Flowers in full bloom at Butlins
Flowers returned to winning form in Skegness last weekend, when they picked up their seventh Butlin's title and first victory since winning the French Open in 2016. Under the direction of Principal Conductor, David Childs, the band were the most consistent of the weekend, producing two high quality performances on Philip Sparke's epic Year of the Dragon and an engaging 'Icons of their Time' entertainment set.
Following their own brilliantly entertaining performance on day two of the contest, Woodfalls Band under Dr. Robert Childs were first onto the podium in third place, and on the back of a finely crafted performance of Contest Music , Desford under Micahel Fowles deservedly took the runner-up spot. However, it came as no surprise when, during the Gala Concert, Flowers were announced as overall Champions and 'Most Entertaining Band', taking with them more than £11k in prize money.
Despite another early draw, Flowers impressed from the outset, delivering the first of five Year of the Dragon renditions, described by adjudicator, Ian Porthouse as "a performance of quality." However, it was the band's outstanding entertainment set the following day that left the audience wanting more and put the band three points clear of the rest of the field.
Commenting on the weekend David Childs was full of praise for his players, "I enjoyed every moment on stage with Flowers. The players have worked extremely hard in recent months and it was great to see that effort rewarded with two fine performances and a great result. Playing to a packed hall on both days was a thrill, but I was particularly delighted for Paul Richards who gave a scintillating world premiere performance of Jonathan Bates's new soprano solo, Let Freedom Ring."
A full report from the Butlin's Championships by BBW's Chief Contributor, Chris Thomas, will appear in the next edition of BBW.
Photo (courtesy Steve Jack): Paul Richards in 'scintillating' form
Full Results for all sections can be seen below:
Championship Section
Adjudicators:
Paul Holland & Ian Porthouse (Music on both disciplines)
Paul Andrews and Kevin Wadsworth (Entertainment)
(Set test + Quality of Music Entertainment + Entertainment) = Total
1. Flowers (David Childs): 2 + 2 + 1 = 5
2. Desford Colliery (LCITWF) (Michael Fowles): 1 + 3 + 4 = 8
3. Woodfalls (Dr Robert Childs): 4 + 6 + 2* = 12
4. Friary Guildford (Chris King): 5 + 4 + 3 = 12
5. Redbridge Brass (Jeremy Wise): 3 + 5 + 5* = 13
6. Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke): 6 + 1 + 6 = 13
7. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea): 7 + 7 + 8 = 22
8. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby): 8 + 8 + 7 = 23
*Entertainment placing takes precedence in event of tie
Highest Placed Mining Band: Desford Colliery (LCITWF)
Set Test Winner: Desford Colliery (LCITWF)
Most Entertaining Band: Flowers
Test Piece Soloist: Nikki Longden (Flugel) — Desford
Geoff Dove Soloist Award: Paul Richards (soprano) — Flowers
First Section:
Test Piece: Rennaisance (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: Martin Heartfield & Nicholas Garman
1. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
2. Stannington (Derek Renshaw)
3. Skelmanthorpe (Charles Fyffe)
4. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)
5. Blackburn & Darwen (Tariq Ahmed)
6. Sandhurst Silver (Andrew Porter)
7. Knottingley Silver (Kevin Belcher)
8. Bedford Town (Steve Phillips)
9. Strata Brass (Jonathan Bates)
10. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
11. Foresters Brass (John Davis)
12. Harborough (Brad Turnbull)
13. Enderby (Simon Gresswell)
14. Hebden Bridge (David Hamilton)
15. Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Colum O' Shea)
16. Ibstock Brick Brass (Simon Willis)
17. Old Silkstone (Owen Wedgewood)
18. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
19. Colchester Band (David Maddocks)
20. Gresley Colliery (Craig Stevens)
21. Cawston (Leigh Sharpe)
22. Alder Valley (Lee Woodward)
23. Dunston Silver (Aidan Hodgson)
Withdrew: East of Engand Co-operative (Nigel Cooper)
Highest Placed Mining Band: Strata Brass
Second Section:
Test Piece: Variations for Brass Band (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Adjudicators: Paul Andrews & Alan Morrison
1. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
2. Milton Keynes Brass (Jonathan Mott)
3. Eagley (Chris Wormald)
4. Horsham Borough (Mark McLaughlin)
5. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Chris Binns)
6. Besses Boys (James Holt)
7. Waterbeach Brass (Andrew Kershaw)
8. Ifton Colliery (Scott Lloyd)
9. Pemberton Old Wigan DW 'B' (Mike Golding)
10. Horwich RMI (Matt Ryan)
11. Middleton (Martyn Evans)
12. Crofton Silver (Dean Jones)
13. Old Hall Brass (John North)
14. Greenfield (Tom Haslam)
15. City of Coventry Brass (Stephen Cooper)
Highest Placed Mining Band: Haydock
Third Section:
Test Piece: Henry V (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston & Kevin Wadsworth
1. Hoover (Bolton) (Criag Mann)
2. Dodworth Colliery MW (Eliot J. Darwin)
3. Crystal Palace (Michael Gray)
4. Emley Brass (Garry Hallas)
5. Epping Forest (Mark Ager)
6. Dronfield Genquip (Damien Wileman)
7. Stalybridge Old (David W Ashworth)
8. Shirland Welfare (Lyndon Cooper)
9. City of Norwich (Andrew Craze)
10. Amington (Malcolm Read)
11. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Geof Benson)
12. Ellington Colliery (Clare Winter)
13. Dinnington Colliery (Lyndon Bolt)
14. Brighton & Hove City (Matthew Hackett)
15. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed)
Highest Placed Mining Band: Dodworth Colliery MW
Fourth Section:
Test Piece: Second Suite in F (Gustav Holst)
Adjudicators: Allan Holdsworth & Mark Walters
1. Stamford Brass (Julian Bright)
2. Sale Brass (Alan Seymour)
3. Banovallum Brass (Horncastle) (Steve Ingham)
4. Great Yarmouth Brass (Colin Swaep)
5. Deepcar Brass (Cathryn Rogers)
6. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford)
7. Thurcroft Welfare (Matthew Wright)
8. Sherwood Forest Brass (Christine Lippeatt)
9. Whitwell Brass (Ryan Stacey)
10. Royston Town (Steve Earley)
11. Tingley Brass (John Belton)
Highest Placed Mining Band: Maltby Miners Welfare
Youth Section and Junior Ensemble:
Adjudicator: Mark Walters
Youth Section:
1. 3BA Brass (Benjamin Markl)
2. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
3. Shirland Welfare (Lyndon Cooper)
Other competitors: Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome) & Gresley Youth Band (Duncan Jackson)
Best Soloist: Sophie Stevenson (Xylophonist) Youth Brass 2000
Junior Ensemble:
1. Gresley Youth Band B (Duncan Jackson)
2. Wigston Enterprise Band (Matthew Davis)
3. Shirland Training (Jack Newborough)
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