During research by 4BR into Percy Fletcher’s 'An Epic Symphony', which has been chosen as the set work for the 2010 All England International Masters contest, a curious piece of information concerning the myth of the ‘hat trick’ may have been unearthed.

Assumed

It has long been assumed that any band that won a hat trick of titles at the National Championships was barred from competing the following year – although, if the information contained in the 1938 National programme is correct, that has not always been the case.

A band that wins the trophy for the fifth time is barred from competing in the succeeding year’s contest1938 National Programme

Current rules

The current rules (amended in 1989) do state this, but in looking back to when ‘Epic’ was chosen at Crystal Palace for a second time in 1938, an article in the official programme reveals that Foden's were barred from competing in 1935, not because they had completed a hat trick of titles between 1932- 1934, but because their 1934 victory was their fifth at the contest since its inception.

Five times

The article called ‘The Battle of the Bands’ – ‘Most democratic gathering in the world of music’, was written as an introduction to the 1938 contest by Andrew Yates and reprinted from the original from the Western Mail and Echo by permission of its Editor in Chief Mr J.A. Sandbrook.

In it, it is reported: "Recently the Foden’s Motor Works Band set up a great record in scoring their fifth victory, and their third successive win. A band that wins the trophy for the fifth time is barred from competing in the succeeding year’s contest; hence the band was absent in 1935. They have been Champions in 1910, 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936 and 1937."

Oversight?

It may seem that this may be some oversight on behalf of the writer, but St Hilda Colliery, who won the title in 1912, 1920, 1921, 1924 and 1926, did not compete at the 1927 National either – the year after their fifth win, although they did turn professional before the September contest.

In addition, it was widely known that promoter John Henry Iles was a stickler for accuracy — so why was the article allowed to be printed?

Gold medal

The rules for the rival Belle Vue Contest written for the 1907 event clearly stated that: "In the event of any band winning first prize three years in succession, every man will be awarded a gold medal and not allowed to compete the following year"

Although that somewhat muddies the waters as it does not specifically bar the winning band – just the players.

National mention?

A copy of the National rules for the 1902 contest, makes no mention of hat trick winners, but the mystery may have been resolved in the National’s programme of 1935 – the year Foden’s was absent.

Resolution?

Foden’s participation in the Massed Bands Gala Concert states: "The Band won the Championship Prize at last year’s Competition, and it being the third consecutive year of winning the first prize, it was, under the rules, debarred from competing this year."

The mystery is perhaps solved then — although it does beg the question — when exactly did the ‘Hat trick’ rule originally come into force?