2005 Regionals: West of England - Preview: Fourth Section
9-Mar-2005A huge field of 21 bands for Bryan Hurdley to seperate will mean a long day in the tent. However both he, the bands and the audience should enjoy it and three bands in particular will leave Torquay very happy indeed.
Date: Saturday 12th March
Adjudicator: Bryan Hurdley
Test Piece: Divertimento – Bryan Kelly
Commences: 11.30
Draw: Draw A at 10.30: Draw B at 13.00
No photo? Please send a JPEG to: stating the conductors name, your band, your region and section.
AW Parker (Drybrook)
Conductor: Kevin White
Last Nine Years:
2004: 3rd (K. White)
2003: 14th (K. White)
2002: 20th (D. Ventura)
2001: DNC
2000: 12th
1999: 24th
1998: 19th
1997: 8th
1996: N/K
What a fantastic turn around in fortunes for the band and conductor Kevin White in the last two years. Since he took them over they have jumped an incredible 17 places in the prize table and last year booked themselves a qualification place in Harrogate where they came 10th. Back again this year, they will be one of the favourites to make a return trip once more - possibly even as champions?
Bideford Town
Conductor: Gary Taylor
Last Nine Years:
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
A band that has been away from the West of England Championships for quite some time it seems, Bideford return this year and will be hoping to make an impression and start a long asscoaition here as well. We wish them well.
Bream Silver
Conductor: Huw Cole
Last Nine Years:
2004: 15th Third Section (H. Cole) (rel)
2003: 13th (N. Howard)
2002: 10th (N. Howard)
2001: Winners (N. Howard)
2000: 13th
1999: 5th
1998: 12th
1997: 4th 4th Section (prom)
1996: N/K
Huw Cole takes over the task of getting Bream Silver back on course after a few years when things have gone astray a bit. They won the Third Section here in 2001, but since then they have fallen away and were relegated last year after coming 15th. Time to rebuild then and gain some well needed confidence here.
Calne Silver
Conductor: Keith Webb
Last Nine Years:
2004: 7th (K. Webb)
2003: 4th (K. Webb)
2002: 19th 3rd Section (rel) (K. Webb)
2001: 14th 3rd Section (K. Webb)
2000: 11th 3rd Section
1999: 9th 3rd Section
1998: 15th 3rd Section
1997: 15th 3rd Section
1996: N/K
Keith Webb continues with his sterling work with Calne, and they will surely be looking to push once more for a qualification place after just dropping away a litle last year when they fell from 4th place to 7th. Should be there or thereabouts come reults time though.
Chalford Training
Conductor: Steve Tubb
Last NineYears:
2004: 16th (S. Tubb)
2003: 24th (S. Tubb)
2002: 12th (D. Witts)
2001: 20th (D. Witts)
2000: 26th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 21st
1996: N/K
Steve Tubb is certainly moving Chalford Training in the right direction, and his work over the past two years has seen the band move from 24th in 2003 up to 16th last year. Another big push up the results table could be on offer if they keep up that sort of form once more.
Chard Concert Brass
Conductor: Harry Govier
Last Nine Years:
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 6th (E. Haines)
Another band making a welcome return this year after a three year period away. Chard were last seen here in 2001 when they came a well placed 6th in the Fourth Section. We hope they return in good health and will stay a long time staring from tis weekend.
Constantine Silver
Conductor: Keith Anderson
Last Nine Years:
2004: 21st (I. Edwards)
2003: 8th (I. Edwards)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: 20th
1997: 17th
1996: N/K
On paper, Keith Anderson has perhaps the hardest conducting job in the entire region this weekend, when he has to try and improve things for the band that came last in the Fourth Section last year. Still, the only way is up, and we are sure that he has brought a bit of confidence to the band. We wish them well.
Hatherleigh Silver
Conductor: Adrian Edwards
Last NineYears:
2004: 8th (A. Edwards)
2003: 10th (A. Edwards)
2002: 14th (A. Edwards)
2001: 11th (R. Wonnacott)
2000: 18th
1999: 6th
1998: 16th 3rd Section (rel)
1997: 19th 3rd Section
1996: N/K
Adrian Evans has been making solid progress with Hatherleigh in the past three years here, and has overseen since 2002 when they came 14th to last yer when they came 8th. An improvement each year is a sure sign thing that they are a band on the up, so a top six place may well be the least of their ambitions this time.
Midsomer Norton and Radstock
Conductor: Stewart Lewins
Last Nine Years:
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 19th
2001: 17th
2000: 23rd
1999: 22nd
1998: DNC
1997: 18th
1996: N/K
After a couple of years away from the fold, Midsomer Norton return once again, and will be looking to place some musical foundations down so that they can flourish for years to come. Not the greatest of records here, but so what. They have made the effort when others haven't so congratulations to one and all. Lets hope it is the first of many more.
New Forest Brass
Conductor: Ian Luxford
Last Nine Years:
2004: 19th 3rd Section (Ian Luxford) (rel)
2003: 6th (Ian Luxford)
2002: 4th (J. Floyd)
2001: DNC
2000: 15th 3rd Section (rel)
1999: 19th 2nd Section (rel)
1998: 16th 2nd Section
1997: 10th 2nd Section
1996: N/K
A welcome return back to the fold for New Forest Brass and Ian Luxford and we hope the one year break has seen them bring in new players and strenghten their efforts for this year's contest. The last time they were here they were certainly conteders, so will they be back to that form we wonder?
Okehampton Excelsior
Conductor: Des Law
Last Nine Years:
2004: 15th (D. Law)
2003: 18th (D. Law)
2002: 22nd (R. Beardon)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Another band make slow but sure improvements here in the past few years. Okehampton have leapt up seven places in three years and have shown under the good work of Des Law that they are another band heading in the right direction. A possible top 10 may be a fantastic result for them this year.
Pillowell Silver
Conductor: Clive Lewis
Last Nine Years:
2004: Winners (C. Lewis)
2003: 9th (B. Howard)
2002: 16th (C. Lewis)
2001: DNC
2000: 7th 3rd Section (rel)
1999: DNC
1998: 17th 2nd Section (rel)
1997: 11th 2nd Section
1996: N/K
Last year'swinners return once more determined to retain their title and gain yet another trip up to Harrogate where they came runners up last year. That was a fantastic result and so well deserved and Clive Lewis can take a great deal of the credit for producing a well balanced and warm sounding band. Favourites and deservedly so once more.
Porthleven Town
Conductor: F. Evans
Last Nine Years:
2004: 14th (F. Evans)
2003: 20th (F. Evans)
2002: 17th (F. Evans)
2001: 12th (F. Evans)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Coming 14th last year was an excellent result for Porthleven, even though they may have been a bit disappointed. They did have to play off the number 1 draw, whci in a field as large as this is not a great plus point for any band in any section, but they put in a solid account that should set them up this year for a challenge for a top 10 place at least. Lets hope the draw is kinder to them though.
Shanklin Town Brass (IOW)
Conductor: Malcolm Leiws
Last Nine Years:
2004: 13th (M. Lewis)
2003: 11th (M. Lewis)
2002: 15th (M. Lewis)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Malcolm Lewis and his band will make the trip across the sea from the Isle of White once more, and it is great to see them making it back to Torquay for a third successive year. They are more than holding their own as well, and even though they just dropped off the pace a touch last year to come 13th they will be looking once more to try and break into that top 10. We wish them well on their journey.
Sidmouth Town
Conductor: Adrian Harvey
Last Nine Years:
2004: 12th (A. Harvey)
2003: 7th (A. Harvey)
2002: 5th (A. Harvey)
2001: 13th (A. Harvey)
2000: 16th
1999: 15th
1998: DNC
1997: 20th 3rd Section (rel)
1996: N/K
Adrian Harvey and his band will be keen to stop the slid of late here which has seen them fall from 5th place in 2002 to 12th last year. They have been as high as the Third Section in 1997, but have also not competed also, so let's hope they have a bit of a confidence booster of a performance here this time out to put them firmly back on track.
Swindon Brass
Conductor: Francis Cowley
Last Nine Years:
2004: 4th (F. Cowley)
2003: 17th (F. Cowley)
2002: 14th 3rd Section (rel) (F. Cowley)
2001: 15th 3rd Section (F. Cowley)
2000: 12th 3rd Section
1999: 17th 2nd Section (rel)
1998: DNC
1997: 7th 2nd Section
1996: N/K
A fantastic result for Swindon last year here as they jumped up no less than 13 places in the results table to come 4th, and just miss out on a place at the Harrogate Finals by a point. That result wil have given them the confidence to do even beter this year and to force not only a trip to the Finals, but also to put themselves back in a position to challenge for promotion back to the Third Section.
Tewkesbury Town
Conductor: Nigel Morgan
Last Nine Years:
2004: 13th Third Section (N. Morgan) (rel)
2003: 10th (N. Morgan)
2002: 15th (N. Morgan)
2001: 4th 4th Section (prom) (N. Morgan)
2000: 6th 4th Section
1999: 3rd 4th Section
1998: 15th 4th Section
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Nigel Morgan and his band can count themselves to be more than a little unlucky to have been relegated last yar after they did beat six other bands in the Third Section and still fell through the relegation trap door. They will surely then want a quick return, and if they show that type of form they could well be strong challengers here for a top six or even a qualifciation place.
Torrington Silver
Conductor: T. Hutchings
Last Nine Years:
2004: 10th (T. Hutchings)
2003: 16th in Third Section (rel) (T. Hutchings)
2002: 16th (T. Hutchings)
2001: 9th (T. Hutchings)
2000: 10th
1999: 13th
1998: 11th
1997: 9th
1996: N/K
It looked like it was a bit of a rebuilding year last time out for Torrington and their MD as they came home a solid enough 10th here. That was their first year back in the Fourth Section, and they will be keen we are sure to make it a short as possible a stay. A climb up the placings then should be on the cards if they can recapture some excellent form.
Verwood Concert Brass
Conductor: Paul Norley
Last Nine Years:
2004: 11th (P. Norley)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC (rel)
2001: 18th
2000: N/K (rel)
1999: 16th in Third Section
1998: 18th
1997: 11th
1996: N/K
An excellent result last year for Paul Norley and Verwood after they returned back to the Championships after a two year period away. It is always good to welcome back a band, and they showed that they had worked hard to ensure they made a solid impression here when they did. Another good show and a possible climb towards the top six may well be their ambition this time.
Watchet Royal British Legion
Conductor: Dave Tilling
Last Nine Years:
2004: 17th (D. Tilling)
2003: 22nd (D. Tilling)
2002: 10th (D. Tilling)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K
Well done to Dave Tilling and his band last year, who showed a tremendous character and plenty of determination to drag themselves up from the lowly position of 22nd in 2003 to 17th 12 months later. It may only by seven places, but it is seven places in the right direction, and if they can do that again this year then a top 10 place will be on the horizon. Makes banding sound easy doesn't it? Good luck to them as they try their best to do it as well.
Wilton and District
Conductor: D. Chalk BEM
Last Nine Years:
2004: 9th (D. Chalk BEM)
2003: 13th (D. Chalk BEM)
2002: 8th (D. Chalk BEM)
2001: 16th (D. Chalk BEM)
2000: 21st
1999: 27th
1998: 11th
1997: 10th
1996: N/K
Great strides have been made by Wilton and District over the past few years, especially when you bear in mind that they came 27th in 1999! Dennid Chalk has done a wonderful job, and the fruits of his hard labour are starting to pay off it seems, with 9th place last year. Another small but significant move up the prize table may well be on the cards here once more.
Past Qualifiers:
2004: Pillowell Silver, Bratton Silver, Drybrook and District
2003: Hayle Town, Downton, Camborne B, Calne Silver
2002: St. Dennis, Hayle Town, Pendennis Brass
2001: Saltash Town, St. Dennis, Pendennis Brass
2000: St. Breward Silver, Portishead, Penzance Silver
1999: Lympstone South West Telecoms, Wincanton Silver, Tewkesbury
1998: Test Valley Brass, Wincanton Silver, Lympstone
1997: Lympstone, Phoenix Brass, Test Valley
1996: Pendennis Brass, N/K
1995: City of Bristol, Bideford
2004: 2nd, 10th, 15th
2003: 7th, 14th, 15th, 17th
2002: 1st, 3rd, 19th
2001: 2nd, 7th, 12th
2000: 2nd, 4th, 19th
1999: 1st, 12th, 15th
1998: 1st, 3rd, 12th
When it comes to predicting the results in the Fourth Section, it can be a bit of a lottery, but there are one or two bands here that should find themselves up and around the top six come results time if they play to form.
Our tip for the winners enclosure though this year is Pillowell, who we think will once again come out on top. With them on the podium should be we think Tewkesbury and Swindon, whilst the rest of the top six should fall into line with Bream, Calne and Sidmouth. Hatherleigh are our dark horses this time.
1. Pillowell
2. Tewkesbury
3. Swindon
4. Bream
5. Calne
6. Sidmouth
Dark Horse: Hatherleigh
