Regional Qualifiers - Torquay 2003

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The Band completed an almost unprecedented 'double' at the weekend when they retained their title as West of England Third Section Champions in Torquay, a feat achieved by only one other band in recent history. Beating off strong opposition from sixteen other bands drawn from all over the west of England, Michelmersh beat their nearest rivals by two clear points with their outstanding performance. Peter Graham's complex testpiece 'Northern Landscapes' proved a stiff test for competing bands, prompting the adjudicator to single out Michelmersh's performance for its musicality and emotion.

Brian returned to the stage to collect the West of England Challenge Shield which brings with it an invitation to attend the National Brass Band Finals in Dundee later this year. This honour presents the band with something of a logistical and financial problem. Although determined to attend, the huge financial implication of the trip comes at a time when the band is also facing heavy outlay on its rapidly deteriorating rehearsal room in Michelmersh. Bandmaster Michael Topp said today, "We are obviously going to need to do a lot of fund-raising, but hope also that some form of grant aid and sponsorship might be forthcoming to help us represent the village and the Test Valley in this national competition."

4barsrest, who gave a retrospective analysis of the contest, said of the band's performance: "Michelmersh Silver gave a very authoritative account of the set work that was highlighted by some fine solo playing and a real understanding of balance and style from the MD. It was a classy performance indeed and fully justified the two point winning margin. They will be strong contenders come Dundee later this year."