David Roberts may now have won the Grand Shield on three occasions leading Rothwell Temperance Band, but as he confessed on Saturday evening on the stage at the Winter Gardens, he is determined not to add to that total any time soon.

Victory ended a two-year competitive exile from the British Open (their last appearance was in 2018) as he inspired a superb performance of Peter Graham's 'Dynasty' to further strengthen a collective self-belief that has seen his Yorkshire band overcome various Covid-19 challenges to qualify for the Royal Albert Hall National Finals and return to Symphony Hall.

It was yet another major achievement for one of the hardest working, self-supporting top-flight bands in the UK.

"Covid-19 saw us a lose a number of players," David said. "The spirit was never lost though — and that's what makes this band special. We dug deep, looked at alternatives to get us through and develop, worked hard and came back determined to return to the Open and National Finals this year."

He added: "All credit goes to them for doing just that. They give everything for the band and produced a special performance for me today. Hopefully though, we won't be coming back to try for a fourth win."

Few arguments

Rothwell was the name on the lips of the majority of listeners who enjoyed an engaging, if somewhat uneven quality contest; Peter Graham's narrative tone poem posing stern technical and especially musical challenges for the 19 competitors.

It was certainly a victory that brokered few arguments come the announcement of the results.

Off the number 15 draw it brokered little debate in the box with judges Stephen Cobb and Roger Webster either; the different elements played with high class refinement and security, the narrative revealed with stylish purpose all the way to a glorious end.

Truly great show

"This is all making sense," Roger wrote in his remarks, before rounding off his assessment by saying; "Be proud of a truly great show."

Meanwhile, Stephen emphasised the excellent adherence to the "musical line" in a performance that he said was "a very rewarding interpretation".

On this form, Rothwell could very well make a considerable mark on the Autumn majors. A band of admirable character and quality, their post Covid confidence is not misplaced.

Debut reward

Reward too for another band that has battled hard to overcome Covid challenges, as a delighted Northop Silver claimed a British Open debut at Symphony Hall.

They secured their place (the first time in their 130-year history) under the baton of Gareth Brindle with a 'Dynasty' rich in emotion and musicality, led by 'Best Soloist' award winner, principal cornet Alice Newbould.

Her opening 'voice from the heavens' set the 'Mortimer' standard the ensemble then matched as the MD persuasively shaped the music to find its emotive balances of colour, texture and pace.

The 2019 Senior Cup winner has also been rejuvenated following Covid-19 (working hard to recruit new players and having the confidence to make long term investment in their own talented youngsters).

The North Walians can now look forward to an Autumn that will see them both at Birmingham and London following their Welsh Area qualification success in March.

Little wonder their delighted conductor took to Facebook to congratulate the band on their achievement. Wales will now have three bands at the British Open for the first time since 2017.

Impressive

At perhaps any other time the final podium place at the Grand Shield would be tinged with disappointment for a competitor with ambitions to secure a place at the British Open, but on this occasion there was huge squeal of delight when Wantage was announced in third.

As the final band to play, MD Jonathan Pippen inspired a mightily impressive account from the London & Southern Counties contenders that grew from the glorious opening sounds of principal cornet Lode Violet from Brass Band Willebroek, to a majestically noble ending.

In the three competitive years since returning to the Spring Festival in 2018, they have secured consecutive promotions to the cusp of the British Open itself. An excellently run organisation is now reaping the rewards for its long-term ideals.

Next year who knows? Their success certainly endorses the reason why the Spring Festival retains such popular appeal. From Senior Trophy entry to the cusp of the British Open in three years. It is an inspirational story.

Working

Another making a mark by doing things their own way is Oldham Band (Lees), who ended fourth.

Their approach under MD John Collins has raised a few eyebrows as well as a few hackles from rivals, but it is certainly working for them (and it has to be said that quite a few bands made use of the generous registration rules to cover absences of various kinds)

Here they produced another well organised account sprinkled with a touch of stardust, adding further substance to their ambition (following their qualification for the Albert Hall) to make a lasting top-flight mark at the major Championships.

Waiting

Another year's wait though for top-six finishers Friary Brass and Whitburn.

The admirably consistent London & Southern Counties challengers produced another solidly delivered account to post their best finish at the contest under Chris King — although never quite ever suggesting that it was going to be enough to see them book B&B in Birmingham in September.

They are a band though that is getting closer to Symphony Hall.

Close but not close enough for Whitburn, as many people's pre-contest favourites delivered an evocative rendition under Prof Nicholas Childs blighted by just a few too many minor clips and errors.

With an appearance at the European Championships in Malmo in 2023 (just a week before the Spring Festival) this will be seen as an opportunity missed for a fine band not quite firing on all cylinders on the weekend.

Overall there was a something of a feeling of a 'changing of the guard' at the contest, with some notable names and past Open contenders failing in their efforts to claim a top-six finish.

Self inflicted

However, many were undermined by self-inflicted damage; a viewpoint touched on with perceptive conciseness by Roger Webster in his pre-results address to the audience.

"It's been a tough day," he admitted, before adding. "We think the top two should go to the British Open and give good accounts of themselves."

He then revealed that Stephen Cobb and himself had felt that, "not all MDs took notice of the score — especially in relation to tempos. It may be OK in concerts, but not here where we have a score in front of ourselves."

It was a clearly defined musical opinion point that made its mark. Those they felt did not quite adhere to Peter Graham's instructive intentions found themselves out of the qualification reckoning.

Consolidate and consistency

That said, City of Hull will have been pleased with seventh as they continue to consolidate their top-flight credentials under Stig Maersk, whilst, Milnrow also added substance to their ambitions in coming eighth.

The GUS Band will have to contemplate a seventh year back at the Winter Gardens as they continue to seek their British Open return, whilst a spirited Camborne rounded off the top-10.

Elsewhere it was the familiar tale of consistency — or the lack of it — that put pay to the likes of Hepworth (last at the Open in 2012) and Reg Vardy (2013), whilst Pemberton Old, Ratby Co-operative, Rainford and Wingates (with Paul Andrews making his last appearance with the band) maintained their Grand Shield status and future British Open hopes with midfield finishes.

Relegation however for Redbridge, Llwydcoed and St Dennis (who had a bit of a rush to make it to the stage as the first band on), whilst Woodfalls, who withdrew, also join them in the Senior Cup in 2023.

Iwan Fox & Chris Thomas

"This is all making sense," Roger Webster wrote in his remarks, before rounding off his assessment by saying; "Be proud of a truly great show."4BR

Result:

Grand Shield:

Test Piece: Dynasty (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: Dr Stephen Cobb & Prof Roger Webster.

1. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)*
2. Northop Silver (Gareth Brindle)*
3. Wantage Silver (Jonathan Pippen)
4. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)
5. Friary Brass (Chris King)
6. Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs)
7. City of Hull (Stig Maersk)
8. Milnrow (John Doyle)
9. The GUS Band (Chris Jeans)
10. Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie)
11. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
12. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)
13. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon)
14. Ratby Co-operative (David Purkiss)
15. Rainford (Chris Houlding)
16. Wingates (Paul Andrews)
17. Redbridge (Chris Bearman)**
18. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)**
19. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)**

Withdrawn: Woodfalls (David Hamilton)**

Best Instrumentalist: Alice Newbould (solo cornet) — Northop Silver

*Qualify for British Open
** Relegated to Senior Cup