In January 2014 the Flowers Band competed at the Butlins Mineworkers Championships and won. David also received the 'Best Soloist' award.

In February 2014 David once again took to the contest stage with the Flowers Band, this time at Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. Again they were victorious, and again David was awarded the 'Best Soloist' prize.

In March 2014 David was part of yet another winning performance with Flowers when they were crowned West of England Champions for a third successive year securring their place at the Royal Albert Hall National Championships later this year.

Since 2009 the Flowers band have been competing in the Grand Shield (a qualifying competition for the British Open) every year, but have never been lucky enough to win. In May 2014 they took to the stage hoping to change their fortunes and win their 4th successive contest of the year...

Through his facebook page David recalled, "This was my first Grand Shield contest since 1997, and the piece was one of my favourites, On Alderley Edge by Peter Graham. It was the first piece I played solo euphonium on at the Royal Albert Hall when I was a member of the City of Hull EYMS band. My Dad was conducting, my Mum was playing flugel, my best man Chris Turner was opposite me on principal cornet, Joanne my wife to be was also on the solo cornet bench, and my sister Lisa was on repiano to play the final cornet solo. She was amazing – it was a special day."

Seventeen years later it proved a special day once again! The Flowers Band won the Grand Shield, and in doing so achieved qualification for this year’s British Open Championships, the most prestigious brass band contest in the world.

David continued, "Congratulations to all at Flowers, it was a pleasure to be part of the performance, and extra special to once again share the stage with my wife on the piece we played our first of many contest performances together."


David and wife Joanne following Flowers' Grand Shield victory in May.

On September 6th The Flowers Band took their qualification place and performed in the British Open Championships for the first time since 2008, surprising a few along the way! Competing against big name bands like Grimethorpe Coliery, Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Fodens, Faireys, Cory, Tredegar, Desford and other world class bands, Flowers were awarded 3rd place for a 'top class' performance which won many plaudits on the day...

“Var 5 - Well done euph and lovely band piano at (33). Splendid euph in (34) - really lovely!”
“A fantastic performance that just grew and grew in quality.”
Stephen Roberts - Adjudicator

“Var 5 - Beautiful playing here from all. Marvellous euphonium.”
“This is wonderful playing. Bravo!! Bravo!!”
Paul Cosh - Adjudicator

“Great band sound before (30) and some lovely touches through to Var 4, where euphonium shows himself to be a top a class performer.”
“Great stuff from (53) and not forgetting the conductor! - The band has been absolutely top class.”
John Berryman - Adjudicator

“We hear the ghost of Mahler in the funeral march and David Childs is masterful as the opening theme is reincarnated and transformed in Variation 5.”
“The generous applause from the audience is richly deserved.”
Christopher Thomas – 4BarsRest.com

The famous Black Dyke Band conducted by David's uncle Nichloas Childs were worthy winners overall, with David's former band Cory settling for second place. However, it was Flowers who proved to be the 'surprise package' on the day delivering an impressive performance and achieving the best result at any Major competition in the band's history. 

Following the band's performance 4BarsRest.com Editor Iwan Fox caught up with David and the Flowers Band MD Paul Holland.



David with his wife Joanne who played flugel horn with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band at Symphony Hall.