Friary Diary - Issue 133- March 2026

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 133 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band.

LONDON & SOUTHERN COUNTIES REGIONAL CONTEST:

Despite our rising hopes that we might book a  return to the National Finals this year, sadly it was not to be.  Rehearsals of Martin Ellerby’s Elgar Variations, ably led by our guest MD John Ward, went well in the week leading  up to the Regional Championships, but we didn’t quite pull it off on the day.  Drawn to play second – the same as last year – our performance drew positive comments from the adjudicators David Hirst and Dr Robert Childs, who summarised it respectively as follows:

‘A well presented performance with a good guiding hand by the MD.  Good solo lines and balance with detail and clarity throughout.’

‘A well shaped musical performance.  Good clarity in the fast music.  Secure soloists.  Just the odd clip now and then.’

Unfortunately it was ‘the odd clip now and then’ which took the gloss off our performance, resulting in a disappointing 6^th place.  Band Chairman David Wicks summed up:  ‘It was a very frustrating result, especially after some solid playing during our final few rehearsals.  We just needed to replicate that on the contest stage, but couldn’t quite manage it.’  ‘But we are extremely grateful to John Ward for stepping into the breach whilst we were between Musical Directors and for all his guidance and support,’ he concluded.

Warmest congratulations to Zone One Brass and particularly to our friends in Sandhurst Silver Band who took the top two places and will carry the banner of London & Southern Counties to the Royal Albert Hall in October.  Maybe next year …?

GRAND SHIELD CONTEST:

In the meantime, we are concentrating on our next contest, the British Open Spring Festival Grand Shield which takes place on Sunday 3^rd May in its new venue of Birmingham Town Hall.  Our aim, under newly appointed Musical Director, Captain Andrew Porter, is to qualify for the British Open, albeit a tough ask as we will need to be in the top two places in a field of 20 bands.  The test piece is Stephen Roberts’ Star Crossed Lovers.

A FAREWELL IN THE BASS SECTION:

We are very sorry to say farewell to bass player David Stokes, who has left Friary to move to Yorkshire, closer to family.  David joined the Band in mid 2022 with a wealth of experience from many bands, including those with the Salvation Army and the Central Band of the RAF.  We thank him and wish him all the very best for the future.  I think they might have a brass band or two in Yorkshire …!

A NEW DATE FOR THE DIARY:

We are thrilled to have yet another invitation to return to St Nicolas Church, Great Bookham, this time for a Sunday afternoon concert on 18^th October.  This event is usually a sell-out:  ticketing details will follow.

RANKING NEWS:

There has been no further update by 4barsrest.com to their world rankings table on 6^th January so Friary stays at 51^st.  Brassstats.com updated their table on 1^st March with Friary slipping a couple of places to 45th.