Eight trainee adjudicators have accepted an invitation to take part in ABBA's Adjudicator Mentoring Scheme at the National Finals in Cheltenham later this month.

Hear not see

C. Brian Buckley told 4BR: "The trainees and mentors will be enclosed a short distance behind the official adjudicators' tent. Like the official adjudicators, they will hear but not see the competing bands of each section."

The trainee’s comments and results (they will be individually required to produce a complete order of merit) will not be published, but will be scrutinised both by their mentor and John Roberts who, as a member of the Executive Committee of ABBA has the responsibility of co-ordinating the growing number of training sessions.

Trainees and mentors

Conductors Gary Davies and John Ward will join Stan Lippeatt in the First Section, whilst Jayne Murrill and David Ashworth will be mentored by C Brian Buckley in the Second Section.

Richard Jones and Nicholas Garmen will take their places with David Read MBE for the Third Section, whilst Alan Duguid and Andrew Warriner will be mentored by Malcolm Brownbill in the Fourth Section.

Opportunity

Brian added that the trainee adjudicators will also have the opportunity to discuss the performance levels and results of their respective sections with the official adjudicators after the results have been announced and the prizes awarded to the successful bands.

It is vital that the adjudicators of the future have such opportunities to enable them to build confidence and gain experience in the adjudication processC. Brian Buckley

Grateful

Brian concluded: "ABBA is extremely grateful to Philip Morris and Nikki Bland, the Directors of Kapitol Promotions Ltd., for their kind offer to allow this mentoring initiative to take place at such an important major event, and also for providing ‘mirror image' adjudicating facilities.

It is vital that the adjudicators of the future have such opportunities to enable them to build confidence and gain experience in the adjudication process."