*
banner

2012 West of England Regional Championship — Postcard from Torquay

Was there something in the tea at Torquay?

Winners
Something in the celebratory champers perhaps?

A trip to Torquay for the Area contest is always a rewarding one.
 
You’ve got to hand it to the West of England Regional Committee: They work extremely hard, and in return they gain rewards they deserve. This was a cracking contest weekend.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is of friendly local rivalry – the best example of which was seen in the massive Fourth Section, which saw the contest hall packed to the rafters throughout the day.

There was interest and intrigue, straight talking and straight forward playing, with a special mention in particular for the adjudication team that Regional Secretary Brian Elliott had hired.

Truth serum

No one left the Riviera Centre not knowing just why they came where they did. Not a player, MD, supporter or cynical journalist: It was as if Brian had popped a truth serum in their tea.

Jim Davies, Alan Morrison, Tony Swainson and Chris Wormald (who took the Fifth Amendment but was itching to have his say) deserved the plaudits that came their way.  

The excellent summaries from Jim and Tony were succinct and informative, but the top marks went to Alan Morrison for his detailed assessments of the Championship and Fourth Sections. 

Whether you agreed with him or not was irrelevant; the former Grimey man left no stone unturned and didn’t mince his words.

He should double his usual fee for the job.  

Winners
Lovely smiles all round

Heaven help

With other regions finding difficulty in attracting new blood to the administrative side of running their events, perhaps Regional Secretaries should give Frances Calver a ring too.

She is not a lady to be trifled with you suspect (heaven help the burglars who pinched a trombone from her house if she ever gets her hands on them), but her passion and commitment to the contest equals that of Brian Elliott.

Her powers of persuasion had also ensured that there were plenty of volunteers in place to man the desks and doors – and as a result, the contest ran like clockwork.

Double fees


Both Frances and Brian are the type of organisers, bandsmen and women take very much for granted.

They are the first to be criticised and the last to be congratulated, but have the skins of rhinos and the work ethics of biblical slaves. They (and their team of volunteers) have also built this contest into one of the most enjoyable anywhere in the banding world.

Perhaps they should double their fees (not that they get any) for their jobs too.

Sadness

There may be no such thing as a short journey in these parts (Helston Band’s trip to the event takes almost 2 hours), but with such a warm welcome (the staff at the Riveria Centre were superb) even the trip home flew by.

The only sadness on the weekend was the news of the death of Wesley Garner, a stalwart conductor and one of the most popular musicians you could ever meet.

He will be remembered with a great deal of affection in these parts.   

Malcolm Wood



Regent Hall Concerts - Royal College of Music Sackbut Ensemble

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Newstead Brass - Midlands Championships Preview Evening

Sunday 23 February • Summit Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield . Nottinghamshire NG17 7LL


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 28 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Linthwaite Band

February 10 • Linthwaite are a friendly 4th section band looking forward to the Yorkshire area contest in March, following on from that we will have a vacancy for a 2nd cornet. We also have various contests and engagements coming up through the year to keep us busy.


Chinnor Silver

February 7 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meets on a Monday morning and we welcome any players who would like an extra blow.. players of all abilities welcome and we do not expect you to alter your allegiance to your band.. just a fun blow with cake and coffee.


wantage silver band

February 5 • Wantage Band (championship section) has a vacancy for TOP 2ND CORNET. This would suit a player with experience in a championship/first section band. Rehearsals take place every Sun 7:30pm and Wed 8pm in Wantage with highly experienced MD Chris King.


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd