National Championships 2004

'The Report'

(A true story of work and glory!)

Cast: Robin (God) Killick (Corps Director)

Paul (Quiver Lip) Heyes (Ass CD and FC

Brendon (Animal) Oram (Percussion)

Lizi (I’m Gorgeous) Killick

Lewis (Slap Head) Parsons

Plus guest appearances and a cast of ~~thousands~~, well several.

As told by:

Charlotte (Airhead) Wallwork

Heather (Pitbull) Oram

17 September 2004

At 4.00 pm a very anxious Downsmen Corps arrived at Jarvis Brook, Crowborough to board the finals mini bus. After loading our bags into the equipment van we set off for Stow-on-the-Wold where we would be staying over the weekend. We stopped off at the Oxford service area on the M40 where the KFC outlet didn’t know what had hit it.

Finally after the male cashier had finished chatting up Brendon we were back on the road. Eventually, after finding the Youth Hostel, we settled into our rooms but were told to be downstairs by 9.00 pm to have a chat. When assembled we were all pleasantly surprised because Robin and Paul had bought us Downsmen T-shirts. We were all very nervous about the next day and wanted an early night so we went up to our rooms. This meant for some of us cleaning instruments and for others playing cards.

18 September 2004

Our room had only two experienced finals members and three rookies. Due to nerves we were up at 5.00 am and at breakfast the only people who were really talking were Lizi and Lewis. A very nervous Robin could not sit still and was pacing up and down the room making us all more nervous.

At about 8.30 we got on the mini-bus where there was to be a rookie talent contest on the way to Coventry. First prize has to go to Lewis for smacking himself round the head! To calm nerves we decided to sing our parts to the show. The second sopranos were the loudest (aren’t they always).

We arrived in good time to support our friends 4^th Uckfield before we went and found a nearby park to march through the show. Due to there being no markers the positioning was quite a bit of guesswork. Before we knew it we were changed and marching round to the back of the field for warm up and our now familiar stroll onto the field and into our positions for the opening set.

The opener began with Robins’ solo and as he was playing we noticed the first couple of sets were too spaced out. After this we were determined to not let anything else go wrong. Before we knew it we were playing Fiesta, our closer, at a faster pace than we had expected.

The last set was hit and we marched back to the car park. We all thought we had done a good show and most of us were in tears, field commander included.

After a couple of hour’s free time we were back in uniform ready for muster. For some of us this was more nerve racking than the show. When we had been lined up for muster some of the Corps had a quick rehearsal of Canon. The first time we had all tried it together.

Once on the field and while the Cadet results were being announced we were all holding hands in a snake and after what felt like hours, but really only about 10 minutes, our divisions results were being announced. As the final results were being counted down we knew we had a good chance of winning having already won best wind, drill & deportment and GME. Second place was announced; Marching Mariners, this meant the National Champions were us; The Downsmen Corps.

To show our happiness we hugged each other and cried with happiness, to the apparent surprise of everyone else.

After the Division 3 results we were asked to play off the Cadets and our Division. As we came off the field some of our division were clapping and saying well done to us.

Before we knew it we were back on the mini-bus, heading for Stow and this time singing ‘We are the Champions’, with the windows wound down and scaring the locals. Back at the Youth Hostel there were celebrations with champagne being drunk out of the first place trophy by members and staff. Before going to our rooms we had one more chorus of ‘We are the Champions’.

19 September 2004

Yet again our room was up early as some of the members couldn’t wait to tell their parents of their achievements. When we arrived back in Crowborough we had the windows of the mini-bus open and were singing again as we went through the high street.

This was the best experience our Corps has had together and we would personally like to thank each and every member and our staff and supporters for their commitment and for a season we will remember and treasure forever.

BRING ON 2005