With the hands of the Harrogate Conference Hall clock ticking inexorably towards midnight, the final cries of victorious delight at the Lower Section Finals came from a small ensemble of utterly delighted, but understandably exhausted members of Delph Band.
Wonderful performance
Conducted by Phil Goodwin, who due to his teaching job in Manchester had to return home before the announcement of the results, the North West Area champion added the Third Section National Championship title to their 2010 CV in commanding fashion, with a performance described by adjudicators David Lancaster and Kevin Wadsworth as "...a wonderful performance, superbly played."
With the overrun from the Fourth Section earlier in the day causing a number of bands to make additional travel arrangements or return home straight after they played, the contest didn’t start until around 5.00pm, some three hours later after the draw.
a performance described by adjudicators David Lancaster and Kevin Wadsworth as '...a wonderful performance, superbly played'4BR
Plate inspired
Still, despite the lateness of the hour, soprano player Michael Brook had plenty to smile about as he held the trophy. "It’s fantastic. We knew we played well, but there was such a long wait for the results. Phil does a wonderful job for the band and he even got us all to look closely at some 'Willow Pattern' plates so that we could understand the story being told."
2010 has now seen the band win at Butlins, the North West Area and Harrogate, and they will have plenty of good form to build on as they look forward to life in the Second Section next year.
Welsh delight
There was also Welsh delight late in the evening too, as the youngsters of Goodwick Band returned home to the Principality after taking second place under Matthew Jenkins, with flugel horn player Ffion Williams winning the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
Late podium finish
The final podium prize headed to the West of England, after Sidmouth Town produced a fine performance off the late number 15 draw under conductor Adrian Harvey to come third.
Llwydcoed rounded off a fine weekend for Wales, and a outstanding one for conductor Gary Davies by taking fourth spot (he also led Tylorstown to victory in the Second Section), whilst fifth place went to York Railway Institute from the North of England, under the direction of Gordon Eddison.
The final top six place went to Bolton (Hoover) from the North West, conducted by Trevor Halliwell.
Home at 5.00am
Behind the top six prize winners came a host of bands that brought plenty of character and drama to the unfolding Chinese tale of doomed young love, with a purposeful account from Betteshanger Welfare taking seventh place.
They were drawn as the last band to play on the day, and straight after left the stage to board the coach to return home to Kent – hopefully reaching home as one player told 4BR '...around 5.00am!'
Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest
Results:
Sunday 26th September
Test Piece: 'Willow Pattern' — Philip Harper
Adjudicators: David Lancaster and Kevin Wadsworth
1. Delph, Philip Goodwin (North West), 4
2. Goodwick Brass, Matthew Jenkins (Wales), 8
3. Sidmouth Town, Adrian Harvey (West of England), 15
4. Llwydcoed, Gary Davies (Wales), 14
5. York Railway Institute, Gordon Eddison (North of England),5
6. Bolton (Hoover), Trevor Halliwell (North West), 7
7. Betteshanger Welfare, David Cutting (London & Southern Counties), 17
8. Fulham Brass, Simon Jones, (London & Southern Counties), 6
9. Porthywaen Silver, Mark Parry, (Midlands), 16
10. Cheshire Constabulary, David Woolam, (North West), 9
11. Shirebrook Miners Welfare, Mark Wilcockson, (Midlands), 10
12. Chapeltown, Andrew Dennis, (Yorkshire), 2
13. Clifton & Lightcliffe, John Clay, (Yorkshire), 13
14. Bream Silver, Huw Cole, (West of England), 11
15. Ferryhill Town, Susan Norris, (North of England), 3
16. Kilmarnock Concert Brass, Craig Anderson, (Scotland), 1
17. Irvine and Dreghorn Brass, John Boax, (Scotland), 12
Best Instrumentalist: Ffion Williams (flugel) — Goodwick Brass
