The hugely popular 13th Brighouse Festival of Brass, organised by the Brighouse Lions, featured plenty of top class playing from the 26 competing bands on show in the famous banding town on the weekend.

Largest

One of the largest crowds in the contest’s history saw defending champion Marsden Silver retain the title, pushed hard by runners-up Hammonds Saltaire, with Skelmanthorpe coming third in the main contest held at the Town Hall Square.

David Hoyle of BBC Radio Leeds ‘Yorkshire Brass’ was on hand to record the bands and interview personalities throughout the day for his popular programme that will be broadcast in a few weeks time.

Olympic baton and torch

The BFBB ‘Brass the Baton’ relay was featured in the day’s contesting whilst the Olympic Baton was paraded by an official Torchbearer in front of the South Yorkshire Police Band, raising funds for the Lions charities along the way.

The Saturday evening concert in the Central Methodist Church featured Wardle Anderson Brass under the leadership of their recently appointed MD, Steve Walsh.

Delighted audience

They delighted a packed audience with their programme of music, which included the performance of the Kirkless Composition Award winning, ‘Ascension’ by Stephen Richardson, who travelled from London to hear it being played.

With the audience joining into the spirit of the occasion with ‘Jerusalem’, ‘British Sea Songs’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ the evening rounded off a high profile week for the town which also saw the Olympic Torch pass through on its way to London.

Highlight

One of the undoubted musical highlights was provided Kirklees Music Brass, directed by Dennis Wilby. This small ensemble played a varied programme and featured the talented young trombonist Charlotte Horsfield who delighted the audience with her stylish rendition of Peter Kneale’s ‘Blue John’.

Also featured was her granddad David and horn star William Rushworth, in Goff Richard’s flugel and horn duet ‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’. The cornet section was spotlighted with Dennis Wilby’s ‘Tyrollean Trumpets’ and the final number ‘Hunt the Wren’, a lively traditional Manx melody, arranged by John Kinley.

Top brass event

The March & Hymn Tune spectacular in the West Yorkshire town has developed into one of the top brass events of its kind in the UK.

In what proved to be an excellent contest, leading genre experts Marsden Silver led by Glyn Williams edged out Hammonds Saltaire directed by Morgan Griffiths and Skelmanthorpe conducted by John Roberts.

Hammonds Saltaire principal cornet Jamie Smith won the best cornet prize and the Stuart Broadbent Memorial Trophy, whilst Marsden’s Dale Garner won the Brian Evans Memorial Trophy as the best soprano cornet.

We take these events very seriously indeed. It’s so well organised and run that it’s always a pleasure to make the trip – and leave with the silverware and prizes! The hard work and preparation pays offGlyn Williams

Serious

Speaking to 4BR Glyn was delighted with his band’s latest success.

"We take these events very seriously indeed. It’s so well organised and run that it’s always a pleasure to make the trip – and leave with the silverware and prizes! The hard work and preparation pays off."

Tribute

Before the results were announced there was a musical tribute to the late Roy Newsome, with Elland Silver playing ‘Pateley Bridge March’, ‘Deep Harmony’ and ‘Stepping Out’, a work composed specially for Elland Youth Band.

Fred Etherington, ‘The Voice of Brighouse’, as he is affectionately known, kept the non-stop show moving along well and thanks went to the excellent adjudicators Pascal Eicher, Colin Hardy, Gordon Higginbottom and Alan Widdop.

Lion President Douglas Cornell thanked all concerned and especially the sponsors: Yamaha Music, Kershaw’s Garden Centre, Blakeley’s Fish Restaurant, Webster’s Insurance Services, Kirklees Music, Mr. & Mrs. Weyland Roberts. The Deputy Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Christine Beale opened the event.

Results:

1. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
2. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
3. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
4. Lindley (Jason Smith)
5. EYMS (Allan Morrison)
6. Kirbymoorside
7. Hade Edge
8. Hebden Bridge
9. Drighlington
10. Boarshurst
11. South Yorkshire Police

Best Principal Cornet: Jamie Smith (Hammonds Saltaire)
Best Contest March: Marsden Silver
Best Hymn Tune: Marsden Silver

Best Soloist of the Day: Euphonium (Drighlington)
Best Band Road March: Hammonds Saltaire
Best Trombone Section Road March: Marsden Silver
Best Soprano Cornet: Marsden Silver

Best Hymn Tune Section 4: Clifton & Lightcliffe ‘B’
Deportment: Kirkbymoorside Town

Best 1st Section Band: Drighlington
Best 2nd Section Band: The Lindley Band
Best 3rd Section Band: Boarshurst Silver
Best 4th Section Band: Dobcross Youth
Best Youth Band: Sellers International Youth

Best Unregistered Band: Thurlstone

Youth Band: Elland Youth

Youth Deportment: Shirland Training
Youngest Player: Ben Warner (Sellers International Youth) aged 9
Best Soloist Youth: Jamie Smith (Cornet Sellers International Youth)