An outstanding performance by West of England Area champion St Breward gave the Cornish band the Fourth Section title on Saturday in Harrogate.

Conducted by Kevin MacKenzie, they delivered a superbly secure and very musical account of Bruce Fraser demanding ‘Alta Vista’ test piece to take the title back across the Tamar River – and become the fourth ‘Saint’ Band to take a National title in the last few years.

Last minute

Kevin was something of a last minute replacement for the champion, as regular MD Derek Greenwood had to pull out of leading the band to the contest due to other commitments. Kevin was able to lead the band through 10 rehearsals prior to the day, but the last minute work paid off in fine fashion as they romped home with something to spare.

Disappointing

In what proved to be a slightly disappointing contest in terms of the level of overall performances from the 19 bands, it was the strong performance from Dronfield CMW that pushed the eventual winners the closest and found favour with judges Roy Roe and David Horsfield.

Conducted by John Davis, the Midlanders set the early marker to secure a well deserved runners up spot, whilst the final podium place was taken by the North West challengers, Rivington & Adlington.

Their performance was enhanced by the playing of Andy Harrop, and the tenor horn player who has had a year away from banding picked up the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Minor placings

The final podium places were shared out amongst the regions, with a delighted Wantage B, coming in fourth place, just ahead of another Midlander, Fairfield (Buxton) and the fancied Cheshire Constabulary from the North West.

The celebration though belonged to St Breward, the deserved Fourth Section National Champions.

Results:

Test piece: Alta Vista, Bruce Fraser
Saturday 26 September
Commences following the Awards Ceremony for Section 2
Adjudicators: David Horsfield and Roy Roe

1. St. Breward Silver, Kevin MacKenzie, West of England, 17
2. Dronfield CMW, John Davis, Midlands, 7
3. Rivington and Adlington, Malcolm Wilson, North West, 6
4. Wantage Silver ‘B’, Danny Dullforce, London and Southern Counties, 13
5. Fairfield (Buxton), Charles Kitchen, Midlands, 8
6. Cheshire Constabulary, David Woollam, North West, 9
7. Kirkby Lonsdale Allan Greenwood North of England, 5
8. Pontypool Brass Patrick O’Leary Wales, 1
9. Eccles Borough Les Webb North West, 10
10. Maltby Miners Welfare Terry Clifford Yorkshire, 18
11. Ebbw Vale Town Ceri Thomas Wales, 4
12. Battle Town Jon Penton London and Southern Counties, 11
13. Test Valley Brass Steve Large West of England, 2
14. Brass Sounds Inverclyde Gareth Bowman Scotland 19
15. Downton Roland Wright West of England, 16
16. Whitwell David Fretwell Midlands, 3
17. Thurcroft Welfare Ken Vernon Yorkshire, 15
18. Peebles Burgh Silver Alan Fernie Scotland, 12
19. Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes Steven Askew North of England, 14

Best instrumentalist: Solo horn, Rivington and Adlington