Less than a month after being crowned First Section National Champion in Harrogate, Tongwynlais Temperance Band has added the Pontins Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship title to their 2009 CV.

Favour

Conducted by Philip Harper the Welsh band deservedly took the £2,500 top prize after their performance of Peter Graham’s ‘Montage’ found favour with adjudicators Alan Morrison and David Horsfield in the box at the Fun Factory Ballroom in Prestatyn.

Much to admire

The coherent reading of the MD also benefited from a warm, balanced ensemble sound, which led Alan Morrison to remark in his written adjudication, ‘There is much to admire in the musicality’.

In a contest that the judges also remarked had ‘surprised’ them with its overall standard given the severity of the test piece, it was Wire Brass conducted by Paul Andrews who set the marker to beat off the number 1 draw.

The coherent reading of the MD also benefited from a warm, balanced ensemble sound, which led Alan Morrison to remark in his written adjudication, ‘There is much to admire in the musicality’4BR

Soloist

Their robust and colourful performance also benefited from the excellent solo euphonium work of Kim Holly Thorpe who was awarded the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize.

The final podium place was taken by a delighted Skelmanthorpe, after they produced an exciting account played at pace under MD John Roberts, whilst the final prize winning performance came from Felling directed by Graeme Tindall.

Celebrations

After half the Tomgwynlais Band missed the post contest celebrations in Harrogate there was no way in which that was going to happen again, and although the journey to Prestatyn took over 7 hours on the Saturday, band secretary Jen Jones told 4BR that the thought of the journey home taking the same time was on this occasion something to look forward to.

First Section

In the First Section, it was Blackburn & Darwen conducted by Nick Sheppard who overcame the difficulties imposed by Gilbert Vinter’s ‘Symphony of Marches’ to make it a holiday camp double after their early season Butlins Mineworkers victory.

Their compact performance had just enough about it to beat the challenge of local challengers Point of Ayr to take the £1,800 top prize, with Wakefield Metropolitan in third and Longridge in fourth.

Vinter’s music once again proved problematic for the competing bands, as both adjudicators Stan Lippeatt and Peter Roberts took time to illuminate in their comprehensive post contest remarks from the stage.

Second Section

The relentless contesting victory march of the Oldham (Lees) band continued on the Sunday, when John Collins led his North West outfit to a fourth major contest win of the year.

Last year’s Third Section winners made the step up in class with ease as they took the £1,800 top prize courtesy of a finely structured account of Kenneth Hesketh’s ‘Danceries’ to see off the challenge of Rainford in second, with Oddfellows Brass and Hoover Bolton making up the prize winning list.

Third Section

It was the same story in the Third Section too, with Allan Widdop continuing to lead Uppermill to contesting glory.

Their fine performance of ‘A Gallimaufry Suite’ gave the band a third consecutive Pontins title (they won the Fourth Section in 2007 & 2008). Just behind them came the delighted youngsters of Goodwick Band from West Wales under the baton Cory euphonium player Matthew Jenkins, whilst the remaining prize winners were Boarshurst Silver in third and Chalgrove in fourth.

Fourth Section

In the Fourth Section Benjamin Tubb’s test piece ‘A Bournemouth Suite’ caused numerous problems, but in the end it was a fine performance from Hazel Grove conducted by former Fairey baritone star Nigel Beasley who took the £1,800 first prize.

Just behind them came Farnworth & Walkden, with Eccles Borough and Blackley making up the prize winners.

Full retrospectives of all the contests will appear on 4BR on Tuesday.

Results

Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship Section
Sunday 25 October

Fun Factory Ballroom
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commences: 10.00am

Test Piece: Montage, Peter Graham
Adjudicators: David Horsfield & Alan Morrison

Results

1. Tongwynlais Temperance, Philip Harper, 5
2. Wire Brass, Paul Andrews, 1
3. Skelmanthorpe, John Roberts, 4
4. Felling, Graeme Tindall, 12
5. Marsden Silver Prize, Glyn Williams, 13
6. Kidlington Concert Brass, Catherine Underwood, 16
7. Sovereign Brass, Jason Glynn, 2
8. Ashton under Lyne, Martyn Evans, 9
9. Staffordshire, Huw Thomas, 10
10. Wantage Silver A, Philip Bailey, 11
11. Woodfalls, Melvin White, 7
12. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen), Simon Platford, 14
13. NUSUWT Riverside, Ian Robinson, 6
14. Derwent Brass, Keith Leonard, 3
w, Burry Port, Craig Roberts
w, Stannington Brass, Derek Renshaw

Best Instrumentalist: Kim Holly Thorp, Euphonium, Wire Brass

First Section
Saturday 24th October

Test Piece: Symphony of Marches, Gilbert Vinter
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Peter Roberts

Fun Factory Ballroom
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commencing: 10.00am

Results

1. Blackburn & Darwen, Nick Sheppard, 11
2. Point of Ayr Colliery, John Hinckley, 14
3. Wakefield Metropolitan, Norman Law, 15
4. Longridge, Mike Cotter, 5
5. Gresley Colliery, Stephen Shimwell, 4
6. Stocksbridge, David Holling, 6
7. Tyldesley, Rob Taylor, 12
8. Old Silkstone, Chris Hirst, 3
9. Chalford, Steve Tubb, 8
10. Bedworth Brass, Guy Bennett, 2
11. Drighlington, Colin Hardy, 13
12. Lindley, Jim Davies, 1
13. Haverhill, Mark Ager, 9
14. Brackley & District, Jason Glynn, 10
15. Haydock, Mark Quinn, 7

Second Section
Sunday 25th October

Lunars Hall
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commencing: 9.00am
Test Piece: Danceries, Kenneth Hesketh
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Peter Roberts

Results

1. Oldham (Lees) John Collins, 13
2. Rainford, Neil Samuel, 16
3. Oddfellows Brass, Robert Boulter, 9
4. Hoover Bolton, Trevor Halliwell, 10
5. Barnsley Building Society, Rob Straw, 6
6. Tylorstown, Garry Davies, 1
7. Rogerstone, Jamie Jones, 3
8. Kippax, David Lancaster, 11
9. Tintwistle, Peter Denton, 8
10. Flixton, Alan Hobbins, 15
11. United Co-op 2000 Brass, Jamie Meredith, 2
12. Littleport, Nigel Bramley, 7
13. Silk Brass (Macclesfield), James Cant, 12
14. Haslington and Helmshore, David Holland, 14
15. Deiniolen, Gavin Saynor, 5
w, Verwood Concert Brass, David Johnson, 4

Third Section
Saturday 24th October

Lunars Hall
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commences at end of Fourth Section: Approx 2.00pm

Test Piece: A Gallimaufry Suite, Philip Harper
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson & Glyn Williams

Results

1. Uppermill, Alan Widdop, 3
2. Goodwick Brass, Matthew Jenkins, 10
3. Boarhurst Silver, David Ashworth, 9
4. Chalgrove, Terry Brotherhood, 2
5. Hawk Green (Marple), Andy Wilson, 5
6. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB ‘B’, Peter Ashley, 8
7. Porthywaen Silver, Mark Parry, 7
8. Skelmersdale Prize, John Ludden, 4
9. Greenall’s, K. Scott, 11
10. Whitworth Vale & Healey, Jason M Smith, 12
11. Crosskeys Silver, Keri Bowden, 1
12. BMP Europe Ltd, Goodshaw, John Dickinson, 6

Fourth Section
Saturday 24th October

Test Piece: A Bournemouth Suite, Benjamin Tubb
Adjudicators: David Horsfield & Alan Morrison

Lunars Hall
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commencing: 10.00am

Results

1. Hazel Grove, Nigel Beasley, 4
2. Farnworth & Walkden, Peter Ashley, 2
3. Eccles Borough, Les Webb, 5
4. Blackley, Adrian Smith, 9
5. Nelson Brass, Dave Holland, 10
6. Besses Boys, James Holt, 8
7. Denton Brass, Graham Smith, 3
8. Croft Silver, Ian Needham, 1
9. Golborne, Dave Houghton, 6
10. Greenfield, Stuart Black, 7