2010 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: First Section

Not much green and pleasant land inside the M25, so how will these bands get on with Holsts bucolic portrait of a long lost English countryside..

Sunday 21st March
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley
Test Piece: A Moorside Suite (Gustav Holst)
Draw: 10.00am
Commences: 11.00am

‘A Moorside Suite’  has been proving to be one heck of a challenge for the First Section bands up and down the country.  

Fox hounds

Even the most beautiful countryside can’t hide its darker side all the time though, and the ‘Nocturne’ in particular is as friendly as a pack of hungry fox hounds sniffing around the crotch of an anti hunting protester.  

The bands will know that it will take a great deal of hard work, and a fair dollop of talent in the ranks to overcome, not just that treacherous middle section, but also the light-footed ‘Scherzo’ and proud, but not pompous, ‘March’.

Not many have done it so far – from Bradford to Glenrothes.

Who ever gets the nod from C. Brian Buckley will also know that plenty of hard work awaits them if they are to make any sort of mark come the finals at Harrogate too.

Encouraging

The region’s representatives came an encouraging 3rd and 11th last year, and despite not yet being able to boast a ‘National’ title since the event was first staged in 1992,  their record over the past decade is pretty solid and better than most, with three podium finishers since 2004.

So will any of these 17 bands be able to create a little bit of banding history come September?

The improving Cawston will be looking to build on their recent solid showing at Butlins, whilst Denham Hendon Brass and Egham may well want to forget about that early season trip to Skegness where they ended up right at the bottom of the results table.

Tough life

Epsom has been finding life a little tough here recently but should take some heart from their 5th place at Folkestone late last season, whilst Fairlop ended four years in the Second Section with promotion and an encouraging 4th place at the Folkestone event.

Friary Guildford should be one of the favourites to head to Harrogate for the first time since 2003 after winning at Folkestone and coming 5th last year, whilst Grimsdyke Brass will know they will have to up their form from last year’s 16th place if they are not to be drawn into a relegation fight this time around.

Haverhill won here in 2006 and are looking for a return to the Championship Section by building on their 13th place at Pontins, whilst Horsham last qualified for the finals in 2005, but will know they will have a bit of work to do after their 7th place at Folkestone if they are to head back there this year.

One taste

Ipswich & Norwich Co-op just had the one taste of Championship life last season before relegation and will be keen to return as quickly as possible under Graham Chamber’s new direction, whilst Tim Pritchard brings his hardworking band over from Jersey once more, as they look to continue their remarkable form over the past few years and return to Harrogate for the fourth time in six years.

The improving Regent Brass just missed out on a Harrogate berth last year when they came 3rd  and put in a decent showing at both Leicester and Folkestone, whilst Soham Comrades has found life a little tough in the past two seasons as they look to build on an encouraging Folkestone result in their bid to reclaim their Championship status.

Challenge

Philip Littlemore heads St Alban’s challenge as they look to return to the form that saw them gain a podium finish in 2008, whilst Staines won here in 2005. They recently came 6th against quality opposition at the Welsh Open so should be confident of returning to Harrogate once again.

Finally, Welwyn Garden City team up with the talented Jonathan Corry as they look to gain a qualification place for the first time since 2002, and Yiewsley & West Drayton will be looking to put behind them the rather disappointing showing at Butlins where they came 23rd after their promotion up from the Second Section.   

As for a winner?

A hard one to call in such a well matched field, but a few bands seem to have the edge if you look at the form book. Staines should make it through as should Friary Guildford with Haverhill and Ipswich pushing them hard.

Jersey and Regent Brass should make up the top six with Soham Comrades as our dark horse.

4BR Prediction:
1. Staines Brass
2. Friary Guildford
3. Haverhill
4. Ipswich & Norwich Co-operative
5. Jersey Premier
6. Regent Brass

Dark Horse: Soham Comrades

Cawston
Conductor: Leigh Sharpe

Last 14 Years:
2009: 8th (L. Sharpe)
2008: 13th (C. Swaep)
2007: 2nd in Second Section (C. Swaep) (prom)
2006: 10th (C. Swaep)
2005: 3rd (C. Swaep)
2004: 12th (C. Sweap)
2003: 4th (G. Barber)
2002: 9th (C. Swaep)
2001: 10th (A. Broadbent)
2000: 3rd (A. Broadbent)
1999: 11th
1998: 5th in Third Section (prom)
1997: N/K
1996: 3rd in Third Section

Denham Hendon Brass
Conductor: G. Davies

Last 14 Years:
2009: 11th (G. Davies)
2008: 15th (G. Davies)
2007: 7th (G. Davies)
2006: 2nd in Second Section (G. Davies) (prom)
2005: 15th in First Section (G. Davies) (rel)
2004: 15th (G. Davies)
2003: 6th (G. Davies)
2002: 15th (P. Cox)
2001: 11th in Championship Section (D. Richards) (rel)
2000: 10th (N/K)
1999: 8th in First Section (prom)
1998: 4th
1997: 3rd
1996: 8th in Championship Section (rel)

Egham
Conductor: G. Green

Last 14 Years:
2009: 12th (G. Green)
2008: 5th (G. Green)
2007: Winners of the Second Section (C. Green) (prom)
2006: 3rd (G. Green)
2005: 11th in First Section (G. Green) (rel)
2004: 17th (G. Green)
2003: 8th (G. Green)
2002: 6th (G. Green)
2001: 6th (G. Green)
2000: 9th (G. Green)
1999: 2nd in Second Section (prom)
1998: 5th
1997: N/K
1996: 7th

Epsom and Ewell Silver
Conductor: E. Howard

Last 14 Years:
2009: 15th (T. Howard)
2008: 2nd in Second Section (E. Howard) (prom)
2007: Winners of Third Section (E. Howard) (prom)
2006: 4th (E. Howard)
2005: 6th (E. Howard)
2004: 12th (E. Howard)
2003: 16th in Second Section (M. Winter) (rel)
2002: DNC
2001: 11th (E. Meuir)
2000: 7th (D. Richards)
1999: 10th
1998: 14th in First Section (rel)
1997: N/K
1996: 7th

Fairlop Brass
Conductor: K. Jordan

Last 14 Years:
2009: 3rd in Second Section (K. Jordan) (prom)
2008: 7th (K. Jordan)
2007: 6th (K. Jordan)
2006: 13th (K. Jordan)
2005: 13th in First Section (K. Jordan) (rel)
2004: 11th (K. Jordan)
2003: 13th (K. Jordan)
2002: 7th (K. Jordan)
2001: 12th (K. Jordan)
2000: 6th (K. Jordan)
1999: 10th
1998: 2nd in Second Section (prom)
1997: 2nd
1996: 12th

Friary Guildford Brass
Conductor: Chris King

Last 14 Years:
2009: 5th (C. King)
2008: 9th (C. King)
2007: 9th in Championship Section (C. King) (rel)
2006: 7th (K. Maxwell)
2005: 8th (K. Maxwell)
2004: 4th (K. Maxwell)
2003: Winners of First Section (K. Maxwell) (prom)
2002: 5th (K. Maxwell)
2001: 13th (K. Maxwell)
2000: 5th (K. Maxwell)
1999: 10th in Championship Section (rel)
1998: 9th
1997: 5th
1996: 5th

Grimsdyke Brass
Conductor: S. Broughall

Last 14 Years:
2009: 16th (S. Broughall)
2008: 3rd in Second Section (S. Broughall) (prom)
2007: 7th (S. Broughall)
2006: 9th (S. Broughall)
2005: 5th (S. Broughall)
2004: 4th (S. Broughall)
2003: Withdrew (K. Ransom) (rel)
2002: DIS
2001: 7th (K. Ransom)
2000: 6th (K. Ransom)
1999: 9th
1998: 16th in First Section (rel)
1997: N/K
1996: 5th

Haverhill Silver
Conductor: Mark Ager

Last 14 Years:
2009: 4th (M. Ager)
2008: 12th in Championship Section (M. Ager) (rel)
2007: 5th (M. Ager)
2006: Winners of First Section (M. Ager) (prom)
2005: 8th (M. Ager)
2004: 7th (M. Ager)
2003: 10th (M. Ager)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 8th (C. Shipp)
1999: Winners of First Section
1998: 7th
1997: N/K
1996: 2nd in Second Section (prom)

Horsham Borough
Conductor: L. Cole

Last 14 Years:
2009: 14th (K. Maxwell)
2008: 6th (K. Maxwell)
2007: 9th (K. Maxwell)
2006: 5th (G. Bacon)
2005: 2nd in Second Section (G. Bacon) (prom)
2004: 10th (G. Bacon)
2003: 5th (G. Bacon)
2002: 4th (L. Barron)
2001: 3rd (L. Barron) (prom)
2000: 7th (L. Barron)
1999: N/K
1998: 10th
1997: N/K
1996: 4th

Ipswich and Norwich Co-op
Conductor: G. Chambers

Last 14 Years:
2009: 11th in Championship Section (R. Norman) (rel)
2008: 2nd in First Section (R. Norman) (prom)
2007: 5th (R Norman)
2006: 11th in Championship Section (R. Norman) (rel)
2005: 10th (S. Kenna)
2004: 9th (S. Kenna)
2003: 3rd in First Section (S. Kenna) (prom)
2002: 11th (S. Kenna)
2001: 5th (S. Kenna)
2000: 4th (S. Kenna)
1999: 9th
1998: 9th
1997: 2nd
1996: 10th in Championship Section (rel)

Jersey Premier Brass
Conductor: Tim Pritchard

Last 14 Years:
2009: 7th (T. Pritchard)
2008: Winners (T. Pritchard)
2007: 11th (T. Pritchard)
2006: Winners of Second Section (T. Pritchard) (prom)
2005: Winners of Third Section (G. Saynor) (prom)
2004: 13th (T. Pritchard)
2003: 17th in Third Section (T. Pritchard) (West of England)
2002: 15th in Second Section (T. Pritchard) (West of England)
2001: DNC
2000: 14th in Second Section (T. Pritchard) (West of England)
1999: 4th in Second Section (West of England)

Regent Brass
Conductor: Alan Duguid

Last 14 Years:
2009: 3rd (A. Duguid)
2008: 11th (A. Duguid)
2007: 10th (A. Duguid)
2006: 10th (R. Ward)
2005: 5th (R. Ward)
2004: 11th in Championship Section (R. Ward) (rel)
2003: 5th (G. Wyatt)
2002: 10th (G. Wyatt)
2001: 5th (P. Littlemore)
2000: 8th in Championship Section (P. Littlemore)
1999: 2nd (P. Littlemore) (prom)
1998: 2nd (N. Taken)
1997: 7th in Championship Section (P. Fensom) (rel)
1996: 12th (P. Fensom)

Soham Comrades
Conductor: Keith Schroeter

Last 14 Years:
2009: 9th (K. Schroeter)
2008: 12th (G. Sheldon)
2007: 10th Championship Section (P. Filby) (rel)
2006: 6th (C. King)
2005: 7th (C. King)
2004: 6th (P. Filby)
2003: 4th (P. Filby)
2002: 4th (P. Filby)
2001: 7th (P. Filby)
2000: 5th (P. Filby)
1999: 7th (P. Filby)
1998: 3rd (P. Filby) (prom)
1997: 6th (P. Filby)
1996: 5th (P. Filby)

St. Albans City
Conductor: P. Littlemore

Last 14 Years:
2009: 13th (D. Shead)
2008: 3rd (D. Shead)
2007: 13th (S. Garman)
2006: 11th (S. Garman)
2005: 17th (S. Garman)
2004: 2nd in Second Section (S. Garman) (prom)
2003: 9th (S. Garman)
2002: 5th in Third Section (W. Rumford) (prom)
2001: 8th (W. Rumford)
2000: 13th in Fourth Section (W. Rumford) (prom)
1999: 3rd in Fourth Section
1998: 8th
1997: N/K
1996: 10th

Staines Brass
Conductor: Melvin White
 
Last 14 Years:
2009: 12th in Championship Section (M. White) (rel)
2008: 5th (M. White)
2007: DNC
2006: 2nd (I. McElligott)
2005: Winners of First Section (I. McElligott) (prom)
2004: Winners (I. McElligott)
2003: 11th in Championship Section (I. McElligott) (rel)
2002: 11th (M. White)
2001: 2nd in First Section (M. White) (prom)
2000: 2nd (E. Campbell)
1999: 13th in Second Section (rel)
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: 2nd

Welwyn Garden City
Conductor: J. Corry

Last 14 Years:
2009: 6th (J. Marshall)
2008: 11th in Championship Section (D. Stoke) (rel)
2007: 7th (S. Tighe)
2006: 10th (D. Jones)
2005: 5th (D. Jones)
2004: 7th (D. Jones)
2003: 7th (D. Stokes)
2002: 2nd in First Section (D. Stokes) (prom)
2001: 4th (D. Stokes)
2000: 10th (D. Stokes)
1999: 3rd
1998: Winners of Second Section (prom)
1997: 5th
1996: 10th in First Section (rel)

Yiewsley and West Drayton
Conductor: C. Cole

Last 14 Years:
2009: 2nd in Second Section (C. Cole) (prom)
2008: 12th (C. Cole)
2007: 4th (C. Cole)
2006: 12th (C. Cole)
2005: 9th (C. Cole)
2004: 3rd (C. Cole)
2003: 12th (C. Cole)
2002: 2nd in Third Section (C. Cole) (prom)
2001: 7th in Fourth Section (C. Cole) (prom)
2000: 15th (C. Cole)
1999: 5th in
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Past Qualifiers:

2009: Norfolk Brass, Sandhurst Silver
2008: Jersey Premier Brass, Ipswich & Norwich Co-op
2007: Milton Keynes Broseley, City of Cambridge
2006: Haverhill, KM Medway
2005: Staines Brass, Clacton on Sea, Wantage Silver
2004: Staines Brass, Northfleet Brass, Clacton On Sea Co-operative
2003: Friary Guildford, Zone One Brass
2002: Matthews Norfolk Brass*, Welwyn Garden City
2001: Alliance Brass, Staines Brass
2000: Bedford Town, Staines
1999: Haverhill, Regent Brass
1998: Alder Valley Brass, Regent Brass
1997: City of Oxford, Ipswich Co-op
1996: Hatfields of Colchester, Bedford Town
1995: City of Cambridge, City of Oxford
*Didn't take place at Finals – replaced by Alder Valley  

London Bands at the Finals:

2009: 3rd, 11th
2008: 15th, 16th
2007: 12th, 15th
2006: 12th, 13th
2005: 2nd, 12th, 15th
2004: 3rd, 16th, 8th
2003: 5th, 15th
2002: 14th, 16th
2001: 2nd, 14th
2000: 7th, 14th
1999: 10th, 13th
1998: 9th, 16th 

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