For Reg Vardy supporters, 'normal banding service' was resumed in Darlington, as the former champion regained its North of England title with a fine performance of 'English Heritage' under the command of Dr Nicholas Childs.

Power surge

And despite a power surge that saw the lights go out in the main hall at the Dolphin Centre as the band were delivering their title winning rendition, nothing could stop them as they took a deserved victory for the eighth time in the last nine years to reaffirm their domestic North East supremacy – and from the number 1 draw.

Quality

And Black Dyke’s MD was a happy man when he spoke to 4BR about a performance that saw him gain his fifth title with the band: "That had a stamp of quality," he said.

That quality was also confirmed as adjudicator John Berryman highlighted the contributions made by awarding individual prizes to Reg Vardy’s principal cornet Tina Mortimer, soprano Tom Glendenning, euphonium Paul Robinson and the band’s percussion team.

Black Dyke’s MD was a happy man when he spoke to 4BR about a performance that saw him gain his fifth title with the band: 'That had a stamp of quality,4BR

Delight

There was almost equal delight to be found in the bar afterwards with the players of NASUWT Riverside Brass, conducted by Ian Robinson. Their cultured account of the test piece saw them claim the all important second qualification place and send the band to London for the first time since 2005.

It wasn’t such a good day for reigning champions EYMS, who impressed many in the hall but not in the box to end in a disappointing 7th place.

Just missing out on a trip to Kensington was Fishburn, conducted by Alan Morrison, who rounded of the contest with exciting rendition of the test piece, that gave their bass section the individual award, but just couldn’t claim the second qualification spot.

First Section

The seemingly unstoppable rise of Barton Town Band to the top of North East banding continued on the weekend, when directed by Richard Evans they delivered an outstanding performance of ‘A Moorside Suite’ to take the First Section title – their fourth in the last five years.

Richard Evans told 4BR that, "…this was up there with the best contest performances I have ever conducted", and it was hard to disagree with him after he rolled back the years to lead his band to a memorable victory, which included the prize for the best bass section.

Joining them in Harrogate for the second time in three years will be Wansbeck’s Ashington directed by Steve Malcolm, whilst just missing out was Shepherd Group directed by Rob Wilton, despite picking up the individual awards for percussion and trombone.

Second Section

The Second Section saw seven bands battle it out on Saturday with Cockerton Prize Silver gaining the nod from adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth.

Their performance of 'The Kingdom of Dragons' saw them beat off the impressive challenge of debutants Catterick Brass, who qualified for Harrogate at their first attempt.

Cockerton return to the finals for the first time since 2007, following a performance that also saw them pick up the individual awards for soprano and basses, whilst former Leyland principal euphonium Brendan Wheeler showed that he is enjoying his army career with a fine performance with Catterick to take the euphonium prize.

Third Section

Ferryhill Town was the third band on the weekend to win off the number 1 draw as they took the honours in the Third Section on Sunday morning.

Their performance was delayed by a fire alarm going off, but they returned to produce a fine account of 'Labour & Love' to take the title under the baton of Susan Norris and head to Harrogate for the first time as Third Section champion since 2001.

Joining them there will be York Railway Institute, who booked their ticket to Harrogate for the first time since 2001, courtesy of a spirited performance under the direction of Gordon Eddison that caught the ear of adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth.

Fourth Section

There was a great atmosphere in the hall for the duration of the Fourth Section on Sunday, as an increased field of 11 bands provided enjoyable entertainment for adjudicator John Berryman as an aperitif to the Championship Section later in the day.

In the end it was Stape Silver directed by M. Breckon who took the title and booked their pace at the finals for the first time since 2002, to be joined by the youngsters of NASUWT Riverside Concert.

They produced a vibrant account under the direction of John Bell to book their finals place just three year after making their debuts here.

By all accounts the bar ran dry of lemonade and crisps after their celebrations.

Championship Section:
Sunday 21st March

Draw: 2.00pm
Commences: at end of Third Section
Adjudicator: John Berryman

Result:
1. Reg Vardy (Prof. N. Childs), 1*
2. NASUWT Riverside (I. Robinson), 5*
3. Fishburn (A. Morrison), 9
4. Felling Band (G. Tindall), 3
5. Kirkbymoorside Town (J. Woodward), 2
6. Easington Colliery (D. Hirst), 4
7. East Yorkshire Motor Services (S. Lippeatt), 8
8. GT Group. Peterlee (S. Malcolm), 7
9. Westoe Brass (S. Kerwin), 6

*Top 2 bands qualify for the Finals

Best Principal Cornet: Tina Mortimer (Reg Vardy)
Best Soprano: Tom Glenndenning (Reg Vardy)
Best Euphonium: Paul Robinson (Reg Vardy)
Best Basses: Fishburn
Best Percussion Section: Reg Vardy

First Section:
Saturday 20th March

Draw: 1.30pm
Commences: at end of Second Section
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth

Result:
1. Barton Town (R. Evans), 1*
2. Wansbecks Ashington Colliery (S. Malcolm), 3*
3. Shepherd Group (R. Wilton), 7
4. Harrogate (R. Waite), 4
5. Flookburgh (J. Iveson), 5
6. Murton Colliery (D. Noble), 2
7. Durham Miners Association (A. Exley), 6

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Best Bass Section: Barton
Best Percussion: Shepherd Group
Best Trombone: Stuart Clark (Bass Trombone) Barton

Second Section:
Saturday 20th March

Draw: 11.00am
Commences: 12.30pm.
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth

Result:
1. Cockerton Prize Silver (G. Nicklin), 5*
2. Catterick Brass (S. Halliday), 6*
3. South Milford Brass (M. Davison), 7
4. Dearham (G.J. Williams), 1
5. Northumbrian Water Ellington Colliery (J. Fenwick), 4
6. Houghton Brass (T. Gibson), 2
7. Billingham Silver (V. Evans), 3

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Barrow Shipyard (G. Clough), Withdrawn

Best Euphonium: Brendan Wheeler (Catterick)
Best Soprano: Laurence Pearl, Cockerton
Best Basses: Cockerton

Third Section:
Sunday, March 21st

Draw: 11.00am
Commences: at end of Fourth Section
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth

Result:
1. Ferryhill Town (Susan Norris), 1*
2. York Railway Institute (G. Eddison), 8*
3. Ripon City (M. Dibb), 4
4. North Skelton (T. Oldroyd), 2
5. Kirkby Lonsdale (A. Greenwood), 7
6. Dunston Silver (Sue Murrill), 3
7. Marske Brass (A. Prest), 6
8. Bearpark & Esh Colliery (V. Eckerman), 5
9. Durham Constabulary (K. McDonald), 9

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Best Percussion Section: York Railway Institute

Fourth Section:
Sunday, March 21st

Draw: 8.30am
Commences: 9.30am.
Adjudicator: John Berryman

Result:
1. Stape Silver (M. Breckon), 10*
2. NASUWT Riverside Concert (J. Bell), 4*
3. Backworth Colliery (D. Beckley), 2
4. East Riding of Yorkshire (P. Andrews), 5
5. Trimdon Concert (P.Ash), 9
6. Stanhope Silver (S. Robson), 7
7. Knaresborough Silver (R. Ilsley), 1
8. Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes (S. Askew), 8
9. Spennymoor Town (J. Davidson), 11
10. Swinton & District Excelsior (N. Sutherland), 6
11. Lanchester (D. Brennan), 3

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Best Cornet: Laura Breckon (Stape)
Best Euphonium: Beth Breckon (Stape)

Craghead Colliery (B. Wright), Withdrawn