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2012 West of England Regional Championship — Postcard from Torquay

Was there something in the tea at Torquay?

Winners
Something in the celebratory champers perhaps?

A trip to Torquay for the Area contest is always a rewarding one.
 
You’ve got to hand it to the West of England Regional Committee: They work extremely hard, and in return they gain rewards they deserve. This was a cracking contest weekend.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is of friendly local rivalry – the best example of which was seen in the massive Fourth Section, which saw the contest hall packed to the rafters throughout the day.

There was interest and intrigue, straight talking and straight forward playing, with a special mention in particular for the adjudication team that Regional Secretary Brian Elliott had hired.

Truth serum

No one left the Riviera Centre not knowing just why they came where they did. Not a player, MD, supporter or cynical journalist: It was as if Brian had popped a truth serum in their tea.

Jim Davies, Alan Morrison, Tony Swainson and Chris Wormald (who took the Fifth Amendment but was itching to have his say) deserved the plaudits that came their way.  

The excellent summaries from Jim and Tony were succinct and informative, but the top marks went to Alan Morrison for his detailed assessments of the Championship and Fourth Sections. 

Whether you agreed with him or not was irrelevant; the former Grimey man left no stone unturned and didn’t mince his words.

He should double his usual fee for the job.  

Winners
Lovely smiles all round

Heaven help

With other regions finding difficulty in attracting new blood to the administrative side of running their events, perhaps Regional Secretaries should give Frances Calver a ring too.

She is not a lady to be trifled with you suspect (heaven help the burglars who pinched a trombone from her house if she ever gets her hands on them), but her passion and commitment to the contest equals that of Brian Elliott.

Her powers of persuasion had also ensured that there were plenty of volunteers in place to man the desks and doors – and as a result, the contest ran like clockwork.

Double fees


Both Frances and Brian are the type of organisers, bandsmen and women take very much for granted.

They are the first to be criticised and the last to be congratulated, but have the skins of rhinos and the work ethics of biblical slaves. They (and their team of volunteers) have also built this contest into one of the most enjoyable anywhere in the banding world.

Perhaps they should double their fees (not that they get any) for their jobs too.

Sadness

There may be no such thing as a short journey in these parts (Helston Band’s trip to the event takes almost 2 hours), but with such a warm welcome (the staff at the Riveria Centre were superb) even the trip home flew by.

The only sadness on the weekend was the news of the death of Wesley Garner, a stalwart conductor and one of the most popular musicians you could ever meet.

He will be remembered with a great deal of affection in these parts.   

Malcolm Wood



Contest: North of England Regional Championships

Sunday 23 March • 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA


The Hepworth Band - Glossop Band Club

Sunday 23 March • Glossop Band Club, Derby Street, Glossop SK13 8LP


Longridge Band - Longridge Youth Band Concert

Sunday 23 March • St. Lawrence's Church, Chapel Hill, Longridge PR3 2YD


Dobcross Silver Band - Ashton Band

Sunday 23 March • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Friday 28 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

March 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting on Monday (24th) and would welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed rehearsal with coffee and cake.Its just a chance for an extra blow that doesn't affect you affiliation to your existing bands.


Hebden Bridge Brass Band

March 21 • Hebden Bridge Band require the following to complete our line for 2025.. PRINCIPAL CORNET, BACKROW CORNET, TENOR TROMBONE & PERCUSSION. We have an exciting line up planned, including Buxton contest, Whit Friday and local concert series, plus a good local!


Barnsley Brass

March 21 • An exciting opportunity has arisen at Barnsley Brass. We are looking to recruit a Tenor Horn and Eb Bass player to join and strengthen our ranks. . We rehearse on Monday and Thursday evenings at 8pm in Worsbrough, convenient for M1 junctions 36 / 37


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

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