2007 North West Regional Championship - Fourth Section
28-Feb-2007A great line up of bands on the Sunday to do battle on Philip Wilby’s The Seasons which John Maines will decree those who go forward to Harrogate.
Sunday 11th March
Spanish Hall
Adjudicator: John Maines
Test Piece: The Seasons - Philip Wilby
Draw: 10.00am & 12.45pm
Commences: 11.00am
Barnton Silver
Conductor: Steven Yates
Last 11 Years:
2006: 10th (S. Yates)
2005: 14th (S. Yates)
2004: 14th (S. Yates)
2003: 21st in Third Section (rel) (S. Yates)
2002: 17th
2001: 8th
2000: 6th in Fourth Section (prom)
1999: 3rd in Fourth Section
1998: 7th in Fourth Section
1997: 15th (rel)
1996: 12th
The Northwich outfit return to Blackpool this year looking to continue their gradual rise up the prize table. Steven Yates continues to produce a solid foundation from which to work and a top six place could be the result if they play to form.
Besses Boys
Conductor: James Holt
Last 11 Years:
2006: 9th (J. Holt)
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
James Holt is part of Besses O' th' Barn's horn section and once again fronts the Besses Boys Band. Although it maintains its name, the band now has plenty of ladies within it and the band showed plenty of potential in coming 12th at Pontins late last year. If they have improved further since then a top six place may be on the distant horizon.
Blackley
Conductor: Adie Smith
Last 11 Years:
2006: 18th (A. Smith)
2005: DNC
2004: Withdrew
2003: 20th (A. Swain)
2002: 15th
2001: 10th in Fourth Section (prom)
2000: 3rd in Fourth Section
1999: 15th (rel)
1998: 12th
1997: 16th
1996: 14th
Blackley returned to the contest last year after a couple of years absence and it was great to see them back. They're led once again by Adie Smith. They showed potential incoming 10th at Pontins late last year and were 4th at Brass at the Guild Hall earlier this year too. The potential is there then for a top six result perhaps?
Brindle
Conductor: K. Richmond
Last 11 Years:
2006: 22nd (K. Richmond)
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: 17th (D. Shaw)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
Brindle returned last year after a few years absence and although they came 22nd it was great to see them back at Blackpool. Once again, they head for the seaside under the baton of Keith Richmond, and we wish them luck.
Carrbrook Brass
Conductor: Lee Dunkley
Last 11 Years:
2006: 14th (L. Dunkley)
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
Lee Dunkley and Carrbrook are making steady progress together. The Stalybridge based band has improved its position on the contest stage each time in the last three years and they'll be hoping for another step in the right direction here once more. They were 17th at Pontins late last year, but we think they could well look for a top 10 place here at least.
Coppull and Standish
Conductor: Harry Bentham
Last 11 Years:
2006: 17th (H. Bentham)
2005: 11th (J. Roberts)
2004: 3rd (as Standish) (J. Roberts)
2003: = 10th (J. Roberts)
2002: 13th (J. Roberts)
2001: 12th (J. Roberts)
2000: 11th (J. Roberts)
1999: 18th
1998: 5th
We gave Coppull a bit of the kiss of death last year by telling you they were a form horse - and they finished 17th – so we may not tip them for their own safety! They finished off last year with a good 6th place at Pontins and started 2007 by coming 2nd at Preston last month. A bit of a form horse then?
Eaton's Farnsworth and Walkden
Conductor: Peter Ashley
Last 11 Years:
2006: 13th (P. Ashley)
2005: 7th (P Ashley)
2004: 5th (P. Ashley)
2003: 17th in Third Section (rel) (P. Ashley)
2002: 14th (P. Ashley)
2001: DNC
2000: 2nd in Fourth Section (prom) (P. Ashley)
1999: DNC
1998: 14th (rel)
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
Peter Ashley is one of a number of MDs who'll have his work cut out on Sunday as he's taking more than one band. Eaton didn't really hit the heights they wanted last year finishing 13th but they did well at Preston in February coming 3rd – a big leap in form after coming 13th at Pontins. If they can carry that improvement on here they should do well.
Eccles Borough
Conductor: L. Webb
Last 11 Years:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: 17th (K. Donaldson)
2003: 5th (K. Donaldson)
2002: 19th (C. Pownall)
2001: 13th (C. Pownall)
2000: 7th (C. Pownall)
1999: 11th
1998: 18th
1997: 13th
1996: 10th
It's great to see Eccles return to the areas after a spell away. We're not really sure how they'll get on though and although they came fairly low down in the pack at Preston they did show plenty of fighting spirit and more than a glimpse or two of potential. Watch out for their bass trombone player though – a bit of a maverick and very handy with a box brownie in his hand.
Formby
Conductor: L. Hough
Last 11 Years:
2006: 2nd (L. Hough)
Formby were one heck of a mystery to us last year and still are. They came to Blackpool and finished runners up off the number one draw after delivering a cracking performance. They then went on to come 8th at Harrogate, so they are a band to look out for once again.
Golborne
Conductor: Dave Ashworth
Last 11 Years:
2006: 8th (D. Ashworth)
2005: 9th (S. Foster)
2004: 19th in Third Section (G.Williams) (rel)
2003: 13th (G. Williams)
2002: DNC
2001: 7th (S. Barton)
2000: 6th (G. Williams)
1999: 7th in Fourth Section (prom)
1998: 4th in Fourth Section
1997: 5th in Fourth Section
1996: DNC
Dave Ashworth leads Golborne once again who are certainly getting back on their feet after relegation in 2005. 9th in 2005 was followed by 8th last year and they put in a fine performance at Pontins late last year to come home in 4th place. 11th at Preston wasn't too hot though so they will be keen to get back to form here.
Greenfield
Conductor: Dave Chapman
Last 11 Years:
2006: 12th (D. Chapman)
2005: 3rd (D. Chapman)
2004: 13th (D. Chapman)
2003: 13th (D. Chapman)
2002: 18th in Third Section (rel) (D. Chapman)
2001: 15th in Third Section (D. Chapman)
2000: DNC
1999: 11th in Second Section (rel)
1998: 4th in Third Section (prom)
1997: 12th in Third Section
1996: 5th in Third Section
Greenfield played so well here in 2005 they got a trip to Harrogate but they never came close last year to repeating that feat and finished a disappointing 12th. They will love to show that form once more we think, although they will have to up their game somewhat after coming 13th at Pontins late last year.
Hesketh Bank Silver
Conductor: G. Clough
Last 11 Years:
2006: 6th (G. Clough)
2005: DNC
2004: 12th (S. Pullin)
2003: 8th (S. Pullin)
2002: 12th (S. Pullin)
2001: 4th (S. Foster)
2000: 11th in Third Section (rel) (B. Taylor)
1999: 13th in Third Section
1998: 19th in Third Section
1997: 7th (prom)
1996: 3rd
Hesketh Band returned to the contest stage last year after missing 2005 and came a creditable 6th place. They haven't appeared on the contest stage as yet in 2007 so it will be interesting to see how they get on here.
Littleborough Public
Conductor: M. Bailey
Last 11 Years:
2006: 16th (M. Bailey)
2005: DNC
A return we understand to the Regional contest for the first time in over 15 years last year for the band that was in fact formed way back in 1865, and they didn't disgrace themselves by any means finishing 16th. The Rochdale based band will be looking for further improvement this year and even though they came 6th at Preston earlier in the season they did show touches of quality and glimpses of real potential.
Lostock Hall Memorial
Conductor: Iain McKnight
Last 11 Years:
2006: 3rd (P. Edward)
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 bounced right back last year with 3rd place having fallen through the trap door into Section Four in 2005. That meant a trip to Harogate where they came 17th under conductor Phil Edwards. Leyland's bass player Iain McKnight is now at the helm and they'll be looking for another trip to the finals for sure although they will have to up their form a bit after coming 8th at Preston early in the season.
Nelson Brass
Conductor: John Roberts
Last 11 Years:
2006: 12th in Third Section (J. Roberts) (rel)
2005: 13th (R. Holt)
2004: 18th (J. North)
2003: 3rd in Fourth Section (prom) (J. North)
2002: 10th (K. Richmond)
2001: 2nd (K. Richmond)
2000: 17th (K. Richmond)
1999: 8th
1998: 14th
1997: 12th
1996: 12th
John Roberts is again at the helm for Nelson who has had a tough time in the Third Section in recent years but was showing signs of gradual improvement. That wasn't enough to save them from the drop though and they'll make the journey from Lancashire to the seaside town aiming to show everyone what they can do this Sunday by bouncing straight back.12th place at Preston though wasn't a great start.
Parr (Richardson Ltd St. Helens)
Conductor: J. Smith
Last 11 Years
2006: 19th (J. Smith)
2005: DNC
2004: 17th (R. Kerwick)
2003: = 10th (J. Ludden)
2002: 17th (J. Ludden)
2001: 17th (J. Ludden)
2000: 7th (J. Ludden)
1999: 9th
Parr returned to the contest after missing out last year and came 19th – a good solid foundation to carry on improving then. They have struggled of late though, unfortunately withdrawing from Brass at the Guild Hall, so we hope the break has done them some good and they will be raring to make a mark once more.
Ramsey Town
Conductor: R. Quane
Last 11 Years:
2006: 4th ( R. Quane)
Ramsey make a trip across the Irish Sea from their home on the Isle of Man and it is great to see them here back once again. 4th was a cracking result last year so we are sure they will want to come a couple of places better this time around and book themselves in for a weekend away at Harrogate later tin the year.
Rode Hall Silver
Conductor: Stewart Thompson
Last 11 Years:
2006: 21st (S. Thompson)
Another band who made a comeback last year after a few years away and 21st place might not seem a great result but it does provide the band with a solid foundation to build upon. Let's hope they can do just that then.
Tarleton and District Brass
Conductor: G. Bould
Last 11 Years:
2006: 11th (J. Doyle)
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 continue to make steady progress after competing here now since 2004. Black Dyke's flugel player John Doyle took them into 11th place last year but G. Bould returns this time. 5th place at Preston should have given them the opportunity to see just how much they will have to up their game if they are to make another step up the prize list.
Uppermill
Conductor: Alan Widdop
Last 11 Years:
2006: 7th (A. Widdop)
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 experienced Alan Widdop leads Uppermill once again and they've been able to mix with the bands here previously. 7th last year was Alan's best result with the band and a top six place has to be the objective for 2007. They came 7th at Preston too and finished off 2006 with a fine 3rd place at Pontins. Perhaps their time has come?
Past Qualifiers:
2006: Oldham, Formby, Lostock Hall
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
2006: 2nd, 8th, 17th
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 John Maines if they play to form. If not, it could be anyone's guess who will make the journey across the Pennines to North Yorkshire in September.
With Oldham Band (Lees) promoted, there seems to be no outstanding band to beat, but Coppull will almost certainly have their eyes on Harrogate having done well at Preston. Formby should feature if they maintain last years form and the same goes for Ramsay Town and Lostock Hall. Eatons Farnworth, Walkden and Besses Boys could well be in the mix too with Uppermill our dark horse.
1. Coppull and Standish
2. Formby
3. Lostock Hall
4. Besses Boys
5. Ramsay Town
6. Eatons Farnworth
Dark Horse: Uppermill
