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2003 Pontins Brass Band Championships
Pontins Holiday Camp, Prestatyn, North Wales
Sat/Sun 25/26th October
Fourth Section:
Saturday 25th October
Commence: 9.00am
Venue: Lunars Bar
Test Piece: Suite - The Seasons - Philip Wilby
Adjudicators: David Horsfield and David Read
First Prize: £1,100
Second Prize: £900
Third Prize: £650
Fourth Prize:£450
“The Seasons” by Philip Wilby may sound a fairly straightforward
work to the listener, but the composition still bears all the hallmarks
of Wilby the composer of those exceptionally difficult Championship
test pieces. Closer inspection will reveal all for the MD’s
– everything has a purpose and a sense of place, so the Devil,
as they say, is certainly in the detail on this one. That could
well be either good or bad news for the bands at this level, as
one very experienced adjudicator told us about judging bands in
the Fourth Section not so long ago, “Get in tune, play the
right notes and in the right place – then worry about the
music making!”
The bands that can do the first three things right should be the
ones in with a chance here – the ones who can do that and
then make the music should be the ones at the top of the prize list.
The competing bands are as follows:
Besses Boys conducted by M. Stringer have not
competed in the Pontins Contests in the last three years. They are
more than capable of producing very decent performance levels and
certainly have a chance of finishing in the frame on Saturday. Chalgrove
will be directed by Steve Sizeland and although they were rather
poorly placed in 2000 coming 19th last year theygave a very good
account and finished in 8th place. Dronfield (CMW) conducted
by Ray White meanwhile competed in the 3rd section in 2002 and came15th
and 2000 when they improved to13th so have a mid to lower table
history in recent contests in a section higher than this year. There
is a difference in the standard between the two sections though
and so they may well be in with a shout this time here.
Five Rivers Brass are directed by T. Griffiths.
The band seemed to have a solid 4th Section status and came 7th
in the Northern Regionals but then turned up trumps and come to
this contest on the back of a fine win at Whitehaven.
Greenfield are conducted by David Chapman. They
came 13th in the Regionals and they have also entered Buxton in
2003 but finished out of the prizes. Will just need to raise their
game a touch then to feature in this contest perhaps. Kirkby
Colliery Welfare will be directed by Stephen Berrill. They
come into the contest with an advantage in that they are a bit of
an unknown quantity in this arena. Ones to watch out for then?
Lockwood Brass will be conducted by Nigel Barnes.
Winners last year they are a band in good form through 2003 as well.
They came 5th in Dundee and it could have been better – they
sounded a touch nervous. The band to beat in this section if they
play to form – although we did say that in Dundee as well.
Pemberton Old B Band will be conducted by P. Ashley.
Like their senior band Pemberton B can produce good performances
like the 7th place here last year. Then they can also disappoint
-16th 2000. They were half way at 10th in 2001 so we will have to
wait and see what 2003 brings. Phoenix West Midlands Brass
will be headed by David Bishop Rowe. Another of the many
bands with no recent Pontins form book, however they won the Midlands
Regionals and took the spoils in Rhyl. They competed well in Dundee
to come 9th so should be in contention here as well.
Pillowell Silver will be conducted by C. Lewis
and are approaching this contest on the back of a win at the Weston-Super-Mare
contest and a 9th place in the West of England Regionals. That win
by the sea should fill them full of confidence and they will be
hoping to come in the prizes here. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge
are directed by Chris Williams. Third in the Welsh Regionals and
a second place in the Rhyl Festival could be pointers to the ability
of the band. No recent Pontins entries but there is a feeling that
they could do well. Porthleven Town will be conducted
by F. E. Evans. Not the best of Regional results but they did take
a few decent prizes in the Bugle music festival and they will be
hoping to come in the prize list here.
Rivington and Adlington will be taken by H. Bentham.
In sparkling form in local competitions they have a tidy Pontins
record finishing 6th in 2002. They came 2nd in 2000 and could repeat
a top prize this year. They came 15th in 2001 but they will hope
that was something of a one off. Sacriston Colliery are
to be directed by Richard Wallace. Not the best of results at the
Regionals, they have not had the best of results in 2003 and may
find the competition tough this weekend. Sale Brass
will be taken by Steve Shawcross. Another relatively unknown quantity
their performance at this contest will be noted carefully as a pointer
for next year’s Regional Championships.
Standish are to be taken by John Roberts. The
band have a solid foundation and scored top ten places in this contest
in 2002 – 9th and 2000 4th. Their current form suggests that
they could finish higher than the 13th scored in 2002. Uppermill
will be directed by Simon Wood. A very strong performer in the Pontins
Championships: 4th in 2003, 3rd in 2001 and 5th in 2000 they recently
produced a very creditable performance of the piece at Fleetwood
and must be favoured to be in the prizes on this occasion. Wardle
and District Anderson Brass are directed by Phil Shaw.
In sparkling form, they won the Regionals and National Finals and
have been in the frame at a number contests in 2002/3. They are
probably the favourites to take the spoils on this occasion. Wellington
(Telford) Brass directed by Stephen Curtis. Another of
the bands in this section not getting the best of Regional results
but they did play quite
well at Buxton though not getting into the prizes.
4BR Prediction:
The Fourth Section tends to be a bit of a banana skin for 4BR come
prediction time, but this time we think we won’t be too far
out. (Famous last words eh?) On current form the title shuld be
finding its way back to Wardle, who are playing really well of late,
whilst it may be time for Lockwood to overcome those nerves and
produce the goods. Uppermill and Simon Wood will be strong contenders,
whilst Phoenix should rise from the flames to come well in the top
six. Rivington and Standish are our other two tips, whilst Pemberton
we think this time will do the business for us and be our outside
bet for a high placing.
1. Wardle and District Anderson Brass
2. Lockwood Brass
3. Uppermill
4. Phoenix West Midlands Brass
5. Rivington and Adlington
6. Standish
Dark Horse
Pemberton Old B
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