Skelmanthorpe, Boarshurst Silver and Tewitt Youth were the headline winners at Sunday's Holme Valley Festival, whilst Saturday saw a host of excellent performances in the Slow Melody contest.

Area reprisals

The regional contests maybe over, but an appreciative audience enjoyed the reprises in Section's A and B of music that had recently challenged bands around the country.

Skelmanthorpe victorious

In Section A, Skelmanthorpe conducted by John Roberts took the honours with their twin performances of the hymn tune, 'St Francis' and 'Paginini Variations'.

The West Yorkshire bands overall performance was more than sufficient to convince adjudicator David Horsfield that they should take home the £550 in prize money, along with the individual accolades for the 'Best Bass Section', 'Best Euphonium' and 'Best Trombone'.

Wakefield runners-up

Wakefield Metropolitan conducted by Norman Law, also performed 'Paganini Variations' along with the hymn tune, 'Penlan' to claim the £275 for second place, with Alan Widdop's Uppermill in third, thanks in part to their performance of 'Resurgam'.

First Section outfit, Rainford gave a reprise of 'Le Carnival Romain' to come fourth with Simon Wood's Hade Edge opting for an early try out of the Senior Trophy set work, 'Benvinuto Cellini' in fifth.

Skelmanthorpe conducted by John Roberts took the honours with their twin performances of the hymn tune, 'St Francis' and 'Paginini Variations'4BR.

Boarshurst dominate

In the B Section, it was a performance of Downie's 'Music for Kantara' and the hymn tune, 'Lloyd' that gave National finalist, Boarshurst Silver conducted by David Ashworth the first prize of £450.

Dinnington and Dobcross Youth both opted for the regional work of 'Prelude, Song & Dance' to fill the podium places.

Tewitt warms up

Tewitt Youth conducted by Malcolm Dibb warmed up for next weekend's National Youth Championships in Manchester by taking the Youth Section ahead of Hade Edge Youth and Dobcross Youth.

Slow Melody

On Saturday, the hall resounded to five sections of slow melody contests, judged by Brighouse & Rastrick's MD, Sandy Smith.

Lomas the winner

Stephen Lomas of Leyland Band took the honours in the Open Section from Jim Tew of VBS Poynton and the experienced Ian Gill of Lindley in third.

Moore victory

In the under 16 and 14s contests, it was a case of epeat performances with cornet player Bethany Moore of Uppermill edging out John Vernon from Lions Youth. Anna Steele of Skelmanthorpe 'B' was third in the under 14s section.

Meanwhile, Ian Gill had further cause for celebration with victory in the 'Veterans' event, whilst Sam Teale from Yorkshire Traction Honley, took the spoils in the Under 11s section.

Results:

Adjudicators: David Horsfield (Section A, B and Youth) & Sandy Smith (Slow Melody)

Section A:

1. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
2. Wakefield Metropolitan (Norman Law)
3. Uppermill (Alan Widdop)
4. Rainford (Neil Samuel)
5. Hade Edge (Simon Wood)

Special Award: Bass Section (Skelmanthorpe)
Best Euphonium: Robert Cavender (Skelmanthorpe)
Soloist: Rebecca Venus (Skelmanthorpe) — trombone

Section B:

1. Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth)
2. Dinnington (Jonathan Beatty)
3. Dobcross Youth (James Garlick)
4. Skelmanthorpe 'B' (Philip Garlick)
5. Littleborough Public (Adrian Woodhead)
6. Yorkshire Traction Honley (Wayne Bostwick)

Youth Section:

1. Tewitt Youth (Malcolm Dibb)
2. Hade Edge Youth (Simon Wood)
3. Dobcross Youth (James Garlick)

Slow Melody Contests:

Open:

1. Steven Lomas (Leyland)
2. Jim Tew (VBS Poynton)
3. Ian Gill (Lindley)

Veterans:

1. Ian Gill (Lindley)
2. Jim Tew (VBS Poynton)
3. Tom Gibb (Uppermill)

Under 16s:

1. Bethany Moore (Uppermill)
2. John Vernon (Lions Youth)

Under 14s:

1. Bethany Moore (Uppermill)
2. John Vernon (Lions Youth)
3. Anna Steele (Skelmanthorpe 'B')

Under 11s:

1. Sam Teale (Yorkshire Traction Honley)
2. Anna Steele (Skelmanthorpe 'B')