2009 Spring Festival - Senior Cup: Runners and Riders
7-May-200920 bands are just one step away from the Grand Shield and a couple of strides away from the British Open. 4BR looks at the runners & riders who hope to get through on the weekend.
Aldbourne
Conductor: Melvin White
4BR Ranking: 162
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Richard Hughes
Soprano Cornet: Paul Bilkey
Flugel: Claudia Hughes
Solo Horn: Tim Dixon
Solo Euphonium: Adam Lowndes
Solo Trombone: Simon Ridge
Baritone: Graham Palmer
Eb Tuba: Gareth Jones
Bb Tuba: James Sheppard
Blackpool Form:
2008: 13th (M. White)
2007: 6th (D. Barringer)
2006: 7th (S. Sykes)
2005: 3rd in Senior Trophy (S. Sykes) (prom)
2004: 11th (N. Seaman)
2003: 17th in Senior Cup (I. Holmes) (rel)
2002: 6th in Senior Trophy (I. Holmes) (prom)
Form Guide:
Only one contesting performance for Aldbourne so far in 2009 and a 6th place at Torquay. When they produce the goods, as they did in Torquay the are a fine ensemble to listen to, and in Melvin White they have one of the most experienced MDs around.
Last year’s result must be set against the problems they were experiencing at the time, but this year they have sounded a much stronger outfit.
Ashton under Lyne
Conductor: Martyn Evans
4BR Ranking: 87
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Matt Henry
Principal Euphonium: Brent Warren
Soprano Cornet: Phil Ramsden
Solo Trombone: Dave Priestley
Solo Horn: Gary Ashworth
Flugel Horn: Will Morley
Solo Baritone: Terry Wagstaff
Eb Bass: Tony Winterbottom
Bb Tuba: Gary Roylance
Blackpool Form:
2008: 15th (C. Whiteoak)
2007: 17th in Grand Shield (P. Chalk) (rel)
2006: 19th British Open (P. Chalk) (rel)
2005: 17th (Philip Chalk)
Form Guide:
It’s not that long ago Ashton were mixing it with the elite bands at Symphony Hall but having slipped down the pecking order over the past couple of years, there are signs that the Tameside outfit are very much on the way up again.
Martyn Evans has returned as MD and that has rejuvenated their competitive spirits, with a fine win at the Tameside Contest on their last outing.
Bo'ness and Carriden
Conductor: Steve Sykes
4BR Ranking: 165
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Hugh Foster
Soprano Cornet: Richard Tobin
Flugel: Sarah Findlay
Solo Horn: Suzanne Shand
Solo Euphonium: Scott Cameron
Solo Trombone: Gregor Stewart
Baritone: Fiona Rodger
Eb Tuba: Toni Pacher
Bb Tuba: David Lapsley
Blackpool Form:
2008: 11th (M. Marzella)
2007: 3rd in Senior Trophy (M. Marzella) (prom)
2006: 18th in Senior Cup (S. Lippeatt) (rel)
2005: 16th (D. Hirst)
2004: 12th (D. James)
2003: 5th in Senior Trophy (I. Davey) (prom)
2002: 10th (I. Davey)
Form Guide:
Steve Sykes takes over the baton at Bo’ness this year and will be looking to continue the good form shown by the band at the Spring Festival in the last few years.
The band failed to make an impression of any sorts at the Scottish Championships a few months back, so they will want to get back on track here. It’s asking a great deal of them but you never know.
Bournemouth Concert
Conductor: Jonathan Camps
4BR Ranking: 157
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Joel Heys
Soprano: Kevin Hughes
Flugel: John Kidby
Horn: Alf Hughes
Euph: Stephen Didcott
Trombone: Lloyd Bartlett
Baritone: Bradley Rouillier
Eb Tuba: Bill Willis
Bb Tuba: Phil Henley
Blackpool Form:
2008: 9th (J. Camps)
2007: 13th (D. Hayward)
2006: 10th (C. Davies)
2005: 7th (P. Cosh)
2004: 9th (D. Hayward)
2003: 2nd in Senior Trophy (D. Hayward) (prom)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 18th in Grand Shield (N. Taken) (rel)
Before 2002 the band did not compete in these contests
Form Guide:
It’s not been the best of starts to 2009 for Bournemouth who finished 13th at Yeovil and were a long way off the pace in Torquay in coming 9th.
They will need to up that form on the weekend of they are to carry on their gradual improvement in the results table and a top six place may well be the best they can hope for this time around.
Burry Port Town
Conductor: Craig Roberts
4BR Ranking: 40
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Chris Jenkins
Solo Euphonium: Ceri John
Solo Horn: Keith Curtis
Soprano: Adrian Williams
Flugel: Jane Stredwick
Baritone: Christopher Smith
Solo Trombone: Marc Scaife
Eb Tuba: Gareth John
Bb Tuba: Sarah Jones
Blackpool Form:
2008: 19th in Grand Shield (N Seaman) (rel)
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:
Relegation from the Grand Shield was a disappointment for Burry Port, but the band has been going through a rebuilding period of late.
That was shown at the Welsh Regionals where they could only manage 9th place, but they did put in an encouraging performance at the Welsh Open. A quick return to the Grand Shield may be a bit beyond them at present, but a strong midfield finish should not.
Cwmaman Institute Silver
Conductor: David Evans
4BR Ranking: 62
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tim Malpas
Principal Euphonium: Jeremy Rugman
Soprano Cornet: Carol Flannery-Davies
Solo Trombone: Steve Stonelake
Solo horn: John Jemmett
Flugel horn: Rhian Hills
Baritone: Bill Cross
Eb Tuba: Richard Killen
Bb Tuba: Andrew Rooke
Blackpool Form:
2008: 8th ( D. Evans)
2007: 8th (N. Seaman)
2006: 16th in Grand Shield (J. Corry) (rel)
2005: 12th (J. Hudson)
2004: 16th in British Open (J. Hudson) (rel)
2003: 17th (J. Hudson)
2002: Winners (J. Hudson) (prom); 5th at British Open (J. Hudson)
2001: 3rd in Senior Cup (G. O'Connor) (prom)
2000: 19th in Grand Shield (rel)
1999: 11th
Did not compete before 1999
Form Guide:
It’s not too long ago that Cwmanan finished 5th at the British Open, but since those heady days things have dropped away somewhat.
The good news is that things are looking up now and the rebuilding process has been based on solid foundations. Not quite hitting their best as yet in 2009 with solid if unspectacular returns at Swansea and at the Welsh Open, but perhaps a bit of a dark horse on this one.
Dalmellington
Conductor: Archie Hutchison
4BR Ranking: 75
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Lindsay Roxburgh
Soprano Cornet: David Roxburgh
Flugel: John Boax
Solo Horn: Sheona Hutchison
Solo Euphonium: David McKellar
Solo Trombone: Derick Kirkwood
Baritone: Alison O'Donnell
Eb Tuba: Les Henderson
Bb Tuba: Ian Taylor
Blackpool Form:
2008: 12th (A. Hutchinson)
2007: 12th (A. Hutchison)
2006: 5th (A. Hutchison)
2005: 13th (A. Hutchison)
2004: 14th (R. Evans)
2003: 3rd in Senior Trophy (R. Evans) (prom)
2002: 7th (D. Hirst)
Form Guide:
The experienced Archie Hutchison brings his band south once again to see if they can climb a little closer to an appearance at the British Open.
Twelve months ago it was a case of déjà vu as they finished 12th for the second year in a row but they should be confident of improving on that this time around after their Dundee performance saw them come a well deserved 6th off the number 1 draw.
Fishburn
Conductor: Alan Morrison
4BR Ranking: 53
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: John White
Solo Euphonium: Jeff Bell
Solo Horn: Martin Armstrong
Soprano: Steve Symonds
Flugel: Melissa Madison
Solo Trombone: Andy Hunter
Baritone: Neil Simpson
Eb Tuba: Colin Shaw
B Tuba: Keith Hepworth
Blackpool Form:
2008: 7th (R. Farr)
2007: 18th in Grand Shield (R. Evans) (rel)
2006: 13th (D. Roberts)
2005: 14th (I. McElligott)
2004: 10th (I. McElligott)
2003: 4th (G. O'Connor)
2002: 6th (G. O'Connor)
2001: 10th (I. Robinson)
2000: DNC
1999: 14th (I. Robinson)
1998: DNC
1997: 19th (I. Robinson)
1996: 10th (I. Robinson)
1995: DNC
1994: DNC
1993: DNC
Form Guide:
Big names have come to Fishburn in the last few years, but none as yet has been able to guide the band back towards the British Open.
Ray Farr managed 7th last year with them and this year it is the turn of Allan Morrison. On their day they have the quality to make a real impression, but they were below par at Darlington where they came 4th and will know they will have to up their game somewhat if they are to claim a qualification place.
Kingdom Brass
Conductor: Craig Anderson
4BR Ranking: 50
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Lee Bathgate
Soprano Cornet: Martin Edwards
Flugel: Michelle Cain
Solo Horn: Rachel Neil
Solo Euphonium: Brian Paterson
Solo Trombone: Marion Brackpool
Baritone: Craig Herriot
Eb Tuba: Angus Pearselly
Bb Tuba: Ian Green
Blackpool Form:
2008: 17th (C. Anderson)
2007: 14th (C. Anderson)
2006: Winners of Senior Trophy (C. Anderson) (prom)
2005: 5th (A. Duguid)
2004: DNC
2003: 13th (A. Hutchinson)
2002: 15th (S. Kerwin)
2001: 13th (I. Davey)
Didn't compete at the contests before 2001.
Form Guide:
The talented tuba star Craig Anderson returns to lead a band that are certainly on an upward curve having finished 5th at Dundee.
Having won the Senior Trophy in 2006, they have found the next step up tough going but with that renewed confident in their abilities after the Scottish Championships they could be a band to watch out for. Potential qualifiers if they really do hit form.
Knottingley Silver
Conductor: Dr Owen Wedgewood
4BR Ranking: Outside top 200
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: N/K
Soprano: N/K
Flugel: N/K
Solo Horn: N/K
Solo Euphonium: N/K
Solo Trombone: N/K
Baritone: N/K
Eb Tuba: N/K
Bb Tuba: N/K
Blackpool Form:
2008: 14th (R. Morgan)
2007: 18th (R. Morgan)
2006: 13th (K. Belcher)
2005: 14th (K. Belcher)
2004: 4th in Senior Trophy (K. Belcher) (prom)
Form Guide:
The Yorkshire outfit have not endured the best of times recently on the contesting stage and in Bradford they found ‘Pentacle’ really hard work finishing 9th in the First Section.
They’ve not had the best of times either at Blackpool, finishing a lowly 18th a couple of years ago with marginal improvement last year coming 14th. Dr Wedgewood will have to remedy that then.
Lindley
Conductor: Nick Payne
4BR Ranking: Outside top 200
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Adam Stott
Soprano Cornet: N/K
Flugel: Nicola Sanderson
Solo Horn: Neville Kay
Solo Euphonium: N/K
Solo Trombone: Paul Cryer
Baritone: Martin Gledhill
Eb Tuba: Charles Hindmarsh
Bb Tuba: Andrew Webb
Blackpool Form:
2008: 18th (N. Jowett)
2007: 15th (N. Jowett)
2006: 14th (N. Jowett)
2005: 12th (N. Jowett)
2004: 19th in Grand Shield (N. Jowett) (rel)
2003: 6th in Senior Cup (N. Jowett) (prom)
2002: 16th in Grand Shield (N. Jowett) (rel)
2001: Winners of Senior Cup (N. Jowett) (prom)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: N/K (N. Jowett)
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
1995: 21st in Grand Shield (D. Horsfield)
1994: DNC
1993: 18th (N. Jowett)
Form Guide:
The experienced Neil Jowett returns once more with Lindley looking to set them back on track for a return to the Grand Shield for the first time since 2004.
Like a number of bands though they’ve found The Senior Cup to be a tough contest to get out of and last year’s 18th position was their lowest since they’ve competed in the contest. They survived the rigours of ‘Pentacle’ finishing 8th at Bradford and will hope that Pageantry is more to their liking.
Marsden Silver Prize (Ossett Brewery)
Conductor: Glyn Williams
4BR Ranking: 66
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jason Evans
Soprano Cornet: Andrew Lofthouse
Flugel: Kat Adams
Solo Horn: Debbie Lea
Solo Euphonium: Lewis Musson
Solo Trombone: Andy Eastwood
Baritone: D. Woodward
Eb Tuba: Matt Schofield
Bb Tuba: Andrew Goodier
Blackpool Form:
2008: 3rd in Senior Cup (G. Williams) (prom)
2007: 14th (G. Williams)
2006: 9th (G. Williams)
Form Guide:
Marsden head for Blackpool having now established themselves in Yorkshire’s Championship Section.
Promotion in the Senior Trophy a year ago is further proof that they’re a band who are heading in the right direction and of they can continue in the same rich vein of recent form then they could well find themselves a ste4p closer to the British Open come Saturday night.
Powerfuel Hatfield Colliery
Conductor: Graham O'Connor
4BR Ranking: 72
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Trevor Kendal
Soprano Cornet: N/K
Flugel: Becky Nixon
Solo Horn: Miles Davison
Solo Euphonium: Simon Brookes
Solo Trombone: Andrew Groom
Baritone: Pete Jones
Eb Tuba: Rob Browne
Bb Tuba: Harry McLaughlin
Blackpool Form:
2008: Winners of Senior Trophy (G. O’Connor)
2007: 5th (G. O’Connor)
2006: 12th (G. O’Connor)
Form Guide:
Well, you can’t say Hatfield haven’t got a good record at this contest can you now. Ever since they made their debuts in 2006 they have improved year on year and topped it all last time out with a victory achieved in some considerable style.
The band has now become a very solid and confident top section outfit, and they were unlucky to not feature in the top six at Bradford too, where their mature performance caught the ears of many in the hall if not the box. More of that and they could well be looking at taking a step closer to the British Open.
Ratby Co-operative
Conductor: Michael Fowles
4BR Ranking: 137
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Ian Dickman
Soprano Cornet: Dave Purkiss
Flugel: Guido Damore
Solo Horn: Matt Taylor
Solo Euphonium: Fiona Casewell
Solo Trombone: Becky Moss
Baritone: Kaye Root
Eb Tuba: Laura White
Bb Tuba: Greg Webber
Blackpool Form:
2008: 6th (B. Baker)
2007: 17th (S. Sykes)
2006: 4th in Senior Trophy (B. Baker) (prom)
2005: 11th (R. Newsome)
2004: 18th in Senior Cup (D. Maplestone) (rel)
2003: 18th (K. J. Steward)
2002: 8th (K. J. Steward)
2001: 15th (K. J. Steward)
2000: 15th in Grand Shield (K. J. Steward) (rel)
1999: 6th (K. J. Steward)
Form Guide:
There was a major improvement in form from Ratby last year as Black Dyke’s Brett Baker led them to a well deserved 6th place.
Regular MD Michael Fowles takes over the baton this year and he will be keen to build on that despite a fairly disappointing return at the Regional Championships where they could only manage a lowly 11th place at Bedworth.
Skelmanthorpe
Conductor: John Roberts
4BR Ranking: 45
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jo Payne
Solo Euphonium: Robert Cavender
Solo Horn: William Carter
Soprano: Robert Jagger
Flugel: Clare Daws
Solo Trombone: NK
Baritone: Owen Watson
Eb Tuba: Martin Oke
Bb Tuba: Mark Wilkinson
Blackpool Form:
2008: 5th (J. Roberts)
2007: 7th (J. Roberts)
2006: 8th (J. Roberts)
2005: 19th in Grand Shield (J. Hinckley) (rel)
2004: 8th (K. Wadsworth)
2003: 13th (K. Wadsworth)
2002: 10th (K. Wadsworth)
2001: 4th in Senior Cup (K. Wadsworth) (prom)
The band didn't compete at the contest before 2001.
Form Guide:
One of the form bands of 2008 has made the step up to the Championship Section this year and they’ll be very happy with how things have gone so far.
Butlins was tough going on their debut but they never sounded out of their depth, whilst Bradford confirmed their growing maturity and quality. More of that type of well rehearsed form and they could well be on their way to the Grand Shield – perhaps even as winners.
SWT Woodfalls
Conductor: Dr. Nicholas Childs
4BR Ranking: 74
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Kevin Darby
Soprano Cornet: Mark Pye
Flugel: Adrian Wallace
Solo Horn: Trish Chislett
Solo Euphonium: Graham Lawrence
Solo Trombone: Scott Stewart
Baritone: Chantal Pye
Eb Tuba: Terry Cawte
Bb Tuba: NK
Blackpool Form:
2008: 2nd in Senior Trophy (N. Childs) (prom)
2001 – 2007: DNC
2000: 21st in Grand Shield (P. Parkes) (rel)
1999: 9th (S. Sykes)
1998: 4th (M. White)
Form Guide:
SWT Woodfalls will probably be a touch disappointed at how 2009 has panned out so far.
They didn’t really find their feet at Butlins or Yeovil and didn’t find favour in the box at Torquay either where they came 5th. They appear to have all the right ingredients to do very well here – from the players to the MD, but they have yet to really click. Can’t see that situation continuing here on the weekend though.
Staffordshire
Conductor: Huw Thomas
4BR Ranking: 76
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet:
Solo Horn:
Solo Euphonium:
Solo Trombone:
Soprano Cornet:
Flugel:
Baritone:
Eb Tuba:
Bb Tuba:
Blackpool Form:
2008: 20th in Grand Shield (S. Kerwin ) (rel)
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, but since then they have fallen away alarmingly and dropped through the Grand Shield relegation trap door last time out.
Huw Thomas is a talented musician but the past year hasn’t been an easy one for the band and 12th place at Bedworth indicates that they are in need of a touch of good fortune if those competitive days are to return.
Stocksbridge
Conductor: Miles Davison
4BR Ranking: 131
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Matthew Knowles
Solo Horn: Trevor Goodison
Solo Euphonium: Ian Wright
Solo Trombone: Jamie Ashton
Soprano Cornet: Julian Hallings
Flugel: Jennifer Fawcett
Baritone: Isobel Radford
Eb Tuba: Don Jones
Bb Tuba: Arthur Cutts
Blackpool Form:
2008: 14th (D. Nesbitt)
2007: Winners of Senior Trophy (D. Nesbitt) (prom)
2006: DNC
2005: 10th in Senior Cup
2004: 19th in Grand Shield (D. Renshaw) (rel)
2003: 12th (D. Renshaw)
2002: 5th in Senior Cup (D. Renshaw) (prom)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: 10th in British Open (R. Newsome)
1995: 15th (G. O'Connor)
1994: 8th (G. O'Connor)
1993: 7th (K. Bolton)
Form Guide:
Miles Davison has taken over the reigns at Stocksbridge following the end of the David Nesbitt era and so far its been a happy partnership.
They made into the First Section ‘play-off’ at Butlins and then had another top six finish in Bradford, so they appear to be in pretty decent form then. They’ll head from South Yorkshire in confident mood and although they are up against a strong field of rivals they should be in the mix.
Unison Kinneil
Conductor: Paul Drury
4BR Ranking: 82
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Keith Johnston
Soprano: Owen Downs
Flugel: Tommy Harrower
Solo Horn: Helen Corrigan
Solo Euphonium: Ian Campbell
Solo Trombone: Colin Buchanan
Baritone: Hayley Bain
Eb Tuba: Tom McCrone
Bb Tuba: Graham Kelly
Blackpool Form:
2008: 10th (C. McKenzie)
2007: 10th (C. McKenzie)
2006: 9th (A. Duncan)
2005: 6th (A. Duncan)
2004: 3rd in Senior Trophy (A. Ramsay) (prom)
2003: 10th (A. Ramsay)
2002: 20th in Senior Cup (A. Ramsay) (rel)
2001: 15th (John Hinckley)
Form Guide:
Consistent results here over the last three years for Unison Kinneil but they have been moving ever so slightly away from the promotion places too.
The talented Paul Drury will lead the Scots charge as they look to head towards the Grand Shield. 8th place at the Scottish Regionals wasn’t bad, but they will have to up that form if they are to make a real impression on the weekend.
United Co-op Crewe
Conductor: Jef Sparkes
4BR Ranking: 83
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tony Brookes
Soprano Cornet: Jon Worth
Flugel: Sarah Sparkes
Solo Horn: Annette Sparkes
Solo Euphonium: Nick Birch
Solo Trombone: Gareth Broughton
Baritone: Phil Edworthy
Eb Tuba: Alan Birch
Bb Tuba: Steve Holdcroft
Blackpool Form:
2008: 4th in Senior Trophy (J. Sparkes) (prom)
2007: 9th (J. Sparkes)
2006: 11th (J. Sparkes)
2005: 17th in Senior Cup (J. Sparkes) (rel)
2004: 10th (J. Sparkes)
2003: 12th (J. Sparkes)
2002: 4th in Senior Trophy (J. Sparkes) (prom)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: N/K (J. Sparkes)
Didn't compete at the contests before 1998.
Form Guide:
United Co-op Crewe continues to make good progress under Jef Sparkes.
Having had a couple of years in The Senior Trophy, the band gained promotion twelve months ago and on their last outing in Blackpool, they came 8th in the Championship Section, so they could well be a band to watch out for on the weekend.
