2007 West of England Regional Championship - Fourth Section

A huge field of bands for Lloyd Landry and Stephen Tighe to enjoy and place in order – some job, but made the better with a great choice of test piece.

Saturday 10th March
Adjudicator: Lloyd Landry & Stephen Tighe
Test Piece: The Seasons – Philip Wilby
Commences: 10.30am

Bideford Town
Conductor: Gary Taylor

Last 11 Years:
2006: 15th (G. Taylor)
2005: 20th (G. Taylor)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC

Bideford seem to making the move in the right direction here and have done really well in such a short space of time. Another jump up the prize table of five placings would be great, and you never know they may even do better if they can just harness a touch more consistency about their playing.  

Bratton Silver
Conductor: Mike Winter

Last 11 Years:
2006: 11th in Third Section (M. Winter) (rel)
2005: 14th (P. Beer)
2004: 2nd in Fourth Section (M. Fricker) (prom)
2003: 5th (V. Beer)
2002: 9th (V. Beer)
2001: 10th (V. Beer)
2000: 14th
1999: 13th in Third Section (rel)
1998: 4th in Fourth Section (prom)
1997: 5th
1996: N/K

Bratton can count themselves a touch unfortunate to have dropped through the relegation trap door after coming 11th in the Third Section last year. Then it was perhaps a problem with balance although they did have a few fine individual players on show. They will be keen to make an immediate impression then.  

Bream Silver
Conductor: Huw Cole

Last 11 Years:
2006: 4th (H. Cole)
2005: 14th (H. Cole)
2004: 15th in Third Section (H. Cole) (rel)
2003: 13th (N. Howard)
2002: 10th (N. Howard)
2001: Winners of Third Section (N. Howard)
2000: 13th
1999: 5th
1998: 12th
1997: 4th in Fourth Section (prom)
1996: N/K

Bream did really well last year in picking up the final qualification place for Harrogate. There they did themselves proud in coming home in an excellent 5th place – a great achievement off an early draw. That should hold them in good stead this time around too and a repeat performance cannot be discounted after last year's heroics. 

Brunel Brass
Conductor: John Winterflood

Last 11 Years:

A brand new band and one that takes its name form one of the greatest civil engineers of all time. Old IKB could build impressive things in a short space of time so can John Winterflood and his band from Swindon do the same on their debut. Wonder if they will be wearing tall top hats though as part of their uniform? 

Chalford Academy
Conductor: Steve Tubb

Last 11 Years:
2006: 14th (S. Tubb)
2005: 11th (S. Tubb)
2004: 16th (S. Tubb)
2003: 24th (S. Tubb)
2002: 12th (D. Witts)
2001: 20th (D. Witts)
2000: 26th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 21st
1996: N/K

Chalford and Steve Tubb just dropped back a few places here last year with a performance that had its moments. They will need to up their game a touch of they are to push for a top ten place once more, but they will travel with realistic ambitions we are sure.  

Cheltenham Silver
Conductor: John Button

Last 11 Years:
2006: 26th (J. Button)

Of course someone has to come bottom of the pile at any brass band contest and last year it was Cheltenham. No worries though as it was great to see them at the contest and they certainly didn't disgrace themselves.

One year on and they are back again and we are sure they will be determined to take the first steps towards the top of the Fourth Section ladder this time around.   

Gosport Silver
Conductor: Derek Jones

Last 11 Years:
2006: 25th (D. Jones)

Gosport return for a second bite at the cherry and they can take a great deal of encouragement from their debut at the contest last year.

That was part of the steep learning curve all bands have to go through and we are sure it will have paid major benefits to the band for this year's appearance.  

Hatherleigh Silver
Conductor: Adrian Edwards

Last 11 Years:
2006: 8th (A. Edwards)
2005: 15th (A. Edwards)
2004: 8th (A. Edwards)
2003: 10th (A. Edwards)
2002: 14th (A. Edwards)
2001: 11th (R. Wonnacott)
2000: 18th
1999: 6th
1998: 16th in Third Section (rel)
1997: 19th in Third Section
1996: N/K

Hatherleigh more than made up for the disappointment of 2005 when they put in a decent show last year that although it took a while to settle soon blossomed into a performance of real merit.

More of the same should see them challenge for a top six place at least.  

Marshfield
Conductor: Peter Cornford

Last 11 Years:

We don't think Marshfield has been at the regional contest for many years, although they were Fourth Section champions here in 1988.

They have competed here and there since but not back at the regionals. We wish them well then.  

Nailsworth
Conductor: Wesley Thomas

Last 11 Years:
2006: DNC

Nailsworth will hopefully make their debut this year after being forced to withdraw 12 months ago.

We look forward to hearing at last then and let's hope its the first of many appearances to come. 

New Forest Brass
Conductor: Ian Luxford

Last 11 Years:
2006: 18th (I. Luxford)
2005: 7th (I. Luxford)
2004: 19th in Third Section (Ian Luxford) (rel)
2003: 6th (Ian Luxford)
2002: 4th (J. Floyd)
2001: DNC
2000: 15th in Third Section (rel)
1999: 19th in Second Section (rel)
1998: 16th in Second Section
1997: 10th in Second Section 
1996: N/K

New Forest Brass will certainly be looking for a return to form here this year after the real disappointment of coming a lowly 18th last time out.

Ian Luxford will have his band raring to go then and determined to gain a place back in the top ten at least.   

Okehampton Excelsior
Conductor: Des Law

Last 11 Years:
2007: 20th (D. Law)
2005: 16th (D. Law)
2004: 15th (D. Law)
2003: 18th (D. Law)
2002: 22nd (R. Beardon)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

Des Law and his band will be another ensemble that will be looking for a return to some sort of form here this year after falling back into 20th place – the third year in a row that they have gone backwards here.

Let's hope this is the year that they start going back in the right direction then.  

Pendennis Brass (Falmouth)
Conductor: Steve Thomas

Last 11 Years:
2006: 5th (C.J. Cottrell)
2005: 13th in Third Section (rel) (C. Cottrell)
2004: 18th (G. Thomas)
2003: 9th (G. Thomas)
2002: 3rd in Fourth Section (prom) (G. Thomas)
2001: 3rd in Fourth Section (K. Anderson)
2000: 16th (rel)
1999: 16th
1998: 10th
1997: 18th
1996: Winners of Fourth Section

Pendennis were very unfortunate last year – both with the draw (they were number 1) and perhaps with the judges after they produced a little cracker of a performance to start the Fourth Section off.

We had them as clear leaders right up to the eventual winners Verwood, so if they can repeat that level of performance once again (and get a bit of luck) they should be celebrating something come the results.   

Shanklin Town Brass (IOW)
Conductor: Malcolm Lewis

Last 11 Years:
2006: 11th (M. Lewis)
2005: 6th (M. Lewis)
2004: 13th (M. Lewis)
2003: 11th (M. Lewis)
2002: 15th (M. Lewis)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

Shanklin make their regular trip over the ocean waves to Torquay and they have been a consistent challenger here over the past few years too.  Not quite right on the pace but last year there was much to admire about their performance that started well but just fell away with a few too many unforced errors.

If they can get rid of those they should be looking for a top six place at least. 

Sidmouth Town
Conductor: Adrian Harvey

Last 11 Years:
2006: 2nd (A. Harvey)
2005: 10th (A. Harvey)
2004: 12th (A. Harvey)
2003: 7th (A. Harvey)
2002: 5th (A. Harvey)
2001: 13th (A. Harvey)
2000: 16th
1999: 15th
1998: DNC
1997: 20th in Third Section (rel)
1996: N/K

Sidmouth were benefited both from a late draw and from an intelligent approach by their MD Adrian Harvey last year which booked them a place at Harrogate after their efforts gained them a well deserved runners up spot.

At the Finals they came did well enough in coming 13th, but we are sure they would like to get back this year too.  

St Breward Silver
Conductor: Garry Lannie

Last 11 Years:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC (rel)
2004: 12th in Third Section (A. Harvey)
2003: 8th (A. Harvey)
2002: 18th
2001: 10th
2000: Winners 4th Section (prom)
1999: 7th 4th Section
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

Nice to see St Breward return to the contest stage this year after making their last appearance back in 2004 in the Third Section. Hopefully they have rebuilt and return in fine fashion to make a mark once again and make the first of hopefully many more visits. 

Swindon Brass
Conductor: Francis Cowley

Last 11 Years:
2006: 9th (F. Cowley)
2005: 2nd (F. Cowley)
2004: 4th  (F. Cowley)
2003: 17th (F. Cowley)
2002: 14th in Third Section (rel) (F. Cowley)
2001: 15th in Third Section (F. Cowley)
2000: 12th in Third Section
1999: 17th in Second Section (rel)
1998: DNC
1997: 7th in Second Section
1996: N/K

Swindon must have had high hopes of doing well here last year after two fine results in the previous two years, but it was not meant to be and they left with 9th place to their name. An early draw may not have helped but neither did a rather sleepy start that took time to get going.

After that they were pretty good and it was a question of what might have been. Not this year they hope.

Tewkesbury Town
Conductor: Nigel Morgan

Last 11 Years:
2006: 10th (N. Morgan)
2005: 12th (N. Morgan)
2004: 13th in Third Section (N. Morgan) (rel)
2003: 10th (N. Morgan)
2002: 15th (N. Morgan)
2001: 4th in Fourth Section (prom) (N. Morgan)
2000: 6th in Fourth Section
1999: 3rd in Fourth Section
1998: 15th in Fourth Section
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

Nigel Morgan and his young band will come to the contest with confidence after a fine performance at Butlins where they really did play well in coming 5th.

That showed a great deal of potential and promise and if they can harness that here this weekend they could well push for a podium place. 

Torrington Silver
Conductor: T. Hutchings

Last 11 Years:
2006: 7th (T. Hutchings)
2005: 4th (T. Hutchings)
2004: 10th (T. Hutchings)
2003: 16th in Third Section (rel) (T. Hutchings)
2002: 16th (T. Hutchings)
2001: 9th (T. Hutchings)
2000: 10th
1999: 13th
1998: 11th
1997: 9th
1996: N/K

Torrington just fell away a little last year to come home in 7th place but they were only denied a higher place finish by a tricky last movement that caught them out somewhat.

Before that they were possibly heading for a podium place. If they have learnt from that experience then they could well feature highly again.    

Watchet Royal British Legion
Conductor: Dave Tilling

Last 11 Years:
2006: 23rd (D. Tilling)
2005: 13th (D. Tilling)
2004: 17th (D. Tilling)
2003: 22nd (D. Tilling)
2002: 10th (D. Tilling)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

Dave Tilling and his band will be hoping for a return to decent form here this year after dropping off the pace somewhat in coming 23rd last year. They did give it their all 12 months ago but the piece was tricky for lots of bands.

Before last year they were heading in the right direction so lets hope they get back on track this time around.   

Weymouth Concert Brass
Conductor: Adam Glynn

Last 11 Years:
2006: 13th (A. Davies)
2005: DNC
2004: 5th (A. Davies)
2003: 16th (P. George)
2002: 13th
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

A good return on their return for Weymouth last year with a hard worked 13th place that had plenty to commend about it. If they return stronger and improved this year a top ten finish may well be on the cards.  

Wilton and District Youth
Conductor: Dennis Chalk BEM

Last 11 Years:
2006: 21st (D. Dyer)
2005: 19th (D. Chalk BEM)
2004: 9th (D. Chalk BEM)
2003: 13th (D. Chalk BEM)
2002: 8th (D. Chalk BEM)
2001: 16th (D. Chalk BEM)
2000: 21st
1999: 27th
1998: 11th
1997: 10th
1996: N/K

The young band from Wilton showed glimpses of real potential last year – despite the end result. If they too have come back stronger and wiser then they could be in for a much better contest result.  

Wincanton Silver
Conductor: Joanne Sykes

Last 11 Years:
2006: 3rd (J. Sykes)
2005: 15th in Third Section (rel) (S. Chislett)
2004: 16th (B. Kelloway)
2003: 14th in Second Section (rel) (M. Winter)
2002: 16th (D. Shead)
2001: 3rd in Third Section (prom) (D. Shead)
2000: 3rd in Third Section
1999: 2nd in Fourth Section (prom)
1998: 2nd in Fourth Section
1997: 7th in Fourth Section
1996: N/K

A band to look out for perhaps? Joanne Sykes has really made her mark with Wincanton and it seems here players have responded in kind too. Last year they claimed a qualification place and headed to Harrogate where they put up a good account of themselves in coming 16th.

Could be there in the mix come the results once more for us.  

Past Qualifiers:
2006: Verwood Concert Brass, Sidmouth Town, Wincanton Silver, Bream Silver
2005: Verwood Concert Brass, Swindon Brass, AW Parker Drybrook
2004: Pillowell Silver, Bratton Silver, Drybrook and District
2003: Hayle Town, Downton, Camborne B, Calne Silver
2002: St. Dennis, Hayle Town, Pendennis Brass
2001: Saltash Town, St. Dennis, Pendennis Brass
2000: St. Breward Silver, Portishead, Penzance Silver
1999: Lympstone South West Telecoms, Wincanton Silver, Tewkesbury
1998: Test Valley Brass, Wincanton Silver, Lympstone
1997: Lympstone, Phoenix Brass, Test Valley
1996: Pendennis Brass, N/K
1995: City of Bristol, Bideford  

West of England bands at the Finals:
2006: 5th, 7th, 15th, 16th
2005: 6th, 13th, 19th
2004: 2nd, 10th, 15th
2003: 7th, 14th, 15th, 17th
2002: 1st, 3rd, 19th
2001: 2nd, 7th, 12th
2000: 2nd, 4th, 19th
1999: 1st, 12th, 15th
1998: 1st, 3rd, 12th  

4BR Prediction:

This is perhaps the hardest of all the sections anywhere in the country to try and predict. A great big field of bands, with only a small variance in overall standard, it wil be an enjoyable if taxing contest to judge.

That said we have to put our necks on the block and we think it could well develop into a bit of a scrap between five or six bands with the likes of Bream, Sidmouth and Pendennis for us looking like top three contenders, closely followed by Wincanton, Tewkesbury and Bratton. Our darkest of dark horses are Brunel Brass.

1. Bream
2. Sidmouth
3. Pendennis
4. Wincanton
5. Tewkesbury
6.  Bratton

Dark Horse: Brunel Brass

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