A. Tyler

Last Eight Years:
2004: 6th (R. White)
2003: 7th (N/K)
2002: 14th 3rd Section (rel) (K. Mackintosh)
2001: 9th 3rd Section (M. Knowles)
2000: 11th 3rd Section (N/K)
1999: 6th 3rd Section
1998: DNC
1997: 16th 2nd Section (rel)

Having been placed sixth last year, Dronfield will be looking to push on this time around and finish in the top six.  If they can sneak into the qualifiers for Harrogate it would be a tremendous achievement for them.  A. Tyler will direct that challenge this time around.

Dunchurch Silver
Conductor: N. Thompson

Last Eight Years:
2004: 11th (N. Thompson)
2003: 10th (G. Smallwood)
2002: 13th (G. Smallwood)
2001: 12th (G. Smallwood)
2000: 16th (N/K)
1999: 10th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC

Dunchurch have continued to hover around a top ten berth for some time now and will be looking to move up the finishing table having finished between thirteenth and tenth in the past four years.  N. Thompson once again leads the challenge.

Enderby Youth
Conductor: T. Hounsome

Last Eight Years:
2004: 4th (S. Osgood)
2003: 11th (S. Osgood)
2002: 11th (S. Osgood)
2001: 11th 3rd Section (rel) (S. Osgood)
2000: 5th 3rd Section (N/K)
1999: 19th 3rd Section
1998: 8th 3rd Section
1997: 14th 3rd Section

Enderby Youth will be looking for a place in the finals having finished fourth last year.  The Leicestershire band is one that is on the up and they will be keeping fingers crossed that they don't finish mid table as they have done between 2001-2004. A top three place perhaps?

Hathern 'B'
Conductor: M. Cooper

Last Eight Years:
2004: DNC
2003: 16th (M. Cooper)
2002: 12th (G. Wood)
2001: 20th (K. Leonard)
2000: DNC

Hathern come back into the competition this year having been absent in 2004.  Last time out here in 2003, they came 16th and they will be looking to put on a good performance that will see them finish higher this time around. M. Cooper will direct them this time.

Ilkeston Brass
Conductor: D. Jones

Last Eight Years:
2004: 5th (D. Jones)
2003: 15th in Third Section (rel) (D. Jones)
2002: 17th (D. Jones)
2001: 18th 2nd Section (rel) (D. Jones)
2000: 19th 2nd Section
1999: 12th 2nd Section
1998: 13th 2nd Section
1997: 18th 2nd Section

A crackerjack of a performance last year saw Ilkeston finish in fifth place having been relegated from Section Three the year previously.  The opportunity of playing in Harrogate is a real possibility this time around if they can maintain last years form, and not having had the best results in recent years, they'll be looking to bounce back very quickly again.

Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield)
Conductor: I. Knapton

Last Eight Years:
2004: 15th (I. Knapton)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC

Ireland Colliery is another famous old name who made a return to the Areas last year being placed 15th.  They will be looking to build on last years result and finish higher in the contest and a top 10 place may well be the ambition this time out.

Kirkby Colliery Welfare
Conductor: H. Thomas

Last Eight Years:
2004: 8th (S. Berrill)
2003: 5th (S. Berrill)
2002: 15th (S. Berrill)
2001: 22nd (S. Berrill)
2000: DNC

Confidence should be high for Kirby having finished fourth at Butlins in January under H. Thomas.  Last year they finished in eighth place so they will be hoping for a repeat (if not better) of the Butlins result and the possibility of a trip to the finals.

Market Rasen RPC
Conductor: B. Matthews

Last Eight Years:
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 9th Third Section (rel)
2001: 7th
2000: 14th
1999: 11th
1998: 3rd 4th Section
1997: 5th 4th Section

The last time the band competed here they came 9th in the Third Section in 2002, but they haven't according to our records been since. Welcome back then and we hope this heralds the start of the rebuilding work.

Matlock
Conductor: R. Jepson

Last Eight Years:
2004: 3rd (R. Jepson)
2003: 12th (K. Short)
2002: 18th 3rd Section (rel) (K. Short)
2001: 15th 3rd Section (N/K)
2000: 10th 3rd Section (N/K)
1999: 8th 3rd Section
1998: 9th 3rd Section
1997: DNC

Another band in good form and one that will approach the Regionals in a positive frame of mind.  A third place last year saw them compete at Harrogate and finish the highest of the Midlands qualifiers in fifth place.  Already this year, the band has come second at Butlins and they will be looking once again to qualify for the finals and fingers crossed promotion to Section Three.

Melton Borough
Conductor: C. Hartley

Last Eight Years: Debut this year

Another bit of a mystery for us as we haven't any records of the band competing here in the past few years. Good luck to them then on what we believe may be their debut.

Rushden Town
Conductor: P. Vine

Last Eight Years: Debut this year

Another of the first timers according to our records anyway. We therefore hope they enjoy the experience and do themselves proud.

Shipston Town
Conductor: H. Gibbs

Last Eight Years:
2004: 17th  (D. Grant) (rel)
2003: 18th (G. Coleman)
2002: 20th 2nd Section (rel)
2001: DNC
2000: 13th 2nd Section
1999: 5th 3rd Section (prom)
1998: 6th 3rd Section
1997: 9th 3rd Section 

Back to the Fourth Section for Shipston Town after they 17th here in the Third Section 12 months ago. We hope therefore they still have the drive and ambition to do well here and perhaps begin that long clmb to the Second Section where they were flying high back in 2000.

Swineshead Silver
Conductor: K. Edwards

Last Eight Years:
2004: 13th (D. Stephens)
2003: 14th (D. Stephens)
2002: 18th (D. Stephens)
2001: 19th (D. Stephens)
2000: 24th (D. stephens)
1999: 24th
1998: DNC

Swinehead will be looking to continue in the right direction.  Eighteenth in 2002 saw them reach thirteenth last year and they will be looking to push into a possible top 10 place or even higher.

Tideswell
Conductor: B. Thompson

Last Eight Years:
2004: 10th (B. Thompson)
2003: 6th (B. Thompson)
2002: 10th (B. Thompson)
2001: 18th (B. Thompson)
2000: DNC
1999: 14th
1998: 14th 3rd Section (rel)
1997: 17th 3rd Section

Tenth last time out for Tideswell, so what will 2005 bring?  They finished sixth in 2003 and will be hoping for a similar result, if not better this time around.  They were certainly heading in the right direction up to 12 months ago, so can they show that that result was just a bit of a one off? 

Trentham Brass
Conductor: M. Caveney

Last Eight Years: Debut this year

Weearched our records once more and have come uip with a bit of a blank on this one, so we think it could be a debut this year for Trentham, or possibly the first time back in a very long while. Whatever, we wish them well.

Wellington (Telford) Brass
Conductor: S. Curtis

Last Eight Years:
2004: 9th (S. Curtis)
2003: 17th (S. Curtis)
2002: 8th (S. Curtis)
2001: 11th (S. Curtis)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC

Wellington (Telford) Brass will be looking to maintain last years form when they finished in ninth place having finished in lowly seventeenth the year previously.  A good show here will boost their confidence no end and a top six place could well be on the cards if they play to form once more.

Past Qualifiers:

2004: Rushden Windmill, Newhall and Matlock 
2003: Phoenix West Midlands Brass, Long Eaton Silver, Bakewell Silver
2002: WEM Jubilee, Leicester Cooperative, Long Eaton
2001: Carlton Brass, Shirland Miners Training, West Mercia Constabulary
2000: Raunds Temperance, Malvern Hills
1999: Audley Brass, Malvern Hills, Raunds Temperance
1998: University of Warwick, Porthywaen
1997: Porthywaen, Newham
1996: Alcester Victoria, Chapel en le Frith
1995: Kirkby Colliery, Rushden Windmill, Chael en le Frith
1994: Banovallum Brass, Kirkby Colliery

Midlands bands at the Finals:

2004: 7th, 11th, 5th
2003: 2nd, 9th, 12th
2002: 6th, 9th, 18th
2001: 1st, 5th, 6th
2000: 3rd, 6th
1999: 11th, 16th, 19th
1998: 4th, 9th

4BR Prediction:

A notoriously difficult task of choosing the winners and qualifiers as always in the Fourth Section, but there are bands here who have shown good form in the last couple of months, so they may be the ones to look out for come results time.

That in mind we opt for Matlock to continue their recent good form and take the title here, whilst they will be joined in Harrogate we think by Kirkby Colliery Welfare and Ilkeston. The top six for us should be made up of Enderby Youth, Dronfield and Alcester, with our dark horses being Hathern B. 

1. Matlock
2. Kirkby Colliery Welfare
3. Ilkeston
4. Enderby Youth
5. Dronfield
6. Alcester

Dark Horses: Hathern B

^back to top