A purple haze of memories came flooding back at the Royal Albert Hall as Desford Colliery Band recalled former Kensington glories in being crowned 2025 National Champion.

The result may have come as a surprise to the majority of those in the auditorium, but undeserved it certainly was not, as 34 years after their last triumph, the Midlanders claimed a fifth title success.

And whilst the unfamiliar stunned silence that greeted their victory was in marked contrast to the outpouring of joy heard in recent years, that was due in part to the fact that given the time, nearly every Desford player and supporter (as well as many neutrals) were halfway to Euston Station to catch the last train home.

Postponed

Thankfully, a number were able to race back to enjoy their on-stage celebrations led by conductor, David Morton, with yet more waiting outside to start what was sure to be a long and raucous night of celebration with homebound travel arrangements (including the trophy itself) postponed for 12 hours or more at least.

"It's been amazing conducting this band," David said. "I appreciated the way in which these experienced players wish to work, and in return they gave me everything I asked for. They all knew what was required of them on this piece and I just loved conducting them in return."

He added: "I still can't quite believe it in conducting a National Champion, but I knew we had played well as soon as we came off stage."

Endorsement

Victory was also an endorsement of a band that despite not being run in the traditional 'week to week' manner of top-flight rivals, maintains a remarkable level of player retention and commitment. Some return from abroad to play for major events time and time again, whilst others can proudly point to registration cards with contest stamps marking decades of loyal service.

Their stalwart Band Manager Peter Smith is another who has the band embossed in his heart — keeping them on the road from their hometown of Coalville year after year. He also deserved a night to remember, whilst the band also took time to thank others in sharing their triumph, such as conductor Brian Grant who did a great deal of the preparation work.

What this now means for Desford will be interesting, as they became the first non-British Open contender since Leyland in 2005 to win the title. The Midlands will now also have three bands at the National Finals for the first time since 2001.

White noise

All this of course was accompanied by the white noise of post-contest social media coverage and opinion.

Soon after the result was announced these were already being aired, either with clear minded appreciation or in an ill-informed haze of selective memory at local pubs — from Black Dyke's return to title-winning credentials as runner-up and defending champion Flowers' iron-willed grip to hold onto the trophy in coming third, to Foden's lowly 11th place finish.

Overwhelming delight though for Whitburn, who filled the final pre-qualification spot for 2026. It was a fine fourth place finish that banished the cruel disappointment of their British Open relegation after coming 10th at Symphony Hall.

Chatter and congratulations

Behind them, much to chatter over Brighouse & Rastrick's 'double' challenge, which faltered just as it seemed the title was in their sights, whilst admiration came for Hepworth in deservedly taking the final top-six place with a bravura account before the mid-contest break.

It was also good to note though, that despite the lingering post-result surprise, there was a genuine warmth to the congratulations offered to Desford players, especially from fellow rivals and those who had actually listened to the majority of performances of Edward Gregson's demanding 'Symphony in Two Movements'.

That also displayed a respectful acknowledgment of the authority of the judgment of adjudicators Ian Bousfield, Dr Stephen Cobb and Prof Rob Wiffen OBE — one which saw the former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra trombone virtuoso sum up the winning rendition in his written remarks by calling it, "...an amazing performance!"

Meanwhile, the Bandmaster of the ISB marked its, "...authentic musicality" in what was, "a fabulous performance!", whilst the former RAF Director of Music stated that, "the vision and reading was compelling".

Thoughtful clarity

Their remarks also backed up the thoughts expressed by Ian Bousfield when speaking to 4BR following the results, in which he outlined with thoughtful precision just what the trio were looking for in the box; clarity and consistency, the acknowledgment of the subtle pacings and dynamics, coherent structuring in the artistic vision and the stamina to deliver it with controlled authority.

This he said was certainly shown the with the top three podium finishers; the winner and second place close, "but defined" in their eventual title winning separation, third and then fourth just behind.

All four were certainly cut from the same musical cloth; a symphonic scope to the readings of their MDs, with well-defined boundaries of containment based on tempi and dynamic, rather than a leaning towards the adjectival descriptors of the score.

Although there were moments of unease (on a day when no band was left unblemished), each had controlled precision in the opening, dramatic 'Toccata', as well as in the shifting stylistic patterns of the following 'Variations'.

Collective security

Desford, who followed a much more expansive reading by Brighouse & Rastrick, achieved that in full for the judges — admirably secure in collective and individual endeavour (a peerless Kevin Crockford taking the 'Most Outstanding Player' accolade), built on a reading by David Morton that stuck closely to the tempo and dynamic markings.

And whilst the overall musical canvas wasn't painted as extravagantly in colouring or character as others, its effective refinement certainly made its mark in the box — tellingly so.

Interestingly, Ian Bousfield did acknowledge that one band (confirmed as Brighouse) seemed to be on track to give them a potential, almost unbeatable rendition before things just fell away, whilst from fifth to ninth he said were very closely matched.

He also added that the trio were impressed by the overall standard, with just "one or two" struggling to fully command their performances.

Missing out

Elsewhere, Tredegar just missed out on a fifth consecutive top-six finish to end in seventh, whilst their Welsh counterparts Ebbw Valley will have returned home delighted by coming eighth, just ahead of the in-form, but on this occasion, slightly misfiring the cooperation band.

Oldham (Lees) will certainly have been happy in tenth, as they finished ahead of Foden's for the first time in their history. The Sandbach band though were left to rue another major contest performance this year (after the Europeans) that found a great deal of favour in the hall but not the box, as Russell Gray's spacious interpretation (with some intonation issues) failed to resonate with the judges.

Little to choose though between the midfield finishers from GUS to Aldbourne, or between the quintet of NASUWT Riverside down to St Dennis — although there would have been more than a little sympathy for the 'locals' of East London Brass, drawn number 1 on their debuts.

Encouraging

With Edward Gregons's set-work taking close on half an hour per band, it did make for a long day (there was also an half hour mid-point comfort break), one which although rounded off by an entertaining programme by Youth Brass 2000, did becoming tiring for what was an encouragingly larger audience than has been seen since the return from Covid.

Whether their memories of the day will entice them back again next year, we will have to wait and see, but the increased social media profile, excellent organisation and a test-piece that found favour with the performers and listeners alike may be an encouraging sign of future rejuvenation.

There is also no doubt that new National title winning memories will boost future aspirations (and a possible re-evaluation of travel plans) for Desford too.

Iwan Fox

it was one which saw the former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra trombone virtuoso sum up the winning rendition in his written remarks by calling it, "...an amazing performance!"4BR

Result:

Test Piece: Symphony in Two Movements (Edward Gregson)
Adjudicators: Ian Bousfield; Dr Stephen Cobb; Prof Rob Wiffen OBE

1. Desford Colliery (David Morton)*
2. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas Childs)*
3. Flowers (Paul Holland)*
4. Whitburn (Chris Shanks)*
5. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof David King)
6. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
7. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
8. Ebbw Valley (Matthew Rowe)
9. the cooperation band (Katrina Marzella-Wheeler)
10. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)
11. Foden's (Russell Gray)
12. GUS Band (David Thornton)
13. Leyland (Daniel Brooks)
14. Aldbourne (Glyn Williams)
15. NASUWT Riverside (Stephen Malcolm)
16. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
17. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)
18. City of Hull (Jonathan Beatty)
19. St Dennis (Darren R. Hawken)

Best Instrumentalist: Kevin Crockford (soprano) — Desford Colliery

*Top four bands pre-qualify for 2026 National Final