*
banner

Report & Results: 2013 Leicestershire BBA Open

Newstead lead the way as bands travel far and wide for Leicestershire Open.

newstead
 

With brass band competitions taking place all over Europe on the weekend, there was a wonderful reminder of the strength in depth, as well as the attraction of UK contesting, with 67 bands taking part in a superbly organised Leicestershire BBA Open Contest held at Charnwood College in Loughborough.

Domestic as well as international visitors were given a warm welcome, especially with the appearance of Tertnes Brass from Norway in the Championship Section event.

Newstead’s Enigma

However, it was to be a band much closer to home that eventually claimed the top flight honours as Newstead Brass conducted by Duncan Beckley carried on their recent good form thanks to well delivered rendition of Philip Sparke’s ‘Variations on an Enigma’.

Not only did it see them take away the winner’s trophy, but they also celebrated with awards for the ‘Best Trombone Section’ and for ‘Best Instrumentalist’, which was won for the second year running by euphonium player Lynden Cooper.

It proved good enough to repel the challenge of Ratby Co-operative’s ‘Of Distant Memories’ conducted by John Berryman, with Derwent Brass under Keith Leonard in third with their performance of ‘Jazz’.

Clacton on Sea Co-operative finished fourth ahead of the Norwegians of Tertnes with Bolsover champion Aveley & Newham in sixth.

There was a wide variety of music for adjudicator Peter Bassano to compare and contrast, with performances of works as diverse as ‘Les Preludes’ and ‘Firestorm’ to ‘Northern Lights’ and ‘Tallis Variations’.

Prism break for Enderby

In the First Section, it was Enderby Band under MD Simon Jones who eventually claimed the LBBA Shield after delivering a solid performance of Peter Graham’s ‘Prisms’.

It gave the Midlanders a clear two point winning margin over the London & Southern Counties visitors Kidlington, who gave a welcome performance of the rarely heard ‘Salamander’ by John McCabe, with Yorkshire travellers Knottingley Silver ending third with their rendition of ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’.

Northfleet’s Connotations

The experienced Melvin White led Northfleet Brass to victory in the Second Section with a well portrayed account of their ambitious choice of ‘Connotations’ by Edward Gregson.

It enabled them to claim the title by a clear two point margin from Daventry Brass who performed ‘Kingdom of Dragons’, with Wigston a further two points further back in third with their rendition of ‘Purcell Variations’.

Dinnington success

There was a Yorkshire success in the Third Section as Dinnington Colliery took a closely fought victory thanks to their fine performance of ‘Between Two Rivers’ under the baton of Jonathan Beatty.

It enabled the band to beat off the challenge of Rolls Royce (Derby) who performed ‘Triptych for Brass Band’ with Rushden Town in third with ‘Music for a Festival’.

Pleasely’s Labour & Love

In a highly competitive Fourth Section, it was a solid rendition of the brass band classic ‘Labour and Love’ that gave Pleasley Colliery victory under the baton of Keith Buxton, with the band’s solo horn player Claire Benson winning the Chris Holmes Remembrance Trophy for her fine individual contribution.

London Area visitors Simon Langton Brass was a close second with their performance of ‘Partita’, with Corby Silver just a point further back in third thanks to their rendition of ‘A Malvern Suite’.

Unregistered triumph

In the Unregistered Section there was plenty of enthusiasm and fine playing on show with Enderby Youth making it a weekend double by talking the honours with their own choice programme ahead of Coleshill Youth Brass and Ratby Co-operative Youth.

it was to be a band much closer to home that eventually claimed the top flight honours as Newstead Brass conducted by Duncan Beckley carried on their recent good form thanks to well delivered rendition of Philip Sparke’s ‘Variations on an Enigma’4BR

Results:

Championship Section
Adjudicator: Peter Bassano

1. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley) — 192
2. Ratby Co-operative (John Berryman) — 190
3. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard) — 189
4. Clacton on Sea Co-operative (Mark Ager) — 188
5. Tertnes Brass (Norway) (Bengt Florvag) — 186
6. Aveley & Newham (Melvin White) — 184
7. Chalford (Steve Tubb) — 182
8. Staines Brass (Jonathan Pippen) — 180
9. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford) — 179
10. Oddfellows Brass (Robert Boulter) — 177
11. Gresley Colliery (Simon Jones) — 175

Best Section: Trombones — (Newstead Brass)
Best Instrumentalist: Lynden Cooper (Newstead Brass)


First Section
Adjudicator: Paul Norley

1. Enderby (Simon Jones) — 190
2. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson) — 188
3. Knottingley Silver (Owen Wedgwood) — 187
4. Carlton Brass (Paul Watson) — 186
5. Silk Brass (David Holling) — 185
6. Kibworth (Iain Rayner) — 183
7. Harborough (Chris Groom) — 182
8. City of Coventry (Stephen Cooper) — 181
9. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin) — 180
10. City of Cambridge (Peter Bassano) — 179
11. Raunds Temperance (Robin Norman) — 178
12. Littleport (Nigel Bramley) — 177
13. Hathern (David Newman) — 175
14. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) — 174
15. Kippax (David Lancaster) — 173


Second Section
Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill

1. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White) — 82
2. Daventry Brass (Bob Stradling) — 80
3. Wigston (Garry Sleath) — 78
4. Epping Forest (Keith Schroeter) — 77
5. Matlock (Andrew Dennis) — 76
6. Crofton Silver (Kevin Belcher) — 75
7. Amington (Wesley Kendrick) — 74
8. Ibstock Brick Brass (Huw Thomas) — 73
9. Towcester Studio (Kevin Steward) — 72
10. Avonbank (Evesham) (Warren Belshaw) — 71
11. Wantage Silver B (Danny Dullforce) — 70


Third Section
Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill

1. Dinnington Colliery (Sheffield) (Jonathan Beatty) — 81
2. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell) — 80
3. Rushden Town (John Hudson) — 79
4. Foss Dyke (Gareth Westwood) — 78
5. Hucknall & Linby (Paul Whyley) — 76
6. Norfolk Wherry Brass (Andrew Craze) — 74
7. Olney Brass (Martyn France) — 73
8. Stamford Brass (Bob Prew) — 72
9. Amersham (Paul Fisher) — 71
10. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate) — 69
11. Hemel Hempstead (Philip Fisher) — 68
12. Lofthouse 2000 (Andrew Whitaker) — 67

Fourth Section
Adjudicator: Nicholas Garmen

1. Pleasey Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton) — 177
2. Simon Langton Brass (David Cutting) — 176
3. Corby Silver (C Fountain) — 175
4. University of Warwick (Simon Hogg) — 174
5. Croft Silver (Ian Needham) — 173
6. Bestwood Wefare Black Diamonds (Colin Hartley) — 172
7. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler) — 171
8. Ratby Co-operative Mid (Geoff Newman) 170
9. Melton (Graham Sutton) — 169
10. Clifton & Lightcliffe 'B' (John Clay) — 168
11. Audley Brass (Ian Turner) — 167
12. Syston (Dennis Powell) — 166
13. Burbage Silver (John Randle) — 165

Best Instrumentalist: Claire Benson (Pleasley Collier)


Unregistered Section
Adjudicator: Philip Bailey

1. Enderby Youth & Concert (Trevor Hounsome) — 172
2. Coleshill Youth Brass (Stephen Fagg) — 171
3. Ratby Co-op Youth (Becky Moss) — 170
4= Leicestershire Co-op Training (Liz Barham) — 169
4= Wigston Enterprise (Pat Allsopp) — 169

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Competiton

Conductors prepare to claim Final berths

June 28 • The semi-finalists at the Brass Band Conductors Association Conducting Competition will be looking to book their place in the final this evening in Halifax.


Mnozil Brass

Choir pews only for Mnozil

June 28 • If you want to see Mnozil Brass tonight in Birmingham then be prepared to sit in the choir.


Russell Gray

Gray Pops in to CBS news...

June 28 • Russell Gray recently appeared on Minnesota CBS News in the USA to give a plug for the start of the Minneapolis Pop Concert series he is leading.


Foden's Armagh

Foden's stars to lead in Armagh once again

June 28 • Players from Foden's Band will continue to help inspire players of all ages and abilities in Armagh in August.


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Billingshurst Carnival

Sunday 29 June • Carnival through Billingshurst and concert at Recreation Ground RH14 9SX


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


Alder Valley Brass

June 26 • We are looking for BBb bass and soprano cornet players to join our ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (national finalists 2023) with a good blend of concerts, engagements and contests. Rehearsals Mondays and Thursdays 8-10pm in Farnham, Surrey.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

June 25 • With a varied upcoming programme of events and following on from our successful "Musicals" concert and first ever trip to Saddleworth for Whit Friday, the band requires an Eb Bass player to join our group.


Alder Valley Brass

June 24 • As a result of a relocation we seek a Musical Director. We are an ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (L&SC, National finalists 2023) with a blend of engagements, concerts and contests. We rehearse 8-10pm on Mondays and Thursdays in Farnham


John Ward


Conductor, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd