The inaugural Whiston Festival of Brass & Real Ale contest was celebrated in appropriate fashion on the weekend.

Lashings

Well over 2000 people packed into the small village in South Yorkshire to hear the wonderful brass entertainment from the competing bands, accompanied by lashings of the local amber nectar.

Chairman Robert Brown told 4BR: "It was a wonderful way to start off what we hope will become a real fixture in the banding calendar. The weather was great, there was a fantastic friendly atmosphere all day long and the brass band music was tremendous."

Success

Such was the commercial success that one local landlord reported that he had sold more drinks on the day than he had over the entire Christmas holidays!

The competing bands signalled their participation to the crowds by lining up by the Golden Ball public house to march through the village, before performing a 15 minute entertainment programme at a specially erected stage at the local Sitwell Arms.

Police winners

South Yorkshire Police conducted by Leigh Baker took the top section honours and the £350 first prize from adjudicator Dave Hollings, with Worsborough Brass under the direction of John Hopkinson claiming the £350 as Third Section winners as well as an additional £50 as the ‘Most Entertaining’ band.

Maltby Miners conducted by Terry Clifford, took the £350 as top Fourth Section band, whilst Bb tuba player Jon Bailey of Cawthorne Band deservedly took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize after he produced a truly herculean effort contribution as the single tuba player in his band’s performance.

Combined forces

Later the same night the combined forces of Strata Brass and Thurcroft Welfare, as well as some players from other competing bands provided the audience with a short massed band concert under the direction of Dave Hollings.

The well received programme included the march ‘Liberty Bell’ as well as a ‘Last Night at the Proms’ finale to round off a highly enjoyable day of music making.

Warm welcome

Robert Brown added: "We learnt quite a few valuable lessons from this first contest that should hold us in good stead for the years to come. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and that they will come back again next year. They are sure to get a very warm welcome."

The weather was great, there was a fantastic friendly atmosphere all day long and the brass band music was tremendousRobert Brown

Results:
Adjudicator: Dave Hollings

Championship & First Section: South Yorkshire Police
Second Section: No bands entered
Third Section: Worsborough Brass
Fourth & Unregistered Bands: Maltby Miners Welfare Band

Most Entertaining Band: Worsborough Brass
Best Instrumentalist: Jon Bailey (Bb Bass) — Cawthorne Band