The glisteningly refurbished Grand Shield found itself a new, if somewhat familiar home following Carlton Main Frickley's impressive victory at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on the weekend.

It will be the third time that the famous trophy will be displayed in the west Yorkshire bandroom after the successes in 1999 and 2003, and sees the band from the village of South Elmsall make an immediate return to the British Open following relegation last year.

Meanwhile, history was also made with Dutchman Erik Janssen becoming the first European conductor to lead a band to victory in the 96 year history of the event.

Carlton Main will be joined in Birmingham by Jaguar Land Rover, as the midlanders secured their second successive Spring Festival promotion under Dave Lea to return to Symphony Hall for the first time since the year 2000.

Lyrical qualities

However, the inherent lyrical qualities of Edward Gregson's 'Of Distant Memories' saw a number of heavyweight favourites fail to impress the experienced adjudication team of Nigel Boddice MBE and Allan Ramsay, although Hepworth continued on their recent run of excellent form directed by Mark Peacock to finish a close third.

It meant that a disappointed Whitburn, led by Prof Nicholas Childs, missed out once again as they registered their fifth consecutive Winter Garden's top six-finish in coming fourth. The remaining top-six places went to the confident Albert Hall qualifiers of Aldbourne conducted by David Johnson and Tongwynlais Temperance directed by Glyn Williams.

"It was the cultured playing of the winners that stood out,"Nigel Boddice later told 4BR. "It was wonderful to hear the refinement, the warmth, the textures and the understanding of the musical line. The control of passion and emotion was outstanding — nothing over-wrought."

Allan Ramsay agreed: "They were a clear winner today. The playing had such poise and clarity of balance in tempos and dynamics. The soloists were superb — especially the solo cornet. It was closer between second and third, but after that it was a question of consistency of approach and execution."

Clear indication

Earlier Nigel had given a very clear pre-results indication to the audience of what were the essential musical characteristics he and Allan were looking for in the box.

On what he described as 'a wonderful work', although one 'full of pitfalls', he emphasised the care needed over sound quality, phrasing, dynamics, intonation and clarity. "We need to go back and understand the poetic nature of music, such as old quartets, to keep the blend of balance and especially the care and appreciation of piano playing."

Their written remarks also bore that out — with Nigel summing up Carlton Main's number 11 draw rendition as, 'A high class performance'. Allan was equally as enthused, writing; 'A very fine performance! So well played (and directed). So much to admire and so little to detract. Great solo contributions all round, but particularly the solo cornet. A rewarding experience to listen.'

Early benchmark

Earlier, it was Hepworth who gave the judge's the benchmark performance off the number 3 draw, with an impressive Aldbourne following soon after. However, persuasive accounts from Kirkintilloch and Reg Vardy, which found favour in the hall, failed to make the same impression in the box as they ended outside the prizes.

Emotive

After the mid-contest break though, Erik Janssen's emotive reading of the score certainly brought the best out of his determined ensemble — led in magnificent fashion by 'Best Instrumentalist' award winner Kirsty Abbotts on principal cornet.

"I love this band,"Erik told 4BR after taking the photogenic opportunity to have his picture taken holding the Grand Shield high above his head (and he is well over six foot tall). "As soon as I came to the band there was something great between us. I love the attitude and determination, the commitment and the passion. Everything I asked of them they did — and more."

He added: "I had a wonderful time staying with Ray Sykes. He even took me to a coal mine to go underground, showed me around and told me about Carlton Main's amazing history. You get to understand more about a band in that way — and more about the players. It has been a wonderful experience and one we all want to build on for the future."

Great bloke

That is certainly the feeling of Ray too. "What a great bloke and what a musician. The amount of work he had put in before we blew a note was incredible, and his approach to the band was brilliant.

The players immediately took a shine to him and the rehearsals have been fantastic — he clicked with us straight away. The end result is this victory and a return to the British Open. I don't mind saying though — I don't want to come back here again to win it a fourth time."

That will not be the case if they can repeat the standard of playing on show here under 'The Flying Dutchman' (who had a very early morning departure to get back home the following day): It proved to be a performance that could not be beaten, despite a fine effort from Jaguar Land Rover immediately following them on stage which certainly gave the judge's what they were looking for.

Jaguar delight

Not surprisingly, their MD Dave Lea was equally as delighted by the result — with only the slightest disappointed that he missed out on finally claiming the Grand Shield.

"The last time we qualified for the Open in 1999 we did it by coming second,"he said. "As everyone knows though, this is a contest about qualification and that is what we set out to achieve today. I felt we delivered that on music that we enjoyed playing. Now we can look forward to Birmingham."

High standard

With no less than nine Albert Hall qualifiers on show, the quality of the contest was perhaps as strong as it has been for many years, with Welsh finalists Tongwynlais Temperance giving further indication of their progress by securing a top-six berth right after their Midlands rivals.

There were still heavyweight contenders to come though — although Friary Guildford, Whitburn and Virtuosi GUS failed to resonate with their approaches with the judges, who later clearly confirmed that inconsistent solo lines and harsh tonal qualities, especially at the louder dynamics played their part in separating both the remaining top-six finishers and the rest of the field of contenders.

Fill it up

No such problems though with the winners — although Erik Janssen wore a slightly puzzled look of understanding of Yorkshire tradition when Ray Sykes mischievously offered to pay to 'fill-up' the Grand Shield with celebratory champagne.

"That's one thing I may have to teach him about Yorkshire folk for the future! It's always best to win shields rather than cups — although I'm sure we will find something to fill in the bar!"

He may be faced with the same wonderful puzzle come Symphony Hall if Carlton Main can build on this impressive title winning form.

As soon as I came to the band there was something great between us. I love the attitude and determination, the commitment and the passion. Everything I asked of them they did — and moreErik Janssen

Results:

Test Piece: Of Distant Memories (Edward Gregson)
Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice MBE & Allan Ramsay

1. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Erik Janssen)*
2. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)*
3. Hepworth (Mark Peacock)
4. Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs)
5. Aldbourne (David Johnson)
6. Tongwynlais Temperance (Glyn Williams)
7. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Kevin Gibbs)
8. Wingates (Paul Andrews)
9. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)
10. Ashton-under-Lyne (Philip Chalk)
11. Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke)
12. Kirkintilloch (Garry Cutt)
13. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst)
14. Northop Silver (Andrew Berryman)
15. Burry Port Town (Michael Thorne)
16. Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie)
17. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Stig Maersk)**
18. Friary Guildford (Chris King)**
19. Redbridge (Alan Duguid)* *
20. Co-operative Funeralcare (North West) (Jef Sparkes)**

Best Instrumentalist: Kirsty Abbotts (cornet) — Carlton Main Frickley

*Promoted to British Open
**Relegated to Senior Cup