The final of this year’s Kippax Entertainment Contest brought together reigning champion, EYMS Band against last year’s finalist Drighlington, and debutants Thoresby Colliery.

Full to capacity

The Kippax Band Club was full to capacity to see Drighlington kick off under the direction of Jim Davies, and they started with the band on their feet with 'Amazonia' from the 'Windows of the World'.

This was followed by, 'Here’s that Rainy Day' and solos by Martin Hall with 'Pandora' and Mike Tyler on 'Be my Love'. Their programme included the contest march 'The Wizard', 'Caravan', and 'The Armed Man', before they ended their challenge with the last section of 'Suite Gothique'.

Rolling start

Thoresby followed and opened their programme with Leigh Baker's 'Saints Fantasy' — a rolling start with the band coming out and playing in sections.

Remembrance Sunday was aknowledged with Leigh's arrangement of Baker 'Eventide', before principal cornet Peter Collins picked up the trumpet for 'Tico Tico' which gave him the 'Best Soloist' Award on the night.

Further solid playing on the remaining items of 'Marching Onward', 'The Water is Wide' and 'Get Happy' brought them to their final item, Peter Graham’s 'Shine as the Light'.

Adjudicator David Roberts told the audience that he had enjoyed the very different programmes immensely and had heard some fine playing from all three bands4BR

Reigning champion

With the clock approaching 10.00pm it was the turn of EYMS to get their programme underway under Alan Morrison.

They started their defence with 'Amazonia' from 'Windows of the World', before Neil Day deliverd the cornet solo 'Carrickfergus'

'The New Colonial' march followed before a tribute to the Band Aid organisation with 'Hymn for Africa', led by 'Best Instrumentalist' winner, flugel Kathleen Newiss aided by on screen visual images.

'Another Fine Mess' starring the euphoniums Neil Johnson and Andrew Kennedy had the audience rolling with laughter before their finale, 'King of Kings'.

Very different programmes

Adjudicator David Roberts told the audience that he had enjoyed the very different programmes immensely and had heard some fine playing from all three bands.

Thoresby Colliery took the runner up spot, with EYMS retaining their title for the second year in a row.

Alan Morrison picked up the trophy awarded to the winning conductor, which is presented by the Wardle family in memory of former MD of the Kippax Band, Keith Wardle.

Result:

1. EYMS (A. Morrison)
2. Thoresby Colliery (L. Baker)
3. Drighlington (J. Davies)