Unfortunately, the weather is grey and overcast, whilst as it’s the National Labour Day holiday here, there isn’t a great deal open either.

Trade Unions

The good workers of the city are celebrating though and at midday there was a procession through the main streets with the local Trade Unions proudly carrying their banners led by a vintage fire engine and marching bands.

As for the competitors for the European Championships themselves, they are gathering in the two main hotels here to start their final preparations for the contests ahead.

Final touches

Grimethorpe arrived at lunchtime after a very early morning flight from Leeds via Amsterdam. Cory will be here later in the day, whilst the Danish champions Lyngby Taarbeak has already been putting their final touches to the test piece, ‘Brass Blot’.

The rumour mill of who is playing what is already in overdrive, and although 4BR has a good idea what everyone is planning to perform, we will keep you all suspense – for the moment at least4BR

Rumour Mill

The rumour mill of who is playing what is already in overdrive, and although 4BR has a good idea what everyone is planning to perform, we will keep you all suspense – for the moment at least.

Meanwhile, we’ve been having a quick look around and spent an enjoyable hour or so in the National Oil Museum in Stavanger harbour.

Oil wealth

Oil has given Stavanger it’s wealth – even the seawater in the harbour is oily black in colour. The amount of money it has cost to get the black gold out from under seabed has been astronomical though – as has the cost in lives too. The museum is well worth a visit just to see the technology used to get the stuff out from under the North Sea.

First Final

Tonight the first of the European titles will be decided at the Final of the 4th European Conductors Competition at the Atlantic Hall.

Accompanied by the Sola Band the three finalists will be display their talents in the hope of picking up the hefty 3,500 Euro first prize, with 2,500 to the runner up and 1,500 for third place.

4BR will be there to see how it all pans out and we will give our usual opinions as soon as we can.