2005 Spring Festival - Senior Cup - Band by band analysis
5-May-200520 quality bands line up here to tackle a very difficult set work, and try to gain one of the four promotion places to the Grand Shield. Some famous names mix with some rising stars for what should be a keenly fought contest.
Pavillion Theatre: 10.00am
Test Piece: Montage - Peter Graham
Adjudicators: Not known at present
BTM
Conductor: Thomas Wyss
4BR Ranking: 23
Principal Cornet: Jeff Hutcherson
Soprano Cornet: John Evans
Flugel: Trevor Isaac
Solo Horn: Sarah Freeman
Solo Euphonium: Mark Hutcherson
Solo Trombone: Suzanne Cherrington
Last 11 years:
2004: 5th (D. Hirst)
2003: 7th (D. Stowell)
2002: 9th (D. Stowell)
2001: 18th Grand Shield (rel) (G. Pritchard)
2000: 4th Grand Shield (G. Pritchard)
1999: DNC
1998: N/K Grand Shield (A. Morrison)
1997: 11th Grand Shield (A. Morrison)
1996: 11th Grand Shield (S. Sykes)
1995: 5th Grand Shield (S. Sykes)
1994: DNC
1993: 6th Grand Shield (M. White)
Form Guide:
BTM will head for Blackpool full of confidence having started 2005 in great form. The band finished 10th at Pontins last October, but this year has been a different story. Runners up at the Regionals behind BAYV followed on from another 2nd place at Porthcawl, both under Bryan Hurdley and a ninth place in Scotland under David Hirst last November.
Thomas Wyss comes in for the challenge of taking BTM into the Grand Shield, and he has an excellent record with Welsh bands over the years. They have the talent around the stands, and the form to go with should ensure they will be up and around there come results time if things go their way.
Bo'ness and Carriden
Conductor: David Hirst
4BR Ranking: 75
Principal Cornet: Iain Culross
Soprano Cornet: Richard Tobin
Flugel: Diane Waugh
Solo Horn: Suzanne Robertson
Solo Euphonium: Scott Cameron
Solo Trombone: Garry Kennedy
Last 11 years:
2004: 12th (D. James)
2003: 5th in Senior Trophy (prom) (I. Davey)
2002: 10th (I. Davey)
12th place for the Scots here under David James here last year wan't a bad return and they will make the long journey South with David Hirst at the helm hoping to continue their upward trek towards the British Open. The band didn't have the best of days at the regionals in March, finishing 8th under John Hinckley, but they have shown here that they have the ability to do well.
Some gifted perfomers around the stand, and one of the most experienced MDs around, they could well move up a few places at least if they play to form.
Bournemouth Concert
Conductor: Paul Cosh
4BR Ranking: 117
Principal Cornet: Roland Wright
Soprano: James Cooper
Flugel: Gerald Whittingham
Horn: Janet Squibb
Euph: Christiaan Squibb
Trombone: Richard Curren
Last 11 years:
2004: 9th (D. Hayward)
2003: 2nd in Senior Trophy (prom) (D. Hayward)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 18th Grand Shield (rel) (N. Taken)
Before 2002 the band did not compete in these contests
Form Guide:
A band really on the up. Since finishing 9th in the Senior Cup last year, Bournemouth finished 9th out of seventeen bands at the First Section Finals in Harrogate, 5th at theYeovil Entertainment Contest in February but then topped the lot with a famous victory at the Regional Championships, which booked them a place at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
They will certainly be looking to make it a double here and at least gain a promotion place to the Grand Shield. The experienced Paul Cosh makes a welcome return to the contesting scene as regular MD, Nigel Taken will be with Aveley in the Grand Shield, but with things looking good at present they will be confident of making a big impression.
Burry Port Town
Conductor: Michael Thorne
4BR Ranking: 36
Principal Cornet: Roger Boyle
Solo Euphonium: Ceri John
Solo Horn: Gareth Davies
Soprano: Jayne Thomas
Flugel: Mark Smith
Solo Trombone: Marc Scaife
Last 11 years:
2004: 11th (D. Evans)
2003: 14th Grand Shield (rel) (D. Evans)
2002: 3rd Senior Cup (prom) (D. Evans)
Before 2002 the band did not compete in these contests
Form Guide:
A touch of déjà vu here. Last year we said that the band would be travelling up from Wales looking to dust off the disappointment of the recent Welsh Regional Championships, where they came eighth. This year it is much the same thing as they could only manage 7th place in Swansea.
Burry Port have same fine players around the stands and this could very well be a pice that suits them down to the ground. On their day (as in 2002) they have shown fine form here, but they will have to up their game against strong competitors to really make a mark and gain a promotion place this year.
Dalmellington
Conductor: Archie Hutchinson
4BR Ranking: 78
Principal Cornet: Stephen Reid
Soprano Cornet: David Roxburgh
Flugel: John Boax
Solo Horn: Christopher Dale
Solo Euphonium: David McKellar
Solo Trombone: Derick Kirkwood
Last 11 years:
2004: 14th (R. Evans)
2003: 3rd Senior Trophy (prom) (R. Evans)
2002: 7th (D. Hirst)
Form Guide:
Promotion from the Senior Trophy into the Senior Cup last year saw Dalmellington finish 14th, and a year on, they come back to Blackpool in good heart after just missing out on qualifying for Harrogate by just one place at the Regionals in March.
On that day, Archie Hutchinson led the challenge and he does again here where they will be looking to impress in this strong field. Another band that has talent around the stands and a good experienced head in front of them. On a piece like this one, it could be the right blend to do well.
Dobcross Silver
Conductor: Denis Hadfield
4BR Ranking: 52
Principal Cornet: Laura Hirst
Soprano Cornet: Darren Jones
Flugel: David Moore
Solo Horn: Christina Saunders
Solo Euphonium: John Collins
Solo Trombone: Danny Brookes
Last 11 years:
2004: 2nd Senior Trophy (D. Hadfield) (prom)
Form Guide:
A band definitely going in the right direction. Dobcross and Denis Hadfield clinched the runners up spot at the Senior Trophy last year and will rellish the challenge of the Senior Cup. 6th place at the Regionals at Blackpool a couple of months ago was an excellent return, whilst they also showed real glimpses of quality in their playing at Skegness at the Mineworkers Championships.
Denid Hadfield knows what it takes to do well here (he won the Grand Shield in 2000), so he will get his troops well prepared for this assault.
Drighlington
Conductor: Stan Lippeatt
4BR Ranking: 91
Principal Cornet: Richard Halliwell
Soprano Cornet: Robert Batty
Flugel: Martin Tromans
Solo Horn: Suzanne Stockwell
Solo Euphonium: Winston Sutcliffe
Solo Trombone: Ian Clough
Last 11 years:
2004: 16th (P. Shaw)
2003: 6th Senior Trophy (prom) (C. Hardy)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: 22nd Grand Shield (rel) (A. Whitakker)
Form Guide:
Stan Lippeatt will front challenge here following Phil Shaw's departure and it should prove to be a wise choice if they can play to form. The band are now firmly established in the First Section, but will not feel out of place against these competitors having gained promotion from the Senior Trophy in 2003.
They will be looking for an improved placing on last years 16th position, but they will have to pull the stops out a bit after coming 6th at the Regional Championships and 10th at the Preston contest.
Freckleton
Conductor: Paul Dalton
4BR Ranking: 47
Principal Cornet: Mike Pritt
Solo Euphonium: Pat Howard
Solo Horn: Chris Redman
Soprano: N/K
Flugel: Vicky Byrne
Solo Trombone: Stephen Lord
Last 11 years:
2004: 13th (P. Dalton)
2003: 19th Grand Shield (rel) (P. Dalton)
2002: 2nd Senior Cup (prom)
2001: 18th Senior Cup
The band didn't compete at these contests before 2001.
Form Guide:
A band that will make the short journey to the seaside in confident mood. Winners of the First Section at Blackpool in March, Freckleton will be looking to make their mark in this contest this year. A good result in Scotland last November when they came 4th off a number two draw, they know they can compete, but won't want a repeat of the lowly placing they got in Preston in February.
The soprano chair still has a question mark over it for the contest, but given what they have done in the past 12 months they should be confident of making an impression here and at least getting into the top ten.
Knottingley Silver
Conductor: Kevin Belcher
4BR Ranking: 86
Principal Cornet: Martin Hall
Soprano:Andrew Belcher
Flugel: Steven Clayton
Solo Horn: Roger Clayton
Solo Euphonium: Neil Johnson
Solo Trombone: N/K
Last 11 years:
2004: 4th (Senior Trophy) (prom)
Form Guide:
A fourth placing last year in the Senior Trophy sees the band progress into the Senior Cup this year. Knottingley find themselves in the First Section in Yorkshire at the moment and will be looking for improvement on the fourteenth place they gained in Bradford.
They didn't play very well in Bradford on 'Comedy' and this is a seriously difficult test piece, so they will have to play to the very best of their form to make a mark
Laganvale
Conductor: Ernie Ruddock
4BR Ranking: 149
Principal Cornet: Dessie Neill
Soprano Cornet: Mark Ruddock
Flugel: Graham Smyth
Solo Horn: Ken Church
Solo Euphonium: Willie Shaw
Solo Trombone: Amanda Cook
Last 11 years:
2004: 6th (E. Ruddock)
2003: 15th (E. Ruddock)
2002: 12th (S. Cairns)
2001: 9th (S. Cairns)
Didn't compete at the contest before
Form Guide:
Laganvale once again will make the short journey across the Irish Sea with the aim of improving on last years 6th place here. The knowledgeable Ernie Ruddock has some fine talent around the stand (on soprano especially) and they will be in determined mood .
They have more than held their own here in recent years and should relish the chance to once again pitt their talents against a strong field. If they can performlike they did twelve months ago then they could just sneak into the promotion places.
Lindley
Conductor: Neil Jowett
4BR Ranking: 127
Principal Cornet: Glynn Nash
Soprano Cornet: Denise Dransfield
Flugel: Nicola Brierley
Solo Horn: Tracey White
Solo Euphonium: James Fieldhouse
Solo Trombone: Paul Crier
Last 11 years:
2004: 21st in Grand Shield (N. Jowett) (rel)
2003: 6th in Senior Cup (prom) (N. Jowett)
2002: 16th Grand Shield (rel) (N. Jowett)
2001: Winners Senior Cup (prom) (N. Jowett)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: N/K (N. Jowett)
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
1995: 21st Grand Shield (D. Horsfield)
1994: DNC
1993: 18th (N. Jowett)
Form Guide:
Lindley have a very odd record here over the past four years. They were the winners of the Senior Cup in 2001, but were relegated the following year, promoted agin in 2003 and then relegated last year. Can they do it again this year and step up once more to the Grand Shield?
They certainly have the players around the stand and a very experienced MD at the helm, and they showed good from at the Yorkshire Regional Championships where they came a hard earned 10th place against a very stiff set of rivals. They will have to perform well though, but don't bet against them just making it once more.
Newstead Welfare
Conductor: Duncan Beckley
4BR Ranking:
Principal Cornet: Mark Young
Soprano Cornet: Philip White
Flugel: Sandra Tolalenko
Solo Horn: Andrew Banniston
Solo Euphonium: Lyndon Cooper
Solo Trombone: N/K
Last 11 years:
Form Guide:
This band had two great placings in 2002 and 2003 coming fourth and third respectively. But just when they would have hoped to have gone at least one place better and gain a qualification place, they fell away to come 8th last year. Duncan Beckley returns once more to head their challenge and they will be looking for a return to the form of a couple of years ago and a strong podium chase at least.
Newtongrange
Conductor: Allan Ramsay
4BR Ranking: 53
Principal Cornet: Angus Edmond
Soprano Cornet: Graham Williamson
Flugel: John Brown
Solo Horn: Kevin Smith
Solo Euphonium: Gareth Ross
Solo Trombone: Alex Philip
Last 11 years:
2004: 7th (A. Morrison)
2003: 9th (A. Swainson)
2002: 14th Grand Shield (rel) (R. Farr)
2001: 5th (prom) (S. Kerwin)
2000: DNC
1999: 19th Grand Shield (D. Hirst)
1998: N/K (T. Swainson)
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
1995: 16th Grand Shield (D. Broadbent)
1994: 15th Grand Shield (T. Swainson)
1993: 12th Grand Shield (R. Tennant)
Form Guide:
The Scots came south after winning the the First Section in Scotland last year and came a fine 7th. This year, they caused a stir by winning the Championship Section under Allan Ramsay and will head for Blackpool with confidence sky high and looking to contnue their improving form here to gain a promotion place at least.
Allan Ramsey has a happy knack of doing well here (he won the Grand Shield in 2002) and will be looking to add yet another title to his impressive CV. 4th at the National Finals in Harrogate last September, they won't be looking for a repeat of their Scottish Open placing where they came 15th, but they will be a band to listen out for.
Staffordshire
Conductor: Steve Bastable
4BR Ranking: 42
Principal Cornet: Paul White
Solo Horn: Tracey White
Solo Euphonium: Mark Glover
Solo Trombone: N/K
Soprano Cornet: Andy Jennings
Flugel: Jo Todd
Last 11 years:
2004: Winners Senior Trophy
2003: 14th Senior Cup (rel) (D. Maplestone)
2002: 3rd Senior Trophy (prom) (D. Maplestone)
2001: 17th Senior Trophy (A. Culshaw)
2000: DNC
1999: 18th Grand Shield (A. Culshaw)
1998: 11th (A. Culshaw)
1997: 7th (A. Culshaw)
Form Guide:
A band definitely on the up and one to keep your eye on. The talented Steve Bastable has been a major influence in turning things around here and last year was a cracker of a year for them. Winners of the Senior Trophy and Pontins, they know what it takes to win, and they showed that form once again at Tameside where they were excellent value for their victory . The Regionals were not a good day out though and off a number 1 draw they came a lowly 8th.
Should they play to their potential and the MD give a reprise of his British Open reading of the score they could be a short odds bety to gain promotion at the very least.
Stocksbridge
Conductor: William Rushworth
4BR Ranking: 40
Principal Cornet: Claire Jenkins
Solo Horn: Adele Fulelove
Solo Euphonium: Ian Wright
Solo Trombone: N/K
Soprano Cornet: Gary Bates
Flugel: Jennifer Fawcett
Last 11 years:
Form Guide:
William Rushworth has taken over from Derek Renshaw and he guided Stocksbridge to 9th place in the tough Yorkshire regional championships in March.
United Co-op Yorkshire Brass
Conductor: John Roberts
4BR Ranking: 69
Principal Cornet: Tabby Clegg
Solo Horn: Jamie Clegg
Solo Euphonium: Ben Smailes
Solo Trombone:Marc Nethercott
Soprano Cornet: Jason Varley
Flugel: Carolyn Ramsbottom
Last 11 years:
Form Guide:
Speak to United Co-op Yorkshire Brass in Blackpool and you'll here some wonderful stories about the bands recent trip to the New Zealand Chamionships at Easter. All that will be forgotton though here as they look to get back into contesting mode with a solid show after a disappointing regionals result that saw them finish bottom of the pile in the Championship Section.
If they play to the form they showed in New Zealand they will surely make a mark here, and they do have the players around the stand to do a difficult test piece justice, whilst John Roberts is an experienced director of resources, so they could be a bit of a dark horse.
United Co-op Crewe
Conductor: Jef Sparkes
4BR Ranking: 71
Principal Cornet: Tony Brooks
Soprano Cornet: Jon Worths
Flugel: Laura Dawson
Solo Horn: Annette Sparkes
Solo Euphonium: Dave Mason
Solo Trombone: Clare Bennett
Last 11 years:
2004: 10th (J. Sparkes)
2003: 12th (J. Sparkes)
2002: 4th Senior Trophy (prom) (J. Sparkes)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: N/K (J. Sparkes)
Didn't compete at the contests before 1998.
Form Guide:
Jef Sparkes continues to do a great job here with United Co-op (Crewe) and after promotion into the Senior Cup they have produced two steady shows - moving up to the top ten last year here.
Unfortunately, the band has found it hard going in the Championship Section in the Northwest, finishing 9th this year and so will be looking for a big boost to the confidence on their return to Blackpool. If the past three years are anything to go by though they should be in good shape come results time.
Unison Kinneil
Conductor: Andrew Duncan
4BR Ranking: 31
Principal Cornet: Ian Culruss
Soprano: Owen Downs
Flugel: Andrea Casey
Solo Horn: Rebecca Ritchie
Solo Euphonium: Ian Campbell
Solo Trombone: Geoff Turnbull
Last 11 years:
2004: 3rd Senior Trophy (prom) (A. Ramsay)
2003: 10th (A. Ramsay)
2002: 20th Senior Cup (rel) (A. Ramsay)
2001: 15th (John Hinckley)
Form Guide:
A lowly placing at the Scottish Open last year was followed by 6th place at the areas in March, and the band have engaged the talented Andrew Duncan, the MD of the Whitburn band to direct their challenge this time around. It is a clever and well thought out appointment for this contest.
Promotion from the Senior Trophy in 2004 was an excellent achievement, and they will be looking to continue that form here this time around. Maybe not quite up there for a Grand Shield place, but you never know.
Wingates
Conductor: Phillip McCann
4BR Ranking: 27
Principal Cornet: Andy MacDonald
Flugel: Sian Carradus
Solo Euphonium: Matthew Hill
Solo Trombone: Kevin Holgate
Soprano: Elidh Snell
Solo Horn: Robbie Carhill
Last 11 years:
2004: 8th (R. Curran)
2003: 8th (R. Curran)
2002: 18th Grand Shield (rel) (J. Gourlay)
2001: 9th Grand Shield (B. Grant)
2000: 6th Grand Shield (J. Gourlay)
1999: 23rd British Open (rel) (J. Davies)
1998: 15th British Open (C. Wormald)
1997: DNC
1996: Winners Grand Shield (prom) (N. Childs) 9th British Open (G. Whitham)
1995: 21st British Open (rel) (J. Hudson)
1994: 17th British Open (J. Hudson)
1993: 6th British Open (J. Hudson
Form Guide:
Phillip McCann once again fronts the Lancastrians having conducted them to 4th place at the areas in March. One of banding's oldest names, Wingates are desperate to return to the Grand Shield and the British Open, some thirty years after their last victory. It won't be this year for sure, but there should be some smart money on them at least taking a step in the right direction and gaining promotion at least.
February's Brass at the Guild contest saw them come 3rd and following a strong show at Blackpool they will return in good heart. Philip McCann always gets his bands into tip top shape, and this should be proved once againhere. A band to beat if they play to form.
Wooley Pritchard Sovereign Brass
Conductor: Trevor Jones
4BR Ranking: 63
Principal Cornet: David Maplestone
Soprano: Steve Lee
Euphonium: Mark Hadlington
Flugal: Claire Mumford
Solo Horn: Robert Allen
Trombone: Carl Fletcher
Last 11 years:
2004: 15th (T Jones)
2003: 11th (W. Ruston)
2002: 14th (J. Hinckley)
2001: 10th (D. Beckley)
2000: DNC
1999: 13th Grand Shield (rel) (S. Roberts)
1998: DNC
1997: 15th Grand Shield (D. Maplestone)
1996: 7th Grand Shield (D. Maplestone)
1995: 7th Grand Shield (D. Maplestone)
1994: 6th Grand Shield (D. Maplestone)
1993: 12th Grand Shield (D. Maplestone)
Form Guide:
What a year 2005 has been for this band so far. Last year, they came to Blackpool having missed out on a trip to London by the narrowest of margins whereas this year, they went to Burton and became Midlands Champions.
Trevor Jones has turned the bands fortunes around with some inspired conducting performances and with the capture of Dave Maplestone on top man, Mark Hadlington on euphonium and Brett Wharton on bass, they will fancy themselves here for sure.
