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30th June 2007 - English NationalsAdjudicators: William Relton, Alan Fernie & John Berryman The English Nationals contest was run for the first time in 2006, as a new contest where the winner qualified to play at the European Championships as the English Representative. All the bands that won their respective English Areas were invited, and the numbers where then made up from the 4barsrest rankings to make up fourteen bands. Last year, Black Dyke and Grimethorpe both refused their invitation and so did not take part. In the run up to this contest, Grimethorpe and Black Dyke again declined their invitation but late in the day Grimethorpe changed their minds and decided to play. This was put to a vote by the other competing bands and they were allowed to take part. The piece was in complete contrast to the Masters test piece, featuring an array of percussion instruments, including a bell tree which luckily one member of the percussion team was able to provide. The contest was pre-drawn and we knew we were in the second half, meaning that we didn’t have to meet up at the bandroom until 10am on contest day. We then journeyed across to Preston, ready to rehearse at a local Quaker meeting hall. Just after we had set up the draw came through and we decided to wait about an hour before rehearsing as we were drawn number eleven. Several members of the band took the opportunity to venture out into the rain and find food from local outlets. After a final quick rehearsal we re-loaded the coach and took the ten minute journey to the hall. Access was through a shopping centre (perhaps a first for us!) and up an escalator. We then got changed, registered and moved into the stage at the other theatre in the Guild Hall to warm up. Next came our time to play and we moved into the main hall to set up the stage. The performance had a nervy beginning but soon settled down. Most of the performance came across the way we intended and we thought the good sections were excellent. We hoped that these good bits would outweigh the small nervous bits of the performance. After we left the stage and repacked the bus, the band went their separate ways, some to listen and others to partake of the local hostelries. At the end of the contest, there was a hour and a half break before a short hour long concert provided by last year’s winners Fodens. The concert featured several soloists including the reigning BBC Young Brass Soloist of the year, Ben Thomson. The concert was excellent, and featured something for everyone, including classical music, show tunes, a “cheesy xylophone solo” featuring Mark Landon and the march the band played with much success on Whit Friday. Finally we came to the results. Only the top four places were announced, those attracting trophies and substantial prize money. The band were not featured in this top four, with the eventual winners of the contest being announced as Grimethorpe. The full results of the contest were: 1. Grimethorpe Colliery, Allan Withington (5) 7. Newstead Welfare, Duncan Beckley (4) The band were rather perplexed with a second to last placing, especially given how good we thought the good bits of our performance were and comparisons with the other bands we heard. Congratulations go to all the prizewinners, and we wish Grimethorpe well at the Europeans. The band must now forget about this disappointment and look forward to the Open in September, their last contest of the year. Thanks to: Tim Sawyer |