The famous Buxton Octagon was a hive of contesting activity on the weekend as a packed line up of 35 bands took part in the popular Festival event.

Expertly organised by Shirley Woodward and her team of experienced stewards from the North West Brass Bands Association, and with Peter Bates on fine form as an indefatigable compere, there was plenty of fine music for an appreciative audience to enjoy.

Adjudicators Derek Broadbent and Mark Wilkinson complimented the bands on the wide variety of own choice test piece repertoire chosen in the four sections, as well as the overall standard of playing on show – especially from each of the winners.

Championship Section:

There was a timely return to contesting form for Silk Brass in the joint top section, as they produced an excellent rendition of ‘Tallis Variations’ under the baton of Dave Holling to claim the £400 first prize ahead of Vernon Building Society and Blidworth Welfare.

Principal cornet Thomas Connibere claimed the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for his classy individual contribution, as the band also took the prize as the highest placed NWABBA competitor.

Great result

It also proved to be a great result for MD Dave Holling, with Silk Brass spokesperson Bob Goodwin telling 4BR that the result has put the band’s season back on track after a disappointing result at the North West Area.

"We have had a difficult few months with a disappointing result at Blackpool and with conductor Jim Cant recovering from serious ill health, so this has given the band a massive boost at just the right time," he said.

"Dave has done a wonderful job since coming to us, and with an influx of talented players our season is heading in the right direction once more."

VBS Poynton also left Buxton on an upbeat note as Neil Samuel led them into the prizes with a well worked performance of ‘Dances & Arias’, whilst principal trombonist John Anderson was presented with a certificate by NWABBA for 50 years service to the brass band movement.

Blidworth Welfare continued with their solid 2013 form by taking the final podium spot with a reprise of the Area set work, ‘Brass Triumphant’ ahead of Jackfield’s Spring Festival run out of ‘Journey into Freedom’.

Second Section:

There was an exciting contest to savour in the Second Section, where Derek Broadbent had the task of sorting out eleven well matched competitors.

North West Area champion, Whitworth Vale & Healey under the direction of John Binns once again showed that they are one of the form bands of the season by taking the title thanks to an excellent performance of Alan Fernie’s ‘Gothic Dances’.

It enabled them to beat off the impressive ‘Toccata Festiva’ challenge of Eccleston Brass, with Yorkshire visitors Horbury Victoria in third playing ‘The Plantagenets’.

Their solo cornet player took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Third Section:

There was also an impressive level of playing to enjoy in the Third Section, where adjudicator Mark Wilkinson was faced with a number of well delivered performances – many of which were fresh sounding reprises of the enjoyable Area set work, ‘Hollywood!’

Dinnington Colliery certainly made the most of their opportunity to return to the glitz and glamour of the silver screen after their Bradford disappointment, as they took the title under Jonathan Beatty.

There was also a return to form for Blackpool Brass too as they claimed the runner-up spot thanks to a solidly delivered rendition of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, with their euphonium pairing taking the 'Best Euphonium Section' award, whilst the final podium place went to another ‘Hollywood’ performance from Formby.

Fourth Section:

An excellent Fourth Section contest saw the Midlanders of Pleasley Colliery Welfare conducted by Keith Buxton deliver a prize winning rendition of 100 year old ‘Labour & Love’ to claim victory over North West rivals Coppull & Standish, with Lees Band in third.

It proved to be a high class battle between the two bands who started the season by exchanging places at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship, with Pleasley just gaining the edge over their Cheltenham bound rivals who delivered an excellent rendition of ’A Saddleworth Festival Overture’, despite their bass quartet taking the 'Best Bass Section' award.

There was a further encouraging display from the emerging talents of the Lees Band from the North West, as John Collins led them into third place thanks to a solid performance of ‘Northern Landscapes’.

Results:

Championship/First Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Silk Brass (David Holling)
2. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Neil Samuel)
3. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)
4. Jackfield Band (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)

Best Soloist: Silk Brass
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Silk Brass

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Whitworth Vale & Healey (John Binns)
2. Eccleston Brass (Daniel Brooks)
3. Horbury Victoria (Duncan Beckley)
4. Wigston (Garry Sleath)
5. Besses Boys (James Holt)
6. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
7. Middleton (Martyn Evans)
8. Matlock (Andrew Dennis)
9. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
10. Durham Miners Association (Neil Davies)
11. York Railway Institute (Gordon Eddidon)

Best Cornet: Horbury Victoria
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Whitworth Vale & Healey

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Dinnington Colliery (Jonathan Beatty)
2. Blackpool Brass (Tariq Ahmed)
3. Formby (Louisa Bough)
4. Old Hall Brass (John North)
5. Hawk Green (Marple) (Neil Hewson)
6. Skelmersdale (David Chapman)
7. Fairfield (Buxton) (Charles W Kitchen)
8. Eagley (Matthew Ryan)
9. Trinity Girls (Stuart Barton)
10. Worsborough Brass (John Hopkinson)
11. Parr Band (St Helen) (John Ludden)

Best Euphonium Section: Blackpool Brass
Highest Place NWABBA Band: Blackpool Brass

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Pleasley Colliery (Keith Buxton)
2. Coppull & Standish (Matt Stringer)
3. Lees Band (John Collins)
4. Ratby Co-op Mid (Geoff Newman)
5. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge (Chris Williams)
6. Cadishead Band (Craig McFarland)
7. Markham Main (Bob Woffinden)
8. Whaley Bridge (Matt Shaw)
9. Burbage Silver (Edwin Stinton)

Best Bass Section: Coppull & Standish
Highest placed NWABBA Band: Coppull & Standish