The visit of the 10 time DCI world championships, “The Blue Devils” was a special event and we had a great time performing alongside them in our first visit to Mainland Europe in June.

We also made many wonderful new friends when we stayed with Jubal D &BC for the DCE championships, this will be a friendship that grows and grows as both corps have the up most respect for each other

In the DCE championships we were placed a surprising 4th in finals after being placed 2nd in the prelims event.

At the DCUK finals the corps produced two fantastic performances and finished 2nd with our highest score to date 93.8 (just 0.6 behind the first place corps).

We also won our first caption awards in DCUK placing first in both the Colour Guard and Percussion captions.

DCUK 2005 Finals Report - by Ian Scaife (Text taken from DCUK official report)

Since Kidsgrove Scouts first gatecrashed the upper echelons of the Open Class in 1999 Finals Prelims, whilst being a huge fan, I have found them to be something of an enigma. I have always known what I am going to get from them, yet I also felt that they had not got the credit that they fully deserve for what they do.

They have a trademark sound, possibly more so than any other corps over the past 5-years, and a distinctive look. Maybe this had held them back a little? My personal agenda for Kidsgrove 2005 was to show a little bit more maturity in terms of design and musical balance as well as the magic yet often elusive ingredient…. emotion!!!!

Maybe 2005 finals would provide the moment in time for them to reach for the sky and go beyond all that they have done before?

Right from the first step of ‘The Journey’, something felt a little bit different about the Kidsgrove 2005 edition. We were being teased and tantalised for what felt like an eternity, then BANG, the first impact point! KIDSGROVE ARE ON FIRE!!!!

As the Latin flavours rush past, the realisation that Kidsgrove have come of age is apparent. Brass achieving new levels…. musicality and maturity of the drums…. stunning guard…. fascinating visual program.

I don’t think any British corps has utilised colour quite as well as Kidsgrove over the past few years. This year, the all white corps uniforms against the black and fluorescent orange guard uniforms was a design masterstroke. This made a uniquely bold statement before a note was even played. The guard uni’s, combined with perfect staging and impressive equipment work ensured that our attention was drawn to the guard at the right times.

To ensure the full variety of moods, we needed a deeply moving and emotional moment. Music from ‘The Mission’ provided that moment to perfection. This went beyond anything Kidsgrove have achieved before in terms of pure emotion and created one of those classic goose-bump drum corps moments. Thank you Kidsgrove!!!

The show through to its conclusion continued with that distinct Kidsgrove Latin sound and feel, allowing us to join them on their adrenalin pumping roller coaster ride, and what a ride it was!

Yes, Kidsgrove have come of age and truly thrown the gauntlet down to the Senators!!!

The results….
37th Kinsgwood 8th (70.4), Phoenix Coventry 7th (75.2), Poynton Commodores 6th (80.0), Forgemen 5th (83.1)……A-Class Champions Southern Aurora 4th (83.5)!!!!!! Black Knights 3rd (89.2).

Captions: Brass: Senators, Percussion: Kidsgrove, Visual: Senators, Colour Guard: Kidsgrove, Effect: Senators.

It is then announced that the top two scores were 93.8 and 94.4. Only six tenths between 1st and 2nd! Only SIX TENTHS!!! Have Senators been pipped at the post? The tension is unbelievable.

“in 2nd place…….       …..Kidsgrove Scouts!!!!”

But what a fantastic achievement by the Scouts. What was a five point spread for much of the season whittled down to a matter of tenths.