2007 London and Southern Counties Regional Championship - Fourth Section

A huge field of bands for Steve Pritchard-Jones to listen too here and ponder over, but who will be looking forward to the Autumnal season the most and a trip to Harrogate.

Sunday March 18th
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones
Test Piece: The Seasons – Philip Wilby

Commences: 10.30am
Draw: 9.30am (first draw)

Amersham
Conductor: A. Duguid

Last 11 Years:
2006: 15th (A. Fawbert)
2005: 16th (A. Fawbert)
2004: DNC
2003: 17th in Third Section (A. Fawbert) (rel)
2002: 13th (A. Fawbert)
2001: 4th in Fourth Section (prom)
2000: 13th
1999: 21st 
1998: 13th
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Amersham return this year after having a couple of years where they've finished in the lower reaches of the contest.  They've drafted in Alan Duguid (busy man with three bands in different sections) to lead their assault this year and hopefully bring them a change in fortunes. 

Battle Town
Conductor: J. Penton

Last 11 Years:
2006: 7th (J. Penton)
2005: 10th (J. Penton)
2004: 4th (J. Penton)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC

Battle did very well here in 2004 finishing 4th and then in 2005 they didn't quite retain that promise shown. Last year however they finished 7th, so the quality and potential is there, but so too the inconsistency.  It'll be interesting to see how 2007 turns out, but a push for a top six place may well be their battle plan (excuse the pun). 

Bletchington Silver
Conductor: N. Hall

Last 11 Years:
2006: =24th (S. Barwick)
2005: 2nd (S. Barwick)
2004: 18th (S. Barwick)
2003: 15th (S. Barwick)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

You can't get no bigger contrast in results than 2nd place in 2005 and =24th last year can you, but that's the story for Bletchington Silver over the past two years.  You can be sure they will be going all out to reverse that bad day at the office 12 months ago, but it will take some doing. Can you have banding schizophrenia – if so Bletchington have suffered it in the last two years? Time for the success pills to kick in again then.  

Broseley Development MK
Conductor: D. Johnston

Last 11 Years:
2005: =24th (D. Johnston)

Broseley made their debut here last year and it was a tough baptism, but every band has to start somewhere and we think it will have doe them the power of good. 

As the name implies this is development work in progress, so hopefully it has done just that and a further leap up the prize table is the result. 

Chalgrove
Conductor: Michael Pegram

Last 11 Years:
2006: 8th (M. Pegram)
2005: 13th (I. Young)
2004: 14th (S. Sizeland)
2003: 8th (S. Sizeland)
2002: 6th (M. Fricker)
2001: 26th (N. Hall)
2000: 4th (N. Hall)
1999: 17th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Chalgrove are a band that is back on the way up after a couple of leanish years here, although they have done remarkably well since coming 26th in 2001. That's a long way in anyone's book and they have moved slowly but solidly in the right direction since. Another small step up perhaps? 

Charles Church Camberley
Conductor: R. Cherry

Last 11 Years:
2006: 14th (R. Cherry)
2005: 20th (R. Cherry)
2004: 12th (R. Cherry)
2003: 13th (G. Hughes)
2002: 12th (G. Hughes)
2001: 20th (G. Hughes)
2000: 5th (G. Hughes)
1999: 17th
1998: 15th
1997: N/K
1996: 12th

Charles Church Camberely bounced back last year finishing 14th after they'd hit the buffers somewhat in finishing 20th in 2005.  Apart from 2005, they've been around the 12th-14th position since 2002 so they can do the business and more than hold their own. If they can get close to 5th place that they achieved in 2000 they'll be ecstatic but a squeeze into the top ten will do nicely for now. 

Crystal Palace ‘B'
Conductor: I. Whittaker

Last 11 Years:
Debut

Formed in 1995 the B band has grown remarkably in strength over the past few years. They now have over 20 plus players on a regular basis and their aim this year was to make it to the contest stage here. Some real young ones too will be making their debut, so we wish them well.

Great Yarmouth Brass
Conductor: S. Philpot

Last 11 Years:
2006: 10th (S. Philpot)
2005: 13th in Third Section (rel) (S. Philpott)
2004: 17th (S. Philpot)
2003: 2nd in Fourth Section (prom) (S. Philpot)
2002: 13th (M. Zipfel)
2001: 8th (F. Wellis)
2000: 22nd (M. Zipfel)
1999: 7th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Having come down from the Third Section last year Great Yarmouth put on a solid show in coming 10th.  If they can maintain that progress on Sunday, they'll certainly be heading in the right direction although they will be hoping that their recent history here is not going to start resembling a trampoline bounce – up as high as the third and as low as 22nd in the Fourth. Surely not. 

Harwich RBL
Conductor: A. Sanders

Last 11 Years:
2005: 5th (A. Sanders)

What a cracking debut last year was for Harwich where they finished a well merited 5th.  This Sunday gives them the chance to show everyone that they can maintain that sort of form and that it wasn't a flash in the pan. A. Sanders (not the colonel surely) leads once again. 

Haslemere Town
Conductor: G. Wade

Last 11 Years:
2006: 22nd (G. Wade)
2005: 5th (G. Wade)
2004: 10th (G. Wade)
2003: 17th (G. Wade)
2002: DNC
2001: 6th (G. Wade)
2000: 27th (G. Wade)
1999: 29th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: 21st

Haslemere were heading in the right direction for us up until last year it seems then the wheels, as well as steering wheel and head lamps came off big time as they finished 22nd!  That's a placing that should make them determined to come out fighting again this year and show everyone that they're good enough for a top six place once again – as long as the wheels have been put back in the right place. 

Hungerford Town
Conductor: T. Crouter

Last 11 Years:
2006: 3rd (T. Crouter)
2005: 14th in Third Section (rel) (T. Crouter)
2004: 16th (T. Crouter)
2003: 9th (T. Crouter)
2002: 2nd in Fourth Section (prom)
2001: 12th
2000: 7th
1999: 15th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: 20th

Hungerford did the best thing you can do when you've been relegated and that's bounce back straight away and with 3rd place last year and they went to Harrogate and came a fine 9th place against some pretty tough bands. They'll be hoping for the same this year and promotion into the Third Section and another trip will be the least of their ambitions. If they display the kind of form they showed here last year they could well do just that.  

Jubilee Brass (Oxford)
Conductor: TBA

Last 11 Years:
2006: 19th (C. Sadler)
2005: 16th in Third Section (rel) (K. Membury)
2004: 11th (K. Membury)
2003: 16th (K. Membury)
2002: 3rd in Fourth Section (K. Membury) (prom)
2001: 22nd (K. Membury)
2000: 6th (K. Membury)
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Jubilee Brass came down into the Fourth Section last year and found it hard work to impress the judge as they finished 19th.  They've been as high as 3rd in this section previously, and they will hope to put the experience of last year well and truly behind them for sure and start building for the future. Hope so. 

King's Lynn Town
Conductor: S. Ingham

Last 11 Years:
2006: 11th (S. Ingham)
2005: 8th (S. Ingham)
2004: 9th (S. Ingham)
2003: 13th (D. Taylor)
2002: 22nd (K. Mann)
2001: 12th (K. Mann)
2000: 8th (K. Mann)
1999: 27th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

King's Lynn just dipped a little last year to 11th place having shown plenty of improvement in 2004 and 2005 when they finished in the top ten here.  Nice and consistent then and they have come a long way since the 27th place of 1999! Perhaps the time is just right for them to push for a top six place then?

Letchworth Garden City
Conductor: T. Welch

Last 11 Years:
2006: 6th (T. Welch)
2005: DNC
2004: 15th in Third Section (T. Welch) (rel)
2003: 14th (T. Welch)
2002: 8th in Fourth Section (T. Welch) (prom)
2001: 8th (T. Welch)
2000: 13th (T. Welch)
1999: 17th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Letchworth returned to the contest last year having missed a year and been relegated in 2004 but they showed great spirit to finish in sixth place.  They'll be hoping they can build on that result and head back into the Third Section on Sunday.

Loddon
Conductor: J. Knight

Last 11 Years:
2005: 18th (J. Knight)

Debutants last year and who by no means disgraced themselves with a performance that saw them finish 18th.  Whenever a band makes a debut its not easy to identify how good a performance and placing it was, so this year will give us an indication of the strengths of the band – getting better we hope.  

Newmarket Town Brass:
Conductor: TBA

Last 11 Years:
2000 - 2006: DNC
1999: =21st

Welcome back for Newmarket as they make their first appearance here since 1999. They seem to be quite busy according to their website and they have made the step up here hoping to do well.  

We wish them good luck though and hope they enjoy the ride!

Oxford Templars Brass
Conductor: J. Davis

Last 11 Years:
2005: 17th (J. Davis)

A band with a fabulous name made its debut last year giving a good account of themselves in coming 17th.  As it with other debutantes, its never easy to get a real flavour of how good the band is on a first appearance, so we'll be able to judge where they are more after Sunday – again, hopefully on the up. 

Pangbourne & District Silver
Conductor: N. Hall
 
Last 11 Years:
2006: DNC
2005: 14th (D. Roberts)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2902: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 17th in Third Section (D. Roberts) (rel)

Pangbourne have been through a spell where they've not competed here in recent times; in fact they've only competed twice in recent years, 2000 and 2005.  It's good to see them back though and we wish them well.

Royston Town
Conductor: Simon Jones

Last 11 Years:
2006: 9th (S. Jones)
2005: 7th (G. Smith)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 25th (J. Jones)
2001: 27th
2000: 28th
1999: 17th 

Royston have done well here over the past couple of years after a spell away from the contest with two top ten finishes.  It's going to be interesting to see how the Hertfordshire band get on this year and 8th place at Butlins was a decent start to the contesting year. 

Tadley Concert Brass
Conductor: P. Chapman

Last 11 Years:
2006: 12th (P. Chapman)
2005: 11th (P. Chapman)
2004: 11th (P. Chapman)
2003: 12th (P. Chapman)
2002: 16th (P. Chapman)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Tadley have been pretty consistent here in recent years either finishing and have done more than enough to suggest that if they can just up their game a tad then a top ten place is theirs for the taking. 

Wantage Silver B
Conductor: D. Dullforce

Last 11 Years:
2006: 13th (D. Dullforce)
2005: 17th (P. Uzzell)
2004: 21st (P. Uzzell)
2003: 11th (D. Dullforce)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Wantage came 11th here on their debut back at the contest in 2003 and although that form dipped a little the following year they have been making solid progress in the right direction ever since. Another step in the right direction should be on the cards this weekend too and a top ten place beckons.   

Watford
Conductor: M. France

Last 11 Years:
2006: 4th (M. France)
2005: 19th (M. France)
2004: 19th (M. France)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC

Previously known as the Hosier & Dickinson (Watford) Band, Watford returned to the Regionals in 2004 and didn't make much of a mark. Last year though they put in a cracking show to come 4th and book a trip to Harrogate where although they finished bottom of the pile, still did themselves proud.  They are a band that has come a long way in a short space of time and we think they may have their sights set high again this weekend.  

Wolverton
Conductor: G. Hughes

Last 11 Years:
2006: 16th (J. Mott)
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 9th in Third Section

A return for Wolverton to the contest for the first time since 2000 last year saw them finish in a commendable 16th.  With a new MD at the helm this year we are sure they will be confident of improving on that again.  

Past Qualifiers:
2006: Thundersley Brass, Waterbeach Brass, Hungerford Town, Watford
2005: Norfolk Wherry Brass, Bletchington Silver, Fulham Town
2004: Waterbeach Brass, Potters Bar Town,. Fulham Brass
2003: Great Yarmouth Brass, Woodbridge Excelsior, Hilgay
2002: Sandhurst Silver, Hungerford Town, Jubilee Brass, Ware Brass
2001: Sandhurst Silver, Fulbourn and Taversham, Ware Brass
2000: Canterbury Youth, St. Sebastian's Wokingham, Amersham
1999: Canterbury Youth, St. Sebastian's Wokingham, St. Albans
1998: Stonesfield, Becontree Brass,
1997: Brent Brass, Becontree Brass,
1996: Southend, Becontree Brass, Chichester City
1995: Southend, Crystal Palace, Chichester City  

London bands at the Finals:
2006: 9th, 13th, 14th, 22nd
2005: 5th, 16th, 18th
2004: 1st, 19th, 20th
2003: 13th, 16th, 21st
2002: 10th, 12th, 15th, 20th
2001: 3rd, 13th, 19th
2000: 11th, 15th, 16th
1999: 4th, 7th, 18th
1998: 5th, 8th  

4BR Prediction:

It's anyone's guess who could win this contest – in a field this big, and even the likes of Paul McKenna would do well to predict this one and get it right. 

There are a number of bands that have that unknown quality about themselves as well as consistent outfits and bands that could well spring a surprise or two. There are also a few bands who've done well here in the past and we think they may well be the ones to look out for.

Hungerford could have a clear run with Thundersley and Waterbeach going up to the Third Section. Will Harwich show the form that got them fifth on their debut or will the likes of Watford continue their good form here?  We anticipate that being spot on here gives us as much chance as getting those lucky lottery numbers, but you never know, so here goes.

1. Hungferford Town
2. Watford
3. Chalgrove
4. Letchworth
5. Royston
6. Harwich RBL

Dark Horse: Battle

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