2008 Spring Festival - Grand Shield: Runners & Riders

We cast our eye over the 20 bands on show this Saturday in Blackpool. Plenty of talented players, determined MDs and lots and lots of pure unbridled ambition to get to Birmingham.

Aveley & Newham
Conductor: Nigel Taken
4BR Ranking: 34

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Gavin Hall
Solo Euphonium: Hannah Morton
Solo Horn: Trevor Foster
Soprano: David Hilton
Flugel: Dave Lewis
Baritone: Stephen Kane
Solo Trombone: Paul Yarrow
Eb Tuba: David Klien
Bb Tuba: Gwyn Press

Blackpool Form:
2007: 15th at British Open (N. Taken) (rel)
2006: Winners (N. Taken) (prom) (16th at British Open)
2005: 10th (N. Taken)
2004: 15th (N. Taken)
2003: 16th (N. Taken)
2002: 4th (N. Taken)
2001: 5th (N. Taken)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
1995: DNC
1994: 13th (as Aveley) (M. White)
1993: DNC

Form Guide:
Things have been a bit quiet of late at Aveley & Newham with a number of personnel changes to what was a pretty settled line up of players.

No early season appearances, but a well earned qualification place at Stevenage will see them head to the Albert Hall once again. After two years when they found out just how big the step up in class was at the British Open, they will be keen to return.    Whether or not they have the ability within the ranks just yet remains to be seen though.   

BTM (PHS)
Conductor: Nigel Boddice
4BR Ranking: 20

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Ian Roberts
Soprano Cornet: Meirion Davies
Flugel: Alexandria James
Solo Horn: Jeff Hutcherson
Solo Euphonium: Mark Hutcherson
Solo Trombone: Jonathan Pippen
Baritone: Tim Jones
Eb Tuba: Kate James
Bb Tuba: Tim Evans

Blackpool Form:
2007: 6th (J. Katsikaris)
2006: 2nd in Senior Cup (J. Katsikaris) (prom)
2005: 5th (T. Wyss)
2004: 5th (D. Hirst)
2003: 7th (D. Stowell)
2002: 9th (D. Stowell)
2001: 18th in Grand Shield (G. Pritchard) (rel)
2000: 4th (G. Pritchard)
1999: DNC
1998: N/K (A. Morrison)
1997: 11th (A. Morrison)
1996: 11th (S. Sykes)
1995: 5th (S. Sykes)
1994: DNC
1993: 6th (M. White)

Form Guide:
A touch mercurial of late, BTM has the undoubted ability to make it to the British Open. They will have to harness the form they showed at the Welsh Regional more than the form they showed at Yeovil and the Welsh Miners Eisteddfod though.

Runner up at Swansea under Graham O’Connor they displayed all the right qualities that will come in handy here, but they were way off the pace in coming 5th at Porthcawl and 8th at Yeovil. Nigel Boddice knows just how to get the best out of a band, and with talented players in the ranks they may be a bit of a Blackpool dark horse.   

Burry Port Town
Conductor: Nigel Seaman
4BR Ranking: 27

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Robin Morgan
Solo Euphonium: Ceri John
Solo Horn: Keith Curtis
Soprano: Adrian Williams
Flugel: Jane Stredwick
Baritone: Daren John
Solo Trombone: Jo Hirst
Eb Tuba: Gareth John
Bb Tuba: Greg Powles

Blackpool Form:
2007: 13th (M. Thorne)
2006: 9th (M. Thorne)
2005: Winners Senior Cup (prom) (M. Thorne)
2004: 11th (D. Evans)
2003: 14th Grand Shield (rel) (D. Evans)
2002: 3rd Senior Cup (prom) (D. Evans)
Before 2002 the band did not compete in these contests

Form Guide:
Burry Port are rebuilding at present, but showed glimpses of their potential both at the Welsh Miners Eisteddfod, where they came 6th and the Welsh Area where they pushed up to 4th spot.

More of that would come in handy here against even stronger opposition as they seek to improve on last year’s hard earned 13th spot. Nigel Seaman is the experienced MD at the helm and his direction could prove decisive for a talented young band with the potential to make a mark this year. 

Freckleton
Conductor: Paul Dalton
4BR Ranking: 69

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Alex Thomas
Solo Euphonium: Pat Howard
Solo Horn: Alan Brewer
Soprano: Phil Symonds
Flugel: Vicky Byrne
Solo Trombone: John  Stevens
Baritone: Dave Wilson
Eb Tuba: Jonathan Hall
Bb Tuba: Andy Cattanach

Blackpool Form:
2007: 4th in Senior Cup (P. Dalton) (prom)
2006: 17th in Grand Shield (P. Dalton) (rel)
2005: 4th in Senior Cup (P. Dalton) (prom)
2004: 13th (P. Dalton)
2003: 19th in Grand Shield (P. Dalton) (rel)
2002: 2nd in Senior Cup (prom)
2001: 18th
The band didn't compete at these contests before 2001.

Form Guide:
Despite the amazingly up and down record of achievement here in the past few years, Freckleton are one of the most consistent bands around.

That said, 2008 hasn’t seen them at the top of their form, coming 10th at Brass at the Guild Hall and 11th at the Area contest here a few months ago. They are a much better band than that, but perhaps a result that will guarantee an extended period of contesting in the Grand Shield may be the best they can achieve this time around.   

Kibworth
Conductor: Gary Wyatt
4BR Ranking: 66

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Carol Smith
Solo Euphonium: Simon Rotchell
Solo Horn: Tracey Rolston
Soprano: Jacob Phillips
Flugel: Will O’Brien
Solo Trombone: Neil Wharton
Baritone: Mark Smith
Eb Tuba: James Rennie
Bb Tuba: Andy Johnson

Blackpool Form:
2007: 3rd in Senior Cup (J. Berryman) (prom)
2006: 16th (J. Berryman)
2005: 17th in Grand Shield (J. Berryman) (rel)
2004: 4th (J. Berryman)
2003: 11th (J. Berryman)
2002: 8th (J. Berryman)
2001: 6th in Senior Cup (J. Berryman) (prom)
2000: 17th (J. Berryman)
The band didn't compete at the contest before 2000.

Form Guide:
A band that has had more than a few changes to its settled ranks over the past few months, Kibworth may well be looking for a safety first return this time around.

The loss of some leading players and the long term MD was a major blow, but in Gary Wyatt they have a talented musician at the helm and someone who is able to bring the best out of his resources. 6th at the Area was a decent start given the circumstances, but they are up against a tough old field of rivals here.  

Leyland
Conductor: Jason Katsikaris
4BR Ranking: 10

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Nick Walkley
Principal Euphonium: Brendan Wheeler
Soprano Cornet: Matt Balson
Solo Trombone: Stephen Sykes
Solo horn: Aidan Smith
Flugel horn: Niki Longdon
Baritone: Katrina Marzella
Eb Tuba: Chris Doran
Bb Tuba: Bill Carter

Blackpool Form:
2007: 3rd (R. Gray)
2006: 4th (R. Gray)
2005: 15th (F. Renton)
2004: 13th (G. Cutt)
2003: 14th in British Open (P. Bassano) (rel)
2002: 11th (G. Cutt)
2001: 9th (B. Grant)
2000: 10th (H. Snell)
1999: 8th (R. Evans)
1998: 6th (R. Evans)
1997: 8th (R. Evans)
1996: 3rd (R. Evans)
1995: 19th (R. Evans)
1994: Winners (R. Evans)
1993: 5th (R. Evans)

Form Guide:
On paper the band to beat – but it is now five years since Leyland last appeared at the British Open, and it does get harder and harder each year to get out from this contest.

Last year they just missed out again but if they play to the type of form they know they can then they should qualify with a little something to spare. 2nd place at the Area was followed recently by 2nd place at the Grenland contest in Norway, so they won’t be taking anything for granted. The new MD and his team won’t mind if it’s a third runner up spot this time around we are sure.       

Mount Charles
Conductor: Andrew Duncan
4BR Ranking: 24

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Ian Thomas
Solo Euphonium: Neil Pascoe
Solo Horn: Sarah Whitehead
Soprano: Jon Small
Flugel: Yasmin Stevens
Solo Trombone: Martin Sanders
Baritone: Terry Sleeman
Eb Tuba: Shaun Woodward
Bb Tuba: Alistair Whitehead

Blackpool Form:
2007: 9th (G. Cutt)
2006: 7th (N. Weeks)
2005: 6th (N. Childs)
2004: 7th (B. Hurdley)
2003: 3rd (B. Hurdley)
2002: 9th (B. Hurdley)
2001: 14th (B. Hurdley)
2000: 8th (R. Evans)
The band didn't compete at the contest before 2000.

Form Guide:
It has been a bit of a strange year so far for Mount Charles, with an unfortunate 9th place at Butlins and 3rd at Yeovil all forgotten when they rather upset the form book at Torquay by winning the West of England Area title and booking their place at the Albert Hall in October.

It seems the Scottish/Cornish combination is now working very nicely indeed and they do enjoy their trips to Blackpool, with a fine record of consistency over the past few years. With confidence high after their recent success, Mount Charles could well feature highly again come the announcement of the results. 

Newstead Brass
Conductor: Duncan Beckley
4BR Ranking:  56

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Kirk Turner
Soprano Cornet: Philip White
Flugel: Michael Corden
Solo horn: Sandra Kowalenco
Solo Trombone: Colin Davenport
Solo Euphonium: Lyndon Cooper
Baritone: Mandy Cheetham
Eb Tuba: Paul Whyley
Bb Tuba: Mark Hanson

Blackpool Form:
2007: 14th (D. Beckley)
2006: Winners of Senior Cup (D. Beckley) (prom)
2005: 8th (D. Beckley)
2004: 20th in Grand Shield (D. Beckley) (rel)
2003: 5th in Senior Cup (D. Beckley) (prom)
2002: 2nd in Senior Trophy (D. Beckley) (prom)
Didn't compete at the contests before 2002.

Form Guide:
Another band in search of a touch of inspiration come Saturday. Newstead came 4th at Brass at the Guild Hall, 7th at the Area contest in Burton upon Trent and runner up just a week ago at the Buxton contest.

All pretty decent enough returns on paper, but nothing as yet to frighten their rivals into thinking they are a band to fear. That said, they have shown in the past that they can mix it with the bigger boys in the contesting playground, so don’t write off their chances, and the run out at Buxton on this piece may well put them a few points ahead of their rivals already.  

Pennine Brass
Conductor: Huw Thomas
4BR Ranking: 36

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: JJ Lees
Soprano Cornet: Mark Wears
Flugel: Craig Whitehead
Solo Horn: Laura Lea
Solo Euphonium: Mike Fox
Solo Trombone: N/K
Baritone: Cath Hill
Eb Tuba: Katherine Wohlman
Bb Tuba: Peter Denton

Blackpool Form:
2007: 15th (I. Porthouse)
2006: 5th (I. Porthouse)
2005: 5th (I. Porthouse)
2004: 2nd in Senior Cup (I. Porthouse) (prom)
2003: Winners of Senior Trophy (I. Porthouse) (prom)
2002: 12th (I. Porthouse)
The band didn't compete before 2002.

Form Guide:
The departure of founding conductor Ian Porthouse has left a major hole to fill for the talented lads and lasses at Pennine. However, they have already shown that they are more than up to doing just that after coming a highly creditable 7th under Ray Farr at the Yorkshire Area. 

They have now teamed up with the talented Huw Thomas and they will be keen to show that last year’s 15th place as a blip in what seemed to by an inexorable rise to the British Open itself. Whether they can do it this year remains to be seen, but they may well be worth a bet. 

Redbridge
Conductor: Jeremy Wise
4BR Ranking: 47

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Craig Burnett
Soprano Cornet: Bob Stradling
Flugel: Alan Roberts
Solo Horn: Simon Jones
Solo Euphonium: Lisa Brill
Trombone: David Read
Baritone: John Stokes
Eb Tuba: Robin Norman
Bb Tuba: Graham Patterson

Blackpool Form:
2007: 12th (M. White)
2006: 12th (M. White)
2005: 16th (M. White)
2004: 16th (M. White)
2003: 4th in Senior Cup (prom) (M. White)
2002: 5th Senior Trophy (prom) (M. White)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
1995: 18th Grand Shield (J. Clark)
1994: 7th Grand Shield (J. Clark)
1993: 15th Grand Shield (J. Clark)

Form Guide:
Another band that has to try and rebuild somewhat after losing their long term MD, Melvin White. They certainly showed that they still retained plenty of contesting confidence in winning the London Area title yet again under the baton of Rob Wiffen, and the appointment of the equally experienced Jeremy Wise could be another inspired move. 

Not the greatest of records here though over the past few years, but perhaps we haven’t seen the best of them yet, and with confidence high after their recent victory they could be a band that forces its way right into the mix.    

Reg Vardy
Conductor: Allan Ramsay
4BR Ranking: 21

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jim Heyes
Principal Euphonium: Paul Robinson
Soprano Cornet: Tom Glendinning
Solo Trombone: Chris Bentham
Solo horn: Andrew Hall
Flugel horn: Joanne Winspear
Solo Baritone: Laura Boyle
Eb Tuba: Steve Malcolm
Bb Tuba: Alistair Storey

Blackpool Form:
2007: 13th at British Open (R. Farr) (rel)
2006: 17th (Ray Farr)
2005: 9th (Ray Farr)
2004: 8th (Ray Farr)
2003: 8th (Ray Farr)
2002: 15th (Ray Farr)
2001: 2nd in Grand Shield (R. Farr) (prom); 12th at British Open (Ray Farr)
2000: DNC
1999: 16th (R. Childs)
1998: 5th (N. Childs)
1997: DNC
1996: 15th (D. Hirst)
 
Form Guide:
The other form band on paper? The question mark remains in place though about Reg Vardy, even though they won the North of England Area title with a classy performance a couple of months ago.

That still hasn’t eradicated the memories of some pretty dire contesting performances prior to that, but they did show in Darlington just what had been missing. Now that they are back on track can, Allan Ramsay continue the work and get Reg Vardy back to the British Open at the first attempt?  

Sovereign Brass
Conductor: David Maplestone
4BR Ranking: 57

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Claire Hutchinson
Soprano: Mark Tarry
Euphonium: Mark Hadlington
Flugal: Sarah Matthews
Solo Horn: Robert Allen
Trombone: Mike Wallbridge
Baritone: Steve Parsons
Eb Tuba: Phil Green
Bb Tuba: Andrew Monk

Blackpool Form:
2007: 16th (T. Jones)
2006: 14th (S. Roberts)
2005: 3rd in Senior Cup (T. Jones) (prom)
2004: 15th (T Jones)
2003: 11th (W. Ruston)
2002: 14th (J. Hinckley)
2001: 10th (D. Beckley)
2000: DNC
1999: 13th in Grand Shield (S. Roberts) (rel)
1998: DNC
1997: 15th (D. Maplestone)
1996: 7th (D. Maplestone)
1995: 7th (D. Maplestone)
1994: 6th (D. Maplestone)
1993: 12th (D. Maplestone)

Form Guide:
Another band that has been experiencing a bit of a fluctuating season so far. Sovereign put behind them a thoroughly disappointing Yeovil where they came 11th to come close to wining a place at the Royal Albert Hall after coming 3rd at the Midlands Area contest.

Which Sovereign Band will turn up here then? Over the last couple of years they haven’t made sort of impression here, but they have the ability to take quite a few scalps on their day and in David Maplestone they possess a very talented MD at the helm.   

Staffordshire
Conductor: Simon Kerwin
4BR Ranking: 40

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Paul White
Solo Horn: Tracey White
Solo Euphonium: N/K
Solo Trombone: Roger Norish
Soprano Cornet: Andy Jennings
Flugel: Rob Smith
Baritone: Michelle Swift
Eb Tuba: Eric Handford
Bb Tuba: Paul Dale
 
Blackpool Form:
2007: 8th (D. Maplestone)
2006: 3rd (S. Bastable)
2005: 2nd in Senior Cup (S. Bastable) (prom)
2004: Winners Senior Trophy (D. Maplestone) (prom)
2003: 14th in Senior Cup (D. Maplestone) (rel)
2002: 3rd in Senior Trophy (D. Maplestone) (prom)
2001: 17th (A. Culshaw)
2000: DNC
1999: 18th Grand Shield (A. Culshaw) (rel)
1998: 11th (A. Culshaw)
1997: 7th (A. Culshaw)

Form Guide:
Staffordshire very nearly made it to the British Open in 2006 when they came 3rd here, but since then they have fallen away a touch and came 8th last time out.

This year hasn’t been a success so far with 4th place at the Regional contest at Burton upon Trent followed a week or so ago by 5th place at the Buxton contest, playing this piece. That run out will have done them good of course, but this contest is packed with bands who will not be frightened by that type of form. Staffs may have work to to do then to really make a mark here again.   

Stockport Brass
Conductor: Mike Fowles
4BR Ranking: 49

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Peter Shaw
Solo Euphonium: Jamie Meredith
Solo Horn: Helen Varley
Soprano: Renate Saele
Flugel: Claire Mumford
Baritone: Paul Greenwood
Solo Trombone: Tom Swatland
Eb Tuba: Andy Griffith
Bb Tuba: Marcus Jones

Blackpool Form:
2007: 11th (M. Fowles)
2006: 15th (M. Fowles)
2005: 8th (M. Fowles)
2004: 3rd in Senior Cup (M. Fowles) (prom)
2003: 15th in Grand Shield (M. Fowles) (rel)
2002: 11th (M. Fowles)
2001: 12th (M. Fowles)
2000: 23rd in British Open (P. Bailey) (rel)
1999: 16th British Open (P. Bailey)
1998: 2nd in Grand Shield (prom); 9th British Open (G. O'Connor)
1997: 8th (A. Lawton)
1996: DNC
1995: 20th (J. Maines)
1994: 4th (J. Maines)
1993: 16th (J. Maines)

Form Guide:
The former BT Band has overcome the loss of their sponsorship with a huge amount of character and no little success, and now as Stockport Brass they are carving out what seems to be a rosy contesting future too.

6th at Brass at the Guild Hall was followed by a well earned 6th place at the North West Area, and although they haven’t really set the stage alight here in the last couple of years they do have in front and behind the stands to out that right this year. A return to the British Open this year may just be beyond them, but you never can tell.  

Thoresby Colliery
Conductor: Stan Lippeatt
4BR Ranking: 74

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Neil Day
Solo Euphonium: Simon Willis
Solo Horn: Jackie Greenstead
Soprano: Geoff Hawley
Flugel: Kate Johnson
Solo Trombone: Ian Cognito
Baritone: Dave Buckley
Eb Tuba: Keith Latham
Bb Tuba: Dave Howells

Blackpool Form:
2007: 2nd in Senior Cup (I. McElligott) (prom)
2006: 3rd Senior Trophy (M. Heartfield) (prom)
2005: 8th (M. Heartfield)
2004: 19th in Senior Cup (J. Hudson) (rel)
2003: 20th in Grand Shield (J. Hudson) (rel)
2002: 4th in Senior Cup (S. Lippeatt) (prom)
2001: 14th (S. Lippeatt)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 21st Grand Shield (S. Lippeatt) (rel)
1996: DNC
1995: 19th Grand Shield (S. Lippeatt)
1994: DNC
1993: 17th Grand Shield (S. Lippeatt)

Form Guide:
Up until a couple of years ago it really was hit or miss here for Thoresby as they bounced around the sections.

After dropping to the Senior Cup though it has been upward and onward ever since, and they showed that they are continuing to move in the right direction in 2008 with a hard earned 7th place at Butlins and 5th at the Midlands Area. This is another step up in class, but they won’t be short of confidence for sure under Stan Lippeatt.  

Tongwynlais Temperance
Conductor: Gareth Pritchard
4BR Ranking: 37

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Gareth Hann
Soprano: Morgan James
Flugel: David James
Solo Horn: Alyn James
Solo Euphonium: Martyn Patterson
Solo Trombone: Robin Hackett
Baritone: Ceri Isfryn
Eb Tuba: Christian Breistein
Bb Tuba: Andrew Robbins

Blackpool Form:
2007: 4th (G. Pritchard)
2006: 3rd in Senior Cup (G. Pritchard) (prom)
2005: 2nd in Senior Trophy (G. Pritchard) (prom)
2004: 13th (B. James)

Form Guide:
If the Tongwynlais of Butlins (3rd) and Blackpool last year (4th) turns up and plays to form then they could well find themselves heading to Symphony Hall come September. If on the other hand the band that performed under par at Swansea (7th) takes to the stage then they certainly won’t.

Bags of talent and confidence, Tongwynlais has shown on any number of occasions of late under Gareth Pritchard that they are just about on the cusp of making the big breakthrough, only to just fall short. This could be a piece that suits them though, so they could be well worth a few bob at the bookies.   

Tredegar
Conductor: Ian Porthouse
4BR Ranking: 16

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Dewi Griffiths
Principal Euphonium: Darren Morris
Soprano Cornet: Steve Barnsley
Solo Trombone: Steve Turton
Solo horn: Chris Davies
Flugel horn: Andrea Lewis
Baritone: Geraint Chamberlain
Eb Tuba: Gethin Rees
Bb Tuiba: Gareth Young

Blackpool Form:
2007:  7th (A. Ramsay)
2006: 11th (G. Cutt)
2005: 18th in British Open (T. Wyss) (rel)
2004: 19th (Russell Gray) (15)
2003: 9th (Russell Gray) (18)
2002: 8th (Steve Bastable) (18)
2001: 13th (Steve Bastable) (17)
2000: 8th (Steve Bastable) (12)
1999: 7th (James Scott) (20)
1998: 7th (James Scott) (11)
1997: 6th (James Scott) (3)
1996: 2nd (Nicholas Childs) (9)
1995: 13th (Nicholas Childs) (2)
1994: 16th (Nicholas Childs) (18)
1993: 2nd in Grand Shield (J. Hudson) (prom)

Form Guide:
Interesting one this. If they play like they did in winning the Welsh Area by 3 points then Tredegar will be close to qualification back to the British Open for the first time since 2005.

They also won the Welsh Miners Eisteddfod with something to spare too, but away from the Principality they haven’t been on such good form and only came 6th at Yeovil. Shouldn’t be lacking confidence, but they are still not the finished product and it’s a tough old field to compete against here.   

Virtuosi GUS
Conductor: John Berryman
4BR Ranking: 32

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: John Hudson
Principal Euphonium: Robert Woods
Soprano Cornet: Gary Fountain
Solo Trombone: Chris Jeans
Solo horn: Simon Smith
Flugel horn: Cliff Pask
Baritone: Mark Giles
Eb Tuba: Linda Hobbs
Bb Tuba: Mike Smith

Blackpool Form:
2007: 5th (R. Wiffen)
2006: 10th (D. Stowell)
2005: 4th (D. Stowell)
2004: 5th (D. Stowell)
2003: 15th in British Open (P. Parkes) (rel)
2002: 17th (B. Grant)
2001: 10th (F. Renton)
2000: 7th (M. White)
1999: 10th (M. White)
1998: 21st (M. White)
1997: 17th (J. Berryman)
1996: 16th (J. Berryman)
1995: 4th (J. Berryman)
1994: 15th (J. Berryman)
1993: 8th (J. Berryman)

Form Guide:
A famous old banding name returning to the type of form that once saw them be British Open contenders on a regular basis.

2008 has confirmed that they are heading back in the right direction after claiming 4th place at Butlins and then runner up spot at the Area contest at Burton upon Trent. With the craftiest of MDs at the helm and with plenty of payer talent to call upon they should fancy their chances of a return to the British Open for the first time since 2003.     

Wingates
Conductor: Andrew Berryman
4BR Ranking: 23

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Andy MacDonald
Flugel: Lizi Sawyer
Solo Euphonium: Liz Pope
Solo Trombone: Jonathan Parkes
Soprano: Nigel Fielding
Solo Horn: Lucy Pankhurst
Baritone: Katie Smallwood
Eb Tuba: Mick Morris
Bb Tuba: Mark Hart

Blackpool Form:
2007: Winners of Senior Cup (A. Berryman) (prom)
2006: 11th (R. Newsome)
2005: 9th (P. McCann)
2004: 8th (R. Curran)
2003: 8th (R. Curran)
2002: 18th in Grand Shield (J. Gourlay) (rel)
2001: 9th (B. Grant)
2000: 6th (J. Gourlay)
1999: 23rd in British Open (J. Davies) (rel)
1998: 15th (C. Wormald)
1997:  DNC
1996: Winners Grand Shield (N. Childs) (prom): 9th in British Open (G. Whitham)
1995: 21st British Open (J. Hudson) (rel)
1994: 17th (J. Hudson)
1993: 6th (J. Hudson)

Form Guide:
One of the fancied runners for certain. Wingates is enjoying an extended period of success under the baton of Andy Berryman and the good times are back in Westhoughton.

Whether or not they are quite good enough to return to the British Open for the first time since 1999 is open to question, but after coming 2nd at Butlins and missing out on a trip to the Albert Hall by the narrowest of margins at the North West Area where they came 4th, they won’t want to be disappointed again. They may not be. 

Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel
Conductor: William Rushworth
4BR Ranking: 30

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Alan Fowler
Euphonium: Adrian Nurney
Soprano: Richard Hanson
Trombone: Richard Taylor
Solo Horn: Laura Brown
Flugel: Jeanette Baker
Solo Baritone: Bill Hodgson
Eb Bass: Ronnie Rees-Davies

Blackpool Form:
2007: 10th (R. Farr)
2006: 18th British Open (C. Houlding) (rel)
2005: DNC
2004: 17th (John Hinckley)
2003: 10th (David Evans)
2002: 7th (David Evans)
2001: 14th (David Evans)
2000: 18th (Thomas Wyss)
1999: 15th (Thomas Wyss)
 
Form Guide:
A late MD replacement could go one of two ways for Imps – an inspired move to gain a place back at the British Open or a sign of a troubled band.

William Rushworth is a talented conductor, but can he turn around the fortunes of a band that this year has come 8th at Butlins and 10th at the Yorkshire Area? It will be some achievement if he does, but the band has plenty of talented raw materials for him to work with.

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