There was a good day of contesting to be found in Derby on the weekend, where a number of bands took the opportunity to flex their Area muscles before the big event at Bedworth on the 12th & 13th March.

Fine music

Although entries were down on previous years, as bands decided to use the extra rehearsal time needed on the stiff tests ahead, there was still plenty of fine music making enjoyed by the audience and adjudicator’s Barry Thompson and Kevin Wadsworth.

Both made the point that there was a great deal of benefit to be gained from a pre-Area contest run out on such difficult pieces, and that many bands will have boosted their confidence as a result.

Winners

There was just the one entrant the First Section, where Shirland Miners Welfare took the £90 first prize, whilst Leicester Co-operative took the honours in the Second Section with a four point winning margin over Bakewell Silver.

Victory went to Chapeltown Silver in the Third Section ahead of their Yorkshire Area appearance at Bradford, as they beat Long Eaton Silver and Rolls Royce (Derby), whilst Trentham Brass boosted their confidence with a fine win in the Fourth Section ahead of Pleasley Colliery and third placed Newhall.

Both made the point that there was a great deal of benefit to be gained from a pre-Area contest run out on such difficult pieces4BR

Good weekend for Co-op

It was a good weekend for Leicestershire Co-op who now takes decent form with them in to the Midlands Area contest in a few weeks time after winning the Second Section.

Their pre Area run out of ‘Resurgam’, found favour with Barry Thompson and Kevin Wadsworth in the box and set the band up nicely for the big challenge ahead at Bedworth.

MD Graham Jacklin told 4BR: "We put in a solid performance and with three weeks to go before the Area it was important to make our mark — and we have. We’ve worked really hard in the first few months of 2011 after a disappointing close to last year. Every single player is pulling their weight and putting in the extra effort. It shows and is paying off."

The Band’s solo horn player, Sue Blankley, and Euphonium, Steve Barham, also took prizes for best instrumentalists, whilst Graham confirmed that David Thornton will be assisting the band in their final run up to the regional event.

Trentham celebrations

Meanwhile there were also celebrations for Trentham Brass after they took the Fourth Section title.

MD Mike Caveney told 4BR: "It was difficult replacing the half dozen players who left following our appearance at the National last September but I think we have done it in a way that has allowed the band to continue growing. It was very pleasing to get a comment in the remarks of 'This is fun' from one of the adjudicators."

The latest additions to their line-up for Bedworth are Matt and Pete Bateman on cornet and horn respectively and Dan Cheadle on solo euphonium.

Long service award

The day also saw the presentation of a NEMBBA, 65 year ‘Long Service Award’ to one of the regions great stalwarts, Ted Bradley, who has spent most of those years playing with Bestwood Black Diamonds and Long Eaton Silver Bands.

Results:

First Section:
1. Shirland Miners Welfare (Andrew Dennis) – 180

Second Section:
1. Leicester Co-operative (Graham Jacklin) – 182
2. Bakewell Silver (Mark Wilcockson) – 178

Third Section:
1. Chapeltown Silver (Andrew Dennis) – 181
2. Long Eaton Silver (Sharon Stansfield) – 179
3. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell) – 178

Fourth Section:
1. Trentham Brass (Mike Caveney) – 179
2. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton) – 177
3. Newhall Band (Kevin Holdgate) – 176
4. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Ian Knapton) – 175
5. Kirkby Colliery Welfare (Stephen Berrill) – 173

Adjudicators: Kevin Wadsworth & Barry Thompson

Individual Awards:

Best Soprano: Shirland Miners Welfare
Best Principal Cornet: Chapeltown Silver
Best Horn: Leicester Co-operative
Best Euphonium: Leicester Co-operative
Best Trombone: Shirland Miners Welfare
Best Basses: Newhall
Best Percussion: Long Eaton

All Prizes: £90, £65 & £45