2009 Midlands Regional Championship - Fourth Section: Runners & Riders
9-Mar-2009Its like a return to the good old days a Fourth Section packed with bands!
Sunday 15th March
Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College
Adjudicators: David Hirst & Derek Southcott
Test Piece: The Talisman – Frank Hughes
First Draw: 9.30am
Second Draw: 11.30am
Commences: 10.30am
Bestwood Black Diamonds
Conductor: B. Draper
Last 12 Years:
2008: 6th (D. Clark)
2007: 8th (B. Draper)
2006: =18th (B. Draper)
2005: 10th (B. Draper)
Brian Draper returns this year with his band, and hopefully he will be a Diamond Geezer for them too.
6th last year was another move in the right direction, and they put in a fine performance to come a well deserved 6th at Butlins recently too. A 24 carat performance will get them to Harrogate then.
Burbage Silver
Conductor: A. Ellis
Last 12 Years:
Debut
A return to the contesting scene for the band for the first time since 1999 according to their website, although the band has a histiry that goes back to 1907!
In the last two years they have rebuilt from just a handful of players to over 23 and they are set to enjoy their debut appearance here we are sure. We wish them well, and they recently showed their form in coming 3rd at the Leamington Contest as well as runner up at Bolsover late last year. A dark horse maybe?
Ceramic Brass
Conductor: S. Churchill
Last 12 Years:
Debut
The newest and friendliest band around they say and the band from the Potteries which was formed in 2007 makes a welcome debut at the contest this year.
They do seem a happy lot on their website and we think they will certainly enjoy their first outing here for sure. The first of many more appearances to come we hope too.
Corby Silver
Conductor: G. Riseley
Last 12 Years:
2008: 19th (K. Espin)
2007: 16th (K. Espin)
2006: DNC
2005: 12th (C. Stevens)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 14th
2001: 6th
2000: 13th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
Corby will want to put in a decent show this yar after falling away last time out to come 19th.
It wasn’t too bad a performance, bu they will know they wil have their work cut out on The Talisman if they are to return to the midfield places or better.
Croft Silver
Conductor: I. Needham
Last 12 Years:
2008: 2nd (I. Needham)
2007: 13th (S. Burton)
2006: 17th (S. Burton)
2005: 18th in Third Section (S. Burton) (rel)
2004: DNC
2003: 11th (C. Jones)
2002: 17th in Second Section (rel)
2001: 11th
2000: 20th
1999: 7th
1998: 7th
1997: 3rd in Third Section (prom)
After their relegation from the Third Section in 2005, Croft has posted increasingly better results here – culminating in that runners up spot 12 months ago.
That sent the band to Harrogate where they did struggle a little coming in 20th place. The experience would have been invaluable however and a repeat performance to get there again must be their ambition.
Dronfield (CMW)
Conductor: J. Davis
Last 12 Years:
2008: 14th in Third Section (A. Tyler) (rel)
2007: 12th (A. Tyler)
2006: 4th in Fourth Section (A. Tyler) (prom)
2005: 7th (A. Tyler)
2004: 6th (R. White)
2003: 7th (N/K)
2002: 14th in Third Section (K. Mackintosh) (rel)
2001: 9th (M. Knowles)
2000: 11th (N/K)
1999: 6th
1998: DNC
1997: 16th in Second Section (rel)
After two years in the Third Section, Drofield returns, and those results may not quite have reflected the bands performances both here and at Pontins late last year when they came 10th in the Third Section.
They have started 2009 off with 14th at Butlins, so they will know that they can’t take anything for granted here if they are to make a mark.
Fairfield (Buxton)
Conductor: C. Kitchen
Last 12 Years:
2008: 17th (C. Kitchen)
2007: 12th (C. Kithcen)
2006: 16th in Third Section (C. Kitchen) (rel)
2005: 19th (C. Kitchen)
2004: 13th (C. Kitchen)
2003: 19th (C. Kitchen)
2002: 11th
2001: 19th
2000: 15th
1999: 4th
1998: 4th in Third Section (prom)
1997: 8th
Fairefield will be looking to turn around their contesting fortunes this weekend for sure after they came 17th last year.
It has been a bit of a gradual decline here in the past few years, so time for all that to stop and to post an encouraging result.
Ilkeston Brass
Conductor: Dave Jones
Last 12 Years:
2008: 15th (D. Jones)
2007: 23rd (D. Jones)
2006: =18th (D. Jones)
2005: 6th (D. Jones)
2004: 5th (D. Jones)
2003: 15th in Third Section (D. Jones) (rel)
2002: 17th (D. Jones)
2001: 18th in Second Section (D. Jones) (rel)
2000: 19th
1999: 12th
1998: 13th
1997: 18th
Dave Jones has been quietly going about his business here at Ilkeston and after a bit of an up and down period the band seems to have found its feet after coming 15th last year.
That was a real improvement from 2007, and a further move up the results table may well be in store.
Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield)
Conductor: Ian Knapton
Last 12 Years:
2008: 12th (I. Knapton)
2007: 18th (I. Knapton)
2006: =20th (I. Knapton)
2005: 17th (I. Knapton)
2004: 15th (I. Knapton)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
One of thefavourites perhaps? Ireland has made excellent progress both here and on their travels of late – rising from 20th to 12th in a couuple of years here for instance.
However it has been the startling form of late that has caught the eye – runners up spots at both Butlins and Derby. Another one of those and a trip to Harrogateis theirs.
Malvern Mills & District
Conductor: J. Swindells
Last 12 Years:
2008: 14th (M. West)
2007: 16th in Third Section (M. West) (rel)
2006: 14th (M. West)
2005: 13th (N. Hall)
2004: 7th (M.West)
2003: 5th (M.West)
2002: 10th
2001: 10th
2000: 2nd in Fourth Section (prom)
1999: 2nd
1998: 16th in Third Section (rel)
1997: 13th
Malvern returned to the Fourth Section last year folowing their relegation in 2007, and they put in adecent enough performance to end up in 14th spot.
They have been a competitive band here in the past, coming runner up at the turn of the Millennium, so they know what is needed. Now they have to deliver.
Market Rasen RPC
Conductor: S. Askew
Last 12 Years:
2008: 18th (A. Needham)
2007: 10th (A. Needham)
2006: 14th (A. Needham)
2005: 3rd (B. Mathews)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 9th in Third Section (rel)
2001: 7th
2000: 14th
1999: 11th
1998: 3rd in Fourth Section (prom)
1997: 5th
The band from the famous racecourse town will be long odds it would seem to gain a qualification place on the weekend - but long shots do come in every now and again.
They have shown that they can mix it with the best in the past – not so long ago in fact, so if they have been doing well on the training gallops a return to the winners enclosure is still a possibility.
Melton Borough
Conductor: G. Sutton
Last 12 Years:
2008: 7th (L. Blankley)
2007: 21st (C. Hartley)
2006: =22nd (C. Hartley)
2005: 18th (C. Hartley)
Talking of famous place names – none finer than the town with the pork pie ancestry.
And it seems its band is starting to produce something just as tasty on the contesting stage too – 7th place last year was a fantastic achievement. More of that – and they have been busy coming 7th in the Fourth and 10th in the Third Section at Leamington and 9th at Butlins, and its buffet snacks all round.
Newhall
Conductor: K. Holdgate
Last 12 Years:
2008: 21st (K. Holdgate)
2007: 11th in Third Section (M. Phillips) (rel)
2006: 13th (M. Phillips)
2005: 15th (M. Phillips)
2004: 2nd in Fourth Section (M. Phillips) (prom)
2003: 9th (M. Phillips)
2002: 5th
2001: 8th in Third Section (rel)
2000: 12th
1999: 16th
1998: 7th
1997: 2nd in Fourth Section (prom)
Kevin Holdgate is rebuilding Newhall slowly but surely, and the former Grimey trombone man is doing a decent job of it too.
The band did struggle last year in coming 21st, but since then things have been looking up, with a solid 10th place at Pontins followed by 4th spot at Leamington recently. A bit of a dark horse maybe?
Pleasley Colliery Welfare
Conductor: D. Cutting
Last 12 Years:
2008: 20th (D. Cutting)
Great to see Pleasley Colliery back once more and they will be determined to improve on last year’s result for sure.
The band recently put in a decent show at Butlins too – coming 17th against a strong field of rivals from all around the country. That may have done them a power of good.
Ratby Co-op 'Mid' Band
Conductor: G. Newman
Last 12 Years:
2008: 4th (G. Newman)
2007: 11th (G. Newman)
2006: 10th (G. Newman)
2005: 17th in Third Section (G. Newman) (rel)
2004: 18th (G Newman)
2003: 9th (G. Newman)
2002: 16th
2001: 8th in Fourth Section (prom)
2000: 10th
1999: 12th
1998: 14th
1997: DNC
If the results of the last few years are anything to go by then Ratby should be in the mix come the announcement of the results on Sunday afternoon.
After a couple of years finding their feet after their 2005 relegation they just missed out on a trip to Harrogate last year. They won’t want to do that again this time around then.
Rolls Royce (Derby)
Conductor: G. Cardwell
Last 12 Years:
2008: 11th (G. Cardwell)
2007: 4th (G. Cardwell)
2006: DNC
2005: DNC
2004: =16th (M. Heywood)
2003: 13th (N. Eden)
2002: 9th
2001: 14th
2000: 7th
1999: 25th
1998: 9th
1997: 8th
What is it with this section – bands from all the most famous places in the region, and all looking to do well.
A Rolls Royce performance will of course win any contest, and the band certainly put on one of those at Derby recently - so can they get a few extra contesting miles out of the form tank and book a place at Harrogate. A sponsors car or five to drive them there would be nice eh?
Rushden Town
Conductor: P. Vine
Last 12 Years:
2008: 13th (P. Lewsey)
2007: 5th (P. Lewsey)
2006: 11th (P. Lewsey)
2005: 13th (P. Vine)
A little bit up and down for Rushden in the last couple of years and last time out the band dropped away somewhat to come 13th.
They will want to return to the type of form that saw them come 5th in 2007 then.
Shipston Town
Conductor: H. Gibbs
Last 12 Years:
2008: 9th (H. Gibbs)
2007: 20th (H. Gibbs)
2006: 5th (H. Gibbs)
2005: 16th (H. Gibbs)
2004: 17th (D. Grant) (rel)
2003: 18th (G. Coleman)
2002: 20th in Second Section (rel)
2001: DNC
2000: 13th
1999: 5th in Third Section (prom)
1998: 6th
1997: 9th
Another band that has bobbed up and down somewhat in contesting fortunes in the last few years, Shipston turned a 20th place in 2007 into a well earned 9th place last year.
6th place at Leamington recently means that they will know they will still have to up their form if they are to make another move towards the qualification places.
Thoresby Colliery Youth
Conductor: Christine Gent
Last 12 Years:
2008: 3rd (C. Gent)
2007: 7th (C. Gent)
2006: =20th (C. Gent)
In just three years Christie Gent and her band have shot up the results table here – so much so that last year they booked themselves a place at the Finals in Harrogate.
There they did themselves proud and despite coing 18th the experience will have done the young players the world of good. We fancy they may want to get back there pretty pronto too.
Trentham Brass
Conductor: M. Caveney
Last 12 Years:
2008: 8th (M. Caveney)
2007: 6th (M. Caveney)
2006: 12th (M. Caveney)
2005: 11th (M. Cavaney)
Trentham is making solid progress at this contest – comfortably making it into the top 10 once again last year.
3rd place at the recent Derby Contest was a timely boost too and confidence should be high that they can push for a top six place or even better on the weekend.
Whitwell Brass
Conductor: D. Fretwell
Last 12 Years:
2008: 10th (D. Fretwell)
2007: 14th (D. Fretwell)
2006: 17th in Third Section (D. Fretwell) (rel)
2005: 14th (K. Vernon)
2004: 16th (K. Vernon)
2003: 13th (K. Vernon)
2002: 15th
2001: 4th in Fourth Section (prom)
2000: 11th
1999: 15th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
Whitwell has found its contesting feet at the level now since being relegated in 2006.
10th place last year was another move back in the right direction and if they can show the form that saw them post a highly encouraging 5th place at Butlins earlier in the season then a possible qualification place for Harrogate may be on the horizon.
Past Qualifiers:
2008: Amington, Croft Silver, Thoresby Colliery Youth
2007: Cubbington Silver, Newstead Youth, Amington
2006: Wellington (Telford), Amington, Newstead Youth
2005: Matlock, Wellington (Telford), Market Rasen*
2004: Rushden Windmill, Newhall and Matlock
2003: Phoenix West Midlands Brass, Long Eaton Silver, Bakewell Silver
2002: WEM Jubilee, Leicester Cooperative, Long Eaton
2001: Carlton Brass, Shirland Miners Training, West Mercia Constabulary
2000: Raunds Temperance, Malvern Hills
1999: Audley Brass, Malvern Hills, Raunds Temperance
1998: University of Warwick, Porthywaen
1997: Porthywaen, Newham
1996: Alcester Victoria, Chapel en le Frith
1995: Kirkby Colliery, Rushden Windmill, Chapel en le Frith
1994: Banovallum Brass, Kirkby Colliery
* Market Rasen did not compete at Finals
Midlands bands at the Finals:
2008: 3rd, 18th, 20th
2007: 2nd, 10th, 13th
2006: 10th, 11th, 20th
2005: 12th, 17th
2004: 7th, 11th, 5th
2003: 2nd, 9th, 12th
2002: 6th, 9th, 18th
2001: 1st, 5th, 6th
2000: 3rd, 6th
1999: 11th, 16th, 19th
1998: 4th, 9th
4BR Prediction:
A great old contest is in store not just for the judges David Hirst and Derek Southcott but for the audience too.
There really is a host of bands that could well come away from the Technology College with at least a qualification place to their name let alone a Regional title to boast about.
Of those, we think it could well be a fight between, Ireland Colliery, Whitwell, Burbage Silver, Thoresby Colliery Youth, Ratby and Rolls Royce Derby. It could go anyway. Our darkest of dark horses is Trentham.
1. Ireland Colliery
2. Thoresby Colliery Youth
3. Rolls Royce Derby
4. Burbage Silver
5. Ratby Co-op Mid
6. Whitwell
Dark Horses: Trentham
