2007 Pontins Championships - Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship - runners & riders
29-Oct-200720 bands line up to try and become the 2007 Pontins champion.
Bactiguard Wire Brass
Conductor: Paul Andrews
4BR Ranking: 75
http:// wire-brass.brasstoff.com
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Mike Jones
Euphonium: James Emberley
Soprano: Billy Parkinson
Horn: Annabel Stapleton
Flugel: Andrea Egginton
Solo Baritone: N/K
Trombone: Adam Taylor
Eb Bass: Chris Parkinson
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 13th (Paul Andrews)
2005: Winners (Second Section) (Paul Andrews)
2004: DNC
2003: 2nd (Second Section) (John Hinckley)
2002: Winners (Third Section) (Paul Andrews)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 5th
Regional Championships: 10th
Senior Trophy: 4th
Fleetwood: 2nd
Having risen to the Championship Section in just over six years, Bactiguard Wire Brass has acquitted themselves well in their first year in the top tier. The Warrington based outfit have settled in well against some decent opposition over the past twelve months although they did discover just how tough the top level is when they competed at the Regionals in March and came 10th.
Twelve months ago here in the Fun Factory Ballroom saw them finish 13th and with more experience under their belt, and we are sure, plenty of hard graft this ambitious outfit should come much higher up this time and a fine 2nd place at the recent Fleetwood contest may have given them a timely confidence boost.
BTM
Conductor: Jason Katsikaris
4BR Ranking: 22
www.btmband.com
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Ian Roberts
Euphonium: Mark Hutcherson
Soprano: Meirion Davies
Horn: Bruce Myers
Flugel: Alexandra James
Solo Baritone: Chris Staker
Trombone: Jonathan Pippen
Eb Bass: Kate James
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 2nd (Jason Katsikaris)
2005: DNC
2004: 10th (David Hirst)
2003: 11th (David Stowell)
2002: 18th (David Stowell)
2001: 9th (David Stowell)
2000: 17th (Gareth Pritchard)
1999: 12th (David Maplestone)
BTM were champions here in 1991 and 1992.
2007 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 3rd
Ebbw Vale: Winners
Regional Championships: 3rd
Grand Shield: 6th
Porthcawl: Winners
All-England International Masters:10th
Burry Port: Winners
Nationals: 7th
What an excellent year 2007 has been for BTM and Jason Katsikaris. It doesn’t seem to matter whether they perform a test piece or an entertainment programme, they’ve only been outside the top six on a couple of occasions and that’s in some distinguished company as well. The latest high class performance came at London when they came 7th and there they were solid and very compact – and well deserving of their final placing.
Its more Sparke this time (and they had a winning run out on the piece at the latest Welsh contest a few weeks ago), so if they’ve enough fuel in the tank, they should do very well here and could well be the band to beat.
Burry Port
Conductor: Michael Thorne
4BR Ranking: 27
www.burryporttownband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Robin Morgan
Euphonium: Ceri John
Soprano: Adrian Williams
Horn: Keith Curtis
Flugel: Jane Stredwick
Solo Baritone: Darren John
Trombone: Jo Hirst
Eb Bass: Gethin Rees
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Porthcawl: 3rd
Regional Championships: 4th
Grand Shield: 13th
Burry Port: 3rd
Not the busiest of years so far for Burry Port but they have had a decent enough return in all of them. Third at the Porthcawl Miners Eisteddfod was followed by them narrowly missing out on a journey to London for the Nationals whilst they most recently gave a good account of themselves at Burry Port coming 3rd behind BTM on this test piece.
First appearance in the top section here (although they did compete here many moons ago in the lower sections) and there is quality in the ranks for sure. It may be asking a bit much for them to push for victory here this year though.
Dalmellington
Conductor: Archie Hutchinson
4BR Ranking: 59
www.geocities.com/dalmellingtonband/
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Sandy McCulloch
Euphonium: David McKellar
Soprano: David Roxburgh
Horn: Chris Dale
Flugel: John Boax
Solo Baritone: Alison O’Donnell
Trombone: Derick Kirkwood
Eb Bass: Ian Taylor
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 5th
Senior Cup:12th
Fife Charities: Winners
Another debutant here and they’ll be certainly ‘up for it’ and looking to take a few scalps along the way on heir first contest appearance in fellow Celtic country.
Dalmellington are a strong and well led outfit who can more than hold their own on the contesting stage having returned back to the top section last year in Scotland. They arrive in North Wales having just won the Fife Charities Band Association Open Contest on 14th October so confidence should be high.
Fishburn
Conductor: Russell Gray
4BR Ranking: 34
http://fishburnband.co.uk/
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: John White
Euphonium: Jeff Bell
Soprano: Malcolm Usher
Horn: Steven Hardy
Flugel: Melissa Maddison
Solo Baritone: Caroline Bell
Trombone: Malcolm Gill
Eb Bass: Colin Shaw
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: 3rd (Chris Bentham)
2004: DNC
2003: 3rd (Graham O'Connor)
2002: DNC
2001: 19th (Ian Robinson)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Butlins: 11th
Regional Championships: 4th
Grand Shield: 18th
Since 2001 Fishburn has competed here on alternate years and they’re back once again for a crack at the title. The past two times they’ve hit form by finishing 3rd on both occasions so they’ll be hoping for another top three finish this time at least.
Their contesting form this year hasn’t been great with lowly placings at Butlins and the Grand Shield although they hit better form at the Regionals. Another band with quality in the ranks and with the added bonus of the experienced Russell Gray at the helm, they should be more than capable of making a real mark.
Friary Guildford Brass
Conductor: Chris King
4BR Ranking: 164
http:// friaryguildfordband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Richard Straker
Euphonium: Andrew Porter
Soprano: Richard Marley
Horn: Nigel Stevens
Flugel: Mark Yarhan
Solo Baritone: Alex Stevens
Eb Bass: Philip German
Trombone: Roland Knight
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 17th (Chris King)
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 9th
Regional Championships: 9th
Senior Trophy: 13th
SCABA Folkestone: 3rd
Friary make the long trip to the North Wales coast from Surrey once again having made their debut here. All that and they were drawn number 1 too! They weren’t at their best on that day and good form has eluded them of late, although there was encouragement at the recent Folkestone Contest where they came 3rd.
First Section nationally from next year they will be determined to go out with a bang we are certain as well as improve greatly on last year’s result.
Jaguar Coventry
Conductor: Dave Lea
4BR Ranking: 83
www.jaguarband.co.uk/
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Bob Baggott
Euphonium: Rob Hunt
Soprano: Darren Lea
Horn: Lynette Wild
Flugel: Andrew Bates
Solo Baritone: Julie Plant
Trombone: Kevin Lea
Eb Bass: Michael Wild
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: 12th (Dave Lea)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Regionals: 8th
Senior Trophy: 11th
Wychavon: 2nd
Jaguar and Dave Lea make a welcome return to Pontins after their last appearance here in 2004.
The past year has seen a mixed bag of form after the highs of London and the US Open this time last year. Solid and hard working and very well led by the experienced Dave Lea at the helm they can mix it when the mood takes them, although they are prone to be touch of inconsistency. Wychavon saw them perhaps at their best, so more of that here and they could well feature.
Langley
Conductor: Cliff Parker
4BR Ranking: Outside top 200
www.langleyband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Craig Stevens
Euphonium: Sarah Frowen
Soprano: David Webb
Horn: Laura Hill
Flugel: Kelly Wall
Solo Baritone: Jean Colley
Trombone: Helen Parker
Eb Bass: Sharon Pemberton
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 19th (Cliff Parker)
2005: 26th (First Section) (Cliff Parker)
2004: DNC
2003: 9th (Second Section) (Cliff Parker)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNE
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 11th
So what of Langley? Cliff Parker continues to do excellent work with his solid band and although they haven’t set the world on fire this year we are sure that they have been working hard on this piece.
The Regional result means that they move down into the First Section nationally next year so they will want to make a final mark here after coming 19th last year. Perhaps the venue is not to their liking, but they are a band that has come a fair old way in the past few years so it’s not all bad news.
Lindley
Conductor: Neil Jowett
4BR Ranking: 197
www.thelindleyband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Glyn Nash
Euphonium: Sean Conway
Soprano: Jason Varley
Horn: Victoria Seville
Flugel: N/K
Solo Baritone: N/K
Trombone: Paul Cryer
Eb Bass: N/K
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 15th (Neil Jowett)
2005: 8th (Neil Jowett)
2004: 14th (Neil Jowett)
2003: 9th (Neil Jowett)
2002: 11th (Neil Jowett)
2001: Winners (First Section) (Neil Jowett)
2000: 9th (Neil Jowett)
1999: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 4th
Senior Cup: 15th
Brighouse March Contest: 4th
There’s plenty of experience within the ranks at Lindley who have a bit of a up and down record here at Pontins in the last few years. If the form book continues as it has then another top 10 place may be on the cards.
Lindley came 4th in the First Section at the areas in March but were 15th at the Senior Cup. If they can just add a touch of extra consistency to their contesting form then they should be up and around the prizes.
Marsden (Ossett Brewery)
Conductor: Glyn Williams
4BR Ranking: 72
www.marsden-band.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jason Evans
Euphonium: Lewis Muson
Soprano: Mark Harrison
Flugel: Kathyrn Adams
Horn: Debbie Lea
Solo Baritone: Dave Woodward
Trombone: Andrew Eastwood
Eb Bass: Matthew Schofield
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 12th (Glyn Williams) (prom)
2005: 1st (Glyn Williams)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: =10th
Senior Trophy: 14th
Whit Friday: 3rd in Saddleworth and Oldham District
Halifax and Calderdale March and Hymn: Winners
Brighouse March and Hymn: 2nd
Easingwold: Winners
Morley March and Hymn: Winners
Marsden and Glyn Williams should not be taken lightly at all. Promoted to the Championship Section in the past year, they’ve had a very decent season that has seen them currently placed 12th in the 4BR Money List.
Quite a bit of that money has come from their successes at the various March and Hymn contests in the summer but at the Regionals and Senior Trophy they’ve not had it so easy though. Highly ambitious and with quality players in the ranks and a talented MD at the helm, they could be in with a real shout here this year.
Parc and Dare
Conductor: Richard Evans
4BR Ranking: 51
www.brassbands.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Carl Saunders
Euphonium: Helen Kinder
Soprano: Paul Eddy
Horn: Mike Saunders
Flugel: Louise Russell
Solo Baritone: Shoko Morimoto
Trombone: James Voros
Eb Bass: Wayne Jenkins
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 21st (Craig Roberts)
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Porthcawl: 2nd
Regional Championships: 7th
Senior Trophy: 7th
It seems rather strange that Parc and Dare have not made the journey from South to North Wales since 2001 but it’s good to see them here again. This year hey will be led by Richard Evans who knows how to win on this piece having taken BNFL to victory at the North West area’s in 1994. A repeat performance then?
The band’s contesting year didn’t start off too well with the snow forcing them to withdraw from Yeovil but they hit form at Porthcawl although disappointed at the areas. A respectable return at Blackpool in the Senior Trophy was OK but they may have to be on top form to really make a mark here this year.
Pemberton Old JJB
Conductor: Mark Peacock
4BR Ranking: 73
www.pembertonoldwiganband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Joanne Johnson
Euphonium: Andy Tyson
Soprano: Ian Twiss
Horn: Chris Sanders
Flugel: Carina Halliwell
Solo Baritone: David Marsh
Trombone: David Chapman
Eb Bass: Stephen Parfitt
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 10th (Mark Peacock)
2005: DNC
2004: 9th (Mark Peacock)
2003: 9th (Nick Sheppard)
2002: 21st (Nick Sheppard)
2001: 9th (R. Evans)
2000: DNC
1999: 5th (Second Section) (H. Bousfield)
2007 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 3rd
Regional Championships: 7th
Senior Cup: 9th
Wychavon: Winners
A pretty decent year so far for Pemberton Old and Mark Peacock. They fared very well at Brass at the Guild in February, came 7th at the Regionals and they continued to hold their own at the same Winter Gardens venue a few weeks later in the Senior Cup.
However, their best performance this year was winning at Wychavon in September so they’ll come to the contest in good heart. We suggested they had the potential to finish in a top six spot here last year that in the end was 10th but they’re more than capable of top six place on their day and with some real high class players in the ranks that is where they may well end up come the results.
Powerfuel Hatfield Colliery
Conductor: Graham O’Connor
4BR Ranking: 53
www.hatfieldband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Trevor Kendall
Euphonium: John Smith
Soprano: Donna Ramsden
Horn: Miles Davison
Flugel: Martin Grimes
Solo Baritone: Pete Jones
Trombone: Andrew Groom
Eb Bass: Robert Browne
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: 8th (First Section) (Graham O’Connor)
2004: 6th (First Section (Graham O’Connor)
2003: DNC
2002: 9th (Second Section) (Graham O’Connor)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 6th
Regional Championships: 5th
Senior Trophy: 5th
The one thing you’ll always get with a band led by Graham O’Connor is a thoroughly prepared and musical performance. 2007 has been a decent year so far with a very impressive 5th place at Bradford in the most difficult regional contest of all, and another solid showing at the Senior Trophy.
If they can play to form then they won’t be too far away at the end of the results and the MD can already boast two victories here to his credit as well.
Raunds Temperance
Conductor: Jonathan Mott
4BR Ranking: Outside top 200
www.raundstemperanceband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Kay Hollingsworth
Euphonium: Martin Beale
Soprano: Gerry Atkins
Horn: Barry Turner
Flugel: Lynda Johnson
Solo Baritone: Andy Overhead
Trombone: Roy Bufton
Eb Bass: Linda Hobbs
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 12th
Another debutant here and the band will be making the long journey from Northamptonshire having taken its place in the Championship Section this year. Jonathan Mott is now at the helm after John Fletcher’s successful tenure with the band came to a close. It’ll be interesting to see how they fare on Sunday as they have had a pretty quiet contesting year so far and have had plenty of time to get a difficult test piece up to scratch.
Sovereign Brass
Conductor: Major Peter Parkes
4BR Ranking: 67
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Claire Hutchinson
Euphonium: Mark Hadlington
Soprano: Mark Tarry
Horn: Robert Allen
Flugel: Sarah Matthews
Solo Baritone: Steve Parsons
Trombone: Mike Wallbridge
Eb Bass: Phil Green
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 19th (Bryan Hurdley)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
Sovereign were champions here 1996.
2007 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 7th
Regional Championships: 3rd
Grand Shield:16th
Wychavon:3rd
Sovereign has a very solid and competent contesting outfit in the last few years outfit that are more than capable of making a significant impact here.
This year has seen the band compete on the contesting stage with three different conductors at the helm: Trevor Jones (Yeovil and Grand Shield), Major Peter Parkes (Regionals) and Mark Vause (Wychavon). The Major returns for Pontins to front the band again and if they can show the form that so nearly got them a Lonbon berth and picked up a decent result at Wychavon you never know.
Staffordshire
Conductor: Michael Fowles
4BR Ranking: 31
www.thestaffordshireband.org.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Paul White
Euphonium: Mark Glover
Soprano: Andy Jennings
Horn: Tracey White
Flugel: Julia Telling
Solo Baritone: Michelle Swift
Trombone: N/K
Eb Bass: Eric Handford
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 6th (Steve Bastable)
2005: Winners (Steve Bastable)
2004: Winners (Steve Bastable)
2003: DNE
2002: 16th (David Maplestone)
2001: 16th (David Maplestone)
2000: 13th (Andy Culshaw)
Staffordshire were champions here in 2004 and 2005.
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: Winners
Grand Shield: 8th
Nationals: 16th
Staffordshire came to Pontins last year on the verge of a hat-trick of titles, gave it their all but had to settle for 6th place. They’re a good band at present on good form too as victory at the Regionals and a solid display at the Grand Shield showed.
A solid enough performance at London last week saw them come a little unluckily down the prize list but that regional win guarantees an outing at the English Nationals next June. Lots of quality to fall back on and a talented MD to bring out their strengths, if they have enough left in the tank after Kensington they could be right up there come the results.
Tavistock Chester-le-Street Riverside
Conductor: Ian Robinson
4BR Ranking: 115
www.riversideband.co.uk/
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tina Mrtimer
Euphonium: Jamie Beeston
Soprano: Matthew Cairns
Horn: Michael Duncan
Flugel: Fiona Wallace
Solo Baritone: Malcolm Hill
Trombone: John Bell
Eb Bass: Phil Ash
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 3rd
Senior Trophy: 15th
Ian Robinson leads the band from the North East to Prestatyn for the very first time this year and they report that they are all looking forward to the delights of a windy Prestatyn.
A hard working band on the up now, despite a poor performance at the Senior Trophy where they didn’t do themselves justice, they were perhaps a tad unlucky not to get to London at the Regionals earlier in the year. Supplies of Newcastle Brown Ale will be severely depleted if they do well on the weekend.
Thoresby Colliery
Conductor: Ian McElligott
4BR Ranking: 66
www. thoresbyband.co.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Pete Collins
Euphonium: Simon Willis
Soprano: Geoff Hawley
Horn: Jackie Greensted
Flugel: Kate Johnson
Solo Baritone: Dave Buckley
Trombone: Neil Wharton
Eb Bass: Keith Latham
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 8th (Martin Heartfield)
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 20th (Stan Lippeatt)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Butlins: 6th
Regional Championships: 7th
Senior Cup:2nd
Thoresby made a return to Pontins last year for the first time since 2002 and they ut up a decent enough fight in coming in the top 10.
2007 has been full of promise so far, and it may well be fulfilled here. They finished 6th at Butlins but suffered disappointment at the Regionals only to return to form under Ian McElligott at the Senior Trophy. Ian returns again as MD Stan Lippeatt is in the box at this event (agreed a long time ago) and that may be a combination that finds favour once more after the Blackpool success. A confident band they could be well in the mix come the results.
Tongwynlais Temperance
Conductor: Gareth Pritchard
4BR Ranking: 33
www. tonband.org.uk
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Evie Nixon
Euphonium: Martyn Patterson
Soprano: Morgan James
Horn: Alyn James
Flugel: David James
Solo Baritone: Gareth Ritter
Trombone: Robin Hackett
Eb Bass: Gavin Saynor
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 3rd (Gareth Pritchard)
2005: DNC
2004: 2nd (Bryn James)
2003: 17th (Steve Sykes)
2002: DNC
2001: 8th (First Section) (ColinHogg)
2000: DNC
1999: 8th (Adrian Morton
2007 Form Guide:
Butlins: 3rd
Porthcawl: 4th
Regional Championships: 8th
Grand Shield: 4th
Whilst 8th place at the Regionals in March was not what was hoped for Tongwynlais has enjoyed a fine return on the contest stage this year. They opened up with a fine 3rd place at Butlins, followed by a disappointing 4th at Porthcawl and then a very good show at the Grand Shield. The Welsh outfit returned to Pontins last year and came 3rd and it seems to be a venue that suits the band. If they can show that type of form again then a podium place or better may be on the cards once more.
Wrexham Brass
Conductor: Wayne Ruston
4BR Ranking: 87
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Graham Taylor
Euphonium: Chris Aubrey
Soprano: Rachel King
Horn: Alison Ruston
Flugel: Chris Brown
Solo Baritone: Mike Amplett
Trombone: Aled Davies
Eb Bass: Malcolm Peach
Past Record at Pontins:
2006: 7th (First Section) (Wayne Ruston)
2005: 10th (First Section) (Wayne Ruston)
2004: Winners (First Section) (Wayne Ruston)
2003: Winners (First Section) (Wayne Ruston)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2007 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 6th
Buxton: 6th
National Eisteddfod: 4th
Wrexham have enjoyed their short sojourn to Pontins over the past few years with two wins in the First Section and a decent result on their debut in the Championship last year.
It’s been a solid enough year of achievement for the band so far with solid performances at Swansea, Buxton and the Welsh National Eisteddfod, so more of the same would do nicely here.
