The 46th Weston-super-Mare Contest was held at the seaside resort’s Winter Gardens on the weekend, where 22 bands competed in the four sections, delivering their own choice test piece selections for adjudicators Paul Cosh and Stan Lippeatt.

Exemplary

Speaking at the results presentation, both Paul and Stan commented that the bands in Section 4, 3 and 2 had all given exemplary performances, but they were slightly disappointed with the performances offered by those in the Open Section.

With a strong Welsh challenge making the trip over the new Severn Bridge following their appearances at the SEWBBA Merthyr Tydfil contest the previous day, it was left to Leicestershire Co-operative to uphold English honour as they claimed the Open Section top prize of £150, under the baton of Graham Jacklin.

Journey

Their performance of Eric Ball’s ‘Journey into Freedom’, featuring a fine ‘Best Cornet Player’ contribution from Nick Lear proved good enough to pip, Llwydcoed’s ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’, with Chalford Brass a couple of points further back in third.

Speaking to 4BR, MD Graham Jacklin was delighted with the result. "We have been coming to this contest for many years and really enjoy it.

The band has worked very hard this season and produced consistent performances, so it was nice to add a victory to the CV and to see our excellent principal cornet Nick Lear take the ‘Best Cornet’ prize."

More Ebbw success

Ebbw Valley Brass made it a weekend to remember by adding two more titles to their ever growing list of achievements, claiming the Second and Third Section honours under Gareth Ritter, with Newport Borough also returning home with a victory to celebrate in the Fourth Section conducted by Robin Hackett.

The Contest Administrator, John Woods, was congratulated in the organisation and running of the event, whilst the presentations to the winning bands were made by Sue Oldfield, Secretary to the Council of West of England BBAs, and Councillor David Hitchings, Chairman of North Somerset Council.

The band has worked very hard this season and produced consistent performances, so it was nice to add a victory to the CVLeicester Co-op MD, Graham Jacklin

Results:

Open Section:
(Championship/First)
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Paul Cosh

1. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin) — 190
2. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) — 189
3. Chalford (Steve Tubb) — 187
4. Foresters Brass 2000 (Peter Collins) — 186
5. South West Telecoms Lympstone (Charles Fleming) — 185

Best Cornet Player: Nick Lear (cornet) — Leicestershire Co-op

Second Section:
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Paul Cosh

1. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter) — 189pts
2. City of Bristol (Bryn James) — 188pts
3. Avonbank Brass (Warren Belshaw) — 187pts
4. Swindon Pegasus (Graeme Lewis) — 184pts
5. Blaenavon Town (James Jones) — 183pts
6. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Josh Ruck) — 182pts

Best Euphonium: Dave Johnson (euphonium) — Ebbw Vale Brass

Third Section:
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Paul Cosh

1. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter) — 185
2. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 184
3. Pontypool Brass (David Langley) — 183
4. Gillingham Imperial Silver (Jim Bennett) — 182
5. Chalford Academy (Steve Tubb) — 181
6. Bratton Silver (Simon Carr) — 180
7. South Molton Town (Gil Taylor) — 179

Best Bass Section: Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda

Fourth Section:
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Paul Cosh

1. Newport Borough Brass (Robin Hackett) — 182
2. Corsham (Colin Hogg) — 181
3. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn) — 179
4. Tiverton Town (David Boorer) — 178

Best Soloist: (soprano) — Corsham