2006 North West Regional Championships - Fourth Section

A great line up of bands on the Sunday to do battle on Alan Fernie’s neat and tricky set work. It will take a bit of playing to see who makes it through to Harrogate.

Sunday 13th March
Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill
Test Piece: Anglian Dances – Alan Fernie
Commences: 11.00am
Draw: 10.00am

No photo? Please send a JPEG to:  general@4barsrest.com stating the conductors name, your band, your region and section. 

Barnton Silver
Conductor: Steven Yates

Last Ten Years:
2005: 14th (S. Yates)
2004: 14th (S. Yates)
2003: 21st in Third Section (rel) (S. Yates)
2002: 17th
2001: 8th
2000: 6th 4th Section (prom)
1999: 3rd 4th Section
1998: 7th 4th Section
1997: 15th (rel)
1996: 12th

A repeat of 2004 in 2005 for Barnton when they came home in 14th place once more. They will be looking to improve on that this time around and a possible top ten place may well be on the cards if they can show the type of form that was evident at Brass at the Guild Hall where they came 5th against rivals here and tough regional opposition.  

Besses Boys
Conductor: John Holt

Last Ten Years:
2005: 12th (J. Holt)
2004: 9th (M. Stringer)
2003: 4th (M. Stringer)
2002: 11th (C. Whiteoak)
2001: 18th (J. Powell)
2000: 13th (J. Powell)
1999: 10th

John Holt will be looking to up the form of Besses Boys this weekend and reverse the trend of results here in the past three years which has seen the band fall from 4th place in 2003 to 12th last time out. Lots of talented players and a experienced MD should have enough about them to do just that. 

Blackley
Conductor: Adie Smith

Last Ten Years:
2005: DNC
2004: Withdrew
2003: 20th (A. Swain)
2002: 15th
2001: 10th 4th Section (prom)
2000: 3rd 4th Section
1999: 15th (rel)
1998: 12th
1997: 16th
1996: 14th

Blackley return to the contest this year after failing to make it to the starting gate twelve months ago and withdrawing in 2004. It is great to see them back too and it was very encouraging news at Brass at the Guild Hall where they came 8th in a 13 band field. If they can do that here, then we think they should be proud of themselves.   Adie Smith, a former member of the band will conduct and the former Salford University student will be looking to make a mark we are sure if he has picked up anything from his old techer Mr King.

Brindle
Conductor: K. Richmond

Last Ten Years:
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: 17th (D. Shaw)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC

Brindle will hopefully take to the stage this year after dropping out last year and it will be great to see them back. Formed around 1810, they hail from the Higher Walton area near Preston and were famous in footballing circles for many years as they played at half time when Tom Finney was strutting his stuff for Preston in between fixing peoples plumbing and scoring goals for England. Welcome back! 

Carrbrook Brass
Conductor: L. Dunkley

Last Ten Years:
2005: 15th (J. Hunter)
2004: 18th (J. Hunter)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 19th (R. Sykes)
2000: 24th (R. Sykes)
1999: 20th
1998: DNC
1997: 15th
1996: 7th

A couple of steps in the right direction last year for Carrbrook as they moved up from 18th place to 15th. They will be looking for more of that this time around too and will want to build on the 10th place they achieved at Brass at the Guild Hall for certain.  

Coppull and Standish
Conductor: Harry Bentham

Last Ten Years:
2005: 11th (J. Roberts)
2004: 3rd (as Standish) (J. Roberts)
2003: Joint 10th (J. Roberts)
2002: 13th (J. Roberts)
2001: 12th (J. Roberts)
2000: 11th (J. Roberts)
1999: 18th
1998: 5th

Harry Bentham brings one of the form horses to the contest this year after they came runners up at Brass at the Guild Hall. Since joining forces they seem to have improved greatly and they should fancy   their chances of a top six place at least and a trip to Harrogate should be within their grasp if they play to form. 

Denton Brass
Conductor: Clive Fox

Last Ten Years:
What a famous old name this is. The original Denton Band was formed in 1859 and became the first ever National Champions in 1900. They disbanded after a serve fire destroyed just about everything they had but reformed in 1999 as a non competing band. In March 2004 they entered their first contest under Clive Fox and make a welcome return to the Regional this year. Young and energetic they call themselves – just what the contest needs! 

Dobcross Youth 2003
Conductor: Ted Griffiths

Last Ten Years:
2005: 6th (T. Griffiths)
2004: 6th (T. Griffiths)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC

The great Ted Griffiths continues to unearth and develop generations of new players, and his class of 2003 did him proud last year in coming 6th again. A year on, a year more mature and even better as players, they could well feature close to the top of the prize list.  

Eaton's Farnsworth and Walkden
Conductor: Peter Ashley

Last Ten Years:
2005: 7th (P Ashley)
2004: 5th (P. Ashley)
2003: 17th in Third Section (rel) (P. Ashley)
2002: 14th (P. Ashley)
2001: DNC
2000: 2nd 4th Section (prom) (P. Ashley)
1999: DNC
1998: 14th (rel)
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Peter Ashley and his band put in another solid account of themselves here last year when they came 7th. That may have been a couple of places down from the year before but it augered well. Not so good at Brass at the Guild Hall though where they came a very lowly 12th against many of the bands they will have to compete against here. Lets hope the form has returned in time for the weekend.    

Formby
Conductor: L. Hough

Last Ten Years:
Al little bit of a mystery this one for us, as the band hasn't according to our records appeared at the contest for some time – we think. That said they did win the 2005 Wilkinson's Open in the Fourth Section, so we don't really know what to quite make of their appearance here. We are sure someone will put us right though. 

Golborne
Conductor: Dave Ashworth

Last Ten Years:
2005: 9th (S. Foster)
2004: 19th Third Section (G.Williams) (rel)
2003: 13th (G. Williams)
2002: DNC
2001: 7th (S. Barton)
2000: 6th (G. Williams)
1999: 7th 4th Section (prom)
1998: 4th 4th Section
1997: 5th 4th Section
1996: DNC

Golborne landed on two fairly solid feet here last year in coming 9th after the trauma of relegation the year before. Dave Ashworth is at the helm this time around and that could signal a return to form and a move back up the prize list if his blend of hard work and enthusiasm has rubbed off on the players. 

Greenfield
Conductor: Dave Chapman

Last Ten Years:
2005: 3rd (D. Chapman)
2004: 13th (D. Chapman)
2003: 13th (D. Chapman)
2002: 18th 3rd Section (rel) (D. Chapman)
2001: 15th 3rd Section (D. Chapman)
2000: DNC
1999: 11th 2nd Section (rel)
1998: 4th 3rd Section (prom)
1997: 12th 3rd Section
1996: 5th 3rd Section

Greenfield played very well here last year to come 3rd and gain a place at Harrogate. There they drew the dreaded number 1 slot but really played well to come home in 8th place. More of that here and they could well be booking themselves in for another trip away.  

Hesketh Bank Silver
Conductor: G. Clough

Last Ten Years:
2005: DNC
2004: 12th (S. Pullin)
2003: 8th (S. Pullin)
2002: 12th (S. Pullin)
2001: 4th (S. Foster)
2000: 11th 3rd Section (rel) (B. Taylor)
1999: 13th 3rd Section
1998: 19th 3rd Section
1997: 7th (prom)
1996: 3rd

Hesketh Band return to the contest this year after missing out twelve months ago. Nice to see them back too, and even though they struggled a little they did come as high as 4th in 2001. Lets hope the break has done them good and that they return fit, healthy and raring to go.    

Littleborough Public
Conductor: M. Bailey

Last Year:
2005: DNC

A return we understand to the Regional contest for the first time in over 15 years for the band that was in fact formed way back in 1865. They were due to play here last year but withdrew even though they did play at that year's Brass at the Guild contest. Lets hope they make it to the draw this time then.   

Lostock Hall Memorial
Conductor: P. Edwards

Last Ten Years:
2005: 14th in Third Section (rel) (K. Rollins)
2004: 15th (R. Heyes)
2003: 15th (R. Heyes)
2002: 13th (R. Heyes)
2001: DNC
2000: 8th (G. Martin)
1999: 5th
1998: 20th
1997: 11th
1996: 9th

Lockstock finally fell through the relegation trap door last year after bobbong about around the relegation zone for a while. They will be keen to return quickly though, although they may have to up their form from their last outing at Brass at the Guild Hall where they came 11th and last in the Third Section.  

Oldham (Lees)
Conductor: John Collins

Last Ten Years:
2005: Winners (J. Collins)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 7th 1st Section (rel) (A. White)
2000: Winners 2nd Section (prom) (A. White)
1999: 2nd 2nd Section
1998: 2nd 3rd Section (prom)
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

The form horse without a doubt. Last year Oldham won here and went on to have a splendid season under the excellent John Collins who is an inspirational teacher and conductor for his young band. They went on to come 4th at Harrogate and started the new season by winning at Brass at the Guild Hall in fine style. Hope we don't put the kiss of death on them, but they should be the band to beat.  

Parr (Richardson Ltd St. Helens)
Conductor: J. Smith

Last Ten Years
2005: DNC
2004: 17th (R. Kerwick)
2003: Joint 10th (J. Ludden)
2002: 17th (J. Ludden)
2001: 17th (J. Ludden)
2000: 7th (J. Ludden)
1999: 9th

Parr return to the contest after missing out last year. They had struggled of late, so we hope the break has done them some good and they will be raring to make a mark under J. Smith.  

Ramsey Town
Conductor: R. Quane

Last Ten Years:
Ramsey make a trip across the Irish Sea from their home in the Isle of Man and it is great to see them here. They certainly haven't competed here since 4BR has been covering the event and we went back in our programmes to 1989 without luck. Still, great to see them here and we wish them well.

Rode Hall Silver
Conductor: Stewart Thompson

Last Ten Years:
Another band making a comeback here after years away. We looked back to 1989 and couldn't find a trace of them appearing here so a long time away indeed. Great to see them back especially as they are a band with a long and proud history – all the way back to 1837, although they turned all brass in 1880.

Tarleton and District Brass
Conductor: John Doyle

Last Ten Years:
2005: 13th (G. Bould)
2004: 15th (G. Bould)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Tarleton are making solid progress it seems and stepped up two places last year from 15th to 13th. That may not seem much, but added to the 6th place they recently achieved at Brass at the Guild it seems things are heading in the right direction at just the right time. Black Dyke's star flugel player John Doyle takes the helm this year and if he brings his special brand of musicianship and enthusiasm then they could be in with a shout.

Tottington Public
Conductor: A. Simpson

Last Ten Years:
2005: DNC
2004: 16th (L. Dunkerly)
2003: 16th (N. Martin)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC

Tottington return this year after giving the contest a bit of a wide berth twelve months ago. They had struggled a little in the two years previously when they came 16th each time, so lets hope they too return refreshed and invigorated to do battle once more. 

Uppermill
Conductor: Alan Widdop

Last Ten Years:
2005: 10th (A. Widdop)
2004: 2nd (S. Wood)
2003: 12th (J. Hunter)
2002: 14th (J. Hunter)
2001: 13th (J. Hunter)
2000: 22nd (J. Hunter)
1999: 21st
1998: 10th
1997: 14th
1996: 8th

The very experienced Alan Widdop continues with Uppermill and will be looking for a return to the type of form they showed in 2004 when under Simon Wood they came runners up.  That was their best result for a number of years and it may well be a bit beyond them to expect them to do that again this time around. They may prove us wrong though.  

Past Qualifiers:

2005: Oldham (Lees), Valley Brass (Haydock)
2004: Pemberton Old Wigan B, Uppermill, Standish
2003: Trinity Girls, Wardle and District Anderson Brass, Nelson Brass
2002: Timperley, Douglas Town, Wardle and District Anderson Brass, Kirkby Lonsdale
2001: Pemberton Old Wigan B, Nelson Brass
2000: Diggle, Eatons Farnsworth, Blackley
1999: Old Hall Brass, Frieland
1998: Hazel Grove, Haslingdon and Helmshaw Brass
1997: Old Hall Brass, Dobcross, Pilling Jubilee
1996: Manx Concert Brass, Milnrow
1995: Trinity Girls, Lostock Hall Memorial

North West bands at the Finals

2005: 1st, 4th
2004: 9th, 12th, 13th
2003: 1st, 4th, 10th
2002: 2nd, 4th, 14th, 17th
2001: 9th, 14th
2000: 5th, 12th, 17th
1999: 6th, 14th
1998: 2nd, 9th

4BR Prediction:

As with the Third Section there are a few bands that should stand out for adjudicator Ian Brownbill if they play to form here and who could make his task quite easy.

Oldham Band (Lees) and Coppull and Standish seem to have the form and the talent to more than make a mark whilst last year's third placed Greenfield should also look forward to another trip to Harrogate if they perform well.   Behind them it could be a bit of a scrap with the likes of Dobcross Youth 2003, Uppermill and Golbourne our tips to finish in the top six. Our dark horses are Formby who we think may come to the contest and surprise a few.

1. Oldham Band (Lee)
2. Coppull and Standish
3. Greenfield
4. Dobross Youth 2003
5. Uppermill
6. Goldbourne

Dark Horse: Formby

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