British Open Championship 2005
The British Open Championships took place at Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Saturday 17th September. Representing Scotland at the contest were the Scottish Co-op, Whitburn and Kirkintilloch bands. The much talked about test piece was Bramwell Toveys ?A Night To Sing?. The field for the contest included most of the recognised top bands from England and Wales and a visiting band from America; Brass band of Central Florida. Indeed the entrants read like a who?s who of Bitish brass bands with such famous names as Black Dyke, Grimethorpe, Brighouse and Buy As You View. With such a star studded entry it is no wonder that the British Open can justifiably lay claim to be ?the best brass band contest in the world?.
Drawn number 3, the Whitburn band conducted by Andrew Duncan were the first of the Scottish contingent on stage. They were followed at draw position 8 by the Kirkintilloch band conducted by Steve Bastable before the last Scottish contender, Scottish Co-op took the stage late on at draw position 15. In truth it was always going to be a hard day for the Scots and unfortunately none made a good enough impression on the judges to merit a placing. Kirkintilloch after last years terrific 4th place will be disappointed with 13th. The Whitburn band were placed 11th and briefly flirted with relegation were it not for the non-appearance of Yorkshire Imps at this years contest. With three bands being relegated next year they will need to pull off a great result to avoid relegation to the Grand Shield. The top placed Scottish band were Scottish Co-op who just made it into the top ten in 10th place. After their recent win at the All England International Masters many had tipped the band to do well but uncharacteristic errors in the cornet opening lines marred an otherwise good performance.
In recent years the top three of Black Dyke, Buy As You View and YBS all seem to have taken brass band playing onto a higher level and they were justifiably placed first second and third respectively. The shock result of the day was the lowly placing awarded to the Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) band who many had thought to be contenders for the prize itself. The judges thought differently however and placed them 12th and they now face the very real prospect of relegation if they achieve a similar placing next year. For the Black Dyke band, in their 150th year, this win gave them ownership of the three ?majors? of National, European and Open Championships, although the National was won last year. Who would bet against them retaining it and completing the "Triple Crown" at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
On the evidence of this years contest the Scottish bands were not overawed in the presence of such exalted company. All three of our representatives acquitted themselves well and with a little bit of luck could have been right in there. However, such is the nature of brass band contesting some you win, some you lose, but you always come back for more and next year the Scots will be back once more to try again. Scottish representation at this contest is not a right, all of our bands are there on merit having qualified through the Spring Festival contests. Like all of the entered bands they have to fight each year not only for the top prize but also to ensure continued participation in the event.
