2005 Regionals: North of England - Preview: Fourth Section

Nine bands will have to get to grips with the fine Divertimento by Bryan Kelly – a piece with something in it for everyone. Derek Broadbent should enjoy himself then.

Date: Saturday 26th February
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent
Test Piece: Divertimento – Bryan Kelly
Commences: 15.20
Draw: 14.00

Ayecliffe and Brancepeth
Conductor: M. Priestley

Last Year: 8th

Last Nine Years:
2004: 8th (M. Priestley)
2003: DNC
2002: 6th (M. Priestley)
2001: DNC
2000: 12th (M. Priestley)
1999: N/K
1998: 8th
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

Nice to see Ayecliffe and Brancepeth making it back for a second year in a row here – after their bit of an on/off appearance record of late. When they do appear they seem to pout in solid performances, and they will therefore be looking to improve on the 8th place of last year and push for a top six place or above at least. 

Barrow Concert
Conductor: A. Garbutt

Last Year: 3rd

Last Nine Years:
2004: 3rd (A. Garbutt)
2003: DNC (rel)
2002: 8th in Third Section (J. Kendall)
2001: 7th in Second Section (rel) (J. Kendall)
2000: 8th in Second Section (J. Moore)
1999: N/K
1998: 5th in Second Section
1997: Winners in Third Section (prom)
1996: 2nd in Fourth Section (prom)

Barrow just missed out on a trip to Harrogate last year when they finished 1 point behind the second placed band Durham Constabulary. They will certainly be looking to overturn that this year then and start the long road back to the Second Section where they played as recently as 1998. 

Bearpark and Esh
Conductor: A. Hall

Last Year: 8th Third Section (rel)

Last Nine Years:
2004: 8th Third Section (rel) (A. Hall)
2003: 9th (T. Minnis)
2002: 6th (B. Oxlee)
2001: 2nd 4th Section (prom) (J. Foxcroft)
2000: 3rd 4th Section (A. Hall)
1999: Winners 4th Section
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

A drop back down a division for Bearpark and Esh this year after they could only manage 8th place in the Third Section and fell though the trap door. However, they have shown that they can more than mix it here at this level and they should be confident of making a strong impression once more this time.

Dunston Silver
Conductor: A. Seymour

Last Year: 10th

Last Nine Years:
2004: 10th (A. Seymour)
2003: 9th (A. Seymour)
2002: 9th (A. Seymour)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

Bobbling along a bit around the bottom, but great to see a band still trying their hardest and putting in the effort to come here and compete. Lets hope they get a bit of luck and a bit of form and push for a top six place at least.  

Durham Constabulary
Conductor: K. MacDonald

Last Year: 2nd

Last Nine Years:
2004: 2nd (K. MacDonald)
2003: 8th (K. MacDonald)
2002: 14th (rel) (P. Cuff)
2001: DNC
2000: 10th 3rd Section (P. Gommersall)
1999: N/K
1998: 4th 3rd Section
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

The lads and lasses from the long arm of the law will be looking for a repeat performance of last year for certain as they played very well indeed to come runners up and then make the trip to Harrogate where they came 17th. You get the feeling that another day out from keeping the law in Durham may well be on their notebooks.

Five Rivers Brass
Conductor: D. Beckley

Last Year: 4th

Last Nine Years:
2004: 4th (T. Griffiths)
2003: 7th (T. Griffiths)
2002: 7th (T. Griffiths)
2001: 8th (T. Griffiths)
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

Duncan Beckley takes over the reins at Five Rivers this year and his substantial experience of banding at this level should prove a real bonus for a band that has been knocking on the qualification door here for the past couple of years. Could this be their year then? 

Hartlepool (Youth and Community)
Conductor: J. Humbertson

Last Year: DNC

Debut this year

The organisers of the Regional Contest have told us of their delight that Hartlepool will be making their debut at the contest this year. Where others are struggling to get players it seems this could be a little oasis of talent, and we wish them well on their debut. They may well feature in the prizes as well. 

Stanhope Silver
Conductor: S. Robson

Last Year: 9th

Last Nine Years:
2004: 9th (S. Robson)
2003: 4th (S. Robson)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: 10th
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

Stanhope dropped away a bit last year after really challenging for a qualification place in 2003. That would have been a bit of a disappointment for them, but we think they will return once more this year even more determined to do well. A podium place may be the least of their ambitions this time.

Trimdon Concert
Conductor: A. Holmes

Last Year: 7th

Last Nine Years:
2004: 7th (A. Holmes)
2003: 12th (A. Holmes)
2002: 5th (G. Vardy)
2001: 10th (B. Wright)
2000: 13th (B. Wright)
1999: 2nd
1998: 10th
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

A bit up and down in recent years for Trimdon here, but last year was on the up slope as they came a solid 7th. They will therefore be determined not to fall back down and will be looking for a further improvement this time around and a possible top three place if luck goes with them.  

Past Qualifiers:

2004: Billingham Silver, Durham Constabulary
2003: Lockwood Brass, Ripon City
2002: Hetton Silver, Kirkby Lonsdale
2001: Swinton and District Excelsior, Bearpark and Esh
2000: Ferryhill Town, Lanchester
1999: Bearpark and Esh, Trimdon Concert
1998: Westoe (STHCT), Dearham
1997: Murton Colliery, Marske Brass
1996: Ovington Tyndale, Barrow Concert
1995: Kirkby Lonsdale, Ovington Tynedale

North of England bands at the Finals:

2004: 16th, 17th
2003: 5th, 20th
2002: 16th, 17th
2001: 8th, 15th
2000: 8th, 20th
1999: 8th, 9th
1998: 13th, 15th

4BR Prediction:

As we have said, this should prove to be an enjoyable contest for both players and adjudicator alike, as Bryan Kelly's test piece is certainly challenging but also very musical and enjoyable to perform.  That should make it a bit more of an open field, but there are a couple of bands here who we think should have enough about the to claim one of the two qualification places that are up for grabs.

Durham Constabulary should have enough experience to do well again this year and we tip them for the title, whilst Five Rivers should push them hard as well. Don't be surprised to see Hartlepool do very well and we think the rest of the top six should fall to Bearpark and Esh, Trimdon and Stanhope. Our dark horse this year is Barrow.

1. Durham Constabulary
2. Five River
3. Hartlepool (Youth and Community)
4. Trimdon
5. Bearpark and Esh
6. Stanhope

Dark Horse: Barrow Concert

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