Did you know that you have to go back to 1979 for the last time a band drawn number 1 at the National Finals came in the top three?

Birmingham School of Music under Roy Curran gave a premiere contest performance of ‘Volcano’ that was only beaten on the day by Black Dyke and Cory — although the year before Besses o’th’ Barn went one better and came runner-up under Roy Newsome on ‘Checkmate.

Birmingham School of Music under Roy Curran gave a premiere contest performance of ‘Volcano’ that was only beaten on the day by Black Dyke and Cory4BR

Near but no cigar...

Since then though it’s been a tale of close — but nowhere near enough…especially since the turn of the Millennium.

2013: Brighouse & Rastrick — 4th
2012: Barton Town — 19th
2011: Thoresby Colliery — 19th
2010: Carlton Main Frickley — 10th
2009: Co-operative Funeralcare — 9th
2008: Grimethorpe Colliery — 7th
2007: Hepworth — 16th
2006: Newstead Welfare — 17th
2005: St Austell — 19th
2004: Alliance Brass — 15th
2003: Alliance Brass — 19th
2002: Brighouse & Rastrick — 5th
2001: Aveley & Newham — 12th
2000: CWS Glasgow — 6th

Find out more valuable nuggets of information at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2014/1468b.asp#.VDa1ePldUg8