There was a busy day of contest action at The Hawth in Crawley on the weekend, where a fine line up of bands battled in both own choice test piece and classic brass band march action at the scaba Spring contest.

Foden’s MD Michael Fowles was certainly impressed by the quality of the playing on show, remarking that he felt that there were a number of excellent performances, aided by the wonderful atmosphere generated by supporters and players alike.

Norwegian guests

scaba spokesperson Ian Carter told 4BR that the organisers were also delighted to welcome the Trondheim Police Band from Norway, who enjoyed themselves both at the contest and in concert with the Yiewsley & West Drayton Band on Saturday evening.

"It was wonderful to welcome our Norwegian friends – the third time that a band from the country has played at the contest over the years,” he said.

"They not only played very well, but also enjoyed themselves in providing a super joint concert, and left as new found fans of traditional British fish and chips after an evening celebration at West Drayton."

Championship Section:

Friary Guildford under Chris King warmed up for their forthcoming appearance at the Spring Festival in Blackpool by giving the march ‘Ravenswood’ and the Senior Trophy set work, ‘Journey into Freedom’ a good run out, despite being the only entrant in the Championship Section.

First Section:

There was a much keener edge to the battle in the First Section as Tilbury, conducted by Andy Austin showed that they are fast returning top class contesting form by repelling the Nordic challenge of Trondheim Police, with Fairlop Brass in third.

The only disappointment on what was a well matched contest was the withdrawal of BAE Systems, Poole Borough and Thundersley.

Tilbury’s fine ensemble rendition of ‘A Bandsman’s Challenge’ by Bertand Moren pipped the excellent solo and section contributions shown by Trondheim on ‘Tournament for Brass’, as the Norwegian’s picked up a host of individual awards and took the march prize with their performance of ‘Mercury’.

Fairlop also showed a return to form after their disappointing Area result, by coming third on both the march and their own choice selection of ‘The Plantagenets’.

Second Section:

Cranbrook Town swept the board in the Second Section under the baton of MD Ian Lanceley, as they secured top honours in both the set work and march categories.

A robust ‘Castell Coch’ march and a well delivered rendition of ‘New World Sketches’ were also enhanced by the excellent solo contributions of principal cornet Richard Warren and their balanced prize winning trombone section.

Shanklin Town Brass made the short trip to deliver a brace of fine performances of ‘Death of Glory’ and ‘Olympus’ to claim the runner-up spot, with Uckfield Concert Brass giving well worked renditions of ‘Punchinello’ and ‘Music for a Festival’ to end third.

Third Section:

There was also a fine contest to enjoy in the Third Section, as Brighton & Hove City Brass under Matthew Hackett, deservedly took the title ahead of Sussex Brass with Pangbourne in third.

Pangbourne under the direction of Stewart Lewins took the march honours with a fine account of the rarely heard, ‘Balmashanna’, whilst Brighton secured the set work victory with an excellent performance of Darrol Barry’s ‘Divertimento’ aided by their prize winning cornet section, to beat Sussex’s well delivered ‘Promenade’.

Individual awards were shared out too, with Sussex’s Richard Gibbons taking the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for his fine soprano playing, and the band’s horn ensemble taking the section award.

Youth Section:

Although there was just the single entrant in the Youth Section, Shanklin Town Youth provided the audience with excellent playing on their march selection of ‘Slaidburn’ and their own choice work, A Stantonbury Festival’.

The friendly atmosphere of a fine contest day was summed up with the sight of Best Instrumentalist winner Amber Pierce and her young friend marching up to the stage to accept the Youth Section prize.

It was wonderful to welcome our Norwegian friends – the third time that a band from the country has played at the contest over the yearsscaba spokesperson, Ian Carter

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Michael Fowles

1. Friary Guildford (Chris King)
Best March: Friary Guildford
Best Bass Section: Friary Guildford
Best Instrumentalist — Richard Straker (Cornet)

First Section:
Adjudicator: Michael Fowles

1. Tilbury (Andrew Austin)
2. Trondheim Police (Espen Andersen)
3. Fairlop Brass (Kevin Jordan)
4. Horsham Borough (Andrew Kershaw)

Best March: Trondheim Police
Best Bass Section: Trondheim Police
Best Horn Section: Trondheim Police
Best Tenor Trombone: Mari Morkved (Trondheim Police)
Best Bass Trombone: Geir Halstadtroe (Trondheim Police)
Conductor’s Prize: Espen Andersen (Trondheim Police)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Michael Fowles

1. Cranbrook Town (Ian Lanceley)
2. Shanklin Town Brass (Malcolm Lewis)
3. Uckfield Concert Brass (Nick Morris)
4. LGB Brass (Ian Stewart)
5. Godalming (David Wright)
6. Snowdown Colliery Welfare (Christer Aberg)

Best March: Cranbrook Town
Best Instrumentalist: Richard Warren (Cornet), Cranbrook Town
Best Trombone Section: Cranbrook Town
Conductor’s Prize: Ian Lanceley (Cranbrook Town)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Michael Fowles

1. Brighton & Hove City Brass (Matthew Hackett)
2. Sussex Brass (Hastings) (Steve Hollamby)
3. Pangbourne (Stewart Lewins)
4. Patcham Silver (James Banks-Coker)
5. Mole Valey (Andrew Wilson)
6. Gosport Solent Brass (Steve Dunster)
7. Cobham (Matthew Milnes)

Best March: Pangbourne
Best Instrumentalist: Richard Gibbons (soprano) — Sussex Brass (Hastings)
Best Horn Section: Sussex Brass (Hastings)
Best Solo Cornet Section: Brighton & Hove City Brass
Conductor’s Prize — Matthew Hackett (Brighton & Hove City Brass)

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Michael Fowles

1. Shanklin Town Youth (Malcolm Lewis)

Best Instrumentalist: Amber Pierce (cornet) — Shanklin Town Youth
Best March: Shanklin Town Youth
Conductor's Prize: Malcolm Lewis (Shanklin Town Youth)