There was a great day’s entertainment enjoyed by a capacity audience at Bolsover on the weekend.

Marathon

In what was a marathon contest of 23 bands spread over the four sections, adjudicator Ian Porthouse was left impressed with the overall standard of playing, even though he had certainly earned his corn after a very long and tiring day.

Fine music

Worsbrough Brass Beginners won the Unregistered Section with Abercrombie Primary School Community Band in second place, after both bands impressed with their enthusiasm, talent and desire to make some fine music.

Overall, it was a very impressive day (and great value at just £3.00 entry!) and a contest format that deserves to go from strength to strength4BR

Very well played

In the joint 3rd/4th Section it was Emley who took the honours and the £250 first prize with a performance that was highly entertaining and very well played. The highlight of their winning selection was the playing of ‘Birdland’, featuring Jamie O’Brien on trumpet.

Just behind came Dobcross Silver who had the best soloist of the day in the band’s soprano cornet who gave a very good account of ‘Demelza’. Kirkby Colliery came third, but all seven bands made fine contributions in what was a high standard contest.

Deserved

In the 1st/2nd Section it was Vernon Building Society Poynton who deservedly took the honours and the £400 top prize with a programme that included a superb rendition of ‘Napoli’ by Andy Lawton on baritone.

Strata Brass was runner up with a very well balanced programme with South Yorkshire Police in third. Once again, all nine bands gave performances that were full of high quality playing and innovative selections of music.

Balanced and precise

The Championship Section Inter County Challenge meanwhile was a cracker, with Ratby Co-operative taking the first prize of £500 with a programme that was balanced, precise and very well executed under Michael Fowles. The highlight for many was some very sensitive playing in Philip Harper’s ‘Queen Isobel’s Prayer’.

A determined Newstead Brass was second under Duncan Beckley with United Co-op Crewe directed by Jeff Sparkes in third place, in a contest where all six competing bands produced playing of merit.

Impressive day

Overall, it was a very impressive day (and great value at just £3.00 entry!) and a contest format that deserves to go from strength to strength. Carole Crompton and her team worked hard all day to ensure we all had a great day. Roll on next year

Dave Tinker

Results:

Championship Section: (Inter-County Challenge)
1. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles) — 97
2. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley) – 96
3. United Co-op Crewe (Jef Sparkes) — 95
4. Jaguar (Coventry) (Dave Lea) — 94
5. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard) — 93
6. Stannington Brass (Derek Renshaw) — 92

Soloist Trophy: — Flugel Horn — United Co-operative Crewe Band

1st/2nd Section:
1. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Kevin Gibbs) – 97
2. Strata Brass (David Hirst) – 96
3. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker) — 95
4. Silk Brass (James Cant) — 93
5. Wigston (Garry Sleath) — 91
6. Carlton Brass (Walter Ritchie) — 90
7. Oddfellows (Robert Boulter) — 88
8. Hopkins Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) – 87

Soloist Trophy: Baritone — Vernon Building Society Poynton
Most Entertaining Performance: South Yorkshire Police
Highest Placed Ex Colliery Band: Strata Brass

3rd/4th Section:
1. Emley Band (Gary Hallas) – 93
2. Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore) – 91
3. Kirkby Colliery (Steve Berrill) — 90
4. Ireland Colliery (Ian Knapton) – 87
5. Hucknall & Linby (Paul Whyley) – 85
6. Worsbrough Brass (John Hopkinson) — 84
7. Ceramic Brass (Steve Churchill) — 83

Best Soloist Soprano Player: Dobcross Silver
Highest placed Ex-Colliery Band: Kirkby Colliery

Un-Registered Section:
1. Worbrough Brass Beginners (John Hopkinson) – 88
2.Abercrombie Primary School Community (Neil Jones) — 87

Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse (All sections)