The welcome return 'home' to Bedworth Civic Hall for the first weekend of qualification action (the Second Section takes place on Saturday 15th March) was greeted with appreciation by the competitors and audience alike at the Midlands Regional Championships.

Closed in 2020, it was saved from becoming retail space and flats by 'Creating Community Together', an aptly named body which through funding has enabled the venue to be significantly refurbished. The original 1970's architectural feel has not been lost, but neither has the fine acoustic, something remarked upon by performers after the struggles of recent years.

It also assisted the fine title winning accounts by GUS Band, Foss Dyke, Ibstock Brick Brass and Syston as they now start to plan autumn trips to London and Cheltenham as newly crowned champions alongside a host of fellow qualifiers all of whom found Bedworth's expansive stage to their liking.

Championship Section:

Leading the way was GUS Band, who celebrated a 29th Area win courtesy of a classily accomplished performance of 'Diversions' under Dr David Thornton. It further confirmed their own sense of regeneration under his baton (aided greatly conductor Christopher Bond), as they produced outer movements of vibrant energy and precision that encased a central section of tender melancholy.

It was also delivered with authoritative confidence; the ensemble, warm and richly toned, the main soloists all playing with character and presence. The quality was not lost on the judges either — Stephen Mead summing up his written remarks by calling it, "stunning playing; a magnificent performance", whilst Chris King said it had been, "highly controlled, musical and well judged."

Brilliant to be back

Reflecting on their success on their Facebook page the band stated: "It was brilliant to be back at Bedworth Civic Hall with full credit to the Midlands Area Championships team for a well-run and successful contest.

Of course none of this would have been possible without our simply outstanding conducting team — Christopher Bond for your weeks of preparation, professionalism and patience, and David Thornton for your wisdom, musicality and keeping the last week of preparations soaring!"

With a third consecutive Albert Hall appearance secure, their qualification ambitions now focus on the Grand Shield where they hope to return to the British Open for the first time since 2014.

Musicality and security

If GUS performs as well as they did here that may well be on the cards, as Stephen Mead later told 4BR that the balance between musicality and security on a contest day when main rivals failed to reach the same levels of consistency, had been key. "The winner was not with errors, but overall, there was so much to appreciate in the musical approach and execution."

He added: "It also meant that although it was close between the top two, the margin was defined. Second place was also very good, but the more obvious errors counted."

Desford grip

That reference pinpointed the crucial moments of unease that just took the gloss off the richly characterised rendition of defending champion Desford. Ian Porthouse's interpretation captured both the wit and pathos of the Bourgeois score, but crucially the little pockmarks were enough to see their grip on the People Challenge Cup loosened and lost.

They now also head to Blackpool for what should be a fascinating Grand Shield 'return-leg' against GUS.

Derwent endorsed

One band that should look forward to that trip (for the Senior Cup) will be Derwent Brass, who further endorsed their top flight credentials by securing a third consecutive podium finish under Jack Capstaff with a performance of nuance and character.

Elsewhere in a contest made up of three distinct levels of quality (the top two a little way ahead of third and fourth with the rest falling away somewhat), fourth place went to a neatly portrayed account from Ratby Co-operative led by Allan Withington, with well led accounts from Staffordshire and Langley, both capturing the wit and character despite the snags, making up the top-six.

After that there would have been few complaints about the final placings.

First Section:

The competitive progress of Foss Dyke under MD Gareth Westwood was further endorsed by their fine victory in the First Section.

Since taking the helm in 2022 the partnership has improved in solid, incremental steps. The Second Section was won in 2023, followed here by success on the most demanding of test-pieces with a performance of 'Introduction, Elegy and Caprice' built on carefully calibrated tempi, dynamics and balance backed by technical rigour and musical character.

Right way

"I'm determined to build the band the right way," Gareth told 4BR. "The players are so committed and understand that, so we never over-reach ourselves. This was a great piece to show that too — so difficult to capture its style and with tests for everyone.

I concentrated on the key things such as tempi and dynamics and allowed the flexibility to come from that. I was delighted by the way the band played but the win was a great bonus."

It was also the approach that Derek Renshaw and Steve Pritchard Jones were looking for in the box — especially on a work that Derek highlighted may have been last used some years ago (in the old Second Section in 1979), but which had not lost any of its "pitfalls"- many of which nearly every band fell into at some point.

Pitfalls

His concise analysis pinpointed the traps in each movement — leaving the audience in no doubt where the contest was won and lost, and which saw "two bands absolutely clear"in claiming their Cheltenham qualification places.

Steve more generously said it had been "a great standard", although those whose listened will have perhaps sided more with Derek's assertion that "how wrong they were"if they thought it an easy piece when they first found it on their stands.

Few would now think that as numerous performances were undermined by a lack of ensemble cohesion (especially in the first movement), solo nerves and fragility (in second) and stylistic bluntness in the third.

Raunds clear

The other 'clear' band was Raunds Temperance, as Jonathan Pippen brought a strong sense of character to the music despite some moments of unease. They now return to Cheltenham for a fourth time since 2019.

Also joining them will be Audley Brass. Like their fellow qualifiers they are also building in solid steps under MD Tom Hancock, returning to Cheltenham for a second successive year (they came fourth in the Second Section Final in 2024) thanks to a performance that grew in confidence and security as it went on.

Behind them, Hucknall & Linby were perhaps a tad unlucky their neatly portrayed account didn't quite resonate enough in the box as they ended fourth, whilst the remaining top-six places in a contest of wide ranging interpretations and standards went to contrasting accounts from Kibworth and Jackfield.

Second Section:

The report from the Second Section will be added after the contest on Saturday 15th March

Third Section:

The Midlands may well be one of the most densely urbanised areas of the UK, yet Jacob De Haan's Third Section test-piece still inspired the 15 contenders to find the qualification spirit of the wide open plains of Cheltenham Racecourse let alone 'Arkansas'.

It made for a thoroughly enjoyable contest — packed with endeavour and excellence, especially from the winner, Ibstock Brick Brass and fellow qualifiers, Avonbank (Evesham) and Thrapston Town. Close behind came well worked accounts from Wigston, Wem Jubilee and Wellington (Telford), whilst a host of others gave judges Stephanie Binns and Nicholas Garman plenty to ponder in the box.

Filmatic

"It was an easy piece to judge today," Stephanie said as she pinpointed the key elements of tempi, articulation, intonation and dynamic balance that needed to be mastered to capture the filmartic style of the writing. Nick also emphasised the need to create the "storytelling pictures in the mind" without losing consistency, poise and tempo. The best four or five bands were clear at the top he said, with a gap to the rest.

Stylish swagger

Ibstock Brick Brass' victory came with a stylish swagger — as well as with a few tears of joy for their representative as she revealed that it was her first taste of victory in 37 years of playing (although the band itself had won here three times in the past 40 years). It was also MD Jon Penton's first win with them since taking the helm in 2024.

Reflecting on the victory on their Facebook page, he said: "I've very much enjoyed working with the band, their teamwork and positivity is to be admired, alongside a healthy sense of humour. This year's set work 'Arkansas' has been a pleasure to rehearse, with its folk melody, emotion and rhythmic drive to finish — it is accessible to players and audiences alike.

The band have risen to the challenge, embracing games and exercises for individual and ensemble technique and focusing on multiple layers of detail to bring the music alive. The band's winning performance was the result of their dedication, consistency, and control."

Avonbank delight

Celebrations then for Ibstock as they return to Cheltenham for the first time since 2016, as well as for Avonbank (Evesham) after their neatly portrayed account as the last band of the day under Micah Parsons saw them claim a National Finals slot for the first time since 1990 — way before the talented young MD was even born.

Understandably then the band stated that they were "absolutely buzzing", whilst they took the opportunity to thank Ann Mercer from Shipston Band who stayed on stage to help on soprano due to the illness absence of Avonbank's player.

Thrapston return

Defending Third Section Champion Thrapston will travel to Cheltenham for a third successive year as they claimed the final podium spot. Although perhaps disappointed they couldn't quite keep their grip on the title they will surely be satisfied with another tilt at a National title and promotion to the Second Section in 2026.

Elsewhere, there was much to enjoy from the top-six finishers of early runners Wigston, Wem Jubilee and Wellington (Telford) as well as a host of other well led bands.

Fourth Section:

Although the days of 20 plus Fourth Section bands regularly competing for the title have seemingly gone since Covid-19, it was still encouraging to see 17 confident contenders take to the stage to perform Andrea Price's colourful 'I, Daedalus' set-work.

It made for a cracking contest — the battle for the title close and competitive, aided by a series of well-directed performances from MDs who used plenty of nous to ensure they didn't fly to close to the qualification sun and get their Cheltenham wings burnt.

Syston best

The best for judges David Hirst and James Holt came from Syston Band conducted by Alex Bland (who enjoyed a busy weekend with the baton). Few would have disagreed that it was more than worthy of their first Midlands title as they improved on last year's runner-up finish in splendid fashion with a rendition packed with inventiveness, drama, despair and redemption.

After coming 8th last year at Cheltenham on this form they could also fancy their chances of ending much closer to the winner's enclosure — they were excellent.

Little wonder they were in celebratory mood then as they reflected on their success on their Facebook page. "Well, what a day. In short WE WON!!!!!! First prize for the first time in Syston's history winning and a much-revered blue banner!! Roll on September."

Long awaited finalists

Joining them for the first time since 2014 (and in the Third Section in 2026) will be Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) as they neatly followed the winner on stage with a performance full of colour and energy led by Sarah Fellowes, whilst the final podium spot was claimed by super show off the number 1 draw by Brackley & District, as they now look forward to their first Finals' appearance since 2002.

Behind them came a closely bunched field led by a top-six of Cubbington Silver, Dunchurch and University of Warwick, whilst as David Hirst remarked, every band performed well on a set-work that offered so much in testing good contesting basics.

Welcome home

Regional Secretary Lesley Bentley and her super team of volunteers have had to battle against a variety of challenges to host this contest in recent years, so it was good to report that the return to Bedworth Civic Hall has been greeted with a huge degree of satisfaction by competitors and audience alike. Long may it continue.

Chris Thomas and Iwan Fox

The report from the Second Section will added following the contest on 15th March)

The quality was not lost on the judges either — Stephen Mead summing up his written remarks by calling it, "stunning playing; a magnificent performance", whilst Chris King said it had been, "highly controlled, musical and well judged"4BR

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Steven Mead, Chris King

1. GUS Band (Dr David Thornton)*
2. Desford Colliery (Ian Porthouse)*
3. Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff)
4. Ratby Co-operative (Allan Withington)
5. Staffordshire (Lee Woodward)
6. Langley (Cliff Parker)
7. Enderby (Michael Fowles)
8. Sovereign Brass (Trevor Jones)
9. Newstead Brass (Martin Heartfield)
10. Blidworth Welfare (Gary Perrin)
11. Brass Band of Central England (Stephen Cooper)
12. Bilton Silver (Rugby) (Brad Turnbull)

*Qualify for National Final

First Section:

Adjudicators: Derek Renshaw, Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Foss Dyke (Gareth Westwood)*
2. Raunds Temperance (Jonathan Pippen)*
3. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)*
4. Hucknall & Linby MC (Simon Gresswell)
5. Kibworth (Brendan Caddy)
6. Jackfield (Ryan Richards)
7. Thoresby Colliery (Luke Pallister)
8. City of Coventry (Lee Woodward)
9. Shirley (Tom Stoneman)
10. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
11. Bedworth Brass (Jonathan Mott)
12. Oddfellows Brass (John Davis)
13. Gresley Colliery (Craig Stevens)
14. Burbage Buxton (Steve Critchlow)
15. Stamford Brass (Julian Bright)

*Qualify for National Final

Third Section:

Adjudicators: Stephanie Binns, Nick Garman

1. Ibstock Brick Brass (Jon Penton)*
2. Avonbank (Evesham) (Micah Parsons)*
3. Thrapston Town (Nathan Waterman)*
4. Wigston (Colin Jones)
5. Wem Jubilee (Cathy Rutherford)
6. Wellington (Telford) (Ian Johnson)
7. Shipston Town (Alex Bland)
8. Whitwell Brass (Rob Deakin)
9. Newark Town (Gary Wyatt)
10. Trentham (Matthew Ludford-King)
11. Cleobury Mortimer Concert (Chris Cobon)
12. Daventry Brass (Ken Ewer)
13. Market Rasen (Peter Richardson)
14. Long Eaton Silver (Sharon Stansfield)
15. Amington (Chris Barker)

*Qualify for National Final

Fourth Section:

Adjudicators: David Hirst, James Holt

1. Syston (Alex Bland)*
2. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Sarah Fellowes)*
3. Brackley & District (Mark Probert)*
4. Cubbington Silver (Kieron Howe)
5. Dunchurch (Paul Whitmore)
6. University of Warwick (Tom Stoneman)
7. Arrow Valley (Alex Bland)
8. Coventry Festival (Allan Wheelhouse)
9. Bilton Silver (Evolution) (Jodie Kelsall)
10. Croft Silver (Henry Dunger)
11. Bretforton Silver (Paul Wood)
12. Corby Silver (Daniel Thompson)
13. Matlock (Chris Banks)
14. Melton Borough (Tony Rifugiato)
15. Skegness Silver (Steve Walker)
16. Moulton 77 Brass (Kirsty Woodhouse)
17. Malvern Hills & District (Chris License)

*Qualify for National Final

Best Instrumentalist: Hannah Taylor (University of Warwick)

Saturday 15th March

Second Section:

Adjudicators: James Holt, Derek Renshaw
Start: 11.00am

Carlton Brass (Chris Banks)
City of Birmingham (Saphran Ali)
Glossop Old (Eliot Darwin)
Harborough (Ben Smith)
Hathern (Gary Wyatt)
Leicestershire Co-op (Ben Hewlett-Davies)
Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Elizabeth Pearce)
Ratby Co-operative Mid (Nicholas Garman)
Rolls Royce (Derby) (Adrian Lacey)
Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Adrian Wood)
Shirland Welfare (Lynden Cooper)
Stourport on Severn (Oliver Wilson)
Tintwistle (Jim Henson)
Towcester Studio (Neil Brownless)