Not all banding eyes and ears were to be found at Symphony Hall on the weekend for the British Open, as with the sun blazing down from clear blue skies, a fine turn out of bands provided excellent musical entertainment for a large and enthusiastic audience for the 13th Exmouth Brass Band Festival.
Feast of entertainment
Held at the Exmouth Pavilion and promoted by the South West Brass Band Association, the packed hall lapped up a feast of entertainment programme music presented by the dozen bands from Cornwall, Devon Somerset and Gloucestershire.
Adjudicator John Winterflood congratulated all the bands and their musical directors for the high standard of playing, together with well thought out programmes of music, presentation and deportment.
Free concerts
In addition to the main entertainment, the excellent weather also enabled bands to provide concert programmes in the Pavilion Gardens complex where hundreds of passing holiday makers enjoyed the free music making
St Pinnock triumph
A fine performance from St Pinnock under the baton of Chris Spreadbury saw the Cornish band claim the honours in a tight battle ahead of Pendennis Brass and Yeovil Town.
The awards were presented by Councillor John Humphreys, the Mayor of Exmouth, and Bruce Taylor of Miller Countrywide South West.
Adjudicator John Winterflood congratulated all the bands and their musical directors for the high standard of playing, together with well thought out programmes of music, presentation and deportment4BR
Full Results:
Adjudicator: John Winterflood
1. St Pinnock (Chris Speadbury)
2. Pendennis Brass (Steve Thomas)
3. Yeovil Town (Kevin Robbins)
4. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (David Hatton)
5. Wotton-under-Edge & District Silver (Ian Dickinson)
6. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
7. Launceston Town (Dave Dobson)
8. South Molton Town (Gil Taylor)
9. Appledore (Jim Wortley)
10. City of Exeter Railway (Gareth Davies)
11. Torrington Silver (Terry Hutchings)
12. Callington Town (Bill Leith)
Awards:
Exmouth Brass Band Festival Band 2012: St Pinnock
Best Entertaining Band: Pendennis Brass
Best Soloist: Solo Cornet of Pendennis Brass
Best Percussion Section: Pendennis Brass
Best Trombone Section: Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne)
