2006 West of England Regional Championships - Second Section

A real full line up of bands for Alan Morrison and Steve Pritchard Jones to sort out, although the test piece may well do that for them first of all.

Saturday 18th March
Adjudicator: Alan Morrison and Steve Pritchard Jones
Test Piece: Images of the Millennium – Howard Snell
Commences: 11.30am
Draw:  Spilt at  10.30am and 12.30pm

No photo? Please send a JPEG to:  general@4barsrest.com stating the conductors name, your band, your region and section. 

Bath Spa
Conductor: D. Baker

Last Ten Years:
2005: 14th (J. Tanaka)
2004: 10th (D. Walker)
2003: 9th (A. Whiteaker)
2002: 12th (D. Walker)
2001: 8th (D. Beckley)
2000: 3rd
1999: 6th
1998: 14th
1997: 12th
1996: N/K

At the risk of repeating ourselves from last year, Bath will certainly be looking for a change in fortune here.  Twelve months ago we said they needed a decent result after finishing outside the top 6 for four years running.  Unfortunately, they came in 14th place last year so if they're not fall foul of going down another level, a good result is required.  We await with interest. 

Bendix Kingswood
Conductor: P. Uzzell

Last Ten Years:
2005: DNC (rel)
2004: 13th (G. Keys)
2003: 10th (G. Keys)
2002: 2nd 2nd Section (prom) (K. White)
2001: Winners 2nd Section (K. White)
2000: 10th (rel)
1999: 15th
1998: 13th
1997: N/K
1996: N/K

Bendix suffered a poor result here two years ago and didn't compete last year so its good to see them back again if it is in a section lower down.  How they'll fair though remains to be seen but they'll be looking to put on a good show and aim to get out of this section as quick as possible we think. 

Bristol East
Conductor: Barry Pope

Last Ten Years:
2005: 8th (B. Pope)
2004: 5th Third Section (J. Griffin) (prom)
2003: 4th (J. Griffin)
2002: 6th
2001: 13th
2000: 18th 2nd Section (rel)
1999: 14th 2nd Section
1998: 13th 2nd Section
1997: 4th (prom)
1996: N/K

Having come up from the Third Section, Bristol East demonstrated that they shouldn't be taken lightly in this section by finishing in 8th place last year, which was a good soid performance.  Barry Pope leads the charge once again in Torquay and the one thing we can guarantee is that they'll be looking to build on last year's result, even with a podium finish.  We wait and see. 

Filton Concert Brass
Conductor: Bryn James

Last Ten Years:
2005: 10th (B. James)
2004: 5th (B. James)
2003: 3rd in Third Section (prom) (B. James)
2002: 8th (N. Seaman)
2001: 6th (B. James)
2000: 5th
1999: 6th
1998: 9th
1997: 4th
1996: N/K

The hard working Bryn James takes the reigns again for Filton as they look to improve on last year's 10th placing following their sparkling 5th place in 2004. That was their first year in this section since getting promotion and knwoing the MD we think he will now be ready to take the band to the next level of performance and achievement. Qualification perhaps?
 

Hayle Town
Conductor: Derek Johnston

Last Ten Years:
2005: 3rd in Third Section (prom) (D. Johnston)
2004: 2nd (D. Johnston)
2003: Winners of Fourth Section (prom) (D. Johnston)
2002: 2nd (D. Johnston)
2001: 9th (D. Johnston)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: 14th 3rd Section (rel)
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

Hayle narrowly missed out on qualification for Harrogate last year, but that disappointment was softened with promotion into Section 2.  Derek Johnston continues to do a fabulous with this band and they'll be up for the challenge of this section and the fiendishly difficult Images.  One to make sure you're in the hall for as this is a band gpoing place - even Harrogate perhaps? 

Lympstone South West Telecom
Conductor: Charles Fleming

Last Ten Years:
2005: 5th (C. Fleming)
2004: 11th (C. Fleming)
2003: 2nd (C. Fleming)
2002: 6th (C. Fleming)
2001: 4th 3rd Section (prom) (C. Fleming)
2000: Winners 3rd Section
1999: Winners 4th Section (prom)
1998: 3rd 4th Section
1997: Winners 4th Section
1996: N/K

Having produced an unconvincing performance here in 2004 when they finished 11th, Lympstone bounced back last year finishing in 5th place.  This year, more of the same please will be the battle cryfor certain with hopes of improving on that as well and pushing for a place at Harrogate. They have been there before at the Finals so don't putit past them to do it again. 

Michelmersh Silver
Conductor: Melvin White

Last Ten Years:
2005: 7th (D. Graham)
2004: 12th (S. Large)
2003: Winners of Third Section (prom) (B. Kelloway)
2002: Winners (B. Kelloway)
2001: 8th (D. Wilds)
2000: 9th
1999: 8th
1998: 5th
1997: 12th
1996: N/K

Having won the Third Section for two years in a row here in 2002/03, Michelmersh did find life tough in the Second Section in 2004, finishing 12th.  2005 saw them improve with a 7th place, so another leap up the results table could see them on the way to Harrogate. No news as yet on who is taking them though.

Ocean Brass
Conductor: Nick Grace

Last Ten Years:
2005: 9th in First Section (rel) (N. Grace)
2004: 10th (L. Rich)
2003: 13th (D. Muir)
2002: 2nd (L. Rich)
2001: 13th (L. Rich)
2000: Winners 2nd Section (prom)
1999: 7th Second Section
1998: N/K
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

The Leighton Rich era is now over at Ocean Brass and the talented Neil Grave is now at the helm.  Unfortunately the lowly ninth place confirmed relegation to the Second Section but they'll be looking to bounce back very quickly with a fine show here. They certainly know what it takes after winning this section in 2000.

Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne)
Conductor: Kevin Darby

Last Ten Years:
2005: 11th (M. Knapton)
2004: 6th (M. Knapton)
2003: 8th (M. Knapton)
2002: 7th (G. Greenstock)
2001: 7th (G. Greenstock)
2000: 6th
1999: Winners 3rd Section (prom)
1998: Winners 3rd Section
1997: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1996: N/K

Phoenix slipped off the pace a little last year after being a very consistent performer in the last few years. Kevin Darby will head them this year and this fine cornet player will bring a touch of class to the job - if his playing has been anything to go by here in years gone by.
 

Portishead Town
Conductor: Ian Holmes

Last Ten Years:
2005: Winners of Third Section (prom) (R. Griffiths)
2004: 6th (R. Griffiths)
2003: 7th (D. Beckley)
2002: 17th (D. Hollister)
2001: 11th (D. Hollister)
2000: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1999: 5th 4th Section
1998: 8th 4th Section
1997: 20th 4th Section
1996: N/K

Portishead go into this contest in good heart after their elevation to the Second Section in 2005.  Last years they went on to Harrogate where under the baton of Rhodri Griffiths they came a very fine third. More of that form and they could well make a significant mark here this time around especially as they have book the experienced Ian Holmes to head them.  

Shrewton Silver
Conductor: Michael Dunford

Last Ten Years:
2005: 2nd in Third Section (prom) (M. Dunford)
2004: 3rd (M. Dunford)
2003: 12th (M. Dunford)
2002: 6th 4th Section (prom) (M. Dunford)
2001: 7th 4th Section (M. Dunford)
2000: 4th 4th Section
1999: 25th 4th Section
1998: 18th 4th Section
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

Having gained their best ever result here in 2004, Shrewston eclipsed it in 2005 by coming second in the Third Section and they put on another decent show in Harrogate as well, coming in twelfth.  It''s going to be interesting to see how they fair a section higher.  It could be one to look out for as Mike Dunfors has been at the helm of an ever improving band since 2001. 

Soundhouse Brass (Plymouth)
Conductor: Denzil Stephens

Last Ten Years:
2005: 9th (D. Stephens)
2004: 8th (D. Stephens)
2003: 6th (D. Stephens)
2002: 2nd 3rd Section (prom) (D. Stephens)
2001: 7th 3rd Section ((L. Hodgkiss)
2000: 6th 3rd Section
1999: 11th 3rd Section
1998: 8th 3rd Section
1997: 13th 3rd Section
1996: N/K

The one thing that you'll be able to guarantee about Soundhouse is that Denzil Stephens will have his troops thoroughly prepared.  The band havn't really shone too much here in recently years with two placings outside the top 6 but with this amount of experience at the helm we are sure he will be able to rally his troops into making a mark this time around. 

St. Dennis
Conductor: Brian Minear

Last Ten Years:
2005: 4th (B. Minear)
2004: Winners Third Section (B. Minear) (prom)
2003: 2nd (B. Minear)
2002: Winners 4th Section (prom) (B. Minear)
2001: 2nd 4th Section (B. Minear)
2000: 11th 4th Section
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: N/K

St Dennis and Brian Minear continue their meterotic rise up the sections.  Winners of the Third Section in 2004 they stamped their authority here last year with a great show to finish 4th.  It remains to be seen what they do in 2006, but an improvement on last year and another promotion is not beyond their means and we think they could well be booking B&B in Harrogate yet again. 

St. Stythians
Conductor: Derek Johnston

Last Ten Years:
2005: 13th (D. Johnston)
2004: 4th Third Section (D. Johnston) (prom)
2003: 6th (D. Johnston)
2002: 5th (D. Johnston)
2001: 16th 2nd Section (rel) (D. Johnston)
2000: 16th 2nd Section
1999: 11th 2nd Section
1998: 5th 2nd Section
1997: 17th 2nd Section
1996: N/K

Promoted from the Third Section in 2004, St Sythians found the going tough in the Second Section last year and will be hoping for better this time around.  With the knowledgeable Derek Johnston at the helm, we're not betting against them to put on a show that will bring them stability in the section at the very least. 

Torbay Brass
Conductor:

Last Ten Years:
2005: 3rd (D. Johnson)
2004: 14th First Section (D. Johnson) (rel)
2003: 9th (B. Buckley)
2002: Winners 2nd Section (prom)
2001: 12th (rel)
2000: 13th
1999: 8th
1998: 5th
1997: 6th
1996: N/K

David Johnson has taken the band the past couple of years at Torquay and having been relegated in 2004, they bounced back superbly last year finishing 3rd.  As we go live with our preview coverage, no news has reached us who is at them helm this year – Torbay will let us know though for sure. 

Weston Super Mare Brass
Conductor: Peter Nutt

Last Ten Years:
2005: 12th (P. Nutt)
2004: 9th (P. Nutt)
2003: 7th (D. Tilling)
2002: 14th 1st Section (rel) (D. Tilling)
2001: 14th 1st Section (D. Tilling)
2000: 3rd 1st Section
1999: 7th 3rd Section
1998: 3rd (prom)
1997: 5th
1996: N/K

Peter Nutt once more takes the helm for Weston Super Mare as they look to buck the trend of a decline in results here over the past couple of years.  Twelfth last year was a disappointment, but a repeat of seventh place in 2003 would help their cause and stave off any potential threat of relegation.

Past Qualifiers:

2005: St. Keverne, Woodfalls Concert Brass
2004: Otterbourne, Forest of Dean
2003: Lanner and District, Lympstone South West Telecom
2002: Torbay Brass, Bendix Kingswood
2001: Bendix Kingswood, City of Bristol Brass
2000: Ocean Brass, Test Valley Brass
1999: Solent Concert, Sherborne Town
1998: Redruth Town, St. Keverne
1997: Yeovil Town, Forest of Dean
1996: Forest of Dean, N/K
1995: Hyde, Lanner and District

West of England bands at the Finals:

2005: 1st, 3rd
2004: 13th, 14th
2003: 3rd, 15th
2002: 9th, 15th
2001: 2nd, 12th
2000: 7th, 11th
1999: 8th, 15th
1998: 8th, 17th

4BR Prediction:

This is going to be a very closely contested contest we think - though the test piece is an absolute killer for bands at this level and just like the other regions where we have heard it played, it will certainly take its fair share of casualites.

It will therefore takes some cool heads from both players and MDs alike to make it come off, and we think it may well be those bands who can hold something back in reserve in the elongated final section that may well come in the prizes.

A couple of bands do stand out though with that in mind and we think the continued rennaisance of St. Dennis will continue this year and we tip them for victory. Pushing them close though should be the likes of Lympstone, Hayle, Filton, Torbay and Portishead. Our dark horses this time are Ocean Brass.

1. St. Dennis
2. Torbay
3. Lympstone
4. Filton
5. Portishead
6. Hayle

Dark Horses: Ocean Brass

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