Northern Areas Results

[hornblower]

Results: Regionals 2003 - North of England

Ever Ready win championship section. BHK (UK) Ltd Horden win first section. Langbaurgh Brass take second section. Wansbeck's Ashington win third section. Lockwood take fourth section.

The Dolphin Centre,
Darlington

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Championship section
Sunday 16 March, approx 5.15pm

Adjudicator: Steven Sykes

1. Ever Ready, R. Gray, 5, 191 Q
2. East Yorkshire Motor Services, G. Pritchard, 6, 190 Q
3. Fishburn, G. O'Connor, 9, 189
4. Cottingham, R. Grantham, 4, 188
5. Nestle Rowntree, W. Rushworth, 10, 186
6. Harrogate, D. Lancaster, 3, 185
7. Broughton's Brass, K. Bolton, 7, 184
8. Gateshead Brass, J. Roberts, 8, 183
9. Chester-le-Street Riverside, D. Hirst, 1, 182
10. Gregg's Bakery, Major D. Marshall, 2, 181


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First Section
Sunday 16 March, 9.30am

Adjudicator: Colin Hardy

1. BHK (UK) Ltd Horden, TBA, 1, 192
2. Barrow Shipyard, J. Durrant, 7, 190
3. Flookburgh, J. Iveson, 3 , 189
4. Aunt Bessie's East Yorkshire Brass, T. Oldroyd, 8, 187
5. Westoe (STHCT), J. Smith, 2, 186
6. Kirkbymoorside, J. Woodward, 6, 185
7.Pride Valley, B. Morton, 4, 184
8. Easington Colliery, D. Dye, 5, 183

Boldon Colliery, W

Best Basses: Barrow Shipyard
Best Perc: Flookburgh

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Second section
Saturday 15 March, approx 3pm

Adjudicator: Colin Hardy

1. Langbaurgh Brass, T. Oldroyd, 7, 188 Q
2. Houghton Brass, T. Gibson, 3, 186 Q
3. Spennymoor Town, D. Beckley, 8, 185
4. Felling, R. Poole, 9, 184
5. GT Group Peterlee, B. Holden, 1, 183
6. York Railway Institute, D. Warley, 6, 182
7. Cockerton Prize Silver, G. Catherall, 5, 181
8. Lanchester, G. Tindall, 11, 180
9. Ferryhill Town, T. Maddison, 2, 179
10. Flimby Saxhorn, D. Jones, 4, 177
11. Barnard Castle, I. Johnson, 10, 176

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Third section
Saturday 15 March, 12 noon

Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt

1. Wansbeck's Ashington, N. Stedman, 4, 185 Q
2. Stape Silver, M. Breckon, 2, 183 Q
3. Ellington Colliery, D. Wright, 3, 182
4. Murton Colliery, J. Cook, 5, 181
5. Carlisle St. Stephens, D Dye, 7, 180
6. Swinton & Dist Excelsior, R. Rutter, 6, 179
7. Hetton Silver, K. Wheatley, 9, 178
8. Dearham, M. Condron, 1, 177
9. Bearpark & Esh Colliery, T. Minnis, 8, 176

Barrow Concert, W

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Fourth section
Sunday 16 March, approx 12.30pm

Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt

1. Lockwood Brass, N. Barnes, 2, 183 Q
2. Ripon City, J. Shepherd, 4 , 180 Q
3. Billingham Silver, V. Evans, 10, 179
4. Stanhope Silver, S. Robson, 3, 178
5. Askam Town, D. Henley, 8, 177
6. Kirkby Lonsdale, A. Greenwood, 14, 176
7. Five Rivers Brass, T. Griffiths, 11, 175
8. Durham Constabulary, TBA, 9, 174
9. Dunston Silver, A. Seymour, 5, 173
10. Marske Brass, M. Fowles, 6, 172
11. Ulverston Town, B. Seddon, 1 , 171
12. Trimdon Concert, A. Holmes, 13, 170
13. Burneside Brass, R. Lincoln, 12, 169
14. Sacriston Colliery, R. Wallace, 7 168

got these off 4 bars rest foe all to see...
I'm quite gutted about our result as I think we gave a good performance, but i did not hear any other of the bands play so have no idea if we were unlucky or not! :cry:

[Straightmute]

Thanks for these, and commiserations on your result.

I certainly enjoyed the weekend - as today's hangover testifies - and it was good to meet one or two from the Mouthpiece.com and put faces to names. I'd forgotten to look out for you when you gave me your card on the way onto stage (how could I?) but I did say hello to Wonky Baton and David Jake.

Congratulations to Boozybasstrom on Ever Ready's win in the top section. I was very happy with our own performance, in spite of the odd clip from some of the soloists and although I was looking for fourth or fifth place, sixth seems to be quite respectable for our first venture into the Championship section - we'll be back there next year and we've taken a couple of scalps... So well done Cornetgirl, Topsop and Hitman.

D

[douglas]

I have only one word about the areas yesterday and it's.......FARCE! I think it's time something was done as far as the adjudication goes.The time of have one man judge,to me,is out of date,and that a panel of two to three judges would be better.I listened to a lot of the bands,and to me the results bear no corrilation what so ever to the performances given.And as an aside,what a surprise winner in the fourth section eh!

[Straightmute]

I have only one word about the areas yesterday and it's.......FARCE!!

Commiserations if you got a bad one. Guess we've all been there and know the feeling... Time and beer are great healers. Come up fighting.


I think it's time something was done as far as the adjudication goes.The time of have one man judge,to me,is out of date,and that a panel of two to three judges would be better.I listened to a lot of the bands,and to me the results bear no corrilation what so ever to the performances given.

Is the opinion of two necessarily better than one? In my experience it's usually a messy compromise, and we've had more dodgy results from two than from one. Torquay finals last year were a total travesty for us.

Who were your winners?

D

[Valvecap]

Huge congratulations to the Harrogate Band, Straight Mute and Cornet Girl on the result yesterday - i heard the performance and felt it very assured - the formation of the band worked for me and whereas a lot of the bands played with the "sound" of the lower end playing against the cornets, I felt that the sound was complemented and added to by having the cornets playing through it.
Congratulations on a good performance (and i have sooooooo much blackmail material in my camera now Mr Mute..... hahahahahahaha.....

[hornblower]

Douglas is talking about the fourth section results...he means lockwood...the ringer band as they seem to be known as in these parts... :roll:

i think that as long as you give your best, and we did, and that your MD is happy and he was, that the result can go anyway...it's the raise in your own playing you have to hold on to and remember! Altho I'll be interested to read the "autopsy" sp? of our performance to see what we lost points on.... :cry:

So Well done those who have qualified, I'm personally glad I don't have to throw myself into another test piece so soon...three contest pieces in 2 months is a bit rich for my blood! :wink:
Oh and Straightmute how could you miss my eyes?!! :D

[BoozyBTrom]

Douglas is talking about the fourth section results...he means lockwood...the ringer band as they seem to be known as in these parts... :roll:


I know lockwood band quite well. and can say that they are not a ringer band. They are an amalgamation of two bands ( the things you have to do to survive) a band called Yarm and a band called Lingdale. Both of which were very successful bands in thier own right. But as ever players leave money dries up and guess what bands die. Niether band had contested for a number of years so were deleted from the registers. hence no national grading. They got together a couple of years ago us to keep the resective band rooms from falling in to disrepair. only recently have they decided to start contesting again under the new name lockwood ( the name of the local parish). and guess what they were put in the 4th section as an unknown quantity. They have entered 3 contests and won all 3. A great start to a new band. and guess what no players brought in just the people that were left over from the two bands. They even did the area several players short.

Good Luck Lockwood. Hopefully another banding success story in Cleveland along with langbaugh. Cleveland has lost far too many bands over the years. The area used to boast several Top section bands. now there are none.

[BoozyBTrom]

Congratulations to Boozybasstrom on Ever Ready's win in the top section

Thanks straightmute. it was nice to meet you on sunday and finally see the face behind the name. I could tell you were happy with the bands performance with the beeming face when you came off stage. few scalps there eh!!

it was also good to see Mr Jake who seeed to have enjoyed the pop during the day.

[hornblower]

boozy
I am aware of the facts you said about lockwood, but feel a band who are already in a diefferent "league" should not be in the 4th section, if a band reforms or is created I feel they should do a performance for the grading peeps and be put in an appropriate section not put a reformed high section band in at the bottom, thats all is meant, its frustrating to half to play and be judged against such a band and must be a pain for them....

[BoozyBTrom]

Both bands before they were deleted were relegated through the sections. So as far as the rankings go they are where they should be.


I would expect if ever ready didnt contest for 5 or 6 years and then came back to it we would be playing in a lower section.

Yarm and lingdale have had so long out they have to prove their worth again. and judging by what people have said over the weekend they are cetainly doing that.

[Straightmute]

Oh and Straightmute how could you miss my eyes?!! :D

That was YOU with the eyes? Oh yes I remember you very clearly...


Thanks straightmute. it was nice to meet you on sunday and finally see the face behind the name. I could tell you were happy with the bands performance with the beeming face when you came off stage. few scalps there eh!!


Oh no - I've been caught beeming again. Yes I was happy and they all played well.

Can't wait for 21.3.04. How sad is that?

D

[cornetgirl]

I was about to ask what happens on 21.03.04....I'm a bit slow!!!!

But let's look to the immediate future first - bring on Buxton!!!!!

Rach x

[Heather]

Every so often one of these bands appears from no where and wins everything in sight.
It is bad news for the bands who have to play against them and I sympathise. I've been in your position a few times too.
In this case though it seems quite legitimate.
Its when a load of ex championship players form a new band and enter in the lower sections that I feel its unfair...no names mentioned!!!
Surely when this is the case they should be assessed as to where to begin.

[flashbarry]

Hi Heather,

I know what you mean they should have been moved u pby now!!!

Rach
xx

[yorkie19]

boozy
I am aware of the facts you said about lockwood, but feel a band who are already in a diefferent "league" should not be in the 4th section, if a band reforms or is created I feel they should do a performance for the grading peeps and be put in an appropriate section not put a reformed high section band in at the bottom, thats all is meant, its frustrating to half to play and be judged against such a band and must be a pain for them....

I was under the impression that a newly-formed band had to perform for the Regional Committee prior to it's performance at the Areas. Certainly this was the case for Alliance Brass a couple of years ago, when they were graded in the 1st Section LSC.

Sam

[Roger Thorne]

British Brass Band Registry - Rules
Appendix 1 - Grading

(h) A band entering the Regional Championships for the first time must enter in the Fourth Section, unless it can provide satisfactory evidence to the Regional Administration to support it's application to enter a higher section.

(l) Any band failing to compete for three consecutive years will be removed from the grading tables at the end of the third year. If such a band wishes to resume participation in the Contest, it will be treated as a first time entry in accordance with Rule (h).

:wink:

[BoozyBTrom]

Thank you roger for pointing out the rules. I also think that if a band such as lockwood are considered too good for the section by the bands they compete against. They shouldnt worry too much because if they are that good they will soon be out of your hair due to promotion.

[Wonky_Baton]

A few facts about Lockwood

1) They tried to be go in a higher section but were turned down
2) They have broken no rules
3) If they can keep the band together they will walk the Nationals which will be good for our area, as we dont seem to enjoy much success on our travels.

My band came ninth so they didn't deprive us of a result but they did win the League with us 4th which judging by the League prize money meant we lost £2 3s 5d. :roll: However I had a joke on with their conductor that it must be nice to know the bus is paid for before you even go on stage. They can even prepare their press releases before competing with a gap for the number of points they win by.

Well done Dunston for a good musical performance on the back of some very bad luck prior to the contest. There were slips and I cant grumble with 9th especially as we followed the bands that came 1st 2nd & 4th.

The results this year in all sections seem as though they have been the least contentious for years, so well done the adjudicators. Contests are taken too seriously and bad luck always balances itself out in the end. Enjoy the day win or lose. Any one can win but its the grace in how you lose that counts. :wink:

[dave jake]

[quote="BoozyBTrom"][!

it was also good to see Mr Jake who seeed to have enjoyed the pop during the day.[/quote



I have been getting flashbacks ,had a good day and enjoyed seeing Boozy and Straihtmute.
GOOD LUCK YO LOCKWOOD AND RIPPON AT THE FINALS .If the NE doesn t get a long overdue winner I ll eat my Bass.
Which is probably a good thing. :wink: :wink: :wink:

[douglas]

Eat your bass Dave?...........I think you get should get a haircut instead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Well said Wonky about Lockwood,it clarifies a couple of things.

[hornblower]

Yes Jakey what is this about spikey hair..... See look what happens when I leave you out on the lash!!!! :lol: :lol:

[picju96]

[/quote]

I was under the impression that a newly-formed band had to perform for the Regional Committee prior to it's performance at the Areas. Certainly this was the case for Alliance Brass a couple of years ago, when they were graded in the 1st Section LSC.

Sam[/quote]

We had someone over to listen to us to grade us and got put in the 2nd section.

[Brian]

boozy
I am aware of the facts you said about lockwood, but feel a band who are already in a diefferent "league" should not be in the 4th section, if a band reforms or is created I feel they should do a performance for the grading peeps and be put in an appropriate section not put a reformed high section band in at the bottom, thats all is meant, its frustrating to half to play and be judged against such a band and must be a pain for them....

I was under the impression that a newly-formed band had to perform for the Regional Committee prior to it's performance at the Areas. Certainly this was the case for Alliance Brass a couple of years ago, when they were graded in the 1st Section LSC.

Sam

Any new band ,or a band that has not competed at the area for a number of years is graded as 4th section.It can apply to the area committee for regrading, and/ or a performance to local area officials or recognised National adjudicators who will give them a grading, this is not sacrosanct tho !

[Pondasher]

There have been some interesting comments on bands new to the contest scene.

As I am sure you know, the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army has now had several concerts with Black Dyke, just to mention one of our famous bands, in non-S.A. venues. Coupled with this is the decision by the S.A. to make all of their music available to contesting bands and to allow their players to compete in non-S.A. bands.

I believe the next logical step will be for the ISB and other S.A. bands to seek permission from our contest organisers to join in our contests.

I wonder how would the rules operate in such circumstances? Also do you feel that this would be a good or a bad progression for our contesting movement? Remember many of our contests take place on a Sunday which clashes with their Sunday services!

I look forward to your comments.

[Heather]

Good point Pondasher! I'll have to think about this one!

[Boneman]

I believe the next logical step will be for the ISB and other S.A. bands to seek permission from our contest organisers to join in our contests.


Pondasher,

If this were to happen I think it woul dbe a very good thing, the SA bands tend to be of a very high musical standards, and well trained, and such competition would be great at all levels.

That said I can't see it happening for numerous reasons, their outlook is different, the music is part of the worship and I think contesting would go against this ethos, plus they tend to have much bigger bands (4 written trombone parts for instance), and to have to start to tell people that they couldn't play would be a big cultural change for the SA bands.

However another option might be some of the fine SA soloists taking positions in our top bands, I am sure a player of David Daws quality could find a seat at any band.

[Pondasher]

To encourage further comments and allow greater debate I have listed my post on "Will Salvation Army Bands start to enter contests" under Random Chat & Off Topic.

I would appreciate your input.

[Straightmute]

...and of course if SA bands do wish to enter contests they'll have to start in the fourth section at the Northern Area.

Back on topic!

D

[ersop]

Mr L, as a fellow (hard working) North of England Regional Committee member, I'm sure you know the rules as well as I do. If Sunderland Monkwearmouth SA Band (for example before anyone starts complaining) wished to join the regional contest, they would be graded 4th section, however, if they the band wanted to compete in a higher section then they can request an assessment (at their cost I beleive) as Alliance Brass did in London.

My good friend Wonky (you weren't better) Baton, I dont remember Lockwood contesting their grading when they applied to enter the Area contest, they were explained the rules, and accepted them. I do agree though that this year we have a very good chance of several of our bands doing the business in Dundee and we will be doing our level best to fly the NE flag at the Royal Albert Hall.

Hope this info helps, it is to the best of my knowledge 100% correct.

[Wonky_Baton]

Les, I agree with everything you say except I was better and have the smile of satisfaction on a poleroid camera to prove it!! :wow

P.S. How long have you lived in Houghton, you will be turning human shortly :lol:

[Heather]

Hee, Hee!

[Straightmute]

Mr L, as a fellow (hard working) North of England Regional Committee member, I'm sure you know the rules as well as I do. If Sunderland Monkwearmouth SA Band (for example before anyone starts complaining) wished to join the regional contest, they would be graded 4th section, however, if they the band wanted to compete in a higher section then they can request an assessment (at their cost I beleive) as Alliance Brass did in London.

Grading Rule H says 'A band entering the Regional Championships for the first time must enter in the Fourth Section, unless it can provide satisfactory evidence to the Regional Administration to support it's application to a higher section'.

All depends how emphatically you think the word MUST is to be applied, and what one considers to be satisfactory evidence... Certainly it's up to the band, not the Regional Committee, to request a higher grading and to prove its suitablity.

I don't think that what we've written is so far apart, Les!

Cheers

D

[Pondasher]

......So to continue the thinking about what section a premier Salvation Army Band, such as The International Staff Band, would compete in.

It appears because of their sheer quality and reputation, then they would go straight in to the Championship Section. It would be interesting to see if they would also win the National at the first attempt - Wow that would be an achievement!

Nationally, there are several top quality Salvation Army Bands and if they were all to enter in to the Championship Section then, no doubt, this would lead to several demotions for other bands, who quite frankly are not really worthy of that section.

I believe that if this were to happen, then it would be like a shot of adrenalin to our movement, that sadly is ailing in some geographical areas.

Over to you Salvation Army administrators, you have taken a partial step with your music now available to all bands, and your bandsmen/women also playing in non-S.A. bands............................................. ..........

[PeterBale]

Having had some experience on both sides of the contesting/SA fence, whilst the idea of Army bands taking part is quite attractive, and could produce a few interesting results, it is most unlikely ever to happen.

It is true that some of the SA bands are able to maintain a high musical standard, and have done for some time, but the motivation for playing in the band is very different, and this has its own impact. Someone previously mentioned the size of Army bands, and it is not uncommon to find a band of 35-40 players, although not so many are as big these days. Included in that number will be some who have joined the band almost because it is expected of them - I'm not saying they do not have great musical ability or interest, but rather that they have joined the band, as they may well have joined the songsters (choir), in part at least because everyone else has. Thus their banding commitment has to fit in with any other involvement they may have in church life, so it can be difficult to accommodate extra practice time, whether as a band, for sectional rehearsals or as an individual, on top of the regular (usually one) practice each week. Equally, a number of bands would have strong players in the end seats, but without the depth down the section, and it would be difficult to realign the band without causing offence. Also, each band is part of the corps to which it belongs, which may be the only one in that locality, and most will accept any players, of whatever standard, who wish to take part.


I would think it most unlikely that any SA bandmaster would want to devote the amount of practice time needed to bring a test piece up to contest standard, when the number of opportunities for future performances will naturally be limited. What we are seeing already, however, is a number of test pieces, or equivalent, appearing occasionally on SA programmes, when their content or musical nature is felt to be appropriate for inclusion in programmes. Maybe the nearest we are likely to get is if someone puts together a scratch band of SA personnel for the Whit Friday march contests - now that could be interesting, as there are a number of SA bands that still able march the streets on a regular basis, and could put up quite a good show.

[Pondasher]

PeterBale - yes Peter I think you make some valid comments, but as the saying goes, we must never say never.

Already the S.A. hierarchy has implemented radical and forward-thinking decisions, in making their Band and Songster music available to all, as well as allowing their players to compete in contests and concerts. I know at the time these decisions did have a certain amount of opposition with some people, in some corps, but it had obviously been carefully thought through, and I guess ultimately very few bandsmen/women left the S.A. because of the changes.

By their actions the S.A. have brought themselves closer to reality and, thankfully, gone are the days when players had to leave the movement to play in "outside bands" and were referred to as "backsliders". I think General William Booth would have been proud to see this progression, in getting out in to the world rather than run the risk of becoming an introverted religious cult.

I have also played, in S.A. bands (at the highest level) as well as in contesting bands, and do visualise that further changes will come eventually. Even the ISB has changed, in that Steve Cobb, as conductor, is the first person to hold that position, without the necessity of having to be an Officer. Also the ISB used to have several Officers as players in their ranks, and I am now struggling to think of more than one or two in the present band.

The size of some S.A. bands as well as the time devoted to rehearsing a particular piece could present some problems, but in themselves also offer opportunities.

I like your suggestion of putting together a scratch S.A. band for the Whit Friday march contests but probably the timing (i.e. Whitsuntide is usually a busy time in the S.A.) is wrong.

Thanks for your comments.

[BoozyBTrom]

no doubt, this would lead to several demotions for other bands, who quite frankly are not really worthy of that section.




Thats what the 1st section was created for sadly it doesnt seem to have worked as most areas now try to cram as many bands in the top section as possible to create an uber section.