Result:

2023 Champions: Zone One Brass

Winners: Zone One Brass

Runner-up: Friary

Third place: East London Brass

Best Cornet Player: Zone One

Best Trombones: Zone One

Best Tenor Horn: Friary

Best Euphonium: Zone One Brass

Championship Section:

1. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)*
2. Friary (Chris King)*
3. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
4. Amersham (Paul Fisher)
5. Redbridge Brass (Chris Bearman)
6. Sandhurst Silver (David Johnson)
7. Wantage (Paul Holland)
8. Thundersley Brass (Melvin White)
9. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
10. Fulham (John Ward)
11. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
12. East of England Coop (Nigel Cooper)

*Qualify for National Final

Outstanding Trombone Section: Zone One Brass
Outstanding Tenor Horn Player: Friary
Outstanding Euphonium Player: Zone One Brass
Outstanding Cornet Player: Zone One Brass

A huge thank you

Just before the results, we offer a huge thank you to Regional Secretary, Kevin Williams, Chairman, Philip Doe, Christine Wade and the great team of stage helpers who've done a fantastic job here this weekend.

We are sure it is really appreciated by those taking part and supporting the event — and also by 4BR and photographer Craig Chapman (who took this atmospheric pic of me) for the warmth of the welcome and the support and access given to do our work. A special well done to MC for the weekend in the theatre, Nigel Hall, a non bander who enjoys the crack..

Don't forget you can catch all the action on the www.wobplay.com platform very soon.

Just the one to go and then the results and a a quiet cup of tea to relax...

Thanks again — it's been great to be here.

Malcolm Wood

The Championship Section final furlong..

Result:

Second Section:

Adjudicators: Adam Cooke and Sarah Groarke-Booth

1. Alder Valley Brass (David Hatton)*
2. Chinnor Silver (Oliver Hallstead-Brooks)*
3. Chiltern Hills Brass (Gordon Davies)*
4. City of Norwich (Mark Ager)
5. Olney Brass (Philip Devine)
6. St. Sebastian Wokingham (John Watts)
7. Epsom & Ewell (Paul Graham)
8. City of Cambridge (Philip Fisher)
9. Ware Brass (Mark Ager)
10. Waterbeach Brass (David Minchin)
11. Tendring Brass (Paul Dove)
12. Tilbury (Melvin White)
13. Oxford Cherwell Brass (Danny Dullforce)
14. Epping Forest (Keith Schroeter)
15. BAE Systems (David Lockwood)
16. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Christopher Cole)
17. Chichester City (Alfie Hughes)

*Qualify for National Final

Best Bass Section: Chiltern Hills Brass
Best Trombone Section: Alder Valley Brass

More important than banding

The audience and band respected and acknowledged the memory of Mathew Schroeter

Thundersley Brass has just performed. All of the players were wearing black arm bands in memory of Mathew Schroeter, a cornet player who died suddenly in January. He was just 40 years of age.

Prior to playing his jacket was brought on stage and placed on an empty chair and fully aware of the circumstances, the knowledgeable audience stood to applaud in respect.

Matthew's brother, Keith played the solo horn on stage today.

A very emotional 15 minutes or so for the band, but far more important than the result today.

A timely reminder how lucky we all are to be here and its only a competition.

Malcolm Wood

Heating up in Stevenage

The heat has been on with the 'Red Priest' today...

Tredegar victory closes Welsh weekend

That's it from the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea as Tredegar round the event off with their 14th Welsh title success.

Earlier Royal Oakeley claimed the Fourth Section title in some style, before the Championship Section battle saw Tredegar produce "a tremendous performance", "tip-top by any standards" and "spine tingling" according to the judges Bob Childs and Alan Morrison to claim Welsh Championship Section title and the honour to represent the nation at the 2024 European Championship in Palanga.

Goodnight from Swansea...

Result:

2023 Champion: Tredegar

The winning MD and Best Instrumentalist — Rob Westacott

The winning MD: Ian Porthouse

The winners: Tredegar

Runner-up: Cory

Third place: Llwydcoed

Best Instrumentalist: Robert Westacott of Tredegar

Best Cornet: Tom Hutchinson of Cory

Best Basses: Cory

Championship Section:

Test Piece: Red Priest (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs & Alan Morrison

1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)***
2. Cory (Philip Harper)**
3. Llwydcoed (Joshua Ruck)*
4. City of Cardiff (M1) (Christopher Bond)
5. Tongwynlais Temperance (Owen Farr)
6. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)
7. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)

*** Qualify for National Final and to represent Wales at 2024 European Championships
** Pre-qualified for National Final
* Qualify for National Final

Best Instrumentalist: Robert Westacott (soprano) — Tredegar
Best Cornet: Tom Hutchinson — Cory
Best Basses: Cory

Draw:

Championship Section:

1. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
2. East of England Coop (Nigel Cooper)
3. Friary (Chris King)
4. Sandhurst Silver (David Johnson)
5. Amersham (Paul Fisher)
6. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
7. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)
8. Thundersley Brass (Melvin White)
9. Redbridge Brass (Chris Bearman)
10. Fulham (John Ward)
11. Wantage (Paul Holland)
12. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)

Result:

2023 Champions: Simon Langton Brass

Runner-up: Hungerford Town

Third place: Fairlop Brass

Best Instrumentalist — Keith Pritchard (cornet) — Simon Langton Brass

Best Basses: Best Bass Section: Amersham Concert Brass

Third Section:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston and Andrea Price

1. Simon Langton Brass (Andy Collins)*
2. Hungerford Town (Tim Crouter)*
3. Fairlop Brass (Kevin Jordan)*
4. Welwyn Garden City (William Douglas)
5. Amersham Concert Brass (Malcolm Peach)
6. Bradwell Silver (Brian Keech)
7. Hemel Hempstead (Jonathan Pippen)
8. Hangleton (Richard Baker)
9. Regent Community Brass (Simon Tong)
10. Littleport Brass (Ian Johnson)
11. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Johnstone)
12. Brighton & Hove City Brass (Andy Wooler)
13. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (Clifford Sadler)
14. Great Yarmouth Brass (Colin Swaep)
15. Reading Springs Gardens (Matthew Ruel)
16. Castleton Brass (Melvyn Stammers)
17. Crystal Palace (Danny Wakefield)
18. Cottenham Brass (Peter Mackley)

*Qualify for National Final

Best Bass Section: Amersham Concert Brass
Best Instrumentalist — Keith Pritchard (cornet) — Simon Langton Brass