*
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    


Fodens

Foden's regional reach out for 2026

September 17 • If you want some of the Foden's Area Championship winning formula to rub off on you, then why not sign up for some early test-piece prep.


Brighouse

Brighouse principal is lead off for Banding Together

September 17 • In a new PR profile initiative for the event, Tom Smith talks about his link to the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.


Norway

Concerto test for Norwegian elite

September 17 • Flavours of Rumba, Ravel and riotous ostriches courtesy of Derek Bourgeois will test the Elite Division contenders at the 2026 Norwegian National Championships.


National Championships

2026 Regional Championship test-piece announced

September 17 • Works by Martin Ellerby, Andrew Wainwright, Philip Harper, Gordon Langford and Eric Ball will test bands in their qualification bids for the Albert Hall and Cheltenham next year.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Jack Capstaff

Bmus (Hons)
Conductor | Composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd