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2004 North West Regional Championships
Fourth Section
Sunday 14th March
Test Piece: Partita – Edward
Gregson
Adjudicator: Maurice Priestley
A large Fourth Section entry of 20 bands should ensure a fine contest
in the surreal surroundings of the intimate Spanish Hall. It may
look an odd place to have a brass band contest, but it does offer
a very nice acoustic for the bands and the adjudicator Maurice Priestly.
Last year the North West sent Nelson Brass, Trinity Girls and Wardle
and District Anderson Brass to Dundee, and the strength of lower
section banding in the area was seen with the bands returning as
winners as well as gaining 4th and 8th places. That was the first
win for the North West at the Finals since 1996 when Manx Concert
Brass won, whilst before that it was Eaton’s Farnsworth in
1992.
As always in the Fourth Section there are bands on the up, bands
on the wane and bands who are new to the whole contesting thing.
The latter this year comes in the form of the irrepressible Ted
Griffiths who has unearthed yet more talented players from Dobcross
– how on earth does he do it? There are also some returning
bands in the shape of Valley Brass, St. John’s Mossley, Farndon
and Carrbrook, so things are looking up for the future.
It should make for a fascinating contest, and with three places
up for grabs, it will be a bit of a humdinger for sure.
Barnton Silver
Conductor: S. Yates
Last Eight Years:
2003: 21st in Third Section (rel) (S. Yates)
2002: 17th
2001: 8th
2000: 6th 4th Section (prom)
1999: 3rd 4th Section
1998: 7th 4th Section
1997: 15th (rel)
1996: 12th
Barnton have slipped in the Fourth Section after three years when
results have gone against them somewhat. 21st last year saw them
come bottom of the pile, but it is nice to report that they have
stuck together to try and get back straight away. What form they
bring to the contest we will have to wait and see.
Besses Boys
Conductor: M. Stringer
Last Eight Years:
2003: 4th (M. Stringer)
2002: 11th
2001: 18th
2000: 13th
1999: 10th
One of the most famous names in youth banding in the country, Besses
Boy’s can boast players such as Mark Wilkinson (Principal
Cornet at Fodens) as an old boy, so after coming 4th last year,
there seems to be plenty of budding future stars in the ranks. They
came runners up at Pontins late last year, so have some good form
to fall back on. Can they up that to make it to the Finals this
year?
Carrbrook Brass
Conductor: J. Hunter
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 19th
2000: 24th
1999: 20th
1998: DNC
1997: 15th
1996: 7th
Carrbrook return to the contest for the first time since 2001,
so we wish them well as they hope to make it a more permanent stay
here. They did struggle a little the
last time they were here, so we hope they come back stronger and
fitter than ever.
Dobcross Youth 2003
Conductor: T. Griffiths
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
The amazing Ted Griffiths starts yet another load of talented youngsters
on the road to fame and hopefully fortune with this new band at
the contest. We are sure they have been well taught and more importantly
will be out to enjoy the experience. Look out for them.
Douglas Town
Conductor: G. Higginbottom
Last Eight Years:
2003: 9th (G. Higginbottom)
2002: 2nd
2001: 15th
2000: 11th
1999: 5th
1998: 13th
1997: 11th
Gordon Higginbottom and his band make the trip across the Irish
Sea to try and recapture the form that they showed in 2002 when
they were runners up here and reached the National Finals themselves.
9th a twelve
month ago was a little disappointing, so we are sure they will be
determined to make up the lost ground this year.
Eaton’s Farnsworth and Walkden
Conductor: P. Ashley
Last Eight Years:
2003: 17th in Third Section (rel) (P. Ashley)
2002: 14th
2001: DNC
2000: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1999: DNC
1998: 14th (rel)
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
One of the bands with the longest names in this or any other contest
were National Champions in 1992, but have since had a bit of a on/off
appearance at the contest. The last couple of years have been hard,
and they find themselves relegated back to the Fourth Section after
coming 17th last year in the Third Section.
They were placed 10th at Pontins in the Third Section, so we will
have to wait and see how they do.
Farndon and District
Conductor: P. Dalton
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: 16th
2001: DNC
2000: 23rd
1999: 17th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
Farndon return to the contest for the first time since 2002 when
they came 16th here. They didn’t compete the year
before but came a lowly 23rd in 2000. It is always nice to see a
band return, so we wish them well.
Friezland
Conductor: L. Clough
Last Eight Years:
2003: Joint 4th (L. Clough)
2002: 5th
2001: 9th
2000: 17th
1999: 2nd
1998: 12th
1997: 17th
1996: 10th
Lana Clough has been doing great work with Friezland over the last
couple of years, and they will certainly be looking to make a mark
here this time out and possibly claim a qualification place at least.
The results show they are moving in the right direction, so ones
to look out for we think.
Greenfield
Conductor: D. Chapman
Last Eight Years:
2003: 13th (D. Chapman)
2002: 18th 3rd Section (rel)
2001: 15th 3rd Section
2000: DNC
1999: 11th 2nd Section (rel)
1998: 4th 3rd Section (prom)
1997: 12th 3rd Section
1996: 5th 3rd Section
Greenfield struggled a little here last year – their first
back in the Fourth Section after being relegated in 2002. They have
been as high as the Second Section in recent years, but are back
at the bottom determined to rise again. They came 11th at Pontins
late last year, so they will be looking to improve on that here
this time for sure.
Hesketh Bank Silver
Conductor: S. Pullin
Last Eight Years:
2003: 8th (S. Pullin)
2002: 12th
2001: 4th
2000: 11th 3rd Section (rel)
1999: 13th 3rd Section
1998: 19th 3rd Section
1997: 7th (prom)
1996: 3rd
Stuart Pullin has been developing Hesketh Bank nicely in the last
couple of years and they came a solid 8th place last year after
dropping down to 12th the year before. If they can carry on that
rate of improvement they could
possibly be looking to gain one of the three qualification places
on offer.
Parr (Richardson Ltd St. Helens)
Conductor: R. Kerwick
Last Eight Years:
2003: Joint 10th (J. Ludden)
2002: 17th
2001: 17th
2000: 7th
1999: 9th
The hard working band from St Helens are on the up, and although
they came 8th at the recent Preston Contest it was in the higher
Third Section that they competed. After two lowly 17th placings
they came 10th last year under John Ludden, and they will be looking
to continue that improvement here this time as well. A top six places
beckons we wonder?
Pemberton Old Wigan B
Conductor: P. Ashley
Last Eight Years:
2003: 14th (P. Ashley)
2002: 6th
2001: Winners
2000: 20th
1999: 13th
Pemberton will be coming to the contest chock full of confidence
after winning the recent Preston Guild Hall contest. Before that
they also came 5th at Pontins, so they could well be one of the
favourites to take the title here. 14th place last time out though
suggests they shouldn’t take too much for granted, as contesting
has a nasty habit of tripping a band up when they least expect it.
Rivington and Adlington
Conductor: H. Bentham
Last Eight Years:
2003: 6th (H. Bentham)
2002: 9th
2001: 10th
2000: 21st
1999: 11th
1998: 15th 3rd Section (rel)
1997: DNC
1996: 15th 3rd Section
Rivington are another band that will be making the trip to Blackpool
full of confidence after they had a good result at Preston where
they came 3rd, just a couple of points behind the winners Pemberton.
Before that they came 8th at Pontins, so they seem to heading in
the right direction for sure. The last four years have seen a year
on year improvement as well, so the omens could be good for a qualification
place at least.
St. John’s Mossley
Conductor: S. Corbett
Last Year: DNC
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
We think St. John’s are making their first appearance at
the contest here for some time, although we have a nagging thought
that theirs is a famous name from some years ago. Still, no record
of the band competing in the last eight years. Whatever the case,
we wish them well.
Standish
Conductor: J. Roberts
Last Eight Years:
2003: Joint 10th (J. Roberts)
2002: 13th
2001: 12th
2000: 11th
1999: 18th
1998: 5th
Standish will be looking to make that step up and push into the
top ten here at least this year. The last few years they have hovered
around the mark, so the time is right.
They did come 15th at Pontins late last year, so they will need
to be on top form to do it we think.
Tarleton and District Brass
Conductor: G. Bould
Last Year: DNC
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
We think Tarleton are making their debut here this year –
we couldn’t find a record of the band competing here from
1996 onwards, so we wish them well on their first outing. They recently
came 5th at the Preston contest, so they will be looking to make
a good mark here.
Tottington Public
Conductor: L. Dunkley
Last Eight Years:
2003: 16th (N. Martin)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
Tottington came 16th here on their debut last year, so they will
be looking to at least improve on that this time. No recent form
as such for us to look at, so we will have to wait and see if they
can do it.
Uppermill
Conductor: S. Wood
Last Eight Years:
2003: 12th (J. Hunter)
2002: 14th
2001: 13th
2000: 22nd
1999: 21st
1998: 10th
1997: 14th
1996: 8th
Uppermill are gradually moving up the table each by the year at
the contest, and after coming a lowly 21st in 1999 they have changed
that to come 12th last time out under Jim Hunter. Simon Wood takes
the helm this time, and we think that can only be a good thing for
the band. He took them into 13th place at Pontins late last year
and 6th at Preston, so don’t be surprised if they challenge
for a top six place this year.
Valley Brass (Haydock)
Conductor: D. Chadwick
Previously known as Haydock Youth Band, Valley Brass have been
busy recruiting new youngsters into the band by performing workshops
in schools in and around Haydock. They make their first appearance
at the contest since 2002 when they came 8th. Nice to see them
back.
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 8th
2000: 14th
1999: 9th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
Results archive:
Full results of previous year's contests together with a results summary can
be found in our results archive.
Past Qualifiers: 2003: Trinity Girls, Wardle and District Anderson Brass, Nelson
Brass
2002: Timperley, Douglas Town, Wardle and District Anderson Brass,
Kirkby Lonsdale
2001: Pemberton Old Wigan B, Nelson Brass
2000: Diggle, Eatons Farnsworth, Blackley
1999: Old Hall Brass, Frieland
1998: Hazel Grove, Haslingdon and Helmshaw Brass
1997: Old Hall Brass, Dobcross, Pilling Jubilee
1996: Manx Concert Brass, Milnrow
1995: Trinity Girls, Lostock Hall Memorial
Fourth West bands at the Finals
2003: 1st, 4th, 10th
2002: 2nd, 4th, 14th, 17th
2001: 9th, 14th
2000: 5th, 12th, 17th
1999: 6th, 14th
1998: 2nd, 9th
4BR Prediction:
This should have the makings of cracking contest, with three places
up for grabs for the trip to Harrogate on offer. Of the twenty bands
here some have a better chance than others, and the form guide to
follow may be the one that saw Pemberton come top at Preston recently.
We will go with that and plumb for the to take the top prize. Close
on their heels should come Rivington and Adlington, whilst we opt
for Uppermill to take the third spot on offer. After them the top
six should be made up of Besses Boys, Tarleton and Friezland. Our
dark horses are Dobcross Youth 2003 – more success for Ted
Griffiths.
1. Pemberton Old Wigan B
2. Rivington and Adlington
3. Uppermill
4. Besses Boys
5. Tarleton
6. Friezland
Dark Horse: Dobcross Youth
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