Over 90 entrants took part in the Colne Valley Solo Contest this year — double the 2013 entry – with a fabulous day of competition enjoyed by one and all, despite an early morning hitch with a fire alarm and a caretaker more concerned with improving his golf handicap!

Thankfully there was plenty of great playing on show – from the cracking entrants in the Under 12’s to the more experienced competitors in the Veterans class.

Results:

12 & Under Slow Melody:

1. Luke Newborough (Shirland Welfare Training)
2. Jamie Reid (Lions Youth)
3. Harry Newton (Delph Youth)
4. Grace Jeffers (Pemberton Youth)
5. Julian Bayley (Dobcross Youth)
6. Lewis Hodgson (Marsden Junior)

Youngest Player: Haydn Osborne (Hammonds Youth)
Adjudicators Award: Luke Newborough (Shirland Welfare Training)

16 & Under Slow Melody:

1. Bethan Brown (Foresters Brass 2000) — (Vocalise on Baritone)
2. Bethany Moore (Uppermill Band)
3. George Lawryshyn (Besses Boys)
4. Amy Banks (Pemberton Youth)
5. Andrew Potter (Pemberton Youth)
6. James Atkins (Diggle Band)

Junior Technical Solo:

1. James Atkins (Diggle Band)
2. Jamie Reid (Lions Youth)
3. George Lawryshyn (Besses Boys)
4. Bethan Brown (Foresters Brass 2000)
5. Felicity Hindmarsh (Tewit Youth)
6. Ben Smith (Youth Brass 2000)

16 & Under Duet:

1. James Atkins & Jess Wilson (Diggle Band)
2. Luke Newborough & Gabrielle Moakes (Shirland Welfare Training)
3. Ainslee & Edwin Farrar (Elland Youth)

16 & Under Quartet:

1. Pemberton Sticky Valves
2. Shirland Welfare Training

Overall Junior Solo Champion: Bethan Brown (Foresters Brass)

Open Slow Melody:

1. Ian McCormick (Thoresby Colliery Band)
2. Chris Robertson (Wingates Band)
3. Luke Dempsey (Independent)
4. Callum Harrison (Marsden Silver)
5. Stephen Lomas (Independent)
6. Karl Stott (Independent)

Veterans Slow Melody:

1. Fiona Rolfe (Silk Brass)
2. Michael Harrison (Freckleton)
3. Jackie Clowes (Diggle B Band)

Open Technical Solo:

1. Chris Robertson (Wingates Band)
2. Ian McCormick (Thoresby Colliery)
3. Stephen Lomas (Independent)
4. Neil Corneilius Brownless (Brackley Brass)
5. Luke Dempsey (Independent)
6. John Huber (Marsden Silver)

Open Duet:

1. Karl Stott & Rebecca Somers
2. Callum Harrison & Luke Dempsey

Open Quartet:

1. RNCM

Awards:
Graeme Taylor Best Cornet Award: Bethany Moore (Uppermill)
Best Flugel/Horn: George Lawryshyn (Besses Boys)
Best Trombone: Stephen Lomas (Independent)
Glyn Williams Best Euphonium/Baritone Award: Ian McCormick (Thoresby)
Les Neish Best Bass Award: Andrew Potter (Pemberton Youth)
Highest Placed Outsider: Ian McCormick
Outstanding Solo Performance: Ian McCormick
Overall Open Solo Champion: Ian McCormick