2009 Pontins Championship - Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship - Runners & Riders
22-Oct-200916 bands line up to try and become the 2009 Pontins champion by overcoming the very tough test that is Montage.
Ashton-under-Lyne
Conductor: Martyn Evans
4BR Ranking: 94
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Peter Shaw
Euphonium: Brent Warren
Soprano: Phil Ramsden
Horn: Gary Ashworth
Flugel: Jason Smith
Baritone: Terry Wagstaff
Trombone: Dave Priestley
Eb Bass: Tony Winterbottom
Bb Bass: Gary Roylance
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: Winners of First Section (M. Evans)
2007: DNC
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: 4th (P. Chalk)
2003: 5th (D. Morris)
2002: 4th
2001: 6th
2000: Winners of First Section
1999: Winners of Second Section
2009 Form:
Regionals: 3rd
Tameside Open: Winners
Senior Cup: 11th
Whit Friday: Tameside Local Area Champions
Ashton returns to the Championship Section here for the first time since 2004 having won the First Section last year.
They will relish the opportunity of mixing it again at this level, and although it's not been the busiest of years on the contesting stage for the Lancastrians they impressed at the Area contest and took the honours at the Tameside Open just a couple of weeks later.
Burry Port
Conductor: Craig Roberts
4BR Ranking: 37
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Chris Jenkins
Principal Euphonium: Ceri John
Soprano Cornet: Tim Davies
Trombone: Jo Hirst
Horn: Tara Smith
Flugel: Jayne Stredwick
Baritone: Daren John
Eb Bass: Eilir Alexander
Bb Bass: James Davies
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: Withdrew
2007: 14th (M. Thorpe)
2006: DNC
2005: Withdrew
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 8th
Welsh Open: 4th
Regionals: 9th
Senior Cup: 4th
Ebbw Vale: 2nd
Burry Port: 2nd
The Welsh contenders hit the national headlines this year after they went to Libya but on the contest stage they've been consistent in the local Welsh contests and managed to get themselves promoted to the Grand Shield.
The major disappointment will have been the Area result, but 2nd on their home turf two weeks ago on this test piece will have shown them just how much work they will have had to do to make a mark here.
Derwent Brass
Conductor: Keith Leonard
4BR Ranking: 142
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: David Neville
Euphonium: Adam Rutter
Soprano: Dai Roberts
Horn: Graham Johnson
Flugel: Pam Davis
Baritone: Adrian Drewitt
Trombone: Martyn Johnson
Eb Bass: Neil Riddle
Bb Bass: Steve Gratton
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 13th (K. Leonard)
2007: DNC
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: 11th in First Section (K. Leonard)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Regionals: 9th
Senior Trophy: 3rd
Bolsover Entertainment: 5th
Under the experienced Keith Leonard, Derwent made their debut last year and gave a decent account of themselves. They return though looking to make more of a mark after what has been a solid year of contesting.
The high point was without doubt their 3rd place in Blackpool on their debut in the Senior Trophy to gain promotion to the Senior Cup and they showed a bit of versatility too in coming 5th recently at Bolsover Entertainment Contest.
Felling
Conductor: Graeme Tindall
4BR Ranking: 97
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Wil Earl
Euphonium: David Scholes
Soprano: Yvonne Malcolm
Horn: Trevor Winch
Flugel: Stacey Ghent
Baritone: Phil Richardson
Trombone: Mal Gill
Eb Bass: Steve Malcolm
Bb Bass: Dan Knott
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 9th (G. Tindall)
2007: DNC
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 5th
Senior Trophy: 15th
2008 was a significant year for Felling as they acquired Championship Section status and immediately made an impression especially at the Areas.
It has been a little tougher this season however, with 5th place at Darlington and a lowly 15th place at Blackpool at the Senior Trophy. A return to better form then is what is needed this weekend.
Jackfield Elcock Reisen
Conductor: Simon Platfield
4BR Ranking: Outside top 200
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Gayle Bussey
Euphonium: Tony Hartley
Soprano: Kerry Ruston
Horn: Chris Capps
Flugel: Ian Burns
Baritone: Pete Woodley
Trombone: Simon Holland
Eb Bass: Brian James
Bb Bass: Darrin Smith
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 9th in First Section (J. Maines)
2007: 5th in First Section (J. Maines)
2006: 18th in First Section (J. Maines)
2005: 4th in Second Section (J.Maines)
2004: 10th (I. Viney)
2003: DNC
2002: 20th (C. Lewis)
2001: 6th (C. Lewis)
2000: 5th (I. Dickinson)
2009 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 4th
Regional Championships: 13th
Weston Super Mare: 6th
A solid enough season for Jackfield so far, but one that hasn’t really set the pulses racing.
They have been making very steady moves up the results table here though over the past few years, and whilst their returns at Brass at the Guild, Bedworth and Weston were pretty average, they could well make an impression on this field if they hit top form.
Kidlington
Conductor: TBA
4BR Ranking: 191
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tom James
Euphonium: Matt Hill
Soprano: Ed Clark
Horn: Marilyn Elliot
Flugel: Dick Cox
Baritone: Mike Gomme
Trombone: Eddie Eccles
Eb Bass: Simon Handley
Bb Bass: John Underwood
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: DNC
2007: DNC
2006: 22nd (B. Wassell)
2005: 13th (B. Wassell)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 22nd (C. Underwood)
2001: DNC
2000: 19th (C. Underwood)
2009 Form Guide:
Yeovil: 7th
Regional Championships: 9th
Weston Super Mare: 2nd
Kidlington returns here after a couple of years break. Pontins hasn’t exactly been the happiest of contesting venues, but the band has had its moments at National level contests over the years.
Not overly busy on the contest stage this year, but they hit form at Weston in the spring after a solid enough showing at Yeovil and a fairly non-descript outing at Stevenage.
Marsden
Conductor: Glyn Williams
4BR Ranking: 48
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet:Jason Evans
Euphonium: Lewis Musson
Soprano: Mark Harrison
Flugel: Laura Hobbins
Horn: Debbie Lea
Baritone: NK
Trombone: Andrew Eastwood
Eb Bass: Matthew Schofield
Bb Bass: Andrew Goodier
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 8th (G. Williams)
2007: 2nd (G. Williams)
2006: 12th in First Section (G. Williams)
2005: Winners of First Section (G. Williams)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 8th
Senior Cup: Winners
Whit Friday: Local Saddleworth and Oldham Winners
Brighouse March and Hymn: Winners
Morley March and Hymn: Winners
St Helens: 2nd
Glyn Williams and his band continue to make a name for themselves on the contesting stage with some terrific performances. In the cauldron of the Yorkshire Championship Section they've maintained their elite status and have pushed on by winning the Senior Cup as well as adding some lucrative march and hymn titles to their name too this year.
They came close to winning here in 2007 too and were many peoples tip last time pout. 3rd time lucky then?
NUS/UWT Riverside
Conductor: Ian Robinson
4BR Ranking: 167
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tony Thompson
Euphonium: Jamie Beeston
Soprano: Richard Martin
Flugel: Fiona Wallace
Horn: Michael Duncan
Solo Baritone: Malcolm Hill
Trombone: John Bell
Eb Bass: Phil Ash
Bb Bass: N/K
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: DNC
2007: 19th (Ian Robinson)
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 3rd
Senior Trophy: 2nd
Great to see the North East outfit return this year and they could prove to be a contender that has certainly found its form on the contesting stage this year.
They narrowly missed out on a qualification place to London, but rectified that at the Senior Trophy. A busy band on the concert stage, if they excel here, they could be in with a real shout of taking the title back home with them.
Skelmanthorpe
Conductor: John Roberts
4BR Ranking: 40
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jo Payne
Euphonium: Robert Cavander
Soprano: Robert Jagger
Horn: Laura Brown
Flugel: Sian Linney
Baritone: Charmain Gott
Trombone: N/K
Eb Bass: Martin Oke
Bb Bass: Mark Wilkinson
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 4th in First Section (J. Roberts)
2007: Winners of First Section (J. Roberts)
2006: DNC
2005: Withdrew
2004: 7th (K. Wadsworth)
2003: Winners (K. Wadsworth)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Butlins: 11th
Regional Championships: 6th
Holmfirth Contest: Winners
Senior Cup: 2nd
Skelmanthorpe has not be phased at all by the step up in class from First to Championship Section in the last twelve months.
Butlins was a tough baptism but they equipped themselves well, whilst Bradord was a great result in anyone’s book. That was topped by their runner up spot at the Senior Cup though and with time on their side, they should come here confident of adding more silverware to the trophy cabinet.
Sovereign Brass
Conductor: David Hirst
4BR Ranking: 63
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Claire Hutchinson
Euphonium: Mark Hadlington
Soprano: Bob Stradling
Horn: Bob Allen
Flugel: Sarah Matthews
Baritone: Annabel Whitmore
Trombone: Mike Wallbridge
Eb Bass: Dan Bridgewater
Bb Bass: Andy Monk
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: Winners (P. Parkes)
2007: 3rd (P. Parkes)
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 19th (B. Hurdley)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild 3rd
Regional Championships: 7th
Grand Shield: 8th
All England Masters: 13th
The defending champions, and the band with the pedigree on paper. Sovereign benefited from the baton of Peter Parkes last year and took the title in fine style, and they will be keen to repeat the feat this time around under the experienced David Hirst.
It’s been a bit hit and miss so far this year, with decent returns at Brass at the Guild Hall and the Grand Shield offset by some fairly colourless returns at the Regionals and the Masters. Time to show their quality then.
Staffordshire
Conductor: Huw Thomas
4BR Ranking: 73
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Paul White
Euphonium: Michael Ixer
Soprano: Andy Jennings
Horn: Tracey White
Flugel: Zoltan Vincze
Baritone: Michelle Swift
Trombone: Roger Norish
Eb Bass: Paul McGhee
Bb Bass: Paul Dale
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 4th (H. Thomas
2007: 15th (M. Fowles)
2006: 6th (S. Bastable)
2005: Winners (S. Bastable)
2004: Winners (S. Bastable)
2003: DNE
2002: 16th (D. Maplestone)
2001: 16th (D. Maplestone)
2000: 13th (A. Culshaw)
2009 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 12th
Senior Cup 8th
Huw Thomas is firmly established now as the band's MD and has brought stability back to the band after a real dodgy period when things looked a bit grim.
They've not quite found the form that they showed in winning the title twice in a row here a few years ago, but there were encouraging signs at the Senior Cup that things might be looking up once more. Hope so.
Stannington
Conductor: Derek Renshaw
4BR Ranking: 125
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Richard Dowling
Euphonium: Ged Hancock
Soprano: Dale Garner
Horn: Karen Bolt
Flugel: Kirsty Cook
Baritone: Dave McClure
Trombone: Andrew Platts
Eb Bass: Lindon Bolt
Bb Bass: John Grayson
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: DNC
2007: DNC
2006: 17th in First Section (P. Ratnik)
2005: DNC
2004: DNC
2003: 7th in First Section (J. Hopkinson)
2002: DNC
2001: Winners of Second Section (J. Hopkinson)
2000: 14th in Second Section (J. Hopkinson)
2009 Form Guide:
Regional Championships: 10th
Bolsover Entertainment: 6th
Dronfield: Winners
Great to see Stannington and Derek Renshaw here this year. Life in the Championship was a touch daunting for them in Bradford but they delivered a pretty good account of themselves against the strongest regional field in the country.
Didn’t quite hit the heights at Bolsover but posted a decent win at Dronfield to ensure hopes are high for at least a few scalps on the weekend.
Tongwynlais Temperance
Conductor: Philip Harper
4BR Ranking: 52
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Gareth Hann
Solo Euphonium: Martyn Patterson
Solo Trombone: Robin Hackett
Soprano: Morgan James
Flugel: David James
Horn: Alyn James
Baritone: Robert Fox
Eb Bass: Chris Eveson
Bb Bass: Dai Syvret
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 5th (P. Harper)
2007: 5th (G. Pritchard)
2006: 3rd (G. Pritchard)
2005: DNC
2004: 2nd (B. James)
2003: 17th (S. Sykes)
2002: DNC
2001: 8th in First Section (C. Hogg)
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Welsh Open: 3rd
Regional Championships: 2nd in First Section
Grand Shield: 16th
Wychavon: 4th
National Finals: Winners of First Section
The form band of the contest?
Tongwynlais and Philip Harper are really producing the business together and have had a fabulous year. The drop to the First Section has reinvigorated the band to such an extent that they now come here as one of the favourites to take the title.
Their last outing at Harrogate showed that they are a very competitive top section outfit (the win was as clar as any in recent years) , so could this be the year in which a First Section band wins the Championship Section Pontins title?
Wantage Brass
Conductor: Philip Bailey
4BR Ranking: Outside top 200
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Steve Chapman
Euphonium: Ian Brown
Soprano: Brian Thomas
Horn: Judith Chapman
Flugel: Nicola Morell
Baritone: Eddie Yarker
Trombone: Chris Thomas
Eb Bass: Steve Sizeland
Bb Bass: Julian Shirley
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 10th (P. Bailey)
2007: DNC
2006: 10th in First Section (P. Bailey)
2005: DNC
2004: 13th in First Section (M. Pegram)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 6th in Second Section (M. Pegram)
2000: 8th in Second Section (R. White)
2009 Form Guide:
Regional Championships:7th
Senior Trophy: 8th
Great to see Wantage making the long haul up from the London area once again, and this time they will be looking to build on last year's 10th place.
The band continues to make good progress under Philip Bailey with a solid 7th place at the Regionals in Stevenage and 8th at the Senior Trophy. They have also picked up some new signings of late, with one ambitious eye on this contest in particular. Could the strategy pay off we wonder?
Wire Brass
Conductor: Paul Andrews
4BR Ranking: 43
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Mike Jones
Euphonium: Kim Holly Thorp
Soprano: Billy Parkinson
Horn: Annabel Stapleton
Flugel: Andrea Egginton
Baritone: Marianne Cliff
Trombone: Ben Knowles
Eb Bass: Richard Behrend
Bb Bass: Andy Mooney
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: 2nd (P. Andrews)
2007: 8th (P. Andrew)
2006: 13th (P. Andrews)
2005: Winners of Second Section (P. Andrews)
2004: DNC
2003: 2nd in Second Section (J. Hinckley)
2002: Winners of Third Section (P. Andrews)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
2009 Form Guide:
Brass at the Guild: 7th
Regional Championships: 4th
Grand Shield: 7th
Having come 2nd here a year ago, Wire Brass has continued its good form in 2009 and Paul Andrews' band is surely one of the favourites to take the title.
They missed out on London by one place, beating Wingates and Leyland into the bargain at the Regionals and 7th at the Grand Shield showed just how far they had come under the MD’s baton in such a short pace of time. Some major silverware is on the cards – so could it be this weekend?
Woodfalls
Conductor: Melvin White
4BR Ranking: 72
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Kevin Darby
Euphonium: Graham Lawrence
Soprano: Mark Pye
Horn: Paul Street
Flugel: Kelly Evans
Baritone: Chantal Pye
Trombone: Scott Stewart
Eb Bass: Terry Cawte
Bb Bass: Nobby Clarke
Past Record at Pontins:
2008: DNC
2007: DNC
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: 8th (M. White)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 5th (P. Parkes)
2000: 13th (P. Bailey)
2009 Form Guide:
Butlins: 8th
Yeovil: 6th
Regional Championships: 5th
Senior Cup: 6th
How things have changed in twelve months. The loss of sponsorship saw Woodfalls put a plea out for funds and for a moment their future looked in doubt. However, they have rallied and the fine spirit which has seen them become a strong contesting force remains in place.
It hasn’t been a great year on the contesting stage so far, but under the vastly experienced Melvin White they should be confident here for a push towards the big prize money.
