2005 Regionals: West of England - Preview: Third Section
9-Mar-2005This what you get when you mix drink, a woman and old Nick himself together on a night out for one man and his horse. Who will come home sober and triumphant then at the end of the piece - and then not too sober and still triumphant after the results?
Date: Saturday 12th March
Adjudicators: John Maines
Test Piece: Tam O'Shanter's Ride - Denis Wright
Commences: 11.00
Draw: 09.00
No photo? Please send a JPEG to: stating the conductors name, your band, your region and section.
Bratton Silver
Conductor: ?
Last Nine Years:
2004: 2nd Fourth Section (M. Fricker) (prom)
2003: 5th (V. Beer)
2002: 9th (V. Beer)
2001: 10th (V. Beer)
2000: 14th
1999: 13th 3rd Section (rel)
1998: 4th 4th Section (prom)
1997: 5th
1996: N/K
Bratton make their first appearance back in this section since 1999, but the time they have spent in the Fourth Section has been put to good use and last year they claimed the runners up spot to get promotion and a trip to Harrogate where they came 15th. A good solid performance is what is required this year then to put down some lasting roots here.
Bugle Silver
Conductor: David Pope
Last Nine Years:
2004: 15th Second Section (D. Pope) (rel)
2003: 12th (D. Pope)
2002: 14th (D. Pope)
2001: 6th (S. Manley)
2000: 9th
1999: 13th
1998: 8th
1997: 9th
1996: N/K
The band from the famous banding village dropped through the trap door last year and will be looking for a swift return we are sure. David Pope has been with the band a little while now, and even though no one likes to drop a section, it may prove to be a good time to start the rebuilding required. Lets wait and see how they have started then.
Camborne B
Conductor: Alan Pope
Last Nine Years:
2004: 14th (A. Pope)
2003: 3rd in Fourth Section (prom) (A. Pope)
2002: 7th (A. Pope)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Alan Pope has done a wonderful job in a very short space of time with Camborne B and they will be looking for a further climb up the prize table this year after coming 14th 12 months ago. What price a double qualification with the A band for the finals then?
Denmead Brass
Conductor: Jonathan Camps
Debut this year:
No real news on this band for us, although we may think they are something to do with the Cosham Band that not competing this year. If we are wrong then apologies to all concerned and we wish them well. If you are reading this then please let us know some more!
Downton
Conductor: Roland Wright
Last Nine Years:
2004: 6th Fourth Section (R. Wright) (prom)
2003: 2nd (R. Wright)
2002: 11th
2001: 21st
2000: 20th
1999: 18th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Great to see Downton finally move out from the depths of the Fourth Section, and a great deal of that credit must go to Roland Wright who took them into a runners up place in 2003 and consolidated it last year with 6th place and that promotion spot. A good solid show is what is required here to make a lasting impression on their first appearance then.
Gillingham Imperial Silver
Conductor: Eric Haines
Last Nine Years:
2004: 7th (E. Hain)
2003: DNC (rel)
2002: 3rd in Second Section (G. Lewis)
2001: 15th (F. Tranter)
2000: 10th
1999: 10th
1998: 16th in First Section (rel)
1997: 15th
1996: 13th
Eric Haines has really brought things back to life here, after Gillingham failed to make it to the starting line in 2003. 12 months ago they put in a fine account of themselves to come 7th, and they will surely be looking for more of the same or even better as they line up this year.
Hayle Town
Conductor: Derek Johnston
Last Nine Years:
2004: 2nd (D. Johnston)
2003: Winners of Fourth Section (prom) (D. Johnston)
2002: 2nd (D. Johnston)
2001: 9th (D. Johnston)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: 14th 3rd Section (rel)
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Derek Johnston is doing a fantastic job down here with Hayle Town and once more 12 months ago he showed it to the full when the band came 2nd here. That led to a third consecutive Finals appearance where they came14th off the dreaded number 2 draw in Harrogate. You get the feeling that they will love to return there once more though and put that record straight, and they will surely be up and around the prizes come results time.
Launceston Town
Conductor: Garrie Lannie
Last Nine Years:
2004: 14th Second Section (W. Smith) (rel)
2003: 11th (W. Smith)
2002: 10th (J. Ware)
2001: 11th (N. Chad)
2000: 4th 3rd Section (prom)
1999: 10th 3rd Section
1998: 3rd 3rd Section
1997: 7th 3rd Section
1996: N/K
Garrie Lannie takes over with the baton this yar at Launceston, who will be hoping to make an immediate impression here after their relegation from the Second Section. They just about held their own in the higher section in the four years they were there, so that may stand them in good stead as they drop down a level. It will be interesting to see how they cope with the change.
Pendennis Brass (Falmouth)
Conductor: C.J. Cottrell
Last Nine Years:
2004: 18th (G. Thomas)
2003: 9th (G. Thomas)
2002: 3rd 4th Section (prom) (G. Thomas)
2001: 3rd 4th Section (K. Anderson)
2000: 16th (rel)
1999: 16th
1998: 10th
1997: 18th
1996: Winners 4th Section
A new MD here as well as after three years C. Cottrell gets the chance to make amends on last year's performance when the band came a very disappointing 18th. A good result is needed then to avoid the spectre of possible relegation, but if they show the form of 2003 they could well be alright.
Portishead Town
Conductor: Rhodri Griffiths
Last Nine Years:
2004: 6th (R. Griffiths)
2003: 7th (D. Beckley)
2002: 17th (D. Hollister)
2001: 11th (D. Hollister)
2000: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1999: 5th 4th Section
1998: 8th 4th Section
1997: 20th 4th Section
1996: N/K
Welshman Rhodri Griffiths takes the baton for a second successive year here with Portishead, and they seem to be a band moving in the right direction after improving on their 2003 result by one place last year. That was their best result here since coming up from the Fourth Section in 2000, and you feel that the likeable MD will be wanting more of the same this time around.
Saltash Town
Conductor: Robert Julian
Last Nine Years:
2004: 17th (N. Ellis)
2003: 5th (D. Dobson)
2002: 9th (D. Dobson)
2001: Winners 4th Section (prom) (D. Dobson)
2000: 7th 4th Section
1999: 8th 4th Section
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
A poor result last year was a real shock for a band that had been making such good progress under the baton of David Dobson. We don't really know what went wrong 12 months ago, but we are sure they will not want a repeat performance this year. Robert Julian has the task to make sure it doesn't happen again, and if they perform anything like they did in 2002 and 2003 it shouldn't.
Shrewton Silver
Conductor: Michael Dunford
Last Nine Years:
2004: 3rd (M. Dunford)
2003: 12th (M. Dunford)
2002: 6th 4th Section (prom) (M. Dunford)
2001: 7th 4th Section (M. Dunford)
2000: 4th 4th Section
1999: 25th 4th Section
1998: 18th 4th Section
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
A fantastic result here last year saw Shrewton gain their best ever result - a confirm the great leap forward they have made here since coming 25th in the Fourth Section in 1999! Michael Dunford has been doing brillintly here with his band and after going to Harrogate where they came 17th, we sure sure they will want to return once more. It could well be on the cards.
St. Pinnock
Conductor: Peter Minear
Last Nine Years:
2004: 9th (P. Minear)
2003: 15th in Second Section (rel) (W. Harris)
2002: 9th (M. Medin)
2001: 10th (J. Whitehead)
2000: 11th
1999: 4th 3rd Section (prom)
1998: 2nd 3rd Section
1997: 8th 3rd Section
1996: N/K
Peter Minear made sure that St. Pinnock put in a solid performance here last year after the trauma of relegation. That consolidated their position here and made sure that this could be the year when they make an all out assault on the top six or even the qualification places. They have done well here at this level before, so don't be surprised if they do it.
South Molton Town
Conductor: David Tilling
Last Nine Years:
2004: 8th (D. Tilling)
2003: 15th (D. Tilling)
2002: 11th 2nd Section (rel) (C. Ross)
2001: 12th 2nd Section (C. Ross)
2000: 16th 2nd Section
1999: 14th 1st Section (rel)
1998: 15th 1st Section
1997: 10th 1st Section
1996: N/K
Dave Tilling really put the South Molton show back on the road last year after the wheels had threatened to come off in 2003 when they came 15th on their return to this level. 8th place showed a great deal of character and the basis for further success, so they will surely be looking for a top six place at least and a possible qualification place to boot.
Wincanton Silver
Conductor: S. Chislett
Last Nine Years:
2004: 16th (B. Kelloway)
2003: 14th in Second Section (rel) (M. Winter)
2002: 16th (D. Shead)
2001: 3rd 3rd Section (prom) (D. Shead)
2000: 3rd 3rd Section
1999: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1998: 2nd 4th Section
1997: 7th 4th Section
1996: N/K
The talented Steve Chislett is fronting Wincanton Silver here, but he has his work cut out to ensure that the band are not drawn into a relegation fight after coming 16th here last time out. They have been up and down the sections in the past few years, so they will be looking to extend their stay here for a bit longer at least.
Wooton under Edge and District Silver
Conductor: Dennis Grant
Last Nine Years:
2004: 11th (R. Carr)
2003: 11th (R. Griffiths)
2002: 13th ((D. Thomas)
2001: 13th 2nd Section (rel) (P. Cowford)
2000: 11th 2nd Section
1999: 15th 2nd Section
1998: 6th (prom)
1997: 6th
1996: N/K
Slowly but surely Wooton are moving in the right direction it seems. 13th in 2002 has been pushed up to two successive 11th places, and we think they could well be moving a little bit further up this year as well. How far? We will have to wait and see, but we wish Dennid Grant well as he attempts to break into the top 10 at least.
Past Qualifiers:
2004: St. Dennis, Hayle Town, Shrewton Silver
2003: Michelmersh Silver, St. Dennis, Filton Concert Brass
2002: Michelmersh Silver, RBL Crownhill (Plymouth)
2001: Bream Silver, Helston Town
2000: Lympstone SW Telecoms, City of Winchester
1999: Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne), Test Valley Brass
1998: Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne), St. Pinnock
1997: St. Keverne, Cosham Concert
1996: Yeovil Town, N/K
1995: Stoke sub Hamdon, Corsham
2004: 2nd, 14th, 17th
2003: 4th, 10th, 15th
2002: 6th, 17th
2001: 5th, 6th
2000: 3rd, 10th
1999: 1st, 9th
1998: 6th, 15th
A difficult one to predict this, and not just because the test piece is one heck of a test in itself. Very few, bands (and we do mean very few) have got to grips with Tam and his problems with two old nags (one being his good wife, the other his even better horse) and the Devil, and we think there could be quite a few performances here that could sound as if they have sufferred a bit of a bashing from the ale and the missus.
Still, it is an enjoyable story and the bands will have enjoyed trying to get to grips with it, so how will come out on top?
A couple of the competitors may fancy their chances more than others, and we think it could develop into a scrap between the liks of Hayle, Shrewton and Saltash for the podium places, whilst Launceston, South Molton and Camborne B won't be too far behind. Our dark horse on this occassion (quite apt really) is Portishead Town.
1. Hayle
2. Shrewton
3. Saltash
4. Launceston
5. South Molton
6. Camborne B
Dark Horses: Portishead
