The AW Parker (Drybrook) Band from the Forest of Dean has enjoyed a weekend to remember.

Double contests

For the first time in their history they took part in two contests on the same weekend, at the SEWBBA contest in Blaenavon followed by the Gloucestershire BBA contest in Coleford.

Saturday saw them at Blaenavon to be greeted by thick fog and drizzle and as the only English band taking part in a fiercely competitive domestic Welsh League contest.

English delight

Playing second in the Fourth Section, the band played the set test piece, Anglian Dances by Alan Fernie to an enthusiastic if not slightly partisan Welsh audience.

After sampling the delights of the local hostelries they returned in time to hear adjudicator, Peter Roberts, placing them first and to give the band the honour of being the first band ever to bring it out of Wales.

As well as adding a total of six trophies to the trophy cabinet, the band also won £550 in prize money4BR

Local win

Sunday saw marginally better weather as they attended their local Gloucestershire Association contest Coleford.

Playing the same test piece and the march ‘The Contestor’ the band once again swept the board, collecting five more trophies by winning the Section C first prize for ‘Best March’, ‘Best Test Piece’, ‘Best Instrumentalist’, ‘Best Trombone Section’, as well as the cup presented to conductor Kevin White!

As well as adding a total of six trophies to the trophy cabinet, the band also won £550 in prize money.

Successful year

The Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Contest was the last one of a very successful year for the band which has seen them win the GBBA Entertainment, Wychavon Festival of Brass, GBBA Annual Test Piece & March and the SEWBBA contests and also finish fourth in the West of England Fourth Section Regional contest, as well as winning £1,150 in prize money.