There was plenty of ‘civic pride’ on display in Bedworth on the weekend for Virtuosi GUS, as they ended a six-year wait to claim the top section Midlands’s title and head back to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time since 2008.

The Civic Hall was packed to hear the results decided by adjudicator’s David Read and Robert Childs in what had been a closely fought contest on ‘English Heritage’.

Grace

In the end it was the experienced John Berryman, who led the band he used to grace as a distinguished principal cornet player for many years to the victory, ahead of hat-trick chasing Desford, who will be comforted only by the fact that they too return to Kensington once more.

The two pre contest favourites set early markers from draw numbers 2 and 3 that could not be matched by the rest of the 12 band field, with Sovereign Brass just missing out in third place.

In the end it was the experienced John Berryman, who led the band he used to grace as a distinguished principal cornet player for many years to the victory4BR

First Section

In the First Section on the Saturday there was something of a shock as Langley Band recovered from a lowly 13th place last year to claim their first Area title since 2004 under the baton of Cliff Parker.

They will head to Harrogate joined by Derwent Brass who last played at Harrogate in 2007, and Oddfellows Brass.

Second Section

In the Second Section there was a commanding victory for Tintwistle directed by Sarah Groarke, who produced an outstanding performance of Philip Harper’s ‘The Kingdom of Dragons’ to return to Harrogate for the first time since 2001.

Joining them there will be Blidworth Welfare who shrugged off the disappointment of last year’s relegation from the First Section to claim a finals place for the first time since 2006.

Third Section

In the Third Section the long wait for a Harrogate qualification was ended when Porthywaen Silver directed by Mark Parry took the honours at the Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College.

They last qualified for the finals in 2000 and the win gave the band their first Area title since 1997.

They will be joined at there by Shirebrook MW (Unison) who improved on last year’s 3rd place by coming runner up.

Fourth Section

In the massive 24 band Fourth Section it was a year of reverse fortunes and welcome new arrivals, as Shipston Town took the title under Howard Gibbs just a year after they finished 11th here.

Joining them at Harrogate will be Market Rasen, who reversed last year’s 20th position to gain a qualification place for the first time since 2005, whilst two bands that have only competed here in the past six years claimed their first finals appearances, as Rushden Town came 3rd and Trentham Brass ended in 4th.

Championship Section:
Sunday 14th March

The Civic Hall
Bedworth
Draw: 12.00noon
Commences: at end of Second Section
Adjudicators: David Read MBE & Dr Robert Childs

Result:
1. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman), 3*
2. Desford Colliery (Stephen Roberts), 2*
3. Sovereign Brass (Major Peter Parkes), 7
4. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley), 11
5. Thoresby Colliery (Melvin White), 10
6. Glossop Old (Philip Pavey), 5
7. Staffordshire (Huw Thomas), 9
8. Jaguar (Coventry) (Dave Lea), 1
9. Kibworth (John Hudson), 6
10. Gresley Colliery (John Durrant), 8
11. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles), 4
12. Phoenix West Midlands (Wesley Kendrick), 12

*Top 2 bands qualify for Finals

First Section:
Saturday 13th March

The Civic Hall
Draws: 10.00am & 12.00noon
Commences: 11.00am
Adjudicators: Philip Harper & Kevin Wadsworth

Result:
1. Langley (Cliff Parker), 18*
2. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard), 11*
3. Oddfellows Brass (Robert Boulter), 17*
4. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford), 13
5. Shirland Welfare (Andrew Dennis), 8
6. Shirley (Dave Lea), 1
7. City of Coventry (Stephen Cooper), 14
8. Foresters Brass 2000 (Alwyn Green), 7
9. Enderby (Jonathan Mott), 4
10. Bedworth Brass (Guy Bennett), 9
11. Harborough (Chris Groom), 16
12. Brackley & District (Jason Glynn), 12
13. Hathern (David Newman), 2
14. Foss Dyke (Paul Murrell), 3
15. Carlton Brass (Walter Ritchie), 5
16. Raunds Temperance (Robin Norman), 10
17. Wigston (Garry Sleath), 6
18. Ibstock Brick Brass (Huw Thomas), 15

*Top 3 bands qualify for Harrogate

Second Section:
Sunday 14th March

The Civic Hall
Bedworth
Draw: 9.00am
Commences: 10.00am
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill & Paul Norley

Result:
1. Tintwistle (Sarah Groarke), 5*
2. Blidworth Welfare Band (Martin Heartfield), 10*
3. Bakewell Silver (Mark Wilcockson, 3
4. Towcester Studio (David Jones), 2
5. Wellington (Telford) (Mark Phillips), 4
6. Leicestershire Co-op Snibston (Graham Jacklin), 8
7. Arrow Valley (Andy Culshaw), 6
8. Matlock (Geoff Hawley), 9
9. WEM Jubilee (Roger Thorne), 1
10. Bilton Silver (Rugby) (Brian Clarke), 7

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Third Section:
Saturday 13th March

Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College
Bedworth
Draws: 10.00am & 12.00noon
Commences: 11.00am
Adjudicators: Paul Norley & Malcolm Brownbill

Result:
1. Porthywaen Silver (Mark Parry), 15*
2. Shirebrook M.W. (Unison) (Mark Wilcockson), 14*
3. Avonbank (Evesham) (Andy Davidson), 5
4. Rushden Windmill (John Fletcher), 16
5. Long Eaton Silver (Sharon Stansfield), 3
6. Hucknall & Linby M.C. (Paul Whyley), 12
7. City of Birmingham (Warren Belshaw), 1
8. Stamford Brass (Robert Prew), 13
9. Daventry Brass (Nigel Howard), 10
10. West Mercia Constabulary (Steve Pritchard-Jones), 11
11. Amington (Wesley Kendrick), 2
12. Cubbington Silver (Gary Smallwood), 6
13. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell), 8
14. University of Warwick (Simon Hogg), 4
15. Burbage Buxton (Steve Critchlow), 7
16. Thoresby Colliery Youth (Christine Gent), 9

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Fourth Section:
Sunday 14th March

Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College
Bedworth
Draws: 9.30am & 11.30am
Commences: 10.30am
Adjudicators: Kevin Wadsworth & Chris Davis OBE

Result:
1. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs), 7*
2. Marken Rasen RPC (Alan Needham), 1*
3. Rushden Town (Peter Vine), 23*
4. Trentham Brass (Mike Caveney), 19*
5. Kirkby Colliery Welfare (Stephen Berrill), 3
6. Bestwood Welfare Black Diamonds (Brian Draper), 5
7. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate), 6
8. Fairfield (Buxton) (Charles Kitchen), 10
9. Croft Silver (Ian Needham), 4
10. Moulton 77 (Martyn France), 2
11. Corby Silver (Ray White), 9
12. Ratby co-operative Mid (Geoff Newman), 14
13. Chapel en le Frith (Aidan Howgate), 20
14. Malvern Hills District (John Swindells), 11
15. Coleshill Town (Stephen Fagg), 18
16. Ceramic Brass (Steve Churchill), 17
17. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Ian Knapton), 22
18. Audley Brass (Colin Hartley), 12
19. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton), 24
20. Burbage Silver (Andy Ellis), 21
21. Whitwell (David Fretwell), 8
22. Dronfield CMW (John Davis), 13
23. Melton (Graham Sutton), 15
24. Ilkeston Brass (David Jones), 16

Syston (Dennis Powell) (Withdrawn)

*Top 4 bands qualify for Harrogate