*
banner

Results: Hardraw Scar

Enchanted victory for Harrogate at Green Dragon contest....

Harrogate
 

It may have been a windy and showery day in upper Wensleydale on the weekend, but it didn’t deter the competitors or the audience who packed into an iconic venue to listen to bands at the famous Hardraw Scar Contest.

Successful event

Organised by the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association in the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn everyone had to endure the odd shower of rain and blustery winds, but it proved to be yet another highly successful event.

Winners

Adjudicator, John Roberts, awarded the open title to Harrogate with local favourites Leyburn winning the B Section.

Meanwhile, the entertainment judges could not split the programmes of Hade Edge or Ratby Mid, who had travelled all the way from Leicestershire to participate in the contest, and the prize was shared.

Enchanted

Harrogate’s winning performance was topped by Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s, ‘Enchanted Kingdom’, as the final number of their 20 minute set.

Principal cornet player Rob Illsley won the ‘Best Soloist’ prize for his dazzling performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘Song & Dance’ and the band won the best hymn tune prize with Peter Graham’s arrangement of ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’.

Filming

The victory was especially pleasing as their performance was being filmed for a programme to be shown on BBC2 next year.

We’re proud to be performing and promoting original music to mainstream audiences, and the reaction to ‘Enchanted Kingdom’ was tremendous. I hope it inspires other bands to perform similar piecesMD, Craig Ratcliffe

Proud

MD Craig Ratcliffe told 4BR: "We’re proud to be performing and promoting original music to mainstream audiences, and the reaction to ‘Enchanted Kingdom’ was tremendous. I hope it inspires other bands to perform similar pieces."

The Band is now looking forward to their trip to Cheltenham to compete in the First Section National Finals.

Results:
Section A:

1. Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)
2. Elland Youth (Samantha Harrison)
3. Hade Edge (Simon Wood)
4. Wetherby Silver (Alan Seymour)
5. Otley (Gordon Eddison)

Best Solo: Harrogate
Best March: Elland Youth
Best Hymn: Harrogate

Section B:
(4th and ungraded)

1. Leyburn (George Lundberg)
2. Ratby Mid (Geoff Newman)
3. Shepherd Group Concert (Mike Pratt)
4. Friendly (Carol Caton)

Best Solo: Leyburn
Best March: Ratby Mid
Best March from an ungraded band: Shepherd Concert
Best Hymn: Leyburn
Best Basses: Burneside Brass

Special Prizes:
Best original piece composed within the last 40 years: Wetherby
Most Entertaining: Hade Edge and Ratby Mid

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Elgar festival of brass

Top trio attracts audiences to Malvern

June 7 • There are still tickets left if you want to enjoy Cory, Black Dyke and Foden's in performance in Malvern


Perth

Entries now open for Scottish Festival of Brass brace

June 7 • Bands can now enter the popular Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Open sponsored by Besson.


Cambrian Brass

New band to be formed in Aberystwyth

June 7 • Cambrian Brass to provide a welcoming, inclusive home for players with the aim of competing at the Welsh Area in 2026.


City of Hull

Brooks and Beatty take dual baton role at City of Hull

June 7 • Daniel Brooks and Jonathan Beatty will spearhead the artistic and contesting focus of City of Hull Band.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Chinnor Silver

June 7 • Our Community Band is meeting on Monday {9th} and would welcome anyone who fancies an extra friendly rehearsal,with coffee and cake involved.. We rehearse in our bandroom at 11am its free and it open to all abilities.. No commitment required.


Epping Forest Band

June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Chelmsford Silver Bnad

June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd