2006 London and Southern Counties Regional Championships - First Section
15-Mar-2006Which band will capture the seafaring essence of the Goff Richard’s test piece and book a place at Harrogate then?
Sunday 19th March
Adjudicator: David Horsfield
Test Piece: Voyage of Discovery – Goff Richards
Commences: after Section Three
Draw: 9.00am
No photo? Please send a JPEG to: general@4barsrest.com stating the conductors name, your band, your region and section.
Alder Valley Brass
Conductor: S. Chislett
Last Ten Years:
2005: 14th (B. Gentry)
2004: 12th (L. Sale)
2003: 7th (D. Barringer)
2002: 4th (D. Barringer)
2001: 9th (D. Marshall)
2000: 11th Championship (N/K) (rel)
1999: 11th Championship
1998: Winners (prom)
1997: 5th
1996: 7th
Alder Valley will be looking to reverse a bit of a trend here in the last two years which has seen them drop away somewhat since Dave Barringer took them to 4th and then 7th places in 2002 and 2003. A fourth new MD in as many years seems to suggest they are still looking for the right combination?
Becontree Brass
Conductor: Graham Sheldon
Last Ten Years:
2005: 10th (G. Sheldon)
2004: Winners Second Section (G. Sheldon) (prom)
2003: 8th (J. Morahan)
2002: 2nd (W. Rumford)
2001: 2nd 3rd Section (W. Rumford) (prom)
2000: 4th 3rd Section (W. Rumford)
1999: 12th 3rd Section
1998: 2nd 4th Section
1997: 2nd 4th Section
1996: 2nd 4th Section
2004's Second Section Champions put up a pretty decent effort here last year on their first appearance at this level, and they will be keen to improve yet again on that 10th place. Graham Sheldon has produced a hard working and talented band and it won't be a surprise if they pop into the top six.
Bedford Town
Conductor: C. Reeves
Last Ten Years:
2005: 4th (G. Bennet)
2004: 8th in Championship Section (G. Bennett) (rel)
2003: 9th (G. Bennett)
2002: 9th (G. Bennett)
2001: 8th (J. Berryman)
2000: Winners 1st Section (J. Berryman) (prom)
1999: 12th (rel)
1998: 5th 1st Section (prom)
1997: 7th 1st Section
1996: 2nd 1st Section
Bedford put behind them the disappointment of losing their championship status last year when they pushed for a qualification place and just missed out by a narrow margin. More of that form would come in handy for sure, especially as they didn't really play to form at Butlins where they came home a lowly 10th.
Broseley Brass
Conductor: Paul Fensom
Last Ten Years:
2005: 6th (P. Fensom)
2004: 6th (P. Fensom)
2003: 2nd in Second Section (prom) (P. Fensom)
2002: 3rd (P. Fensom)
2001: 6th (P. Fensom)
2000: 5th 3rd Section (P. Fensom) (prom)
1999: 8th 3rd Section
1998: 2nd 3rd Section
1997: N/K
1996: 6th (rel)
The experienced Paul Fensom continues to work his magic with the bands he conducts and Broseley once again showed themselves to be strong contenders here when they came home in 6th pace for a second consecutive year. They have come a long way in a short space of time, but you feel they haven't finished quite yet.
Chichester City
Conductor: L. Bulchart
Last Ten Years:
2005: 12th (D. Hirst)
2004: 13th (J. Williams)
2003: 9th (J. Williams)
2002: 3rd (J. Williams)
2001: 14th (J. Williams)
2000: 2nd 2nd Section (J. Williams) (prom)
1999: 5th 2nd Section
1998: 7th 3rd Section (prom)
1997: 2nd 3rd Section
1996: 3rd 4th Section (prom)
Chichester will be looking to reverse the results of the past few years when they dropped away from a podium place in 2002 to come 12th last year. David Hirst couldn't really reverse the trend last year and he is one of the best band trainers around, so a new MD will certainly be looking to make his mark when they take to the stage. A top ten place perhaps will keep them happy?
City of Cambridge
Conductor: C. Paterson
Last Ten Years:
2005: 7th (R. Gray)
2004: 9th (R. Hull)
2003: 15th (R. Hull)
2002: 8th (R. Hull)
2001: 11th (P. Hudson)
2000: Winners 2nd Section (P. Hudson) (prom)
1999: DNC
1998: 12th (rel)
1997: N/K
1996: 9th
City of Cambridge upped their form last year and for the third consecutive year they moved closer to the qualification places. They are still a little way away from them, but last year was encouraging to say the least. A new MD this year to lead their charge and we wonder if it will result in a possible top six place?
Colchester
Conductor: M. Easener
Last Ten Years:
2005: 9th (M. Easton)
2004: 10th (B. Reader)
2003: 11th (B. Reader)
2002: 12th Championship (T. Davey) (rel)
2001: 7th (P. Fensom) (prom)
2000: 3rd (R. Howard)
1999: 6th
1998: 10th Championship (rel)
1997: N/K
1996: Winners 1st Section
Hatfields have found life in the First Section a little hard in the past couple of years, but they have more than held their own and are inching their way back towards the Championship Section. If they carry on like that it may take them a few more years to get back, but there is quality in the ranks and a good MD at the helm.
Crystal Palace
Conductor: Mike Gray
Last Ten Years:
2005: 4th in Second Section (prom) (M. Gray)
2004: 4th (M. Gray)
2003: 7th (M. Gray)
2002: 12th (M. Gray)
2001: 13th (M. Gray)
2000: 9th (M. Gray)
1999: 3rd
1998: 3rd 3rd Section (prom)
1997: 5th 3rd Section
1996: 4th 3rd Section
Crystal Place are another band who have made a marked improvement over the last couple of years and after coming 4th in the Second Section last year and just missing out on a trip to Harrogate they had the consolation of gaining a well merited promotion. The MD has put down very solid foundations and given their track record they should more than hold their own this year and look for further steady improvement in the next few years to come.
Haverhill Silver
Conductor: Mark Ager
Last Ten Years:
2005: 8th (M. Ager)
2004: 7th (M. Ager)
2003: 10th (M. Ager)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 8th (C. Shipp)
1999: Winners
1998: 7th
1997: N/K
1996: 2nd 2nd Section (prom)
Haverhill may not have the best of records here at this contest in the last few years, but if they play to the type of form they showed at Butlins earlier this year then they will surely be one of the favourites to take the title and at least a qualification place. There they were excellent value and with a fine MD to steer them they should more than fancy their chances.
Horsham Borough
Conductor: Glenton Bacon
Last Ten Years:
2005: 2nd in Second Section (prom) (G. Bacon)
2004: 10th (G. Bacon)
2003: 5th (G. Bacon)
2002: 4th (L. Barron)
2001: 3rd 3rd Section (L. Barron)
2000: 7th 3rd Section (L. Barron)
1999: N/K
1998: 10th
1997: N/K
1996: 4th
Horsham showed a great deal of character last year when they came runners up in the Second Section and booked a place for themselves at Harrogate. There they put in a very decent performance to come 5th and they sounded like a quality First Section band in the process. Ones possibly to watch out for this time here as well.
KM Medway
Conductor: Graham Wilson
Last Ten Years:
2005: 11th in Championship Section (rel) (G. Wilson)
2004: 10th (G. Wilson)
2003: 4th in First Section (prom) (G. Wilson)
2002: 9th (D. Cutting)
2001: 3rd (N/K)
2000: DNC
1999: 8th Championship (rel)
1998: 5th Championship
1997: N/K
1996: 3rd Championship
KM Medway found life in the Championship Section a little tough in the past two years and returned back to the First Section once more. That is not always a bad thing as they have shown themselves to be strong competitors at this level over the years. They should feature if they can bring a touch of championship class to the proceedings.
Regent Brass
Conductor: Richard Ward
Last Ten Years:
2005: 5th (R. Ward)
2004: 11th Championship Section (R. Ward) (rel)
2003: 5th (G. Wyatt)
2002: 10th (G. Wyatt)
2001: 5th (P. Littlemore)
2000: 8th Championship Section (P. Littlemore)
1999: 2nd 1st Section (P. Littlemore) (prom)
1998: 2nd 1st Section (N.Taken)
1997: 7th Championship (P.Fensom) (rel)
1996: 12th (P.Fensom)
A bit of a disappointment of 2004, as Regent showed that they were determined to regain their position back in the top tier when they came a well merited fifth here last time out. After a decent run in the top section they will be keen to get back there and if they can just up their form a bit more then a qualification place should be on the cards.
Sandhurst Silver
Conductor: Roger Burke
Last Ten Years:
2005: Winners of Second Section (prom) (R. Burke)
2004: Winners Third Section (R. Burke) (prom)
2003: 3rd (R. Burke)
2002: Winners 4th Section (R. Burke) (prom)
2001: Winners 4th Section (R. Burke)
2000: 16th 4th Section (R. Burke)
1999: 24th 4th Section
1998: 28th 4th Section
1997: N/K
1996: 16th 4th Section
What a fantastic record Roger Burke and his band have here in the past couple of years – four titles in the past five years, and more importantly, they have made significant and lasting progress, even though they came 9th at Butlins. The MD should take a great deal of credit for progress, but his players must just love coming here to compete. It is one heck of an ask to see them do it for a third year in a row, but with Sandhurst you never know. Worth a few quid as a dark horse for sure at the Stevenage bookies.
St. Albans City
Conductor: Stuart Garman
Last Ten Years:
2005: 17th (S. Garman)
2004: 2nd Second Section (S. Garman) (prom)
2003: 9th (S. Garman)
2002: 5th 3rd Section (W. Rumford) (prom)
2001: 8th 3rd Section (W. Rumford)
2000: 13th 4th Section (W. Rumford) (prom)
1999: 3rd 4th Section
1998: 8th 4th Section
1997: N/K
1996: 10th 4th Section
St. Albans found life in the higher section hard going last year when after the euphoria of promotion they could only manage 17th place. However, they have come such a long way in such a short space of time that last year's result should be seen as great experience. If they have learnt the lessons and put the work in then we think they will more than comfortably make their mark this time around.
Stonesfield Silver
Conductor: Terry Brotherhood
Last Ten Years:
2005: 16th (T. Brotherhood)
2004: 4th (T. Brotherhood)
2003: 12th (T. Brotherhood)
2002: 5th 2nd Section (T. Brotherhood) (prom)
2001: 2nd 2nd Section (T. Brotherhood)
2000: Winners 3rd Section (T. Brotherhood) (prom)
1999: 5th 3rd Section
1998: Winners 4th Section (prom)
1997: 5th 4th Section
1996: 20th 3rd Section (rel)
Don't know what happened last year for Stonesfield when after promising so much after their 4th place in 2004. 16th was a very poor result, but perhaps it could just be down as one of those bad days at the contesting office that every band has now and again. Hope so, because if it wasn't they may be in relegation trouble.
Wantage Silver
Conductor: Philip Bailey
Last Ten Years:
2005: 3rd (M. Pegram)
2004: 8th (M. Pegram)
2003: Winners of Second Section (prom) (M. Pegram)
2002: 8th (M. Pegram)
2001: 3rd (M. Pegram)
2000: 8th (R. White)
1999: 8th
1998: 11th
1997: N/K
1996: 12th 1st Section (rel)
The winners of the Second Section in 2003 has made steady progress in the last two years and put in a fine performance last year to come third and book a trip to the Finals in Harrogate. There they came 15th under Philip Harper off the dreaded number 2 draw, so perhaps that wasn't as bad as it seemed. Philip Bailey has conducted at the top level and will bring his experience to bear we are sure, so perhaps another trip north is on the cards.
Past Qualifiers:
2005: Staines Brass, Clacton on Sea, Wantage Silver
2004: Staines Brass, Northfleet Brass, Clacton On Sea Co-operative
2003: Friary Guildford, Zone One Brass
2002: Matthews Norfolk Brass*, Welwyn Garden City
2001: Alliance Brass, Staines Brass
2000: Bedford Town, Staines
1999: Haverhill, Regent Brass
1998: Alder Valley Brass, Regent Brass
1997: City of Oxford, Ipswich Co-op
1996: Hatfields of Colchester, Bedford Town
1995: City of Cambridge, City of Oxford
*Didn't take place at Finals – replaced by Alder Valley
London Bands at the Finals:
2005: 2nd, 12th, 15th
2004: 3rd, 16th, 8th
2003: 5th, 15th
2002: 14th, 16th
2001: 2nd, 14th
2000: 7th, 14th
1999: 10th, 13th
1998: 9th, 16th
4BR Prediction:
This has the makings of a decent contest doesn't it for a second year in a row. All decent solid performers on paper and not much to tell them apart, a good old test piece to challenge them and an experienced and wise old head in the box to try and separate them out.
It is very difficult to say who will win here though, although some bands will be taking some decent form with them into the contest. That is not always the most reliable indicator though!
With our best form guide in mind therefore, we think it could well be a battle between Haverhill and Regent with Wantage picking up the third qualification place once more. Pushing them close though we opt for Sandhurst, Broseley and Stonesfield with KM Medway as our official dark horse.
1. Regent Brass
2. Haverhill
3. Wantage
4. Sandhurst
5. Broseley
6. Stonesfield
Dark Horse: KM Medway
