2009 Spring Festival - Grand Shield: Runners & Riders
6-May-200920 bands line up to try and qualify from one of the hardest brass band contests in the world.
Aveley & Newham
Conductor: Nigel Taken
4BR Ranking: 57
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: David Thomas
Solo Euphonium: Derrick Kane
Solo Horn: David Howell
Soprano: Robert Domingue
Flugel: Dave Lewis
Baritone: David Maddocks
Solo Trombone: Nick Lloyd
Eb Tuba: David Klien
Bb Tuba: Gwyn Press
Blackpool Form:
2008: 10th (N. Taken)
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:
With no qualification for the Royal Albert Hall in October and a disappointing showing at Yeovil, it has to be said it’s been a disappointing start to the 2009 contesting year for Aveley & Newham.
They may only just missed out on the Nationals, but they were not up against the strongest field of rivals and they will also be determined to try and gain the local bragging rights once more over Redbridge, who come to the contest flushed with recent success. They have done it before here when no-one quite expected it, so what odds this weekend?
Bactiguard Wire Brass
Conductor: Paul Andrews
4BR Ranking: 48
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Mike Jones
Soprano Cornet: Billy Parkinson
Flugel: Andrea Egginton
Solo Horn: Annabel Stapleton
Solo Euphonium: Kim Holly Thorpe
Solo Trombone: Ben Knowles
Baritone: Marianne Cliff
Eb Tuba: N/K
Bb Tuba: Nick Jones
Blackpool Form:
2008: 2nd in Senior Cup (P. Andrews) (prom)
2007: 4th in Senior Trophy (P. Andrews) (prom)
Form Guide:
Bactiguard Wire Brass has had two contesting outings so far this year - 7th at Brass at the Guild Hall wasn’t that great, but they certainly delivered the goods at the Regionals in coming 4th.
That also meant that they took quite a few top class scalps too – some of whom will be here this weekend. They seemed to like the contesting ambience them of the Winter Gardens – especially as they have two promotions in the past two years here too. A real dark horse then.
East Yorkshire Motor Services
Conductor: Frans Violet
4BR Ranking: 39
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Neil Day
Solo Euphonium: Neil Johnson
Solo Horn: Alison Grantham
Soprano: John Belton
Flugel: Kathy Newiss
Solo Trombone: Mark Unsworth
Baritone: John Matthews
Eb Tuba: David Fox
Bb Tuba: Stephen Gibson
Blackpool Form:
2008: Winners Senior Cup (F Violet) (prom)
2007: 5th (J. Davies)
2006: 6th (J. Davies)
2005: 20th in Grand Shield (J. Gillam) (rel)
2004: 18th (G. Pritchard)
2003: 9th (G. Pritchard)
2002: Winners of Senior Cup (G. Pritchard) (prom)
2001: DNC
2000: 14th (G. O'Connor)
1999: DNC
1998: N/K (J. Roberts)
1997: 6th (A. Snell)
Did not compete in these contests before 1997.
Form Guide:
Total joy for EYMS so far this year as they deservedly took the North of England title in March and performed so well at Butlins too.
Frans Violet was the man behind their success in the Senior Cup twelve months ago and it comes as no surprise that he’s been appointed to lead their challenge here on the weekend. They’ll be confident that’s for sure and if they repeat the form of Darlington then they could well be in the mix once more.
Flowers
Conductor: Garry Cutt
4BR Ranking: 25
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Chris Howley
Principal Euphonium: Andy Hicks
Soprano: Paul Eddy
Solo Horn: Phil Randall
Flugel: Danny Winder
Solo Trombone: Rob Marsh
Baritone: Carolyn Chandler
Eb Tuba: Ryan Breen
Bb Tuba: Steve Gittings
Blackpool Form:
2008: 9th in British Open (P. Harper) (rel)
2007: Winners (P. Harper) (prom)
2006: 6th (P. Harper)
2005: 3rd (P. Harper)
2004: 9th (P. Harper)
2003: 7th (P. Harper)
2002: 3rd (P. Harper)
2001: 21st British Open (rel)
2000: 19th British Open (R. Evans)
1999: 19th British Open (B. Hurdley)
1998: Winners (prom); 14th British Open (B. Hurdley)
1997: 10th (B. Hurdley)
1996: 9th (P. Bailey)
1995: DNC
1994: 17th (D. Williams)
1993: DNC
Form Guide:
If there is ever a band that will testify how tough it is to get out of the Grand Shield, it is Flowers.
It took them six years to get back to Birmingham after relegation in 2001 and now they find themselves back here again. Victory at Yeovil and qualification for London has seen the best possible start to the year though and with Garry Cutt, at the helm they should be confident that they will be in and around those priceless qualification places once more.
Freckleton
Conductor: Gareth Pritchard
4BR Ranking: 88
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Alex Thomas
Solo Euphonium: Pat Howard
Solo Horn: Caroline Cross
Soprano: Mike Golding
Flugel: Russell Queenan
Solo Trombone: John Stevens
Baritone: Janet Taylor
Eb Tuba: Peter Lockett
Bb Tuba: Andy Cattanach
Blackpool Form:
2008: 18th (P. Dalton)
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:
Freckleton remain one of the most consistent contesting outfits around, but sometimes they don’t always get the results perhaps they deserve.
They produced the goods at Preston in February in coming runner up at Brass at the Guild Hall but it didn’t happen for them on ‘Pentacle’ a month later when they dropped far down the field at the Regionals. Gareth Pritchard comes in as a bit of a last minute dep after Paul Dalton’s unlucky break, but that could spur the band on this time around.
Jaguar (Coventry)
Conductor: David Lea
4BR Ranking: 95
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Darren Lea
Solo Euphonium: David Taylor
Solo Horn: James Lewis
Soprano: Clive Purnell
Flugel: Andrew Bates
Solo Trombone: Kevin Lea
Baritone: NK
Eb Tuba: Mick Wild
Bb Tuba: Simon Archer
Blackpool Form:
2008: 3rd in Senior Cup (D. Lea) (prom)
2007: 11th (D. Lea)
2006: 15th (D. Lea)
2005: 18th in Grand Shield (D. Lea) (rel)
2004: 12th (D. Lea)
2003: 2nd in Senior Cup (D. Lea) (prom)
2002: 10th
2001: 16th in Grand Shield (rel)
2000: 16th in British Open (rel)
1999: 2nd in Grand Shield (prom); 22nd in British Open
1998: N/K
1997: DNC
1996: 18th Grand Shield
Form Guide:
Jaguar (Coventry) continues to search for consistency. Twelve months ago they were in top form to finish 3rd in the Senior Cup and claim a place back at the Grand Shield.
At the Areas though, they were a touch off the mark ending in 6th position, but they are now moving back in the direction under the excellent Dave Lea that saw them compete at the Open at the turn of the Millennium.
Kibworth
Conductor: John Hudson
4BR Ranking: 93
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Carol Smith
Solo Euphonium: Simon Rotchell
Solo Horn: Tom Gray
Soprano: Steve Alexander
Flugel: Clara Catt
Solo Trombone: Terry Goodman
Baritone: Mark Smith
Eb Tuba: Andy Johnson
Bb Tuba: James Rennie
Blackpool Form:
2008: 10th (G. Wyatt)
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:
The past couple of years have not been the easiest of times for Kibworth with the loss of players and conductors, but they have rebuilt and come to the contest determined to do well.
10th place at the Regionals was a pretty decent effort given the recent circumstances and if they can build on that under the baton of John Hudson then another top 10 finish could well be within their grasp.
Mount Charles
Conductor: Andrew Duncan
4BR Ranking: 30
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Ian Thomas
Solo Euphonium: Neil Pascoe
Solo Horn: Sarah Whitehead
Soprano: Jon Small
Flugel: Tim Whitehead
Solo Trombone: Martin Sanders
Baritone: Terry Sleeman
Eb Tuba: Shaun Woodward
Bb Tuba: Alistair Whitehead
Blackpool Form:
2008: 8th (A. Duncan)
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 a lowly 9th place at Yeovil in February and then the Torquay curse striking at the Regionals, where as defending champions they could only manage 4th place.
They do have an admirable (or should that be frustrating) record here at Blackpool though and are more than capable of producing the goods on the day. Can they finally make the breakthrough though?
Newstead Brass
Conductor: Duncan Beckley
4BR Ranking: 65
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Kirk Turner
Soprano Cornet: Dave Bird
Flugel: Michael Corden
Solo horn: Sandra Kowalenco
Solo Trombone: Colin Davenport
Solo Euphonium: Lyndon Cooper
Baritone: Jo Bird
Eb Tuba: Jim Brailsford
Bb Tuba: Mark Hanson
Blackpool Form:
2008: 17th (D. Beckley)
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:
You can never write off any band under the leadership of Duncan Beckley, but they will have to up their form from their most recent appearance at Buxton last weekend where they could only manage 5th place against a field that wouldn’t cut the mustard here.
They haven’t set the world on fire at the Winter Gardens either in the past two years, but still managed to get to London. Something to prove then, or where they just keeping things under wraps in Buxton. We’ll see on Saturday.
Pemberton Old Wigan JJB
Conductor: Mark Bentham
4BR Ranking: 38
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Joanne Johnson
Soprano Cornet: John Atkinson
Flugel: Carina Halliwell
Solo Horn: Chris Sanders
Solo Euphonium: Andy Tyson
Solo Trombone: David Chapman
Baritone: David Marsh
Eb Tuba: Stephen Parfitt
Bb Tuba: Dave McGlynn
Blackpool Form:
2008: 4th in Senior Cup (M. Peacock) (prom)
2007: 9th (A. Hobbins)
2006: 12th (M. Peacock)
2005: 4th in Senior Trophy (M. Peacock) (prom)
2004: 9th (M. Peacock)
2003: 19th in Senior Cup (G. Cutt) (rel)
2002: Winners of Senior Trophy (A. Lawton) (prom)
Form Guide:
Mark Bentham has only been at Pemberton Old JJB under a year but already the man who made Hepworth into a top outfit, has already started to do the business.
Victory at Brass at the Guild was followed by qualification for London in a very strong field, and they’ll head to Blackpool in fear of no one. Promoted from the Senior Cup last year, what odds another step up this weekend?
Redbridge
Conductor: Jeremy Wise
4BR Ranking: 29
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Ralph Brill
Soprano Cornet: Martin Britt
Flugel: Alan Roberts
Solo Horn: Megan Morgan
Solo Euphonium: Lisa Brill
Trombone: Jayne Murrell
Baritone: Colin Leggett
Eb Tuba: Colin Bearman
Bb Tuba: Graham Patterson
Blackpool Form:
2008: 9th (J. Wise)
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:
Victories at Butlins and Stevenage indicate that Redbridge are the most ‘in-form’ band of 2009. They’ve been victors at Stevenage six times since 2002, but winning at Skegness really raised a few eyebrows.
Since promotion from the Senior Cup in 2004 though, they’ve never produced their best at this contest, with just the one top 10 finish since 2004. That may all be about to change come Saturday night.
Reg Vardy
Conductor: Russell Gray
4BR Ranking: 26
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:
2008: 6th (A. Ramsay)
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:
Reg Vardy come to Blackpool with something to prove. Their hegemony in the North East was broken by EYMS at the Regionals and they were heading for a possible return to the British Open here last year until the wheels fell off with qualification in sight.
All the quality on paper to more than make a mark, but they are prone to inconsistency. Much will depend on what Russell Gray can conjure out of the hat then, or it could be another near miss.
Rothwell Temperance
Conductor: David Roberts
4BR Ranking: 14
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: James McCabe
Principal Euphonium: Andrew Marsh
Soprano: Paul Argyle
Solo Horn: Catherine Roberts
Flugel: Richard Golding
Solo Trombone: Nick Walker
Baritone: Andy Padgett
Eb Tuba: Edward Hodkin
Bb Tuba: Ben Ridgeon
Blackpool Form:
2008: 17th in British Open (D. Roberts) (rel)
2007: 9th in British Open (D. Roberts)
2006: 14th in British Open (D. Roberts)
2005: 5th in British Open (D. Roberts)
2004: Runners Up in Grand Shield (D. Roberts (prom)
2003: Winners of Senior Cup (prom) (D. Roberts)
2002: 15th Grand Shield (rel) (D. Roberts)
2001: 8th Grand Shield (D. Roberts)
2000: 7th Grand Shield (D. Roberts)
Didn’t compete here before 2000.
Form Guide:
If you are crowned the Yorkshire Area Champion you might not expect to have to qualify for the British Open, but that’s what the contesting gods have decreed should happen to Rothwell.
They were a little unlucky to find themselves back here after their performance at the Open last year, but that was then and this is now, and perhaps that jolt to the sytem did them a power of good. If they can show the form of Blackpool once again then there is more than enough quality in the ranks for them to return Birmingham with something to spare. Being Yorkshire champion though doesn’t make that a certainty – and they know it.
Sovereign Brass
Conductor: Trevor Jones
4BR Ranking: 71
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Claire Hutchinson
Soprano: Bob Stadling
Euphonium: Mark Hadlington
Flugal: Sarah Matthews
Solo Horn: Robert Allen
Trombone: Mike Wallbridge
Baritone: Steve Parsons
Eb Tuba: Phil Green
Bb Tuba: Craig Williams
Blackpool Form:
2008: 12th (D. Maplestone)
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:
Sovereign are a band whose form can fluctuate somewhat. Winning Pontins late last year shows just how good they are on their day, but since then they have failed to show the same form with disappointing returns at Brass at the Guild Hall and the Regionals.
What then can we expect this weekend from band that has only posted midfield finishes here for the past three years?
Thoresby Colliery
Conductor: Ian McElligott
4BR Ranking: 85
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Pete Collins
Solo Euphonium: Simon Willis
Solo Horn: Jackie Greenstead
Soprano: Geoff Hawley
Flugel: Kate Johnson
Solo Trombone:Billy Gerraint
Baritone: Dave Buckley
Eb Tuba: Eddie Anguish
Bb Tuba: Dave Howells
Blackpool Form:
2008: 16th (S. Lippeatt)
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:
Thoresby have bounced up through the sections at Blackpool in the past couple of years and two successive promotions saw them arrive in the Grand Shield a year ago.
Finishing 16th wasn’t their finest hour but a 3rd place finish at the Midlands Area in March was the perfect confidence booster. A repeat of that form and they could well be looking at a top 10 finish or better.
Tongwynlais Temperance
Conductor: Philip Harper
4BR Ranking: 49
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: Andrew Tossell
Eb Tuba: Chris Eveson
Bb Tuba: Nick Wills
Blackpool Form:
2008: 11th (G. Pritchard)
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:
Whilst they’ve dropped out of the Championship Section, Tongwynlais have started on the road back in fine style, qualifying for Harrogate in September after an excellent performance in Swansea.
Philip Harper has started to work his brand of exciting contesting magic on the band too, and they will fancy their chances on the weekend, as they seem to like it here given their results of the last two years.
Tredegar
Conductor: Ian Porthouse
4BR Ranking: 11
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet:
Principal Euphonium:
Soprano Cornet:
Solo Trombone:
Solo horn:
Flugel horn:
Baritone:
Eb Tuba:
Bb Tuiba:
Blackpool Form:
2008: 3rd (I. Porthouse)
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:
Twelve months ago Tredegar could hardly put a foot wrong on the contesting stage and 3rd place was a tough pill to swallow.
They don’t come here in quite the same commanding form however, with second places on three of their outings this year and an exhausting trip from the Europeans in Ostend to overcome.
8th place last weekend at the Europeans was a decent result however and they did produce a fine account of ‘Contest Music’ as their own choice selection. If they can overcome the fatigue and raise themselves again in such a short space of time, they should be one of the favourites to return to the Open.
Virtuosi GUS
Conductor: John Berryman
4BR Ranking: 35
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: James Fountain
Principal Euphonium: Mark Giles
Soprano Cornet: Gary Fountain
Solo Trombone: Chris Jeans
Solo horn: Simon Smith
Flugel horn: Cliff Pask
Baritone: Jo Stephenson
Eb Tuba: Linda Hobbs
Bb Tuba: Mike Smith
Blackpool Form:
2008: 4th (J. Berryman)
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 compete for the ultimate prize at the British Open on a regular basis.
The Butlins and the Midlands Championships have seen them come close to honours but they have also been inconsistent too, coming a disappointing 4th at the Midlands Area.
They have come close to qualification in the past two years and many tipped them for victory after a fine performance twelve months ago. A repeat of that type of form and they should be there or thereabouts once more.
Wingates
Conductor: John Hinckley
4BR Ranking: 34
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Andy MacDonald
Flugel: David Moore
Solo Euphonium: Gary Curtin
Solo Trombone: Beth Calderbank
Solo Horn: Lucy Pankhurst
Baritone: Katie Raisebeck
Eb Tuba: Jon Davies
Bb Tuba: Mark Hart
Blackpool Form:
2008: 5th (A Berryman)
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:
Wingates make the short journey to Blackpool looking for a boost. At Butlins earlier in the season they were inconsistent although entertaining, and they have to contend with the news that their inspirational MD, Andrew Berryman is no longer at the helm.
John Hinckley has bags of experience however and there is more than enough talent in the ranks to ensure they should once again be a force to be reckoned with come the announcement of the results.
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel
Conductor: Richard Evans
4BR Ranking: 58
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:
2008: 15th (W. Rushworth)
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:
As with Wingates, Imps head over the Pennines in search of a confidence booster.
They were a fair way off the pace at Bradford on ‘Salute to Youth’ and there have been rumours of comings and goings and organisational problems. It would be a pity to see a former British Open winner struggle here, but they will know, no one has the right to expect to get an easy ticket to Birmingham.
