It was a question of rewriting the record books at Blackpool on Sunday, as bands in all five sections added their own bit of personnel history to the North West Regional Championships.
Fourth success
In the Championship Section, Fodens equalled the record of the great CWS (Manchester) band by taking the title for the fourth consecutive year – their 16th Area success.
Their commanding performance of ‘Salute to Youth’ saw then take the honours ahead of traditional rivals Fairey, who posted their 21st runner up finish at the contest since 1945, to ensure that they returned to London once again.
First since 1907
Joining them there for the first time since 1907 though will be Pemberton Old, directed by Mark Bentham, who confirmed their recent resurgence by beating off the challenge of Bactiguard Wire Brass, Wingates and United Co-op Milnrow to head for Kensington later in the year.
He (David Read) stated that he felt there were only ‘…two quality performances’ on the day, adding that many bands lacked rhythmic security – from the second bar of the piece onward4BR
Controversy
The Championship Section contest was not without its controversy however, with the much fancied Leyland under Jason Katsikaris, who many in the Opera House had tipped to win the title, finding no appeal with adjudicator David Read in the box, and ending up in 8th place.
David himself had taken fully 10 minutes to give a forensic analysis of what he was looking for from performances before the announcement of the results, and he did not hold back with his criticisms either.
Two quality performances
He stated that he felt there were only ‘…two quality performances’ on the day, adding that many bands lacked rhythmic security – from the second bar of the piece onward. The audience was left in no doubt to why he picked the bands that he did.
Hat trick
In the First Section there was another band creating their own niche in history too, with Wardle Anderson Brass making it a hat trick of titles, following their double success in the Second Section in the past two years.
Their performance of ‘Pentacle’ saw them head for Harrogate as champions, where they will be joined by the fast rising Blackburn & Darwen.
Star performers
The undoubted star performers of the day however were Oldham (Lees) Band, who incredibly notched up their fifth consecutive Regional title in different sections – a record for any area contest.
John Collins and his young band produced a performance of ‘New World Sketches’ that managed to repel the challenge of fellow qualifiers Silk Brass (Macclesfield) to send both bands to Harrogate.
Famous band
In the Spanish Hall it was one of the area’s most famous bands, Dobcross Silver, which took the honours – their first title since 1976, under the baton of Grenville Moore.
Their performance of the set work ‘The Once and Future King’ saw them pip Douglas Town conducted by Gordon Higginbottom, whilst there will be a return to Harrogate once again for last year’s Fourth Section National Champion, Lostock Hall Memorial who took third place.
Seaside form
Earlier in the day on the Opera House it was Butlins Champions Eccles Borough who finally brought their true seaside form to bear as they secured the title with a commanding performance of ‘The Talisman’ to book their place in North Yorkshire under Les Webb. They will be joined there by Cheshire Constabulary and Rivington & Adlngton.
Additional comments and thoughts from the North West can be seen on our twitter site which was written throughout the day:
Championship Section:
Opera House
Draw: 2.30pm
Commence approx: 3.30pm after 4th Section results.
Adjudicator: David Read
Results
1. Fodens (Garry Cutt), 5
2. Fairey (Philip Chalk), 4
3. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (Mark Bentham), 3
4. Bactiguard Wire Brass (Paul Andrews), 11
5. Wingates (Andrew Berryman), 1
6. United Co-op Milnrow (John Ward), 10
7. United Co-op (Crewe) (Jef Sparkes), 8
8. Leyland (Jason Katsikaris), 6
9. Roberts Bakery (Colin Cranson), 2
10. Timperley (Michael Fowles), 7
11. Poulton-Le-Fylde (Gareth Westwood), 9
Fodens have already qualified for London. Joining them are Fairey and Pemberton.
First Section:
Empress Ballroom
Draw: 9.30am
Commence: 10.30am
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy
Results
1. Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway), 5
2. Blackburn & Drawen (Nick Sheppard), 12
3. Ashton-Under-Lyne (Martyn Evans), 11
4. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE), 3
5. Longridge (Steve Tarry), 8
6. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian), 4
7. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Kevin Gibbs), 9
8. Tyldesley (Robert Taylor), 6
9. Freckleton ( Paul Dalton), 10
10. Mossley (Duncan Byers), 7
11. Haydock (Mark Quinn), 1
12. Blackpool Brass (Andrew Warriner), 2
withdrawn, Diggle (Les Beevers)
Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate.
Second Section:
Empress Ballroom
Draw: 2.00pm
Commence approx: 3.00pm after 1st Section results
Adjudicator: Malcolm Brownbill
Results
1. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins), 8
2. Silk Brass (Macclesfield) (James Cant), 7
3. Flixton (Alan Hobbins), 9
4. United Co-op 2000 Brass (Jamie Meredith), 12
5. Middleton (Matt Stringer), 5
6. Hoover (Bolton) (Lee Dunkly), 10
7. Rainford (Neil Samuel), 2
8. Besses o’ th’ Barn (Carl Whiteoak), 1
9. Old Hall Brass (John North), 6
10. Delph (Philip Goodwin), 4
11. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland), 3
12. Eccleston Brass (Ian Bateson), 11
Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate
Third Section:
Spanish Hall
Split Draw: 10.00am & 12.30pm
Commence: 11.00am
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent
Results
1. Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore), 9
2. Douglas Town (Gordon Higginbottom), 5
3. Lostock Hall Memorial (John Wood), 19
4. Uppermill (Alan Widdop), 18
5. Morecambe (Andrew Warriner), 19
6. Skelmersdale Prize (John Ludden), 1
7. Formby (Louise Hough), 13
8. Hawk Green (Marple) (Andy Wilson), 2
9. Whitworth Vale & Healey (John Binns), 15
10. Trinity Girls (Brian Harper), 7
11. Greenall’s (Karl Stott), 3
12. Eagley (Gareth Westwood), 11
13. Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth), 17
14. City of Chester (Philip Mottershead), 4
15. Stalybridge Old (John Binns), 20
16. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB 'B' (Peter Ashley), 10
17. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane), 8
18. Valley Brass (Haydock) (David Chadwick), 14
19. BMP Europe Goodshaw (Iain McKnight), 6
20. Dobcross Youth (Brian Lamb), 12
Top 3 bands qualify for Harrogate
Fourth Section:
Opera House
Split Draw: 9.00am & 11.00am
Commence: 10.00am
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley
Results
1. Eccles Borough (Les Webb), 18
2. Cheshire Constabulary (David Woollam), 7
3. Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson), 12
4. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Billy Porter), 17
5. Greenfield (Stuart Black), 13
6. Coppull & Standish (Andrew Baker), 9
7. Nelson Brass (David Holland), 10
8. Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley), 5
9. Tarleton & District Brass (Gillian Bould), 11
10. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley), 3
11. Besses Boys (James Holt), 1
12. Blackley (Adrian Smith), 16
13. Carrbrook Brass (Jason M. Smith), 19
14. Sale Brass (John Dickinson), 14
15. Golborne (David Houghton), 15
16. Denton Brass (Graham Smith), 8
17. Parr (Richardson Ltd) St. Helens (Russell Prescott), 4
18. Friezland (Tom Haslam), 6
19. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley), 2
St. John’s Mossley (Stephen Corbett), w
Farndon & District Brass (Milne Robinson), w
Barnton Silver (S Yates), w
Top 3 bands qualify for Harrogate
