A new name was engraved onto the roll call of Fourth Section North of England Champions, as Spennymoor Town emphatically claimed the title for the first time in their 36 year history.

Their impressive style and steadiness with tempi on Rodney Newton's descriptive 'World Tour' test-piece certainly found favour with judges Michael Fowles and John Roberts, and also marked a winning Area debut for conductor Fiona Caswell as the band returned to the National Final for the first time 1991.

Shock

The young baritone player with Reg Vardy was only making her second contest appearance (leading them to a fine second place at the Durham League event in February), so little wonder her immediate response to the success one of shock.

"I can't believe it,"she said, before adding; "My dream-team did the hard work. Everyone was superb today. I'm absolutely delighted the band played to its potential. We've made huge strides forward in the short time I've been at the helm and we're really excited about the prospect of performing at the National Finals."

Dreams do come true then, especially as in the past few months Fiona has inspired a mixture of young and old players to gel into a formidable outfit — one that will represent the region with huge pride in Cheltenham after a performance based on solid contesting basics and more than a pinch of persuasive style in each of the four sections — especially the troublesome 'Pacific Paradise' which was delivered with a lovely relaxed feel.

Award winners

Chief amongst them was their exquisite soprano player Yvonne Malcolm, wife of well known conductor and Brighouse & Rastrick player Steve, who claimed the 'Best Cornet' award, and David Richardson, a cracking young player who took the 'Best Euphonium' prize aged just 16. To top it all they even provided the 'Youngest Player' with future star Harry Pears.

Joining them there will be another band which has burst onto the scene in the last few months in Tewit Silver, led by Martin Hall.

As part of an excellent organisation that has taken progressive steps to provide a linear line of progression from learners to senior level, they produced a super account; notably aided by bass trombone Sam Brown, star of last year's Unibrass contest (although not aided by the person who left their mobile phone on!)

Heartening

What was heartening about the contest (although it would have been nice to have reported on more bands taking part) was the way in which all eight MDs sought to bring out the character and wit in the music; from the pomposity of the snippet of 'Punchinello' to the easy paced ragtime, the limped nature of the 'Pacific Paradise' and the swagger of the Aussie classic 'Waltzing Matilda'.

That certainly applied to Trimdon Concert led by Scotsman David Kinross, with an energetic rendition full of brio to come within a hairsbreadth of an immediate return to Cheltenham, whilst the other top-six performances from Burneside Brass, Lanchester and Marske Brass were full of encouraging signs of solid foundation work that can be developed in the future.

Encouraging

And although both Penrith and Craghead Colliery will know that they made a few too many little errors they also emerged with a great deal of credit thanks to the intelligent direction of their MDs.

For an Area that is facing a number of challenges with long term banding sustainability at this level, this was a contest that filled the heart with encouraging joy — something that could well be enhanced further with potential success for its two representatives in Cheltenham.

"I can't believe it,"she said, before adding; "My dream-team did the hard work. Everyone was superb today."

Result:

Fourth Section:

Test Piece: World Tour (Rodney Newton)
Adjudicators: Michael Fowles & John Roberts

1. Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell)*
2. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)*
3. Trimdon Concert Brass (David Kinross)
4. Burneside Brass (Dave Higson)
5. Lanchester (Tom Yates)
6. Marske (Nigel Barnes)
7. Penrith Town (Chris Torn)
8. Craghead Colliery (Alan Fernie)

*Qualify for National Final

Best Cornet: Yvonne Malcolm (Soprano) — Spennymoor Town
Best Euphonium: David Richardson (Spennymoor Town)
Youngest Player: Harry Pears (Spennymoor Town)