2006 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy Runners and Riders
9-May-200620 bands will be battling it out in the Spanish Hall trying to find the essence of qualification to gain promotion to the Senior Cup.
Spanish Hall: 11.00am
Test Piece: Essence of Time – Peter Graham
Adjudicators: Not known at present
BHK (UK) Horden
Conductor: Norman Law
4BR Ranking: 56
Principal Cornet: Tina Mortimer
Soprano Cornet: John Abbott
Flugel: Fiona Wallace
Solo Horn: Paul Vickers
Solo Euphonium: Andrew Marsh
Solo Trombone: Chris Gomersall
Tuba: N/K
Blackpool Form:
2005: 6th (P. Parkes)
2004: 14th (B. Grant)
Form Guide:
BHK (UK) Horden has come along way in a short space of time, and they have shown pretty good form here in the past couple of years too, coming 6th twelve months ago. They started 2006 in pretty good form and came 4th at the Regional Championships in Darlington under the baton of Peter Parkes. The experienced David Hirst takes the baton this time.
Blackburn and Darwen
Conductor: Nick Sheppard
4BR Ranking: 144
Principal Cornet: Alan Thomas
Soprano Cornet: Mandy Pickles
Flugel: Rob Speakman
Solo Horn: Tariq Ahmed
Solo Euphonium: John North
Solo Trombone: Robert Conlon
Tuba: Gareth Henderson
Blackpool Form:
Last appeared at the Grand Shield in 1990
Form Guide:
Nice to see a former winner of the Grand Shield (1987) return to the Grand Shield weekend even if they do have to try and get back to the British Open from the bottom rung of the qualification ladder. Nick Sheppard is doing a good job, but they will have to show better form than the 12th place at the Areas and 12th at Brass at the Guild to make a real impression.
Camborne Town
Conductor: Richard Evans
4BR Ranking: 38
Principal Cornet: Chris Leonard
Soprano Cornet: Jeremy Willcock
Flugel: Andrew Mitchell
Solo Horn: Mark Letcher
Solo Euphonium: Robert Jose
Solo Trombone: Nick Abbott
Tuba: Timmy Joslin
Blackpool Form:
2005: 7th (C. Curtis)
Form Guide:
Possibly the favourites to take the title, or at least gain a qualification place to get closer to the British Open. Camborne are a band that can mix it with the best on their day, and with Richard Evan at the helm it should make for an exciting ride. 5th at Yeovil and then runners up at the Areas shows what they are about. Should be there or thereabouts come the results.
Harrogate
Conductor: David Lancaster
4BR Ranking: 101
Principal Cornet: Robert Illsley
Soprano Cornet: Jo Campbell
Flugel: Lynne Stockdale
Solo Horn: Elizabeth Rochester
Solo Euphonium: Adrian Lowes
Solo Trombone: Daniel Dickinson
Tuba: Gavin Holman
Blackpool Form:
2005: 10th (D. Lancaster)
Form Guide:
David Lancaster continues to do impressive work with Harrogate and his band are making solid progress year on year. 2006 started with a slightly disappointing 10th place at Yeovil, whilst they came 8th at the Regional Championships in Darlington. May have to up the ante a touch then to push for a promotion place.
Hatfield
Conductor: Graham O'Connor
4BR Ranking: 68
Principal Cornet: Trevor Kendal
Soprano Cornet: Donna Ramsden
Flugel: Ruth Rustling
Solo Horn: William Rushworth
Solo Euphonium: John Smith
Solo Trombone: Andrew Groom
Tuba: Rob Browne
Blackpool Form:
Debut this year
Form Guide:
Hatfield make a welcome appearance at the Senior Trophy, and it has been justified by the progress they have made under Graham O'Connor's astute direction over the past few years. 9th place at the Areas was a fine return given the standard of the opposition they were up against in Yorkshire, and if they have gained from that experience it should put them in good stead here.
Haydock
Conductor: Edward Kennedy
4BR Ranking: 74
Principal Cornet: Paul Duffy
Soprano Cornet: Chris Ratchford
Flugel: Alison Tinsley
Solo Horn: Andy Moore
Solo Euphonium: Helen Geogeghan
Solo Trombone: Joanne Moss
Tuba: Mark Quinn
Blackpool Form:
2005: DNC
2004: 17th (Senior Cup) (rel) (L. Nicholson)
2003: 4th Senior Trophy (prom) (I. Brownbill)
2003: 11th (I. Brownbill)
Form Guide:
Haydock have gone through a bit of a rough patch of late, but there are welcome signs that they are back on the road to steady recovery. Edward Kennedy has brought a great deal of stability to the band and even though they came 9th at the North West Regionals, it was a fine return given the strength of the opposition.
Kingdom Brass
Conductor: Craig Anderson
4BR Ranking: 43
Principal Cornet: Lee Bathgate
Soprano Cornet: Martin Edwards
Flugel: Laura McConnell
Solo Horn: Stuart McKenzie
Solo Euphonium: Brian Paterson
Solo Trombone: Bill Giles
Tuba: N/K
Blackpool Form:
2005: 5th (A. Duguid)
2004: DNC
2003: 13th (A. Hutchinson)
2002: 15th (S. Kerwin)
2001: 13th (I. Davey)
Didn't compete at the contests before 2001.
Form Guide:
Kingdom just missed out gaining promotion last year after a fine showing under Alan Duguid and they will be hoping the experience of Craig Anderson will give them that extra little push this time to get them one step closer to the British Open. 5th place at the Scottish Regionals was a fine return and that may hold them in good stead as they battle it out here.
Laganvale
Conductor: Ernest Ruddock
4BR Ranking: 100
Principal Cornet: Dessie Neill
Soprano Cornet: Mark Ruddock
Flugel: Graham Smyth
Solo Horn: Keri Church
Solo Euphonium: Willie Shaw
Solo Trombone: Amanda Cook
Tuba: N/K
Blackpool Form:
2005: 20th Senior Cup (rel) (E. Ruddock)
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:
Great to see Laganvale making the trip back over the Irish Sea once more, although they will surely be looking to make a better impression here this year than they did last time out. Relegation from the Senior Cup was a real disappointment, but they showed plenty of quality in coming runners up at the recent Northern Ireland Brass Band Championships and they will need to carry the confidence of that result to their performance here.
Marsden Riverhead Brewery
Conductor: Glyn Williams
4BR Ranking: 48
Principal Cornet: Jason Evans
Soprano Cornet: Andrew Lofthouse
Flugel: R. Taylor
Solo Horn: Debbie Lea
Solo Euphonium: Matthew Stringer
Solo Trombone: Andy Eastwood
Tuba: Steve Henshall
Blackpool Form:
Debut this year
Form Guide:
Can Marsden cap their fine run of recent achievements by claiming a qualification place here this year? They certainly have a great run of contesting from behind them, even though it has been confined to the First Section for the most part. They are a fine band in the making though and they showed that by comfortably qualifying for Harrogate at Bradford and coming 3rd at Tameside. Ones to watch out for.
Mossley
Conductor: Simon Stonehouse
4BR Ranking: 183
Principal Cornet:
Soprano Cornet:
Solo Horn:
Solo Euphonium:
Solo Trombone:
Flugel:
Tuba:
Blackpool Form:
2005: 13th (M. Evans)
2004: 12th (M. Evans)
2003: 18th (M. Evans)
2002: 18th Senior Cup (rel) (J. Davies)
Form Guide:
Mossley have held their own at the contest in the past three years, but they will be hoping to improve on that this year we are sure. Simon Stonehouse will bring his talents to bear and they have enough talent around the stands to more than hold their own and push for a top 10 place at least.
Parc and Dare
Conductor: Craig Roberts
4BR Ranking: 40
Principal Cornet: Adrian Morton
Soprano Cornet: Paul Eddy
Flugel: Andrea Lewis
Solo Horn: Mike Saunders
Solo Euphonium: Helen Kinder
Solo Trombone: John Hendy
Tuba: Hugh Williams
Blackpool Form:
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 20th (Senior Cup) (C. Roberts)
2000: 20th (Grand Shield) (rel) (C. Roberts)
1999: 12th (N. Seaman)
1998: 12th (D. Braodbent)
1997: 14th (R. Adams)
1996: 4th (J. Wise)
1995: 12th (J. Hinckley)
1994: 5th (I. Holmes)
1993: 8th (B. Hurdley)
Form Guide:
Great to see one of the most famous names in Welsh banding making a comeback here this year, after being away from the contest for a little while. After quite a period of struggle they are now very much on the up and showed that this year by first coming 8th at Porthcawl and then following that up with 3rd place and qualification for London at the Welsh Regional Championships and 2nd place at Ebbw Vale last week on this test piece.
Ratby Co-operative
Conductor: Brett Baker
4BR Ranking: 135
Principal Cornet: Shiela Coates
Soprano Cornet: Mark Tarry
Flugel: Graham Jacklin
Solo Horn: Matt Taylor
Solo Euphonium: Dan Cheadle
Solo Trombone: Becky Moss
Tuba: Graeme Foulds
Blackpool Form:
2005: 11th (R. Newsome)
2004: 18th (Senior Cup) (rel) (D.Maplestone)
2003: 18th (K. J. Steward)
2002: 8th (K. J. Steward)
2001: 15th (K. J. Steward)
2000: 15th Grand Shield (rel) (K. J. Steward)
1999: 6th Grand Shield (K. J. Steward)
Form Guide:
Black Dyke's Brett Baker takes the helm to lead Ratby this year at the contest, and they are a bad who in recent appearances have notched up a few famous MDs to their name. They came 8th at the Midlands Regional Championships conducted by Martin Winter no less and last year Roy Newsome took them here. Let's see how they get on with the ace trombonist at the rostrum then.
Riddings
Conductor: Bob Morton
4BR Ranking: 171
Principal Cornet: Neil Escott
Soprano Cornet: Geoff Hawley
Flugel: Pam Davies
Solo Horn: Rosie Hughes
Solo Euphonium: Brian Hanson
Solo Trombone: Clare Bond
Tuba: Tony Swinscoe
Blackpool Form:
2005: 15th (J. Davis)
2004: 8th (J. Davis)
2003: 8th (J. Davis)
2002: 14th (J. Davis)
Form Guide:
Riddings produced a very good performance at the Midlands Regional Championships where they came 3rd in the First Section. If they can bring that type of form here then they will surely improve on last years result when they came a lowly 15th.
St. Austell
Conductor: David Loukes
4BR Ranking: 76
Principal Cornet: Hannah Hawkins
Soprano Cornet: Rachel Whittaker
Flugel: Leanne Osborne
Solo Horn: Susan McKnight
Solo Euphonium: Kevin Ackford
Solo Trombone: Graham Hooper
Tuba: Dave Coad
Blackpool Form:
Debut this year
Form Guide:
St. Austell make an appearance at the contest and it is in no small part to the progress this young band has made under the direction of David Loukes over the last few years. 2005 was a good year for the band, but 2006 hasn't started as well with them coming a disappointing 8th at the West of England Regional Championships.
Staines
Conductor: Ian McElligott
4BR Ranking: 66
Principal Cornet: Gavin Hall
Soprano Cornet: Rich Evans
Flugel: Gareth Lancaster
Solo Horn: Simon Angel
Solo Euphonium: John Storey
Solo Trombone: Lewis Henaghan
Tuba: John Truscott
Blackpool Form:
Debut this year
Form Guide:
Staines really are a band moving places, and after the way in which they finished last year in the First Section it came as no surprise that they made such an impact at the London Regional Championships this year. 2nd place was still a fantastic result, especially as they had flattered to deceive somewhat at Yeovil where they came a lowly 9th. Ones possibly to watch out for here.
Tavistock Chester Le Street Riverside
Conductor: Ian Robinson
4BR Ranking: 70
Principal Cornet:
Soprano Cornet:
Flugel:
Solo Horn:
Solo Euphonium:
Solo Trombone:
Tuba:
Blackpool Form:
Debut this year
Form Guide:
The band with perhaps the longest name in the contesting world make its debut here this year and they will be keen to make an impression and start making progress towards the British Open. Ian Robinson always brings a musical reading to any score he has in front of him and that may well prove beneficial here. 6th at the Area was a disappointment though and they will need to improve on that if they are to really make an impression.
Thoresby Colliery
Conductor: Martin Heartfield
4BR Ranking: 61
Principal Cornet: Dave Jones
Solo Euphonium: Simon Willis
Solo Horn: Jackie Greenstead
Soprano: Graham Drury
Flugel: Kate Clark
Solo Trombone: Richard Walker
Tuba: Keith Latham
Blackpool Form:
2005: 8th (M. Heartfield)
2004: 19th Senior Cup (rel) (J. Hudson)
2003: 20th Grand Shield (rel) (J. Hudson)
2002: 4th Senior Cup (prom) (S. Lippeatt)
2001: 14th Senior Cup (S. Lippeatt)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 21st Grand Shield (rel) (S. Lippeatt)
1996: DNC
1995: 19th Grand Shield (S. Lippeatt)
1994: DNC
1993: 17th Grand Shield (S. Lippeatt)
Form Guide:
One of the bands who will surely fancy their chances here, Thoresby have been rejuvenated somewhat by Martin Heartfield in 2006. They came 9th at Butlins but were perhaps a touch unlucky and have followed that up with 4th at Buxton and 3rd at the Midlands Regional Championships. That should give them the confidence to charge up the results table this time then.
United Co-op Crewe
Conductor: Jef Sparkes
4BR Ranking: 110
Principal Cornet: Andy Welsh
Soprano Cornet: Jon Worths
Flugel: Laura Dawson
Solo Horn: Annette Sparkes
Solo Euphonium: Dave Mason
Solo Trombone: Clare Bennett
Tuba: Alan Birch
Blackpool Form:
2005: 17th Senior Cup (rel) (J. Sparkes)
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:
Jeff Sparkes continues to impress with his band wherever they go and although they lost their place in the Senior Cup line up after coming 17th last year they soon put that behind them in 2006 when they came 2nd at the Regional Championships in the First Section at Blackpool. More of the same should do nicely then.
United Co-op Yorkshire Brass
Conductor: Kevin Wadsworth
4BR Ranking: 99
Principal Cornet: Tabby Clegg
Solo Horn: Jamie Clegg
Solo Euphonium: Ben Smailes
Solo Trombone:Marc Nethercott
Soprano Cornet: N/K
Flugel: Carolyn Ramsbottom
Tuba: Colin Burnett
Blackpool Form:
2005: 19th Senior Cup (rel) (K. Wadsworth)
2004: 22nd Grand Shield (J. Roberts) (rel)
2003: 5th (John Roberts)
2002: 6th Senior Cup (prom)
2001: 11th Senior Cup
The band didn't compete at the contest before 2001.
Form Guide:
Yorkshire have suffered more than most at this contest over the last couple of years and two successive relegations means that they are starting from the bottom once more on the long trip to what eventually they hope will be a British Open appearance. They have plenty of talent around the stands and an experienced man at the helm, so the only way is up, even though they could only manage 8th place in the First Section at Bradford.
Welwyn Garden City
Conductor: David Jones
4BR Ranking: 186
Principal Cornet: John Cambell
Soprano: Derek Glendinning
Flugel: Anne Cowdell
Solo Horn: Benjamin Tubb
Solo Euphonium: John Gafney
Solo Trombone: Ben Douglas
Tuba: Andy Hills
Blackpool Form:
2005: 14th (D. Jones)
Form Guide:
David Jones leads the London and Southern Counties band once more here, and they will be keen to improve on last year's solid 14th place 10th at the London Regionals though wasn't a good result and they will have to up their form somewhat here if they are to make much more of a mark come the results.
