There was an excellent weekend of contesting to enjoy at the Wychavon Festival in Evesham where the All Saints’s Church and Wallace House venues rang out to the sound of entertainment programmes from a host of competing bands.

Championship win

There was a long overdue return to title winning form for Aveley & Newham in the Championship Section, as they claimed their first top flight title since their Grand Shield win of 2006 under the baton of the experienced Melvin White.

The eclectic programme caught the fancy of adjudicator John Maines started with ‘Shout’, before moving through ‘Tambourin’, the euphonium solo ‘Czardas’, ‘Ballad’ and ending with ‘Phoenix’.

Best Soloist

There was further celebration for the London & Southern Counties band as their euphonium star David Daws picked up his first major ‘Best Soloist’ Award since making a musical career change from cornet a couple of years ago.

He produced an outstanding performance of Monti’s famous violin showpiece. The band also won the ‘Best Presentation’ award.

After a period of extensive rebuilding, Aveley & Newham picked up the £1,500 first prize and Wychavon Cup from the number 1 draw, beating off the strong challenge of one of Melvin White’s former bands, Welsh challengers BTM, under the baton of Dewi Griffiths.

Their talented percussion team picked up the ‘Best Percussion’ prize.

Fellow Celtic travellers Burry Port, made the long trip up from West Wales to come third, with Medway in fourth.

Section titles:

The First Section title and £1,000 also went to a London & Southern Counties band as Sandhurst Silver claimed the Roger Spragg Festival Cup under the direction of Ian McElligott.

They also beat off a strong Welsh challenge, with Markham & District just a point behind in second and Llywdcoed in third.

Sandhurst’s Matt Spriggs took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize with the band’s percussion also taking their section trophy. Markham claimed the ‘Best Presentation award.

Specialists

Entertainment specialists Strata Brass once again showed their expertise at the contesting genre by picking up yet another first prize under the direction of David Holling, as they pipped Welsh rivals Blaenavon Town to the Danny Freer Trophy and £750 first prize. Cinderford was third.

Strata also picked up the awards for ‘Best Percussion’ and ‘Best Presentation’, whilst euphonium player Anthony Murrell of Cinderford claimed the ‘Best Soloist’ award.

Three Towns Trophy

Porthwaen Silver took the Three Towns Trophy and £600 on offer in the Third Section as under Mark Parry they claimed a two point victory over rivals Wem Jubilee with Ogmore Valley Silver in third.

Porthwaen’s trombonist Ross Johnson took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize with the percussion section claiming their individual award. Arrow Valley claimed the ‘Best Presentation’ trophy.

In the Fourth Section it was Cubbington Silver who caught the eyes and ears of Tom Davoren to claim the Vale of Evesham Trophy and £500 first prize. The band’s principal cornet Pawel Zadrozniak won the ‘Best Soloist’ Award.

Second place went to Cadishead Public, who took the ‘Best Percussion’ award home with them, with Cheltenham Silver in third.

The ‘Best Presentation’ prize was won by Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass.

There was further celebration for the London & Southern Counties band as their euphonium star David Daws picked up his first major ‘Best Soloist’ Award since making a musical career change from cornet a couple of years ago4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: John Maines

1. Aveley & Newham (Melvin White) — 191pts
2. BTM (Dewi Griffiths) — 190pts
3. Burry Port (Nigel Seaman) — 188pts
4. Medway (Melvin White) — 187pts

Best Presentation: Aveley & Newham
Best Soloist: David Daws (euphonium) – Aveley & Newham
Best Percussion Section: BTM

First Section:
Adjudicator: Dave Lea

1. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McElligott) — 189pts
2. Markham & District (Gareth Pritchard) — 188pts
3. Llwydcoed (Nigel Seaman) — 186pts
4. Kibworth (Iain Raynor) — 185pts
5. Bedworth (Jason Glynn) — 184pts
6. Hyde (Helen Kinder) — 184pts
7. Shirley (Dave Bishop-Rowe) — 183pts
8. Enderby Band (Simon Jones) — 180pts

Best Presentation: Markham & District
Best Soloist: Matt Spriggs (euphonium) — Sandhurst Silver
Best Percussion Section: Sandhurst Silver

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Dave Lea

1. Strata Brass (David Holling) — 186pts
2. Blaenavon Town (James Jones) — 185pts
3. Cinderford (Kevin White) — 184pts
4. Daventry (Bob Stradling) — 182pts

Best Presentation: Strata Brass
Best Soloist: Anthony Murrell (euphonium) — Cinderford
Best Percussion Section: Strata Brass

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Tom Davoren

1. Porthwaen Silver (Mark Parry) — 184pts
2. Wem Jubilee (Roger Thorne) — 182pts
3. Ogmore Valley Silver (Alice Jones) — 181pts
4. Arrow Valley Brass (Dave Stanley) — 180pts
5. Newport Borough Brass (Robin Hackett) — 179pts

Best Presentation: Arrow Valley
Best Soloist: Ross Johnson (trombone) — Porthwaen Silver
Best Percussion Section: Porthwaen Silver

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Tom Davoren

1. Cubbington Silver (Alexander Webb) — 183pts
2. Cadishead Public (Craig McFarland) — 181pts
3. Cheltenham Silver (Angie Shepherd) — 179pts
4. Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass (Saphran Ali) — 178pts
5. Ellenbrook & Boothstown (Chris Barnes) — 176pts

Best Presentation: Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass
Best Soloist: Pawel Zadrozniak (cornet) — Cubbington Silver
Best Percussion Section: Cadishead Public