Despite other well advertised rival sporting attractions, which caused a slight reduction in entries for this years contest, a great time was still had in the North Yorkshire town of Easingwold on the weekend.

The 29th annual March and Deportment contest took place with ten bands out of an original entry of fifteen taking part.

Wakefield triumph

The contest is organised by the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association on behalf of the Easingwold District Lions Club, as part of their major fund raising event of the year.

This year saw the return of Band Sergeant Major M.E. Topping as the Deportment Adjudicator, who reported that he was delighted with the improvement in standards.

In the end it was Wakefield Metropolitan conducted by Norman Law, fresh back from his recent trip to Japan who took the overall honours and bagged £335 of prize money into the bargain.

Results:

1. Wakefield Metropolitan (Norman Law)
2. Frickley South Elmsall (David Nichols)
3. Uppermill (Alan Widdop)
4. GT Group Peterlee (Steve Malcolm)

Best First Section Band: Old Silkstone
Best Second Section Band: Frickley South Elmsall
Best Third Section Band: Uppermill
Best Fourth Section/Ungraded Band: Backworth Colliery

Best Deportment: Garforth
Best Trombones: GT Group Peterlee