The annual Leicestershire BBA ‘Open’ Contest attracted a record entry of 65 bands to Charnwood College in Loughborough on the weekend, where an experienced team of adjudicators enjoyed plenty of fine music making in each of the six sections.

Clear Championship winner

Not even the high winds, road closures and floods could keep the bands away, with the day rounded off by a fine win in the Open event by Ashton under Lyne conducted by Paul Andrews.

Their fine performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘Between the Moon & Mexico’ drew rich praise from adjudicator David Read MBE to secure victory by a clear two point margin – although unfortunately there wasn’t much of a celebration to enjoy on stage after the results as due to the weather the band had already started their homeward journey.

Rejuvenated

A rejuvenated Aveley & Newham, directed by Melvin White was equally delighted with second place after their performance of ‘Partita’ was enhanced by their prize winning trombone section, whilst Hepworth principal cornet Alan Hobbins led Hebden Bridge to an excellent podium finish with their rendition of ‘Prisms’.

Local favourites Newstead Welfare claimed fourth place under Duncan Beckley thanks in part to the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ contribution of Lyndon Cooper on their rendition of ‘Between the Moon & Mexcio’, which drew very specific praise from David Read.

The final top six places went to London challengers, Clacton on Sea with their performance of ‘Variations on an Enigma’ and Co-operative Funeralcare North West with ‘English Heritage’.

David Read MBE certainly captured the attention of the audience with his closing comments and complimented the quality of all the bands' performances. Briefly recalling his own participation at the contest he thanked the organisers, players and MDs for their hard work and choice of music.

First Section:

Adjudicator John Roberts had the difficult job of separating out 15 bands in the First Section before deciding that a detailed and colourful reprise of the recent First Section National Final set work, ‘VIVAT!’ from Shepherd Group was the clear winner, aided by their excellent tuned percussionist who took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Under the baton of Richard Wilton, the North of England band, who came 5th at Cheltenham, produced a fine rendition to beat off the strong challenge of fellow National Finalists Foresters Brass 2000 who opted on this occasion for ‘Dances & Arias’ under the baton of John Ward.

Another Cheltenham challenger Ratby Co-operative was third with their rendition of John Golland’s ‘Sounds’ under the baton of Michael Fowles.

Second Section:

In the Charnwood College Theatre, accommodating the Second, Third, Fourth and Unregistered Sections, adjudicators Brett Baker and David Thornton thoroughly enjoyed themselves with a wide variety of well chosen and well played repertoire.

City of Bristol returned home down the M5 motorway celebrating a fine win in the Second Section, as their well delivered performance of ‘California Legend’ under the direction of Ceri Thomas gave them a clear two point winning margin over rivals The Wigston Band and Ibstock Brick Brass.

Wigston, conducted by Garry Sleath chose the intriguing ‘Flashback’ as their own choice selection, whilst Ibstock under Huw Thomas (who was a busy man all weekend) opted for ‘Dimensions’, which was helped by the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ contribution of Alan Tyler on solo cornet.

Third Section:

11 bands competed in the Third Section, where Black Dyke trombone star Brett Baker was able to clearly sort out his order of preference.

In the end it was a well worked rendition of ‘A Gallimaufry Suite’ by Hucknall & Linby Mining Community Band that took the honours under the baton of Paul Whyley, ahead of second placed Pleasley Colliery Welfare directed by Keith Buxton.

Their performance of ‘Dimensions’ was enhanced by the prize winning contribution of ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award winner Nick Harris on euphonium, whilst third place was claimed by Yorkshire challengers Worsbrough Brass with their performance of ‘Oceans’ conducted by John Hopkinson.

Fourth Section:

In a mammoth Fourth Section event, David Thornton was presented with a host of highly enjoyable performances before opting for a fine reprise account of the recent National Final set work, ‘A British Isles Suite’ by Cheltenham finalists Amersham conducted by Paul Fisher.

Close behind them came a solid rendition of ‘A Saddleworth Festival Overture’ by Pleasley Colliery Welfare, who rounded off a fine weekend of contest work under Keith Buxton’s command, with Ireland Colliery Chesterfield taking the final podium spot with their Cheltenham reprise of ‘A British Isles Suite’.

Their performance was certainly enhanced by a fine soprano contribution from Owen Wedgewood, who certainly lived up to the reputation of his famous sop playing father by taking the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Unregistered Section:

Three cracking bands provided David Thornton with plenty to enjoy in the Unregistered event, with Enderby Youth conducted by Trevor Hounsome taking the honours ahead of Ratby Co-operative and Wigston Enterprise.

Thanks

The contest organisers told 4BR that they were once again delighted by the turnout of bands on the day, many of whom expressed their thanks to the Association for accommodating the request for a full pre-draw for all sections.

This year also saw the introduction of shadow adjudication, with Phil Bailey, Nicholas Garman, John Ward and Richard Jones partnering the official judges in each section as part of their ongoing ABBA professional development training.

Event organisers added: "The Leicestershire Association would like to thank all bands who entered the competition and to congratulate all of the prize winners and winning instrumentalists.

Thanks are also expressed to the helpers, supporters and families who all helped to make the 2012 contest a success."

The Leicestershire Association would like to thank all bands who entered the competition and to congratulate all of the prize winners and winning instrumentalistsLBBA

Results:

Open Section:
Adjudicator: David Read MBE
Shadow Adjudicator: Phil Bailey

1. Ashton under Lyne (Paul Andrews) — 193
2. Aveley & Newham (Melvin White) — 191
3. Hebden Bridge (Alan Hobbins) — 190
4. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley) — 189
5. Clacton on Sea Co-operative (Mark Ager) — 187
6. Co-operative Funeralcare North West (Jef Sparkes) — 185
7. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard) — 182
8. Oddfellows Brass (Robert Boulter) — 181
9. Lydbrook (Ian Holmes) — 180
10. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McGelligot) — 178
11. Medway (Melvin White) — 177
12. Gresley Colliery (Simon Jones) — 175

Best Instrumentalist: Lynden Cooper (euphonium) — Newstead Brass
Best Trombones: Aveley & Newham

First Section:
Adjudicator: John Roberts
Shadow Adjudicator: Nicholas Garman

1. Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton) — 190
2. Foresters Brass 2000 (John Ward) — 188
3. Ratby Co-operative (Mike Fowles) — 187
4. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) — 186
5. Kidlington Concert (Duncan Wilson) — 185
6. Hathern (David Newman) — 183
7. Kibworth (Iain Rayner) — 182
8. Egham (Gareth Green) — 181
9. Raunds Temperance (Robin Norman) — 180
10. Enderby (John Fletcher) — 179
11. Leicestershire Co-operative (Graham Jacklin) — 178
12. Ipswich and Norwich Co-op (Ian Johnson) — 177
13. Harborough (Chris Groom) — 176
14. Carlton Brass (Geoff Hawley) — 175
15. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Christopher Cole) — 174

Best Instrumentalist: Tuned Percussion of Shepherd Group

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Brett Baker
Shadow Adjudicator: John Ward

1. City of Bristol (Ceri Thomas) — 188
2. The Wigston Band (Garry Sleath) — 186
3. Ibstock Brick Brass (Huw Thomas) — 184
4. Bilton Silver (Rugby) (David Stowell) — 181
5. Matlock (Andrew Dennis) — 180
6. Shirebrook Miners Welfare Unison (Mark Wilcockson) — 176
7. Towcester Studio (Kevin Steward) — 175
8. Raunds Temperance (Robin Norman) — 174

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Brett Baker
Shadow Adjudicator: John Ward

1. Hucknall & Linby Mining Community (Paul Whyley) — 188
2. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton) — 186
3. Worsbrough Brass (John Hopkinson) — 182
4. Rushden Town (John Hudson) — 178
5. Stamford Brass (Rob Prew) — 174
6. Ibstock Brick Brass (Huw Thomas) — 171
7. Croft Silver (Ian Needham) — 170
8. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Granam Cardwell) — 169
9. Burbage Silver (Edwin Stinton) — 168
10. Lofthouse 2000 (Andrew Whitaker) — 164
11. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Ian Knapton) — 162

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: David Thornton
Shadow Adjudicator: Richard Jones

1. Amersham (Paul Fisher) — 182
2. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton) — 181
3. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Ian Knapton) — 180
4. Bradwell Silver (Brian Keech) — 179
5. Simon Langton Brass (David Cutting) — 178
6. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler) — 177
7. Ratby Co-operative Mid (Geoff Newman) — 176
8. Kirkby Colliery (Steve Berrill) — 175
9. University of Warwick (Simon Hogg) — 174
10. Market Rasen Resdev (Alan Needham) — 173
11. Audley Brass (Ian Turner) — 172
12. Melton (Graham Sutton) — 171
13. Burbage Silver (Edwin Stinton) — 170
14. Moulton 77 (Roger Stevens) — 169
15. Syston (Dennis Powell) — 168
16. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate) — 167

Unregistered Section (LBBA Member Bands):
Adjudicator: David Thornton
Shadow Adjudicator: Richard Jones

1. Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome) — 175
2. Ratby Co-opeatve Youth (Becky Moss) — 173
3. Wigston Enterprise (Pat Allsopp) — 172