The 2009 contesting season was kicked started in quite remarkable fashion at Butlins on the weekend, as over 5,000 people packed into the Skegness Holiday Resort to enjoy the Mineworkers Championships.

Sardines

And they were packed in like sardines at each of the six contesting venues — a reminder that given the right investment, big prize money and an enjoyable contesting format, there is still a real appetite for brass band contesting, despite the weather and credit crunch.

Fourth time

For the fourth time since the contest was rejuvenated in 2003, it was Desford, directed by Russell Gray, who left as Championship winners, bagging the ornate silver Warwick Vase and the top prize of £7,000 after posting winning performances on both the set work and entertainment disciplines over the two days.

Desford will have known however that the final result was much closer than it looked on paper, after the loss of precious rehearsal time prior to the contest saw them only occasionally show their true quality on Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Sleepless Cities’, whilst they had to raid their back catalogue of entertainment repertoire to fend off the challenges of Hepworth (Cookson Homes) and reigning champion Redbridge.

Desford will have known however that the final result was much closer than it looked on paper4BR

Best shot

The Yorkshire band had to be content with the £3,000 prize as runner up for the second year running under Ian Porthouse, after delivering two consistent performances.

Redbridge took the final podium spot after leaving themselves too much ground to make up in the entertainment discipline – although they gave it their best shot with perhaps the most inventive programme of the day under Jeremy Wise.

Virtuosi GUS took fourth prize, whilst the ‘Most Entertaining Band’ Award and £1,000 went to Thoresby Colliery who delighted the audience with their take on a U Tube classic of a silent order of monks and nuns, ‘singing’ the ‘Halleluiah Chorus’.

Solo winner

Miles Davison of Powerfuel Hatfield won the Geoff Dove Soloist Award. He rolled back the years with a superb performance of the ‘Rondo’ from the Strauss Horn Concerto.

First Section

The lower section contests took place on the Saturday, where Jackfield Elcock Reisen, directed by Simon Platford beat off the challenges of 23 rivals to pick up the £2,000 top prize in the First Section.

In an evenly matched contest, their performance of ‘A Hebridean Suite’ saw them take the title ahead of Meltham & Meltham Mills and Vernon Building Society Poynton.

Second Section

In the Second Section, East London Brass continued their recent rich vein of form by retaining their title under the baton of Jayne Murrill. Their performance of ‘Folkmusic’ saw them beat off the challenges of Haslingden & Helmshore and South Yorkshire Police.

Third Section

There was also an enjoyable battle for Third Section honours, where composer Tom Moss was a delighted listener. The Liverpudlian was amazed by the standard of performances and told 4BR that he hoped to be able to write for brass bands again in the near future.

In the end it was Delph, conducted by 21 year old Jonathan Davies who went home with the £2,000 top prize, just ahead of Hitchin and Amington.

Fourth Section

Although there were only 13 bands in the Fourth Section, they provided an excellent aperitif to the Championship Section on Saturday morning, where Dronfield CMW produced a commanding performance of ‘Roman Tryptych’ to take the title under the baton of John Davis.

Second place went to Bestwood Black Diamonds, with Thurcroft Welfare in third.

Youth Championship

On the Sunday, the Youth Championship took place, where Youth Brass 2000 showed their quality in retaining the title they won last year. This year six bands took part, and with an improving overall standard, the future of the event looks secure.

Second place went to Lions Youth Brass with Enderby Youth in third.

Full retrospectives of the weekend will appear on 4BR in the next couple of days.

Additional comments and thoughts on our Twitter site: www.twitter.com/4barsrest

Results:

Venue: Centre Stage, Butlins Skyline Resort
Date: Saturday, 23rd January
Draw: 12.00 noon (Saturday)
Commence: At conclusion of Fourth Section
Test Piece: Sleepless Cities (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent and Major Peter Parkes

Date: Sunday 24th January
Draw: During Lower Section results on Saturday evening
Commence: c9.30hrs
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent and Dr Roy Newsome
Compere: Frank Renton

Championship Section:
(Set Work/Entertainment)

1. Desford, Russell Gray, (1st/1st) = 2
2. Hepworth (Cookson Homes), Ian Porthouse, (2nd/5th) = 7
3. Redbridge, Jeremy Wise, (6th/2nd) = 8
4. Virtuosi GUS, John Berryman, (5th/4th) = 9
5. EYMS, Alan Morrison, (3rd/7th) = 10
6. Flowers, Paul Holland, (4th/6th) = 10
7. Wingates, Philip Harper, (11th/3rd) = 14
8. Thoresby Colliery, Melvin White, (7th/10th) = 17
9. Hatfield Powerfuel, Graham O'Connor, (8th/9th) = 17
10. Woodfalls, Gareth Pritchard, (9th/8th) = 17
11. Co-operative Milnrow, John Ward, (10th/11th) = 21

There were no penalty time points on any band.
Set Work placing takes precedence in event of tie.

Highest Placed Mining Band: Desford
Geoff Dove Solo Award: Miles Davison (Horn) Powerfuel Hatfield
Most Entertaining Band: Thoresby Colliery

First Section:

Venue: Reds, Butlins Skyline Resort
Date: Saturday, 23rd January
Draw: c9.00hrs
Commence: c10.00hrs
Test Piece: A Hebridean Suite (Andrew Duncan)
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill and Colin Hardy

1. Jackfield Elcock Reisen, Simon Platford, 4
2. Meltham and Meltham Mills, Stuart Fawcett, 12
3. Vernon Building Society Poynton, Kevin Gibbs, 14
4. Hebden Bridge, Roy Curran, 8
5. Stocksbridge (City of Sheffield), David Holling, 23
6. Cornerstone Brass, Gavin Lamplough, 24
7. Kippax, David Lancaster, 21
8. Haverhill Silver, Mark Ager, 18
9. Yorkshire Imperial, Dave Nesbitt, 1
10. Foresters Brass 2000, Alwyn Green, 17
11. Cawston, Leigh Sharpe, 11
12. Enderby, Jonathon Mott, 13
13. Bedworth Brass, Guy Bennett, 6
14. Foss Dyke, Paul Murrell, 19
15. Ibstock Brick Brass, Huw Thomas, 9
16. Broxburn and Livingston, Andrew Duncan, 7
17. Shirland Miners Welfare, Andrew Dennis, 20
18. Carlton Brass, Walter Ritchie, 3
19. Yorkshire Co-op, Simon Kerwin, 22
20. Langley, Cliff Parker, 15
21. Wigston, Gary Sleath, 5
22. Denham Hendon Brass, Gordon Davies, 10
23. Yiewsley & West Drayton, Christopher Cole, 2
24. Egham, Gareth Green, 16

Highest placed Mining Band: Kippax, David Lancaster

Second Section:

Venue: Lakeside, Butlins Skyline Resort
Date: Saturday, 23rd January
Draw: c8.45hrs
Commence: c10.30hrs
Test Piece: Folkmusic (Keith Wardle)
Adjudicators: Richard Marshall and Kevin Wadsworth

1. East London Brass, Jayne Murrill, 12
2. Haslingden and Helmshore, David Holland, 8
3. South Yorkshire Police, Leigh Baker, 6
4. Becontree Brass, Keith Schroeter, 3
5. Matlock, Geoff Hawley, 14
6. Middleton, Matthew Stringer, 4
7. Leicester Co-op SMW, Graham Jacklin, 10
8. Alder Valley Brass, Roger Burke, 2
9. Dodworth Colliery MW, Elliott Darwin, 5
10. Flixton, Steve Curtis, 15
11. Tylorstown, Gary Davies, 9
12. Lewis Merthyr, Gareth Pritchard, 7
13. Hopkins Blidworth, Martin Heartfield, 11
14. Waterbeach Brass, James Utting, 13
15. NW Ellington Colliery, Jonathon Fenwick, 1

Highest Placed Miners Band: Leicester Co-op SMW, Graham Jacklin

Third Section:

Venue: Royal Arthur Suite, Butlins Skyline Resort
Date: Saturday, 23rd January
Draw: c8.30hrs
Commence: c11.00hrs
Test Piece: Diamonds (Tom Moss)
Adjudicators: Alan Fernie and Lt Col. Chris Davis

1. Delph, Jonathan Davies, 11
2. Hitchin, Craig Patterson,3
3. Amington, Wesley Kendrick, 10
4. Burbage (Buxton), Steve Critchley, 9
5. Shirebrook MW Unison, Mark Wilcockson, 14
6. Pemberton Old DW 'B', Peter Ashley, 6
7. Fulham Brass, Simon Jones, 5
8. Whitworth Vale and Healey, CJ Bradley, 13
9. Hucknall & Linby, Paul Whyley, 12
10. Watford, Richard Graves, 8
11. Tewkesbury Town, Nigel Morgan, 15
12. Stamford Brass, Robert Prew, 1
13. Hemel Hempstead, David Klein, 7
14. Maltby Miners Welfare, Terry Clifford, 4
15. Thorseby Colliery Youth, Christine Gent, 2

Highest Placed Mining Band: Amington Band, Wesley Kendrick

Fourth Section:

Venue: Centre Stage, Butlins Skyline Resort
Date: Saturday, 23rd January
Draw: c8.15hrs
Commence: c10.00am
Test Piece: Roman Tryptych (Leigh Baker)
Adjudicators: Dr Roy Newsome and Roy Roe

1. Dronfield Colliery MW, John Davis, 12
2. Bestwood Black Diamonds, Brian Draper, 4
3. Thurcroft Welfare, Ken Vernon, 5
4. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield), 1
5. Greenfield Brass, Stuart Black, 11
6. Rivington and Adlington, Malcolm Wilson, 6
7. Royston Town, Steve Early, 2
8. Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass, Tony Jaegar-Fozard, 8
9. Whitwell Brass, David Fretwell, 9
10. Fulbourn and Teversham RBL, Peter Mackley, 10
11. Melton, Graham Sutton, 13
12. Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes, Steven Askew, 3
13. Banovallum Brass, Steve Ingham, 7

Highest Placed Mining Band: Dronfield, John Davies

Youth Section:

Venue: Reds, Butlins Skyline Resort
Date: Sunday, 24th January
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commence: c13.00hrs
Programme of Music not to exceed 20 minutes but must include a march and a hymn tune
Adjudicators: Major Peter Parkes and Kevin Wadsworth

1. Youth Brass 2000, Chris Jeans, 6
2. Lions Youth Brass, Nigel Birch, 1
3. Enderby Youth, Trevor Hounsome, 3
4. Shirland Miners Welfare, Andrew Dennis, 2

Unplaced:

Coleshill Town Youth, Stephen Fagg, 4
Gresley Colliery Youth, Peter Hylton, 5

Youngest Player Award: Leah Smith, 8 Coleshill Town Youth