Flowers Blooming in Full Glory
Congratulations to the Flowers Band on a superb victory at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. The audience reception to the band’s incredible performance of Peter Graham’s ‘Harrison’s Dream’ was electric and more than hinted at a potential ‘result’ for the band. Fresh from a stunning second place at the British Open, it was clear from the opening bars that MD Paul Holland and his South West band were not playing for the bridesmaid spot today. The adjudication panel of Arsene Duc, Dr Stephen Cobb and Prof Rob Wiffin OBE clearly agreed and not only awarded the band the Championship title, but also felt that Dan Thomas on euphonium was the star soloist of the day too.
Commenting on social media, a spokesperson from Flowers reflected on the momentous result, “The band are absolutely ecstatic to have been crowned as The National Champions of Great Britain at The National Finals today. We are absolutely delighted for our Solo Euphonium, Dan Thomas, who won the ‘Most Outstanding Player’ award. This is the first time in our history that we have taken home a win at a ‘Major’. This is also a particularly historic moment as it is the first time a West of England band has ever won the Championship Section National Finals. This is not just a victory for the Flowers Band of today, but is a culmination of all the hard work of past band members since the band’s founding in 1968. We are so proud to represent Gloucester and the West of England and this win means so much to us all. Thank you to our amazing conductor, Paul Holland, for all his hard work and preparation and thank you so much to the players for their dedication to the band. We are hugely grateful to Kapitol and all of the people who make this contest possible and congratulations to all bands in their performances.”
Just pipped to the post today was Foden’s who today had to settle for a second consecutive ‘second’ place under the baton of Russell Gray. Completing the podium placings was the outgoing Champions, Black Dyke under the leadership of Prof Nicholas Childs. Both bands delivered outstanding accounts, at fairly opposite ends of the draw, and although it is always disappointing to be so close but not take the trophy home, they can at least take solace in being pre-qualified for the 2025 National Championships. Complete results from the day are below and a full event retrospective will feature in the next issue of BBW.
Results
1. Flowers (Paul Holland)*
2. Foden's (Russell Gray)*
3. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas Childs)*
4. Cory (Philip Harper)
5. the cooperation band (David Morton)
6. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
7. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Allan Withington)
8. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)
9. Aldbourne (Ivan Meylemans)
10. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof David King)
11. Friary Brass (Nigel Taken)
12. GUS Band (Dr David Thornton)
13. Whitburn (Michael Fowles)
14. NASUWT Riverside (Dr Ray Farr)
15. Desford Colliery (Phillip McCann)
16. Tongwynlais Temperance (Owen Farr)
17. Easington Colliery (Luc Vertommen)
18. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)
19. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ryan Watkins)
20. KNDS Fairey (Philip Chalk)
Best instrumentalist: Daniel Thomas (euphonium, Flowers)
*Top three pre-qualify for 2025 National final
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